Method and apparatus for determining tire location in a tire pressure monitoring system using directional low frequency initiation

• US 20080127723A1
• Filed: 11/02/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Lin, Xing Ping
• Granted Patent: US 7,716,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0416 allocating a corresponding wheel position on vehicle, e.g. front/left or rear/right
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/044 Near field triggers, e.g. magnets or triggers with 125 KHz
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders

Abstract

A method is provided for determining tire location in a tire pressure monitoring system having the steps of generating an initiation frequency signal having a controllable output adapted to be received by a selected one of a plurality of tires of the tire pressure monitoring system. At least two tires of the tire pressure monitoring system have associated initiation signal receivers. The method also includes transmitting a response signal from the selected tire receiving the initiation signal, the response signal having at least a unique identification signal portion associated with the selected tire. The method also receives the transmitted response signal and associates the identification signal with a location of the selected tire.

Claims

1. A method for determining tire location in a tire pressure monitoring system comprising the steps of:

generating an initiation frequency signal having a controllable output adapted to be received by a selected one of a plurality of tires of the tire pressure monitoring system, at least two tires of said tire pressure monitoring system having associated initiation signal receivers;

transmitting a response signal from the selected tire receiving the initiation signal, the response signal having at least an unique identification signal portion associated with the selected tire;

receiving the transmitted response signal; and

associating the identification signal with a location of the selected tire.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating an initiation frequency signal having a controllable output includes the steps of generating a low frequency signal, controlling the output strength of the generated low frequency signal, and controlling a transmission direction of the generated low frequency signal.

3. A method for determining tire location on a vehicle in a tire pressure monitoring system comprising the steps of:

generating low frequency initiation signals;

controlling transmission strength of said generated low frequency initiation signals;

controlling transmission direction of said generated low frequency initiation signals so as to direct said generated low frequency initiation signals toward at least a selected one of a plurality of tires on a vehicle, at least two tires of said vehicle having associated initiation signal receivers;

transmitting a response signal from the at least a selected one tire receiving the initiation signal, the response signal having at least an unique identification signal portion associated with the at least a selected one tire receiving the initiation signal;

receiving the transmitted response signal with the unique identification signal portion; and

associating the received unique identification signal portion of the response signal with a location of the at least a selected one tire receiving the initiation signal on the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of controlling transmission strength of said generated low frequency initiation signals further includes the step of readjusting signal strength of said generated low frequency initiation signal so that a second tire on said vehicle responds to said initiation signal with its associated initiation signal receiver.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of controlling transmission direction of said generated low frequency initiation signals further includes the step of readjusting transmission direction of said generated low frequency initiation signal so that a second tire on said vehicle responds to said initiation signal with its associated initiation signal receiver.

6. An apparatus for determining a tire location in a tire pressure monitoring system comprising:

a generator for generating an initiation frequency signal having a controllable power output adapted to be received by a selected one of a plurality of tires of the tire pressure monitoring system, at least two tires of said tire pressure monitoring system having associated initiation signal receivers;

a transmitter for transmitting a response signal from the selected tire receiving the initiation signal, the response signal having at least an identification signal portion;

a receiver for receiving the transmitted response signal; and

a controller for associating the identification signal with a location of the selected tire and for storing the associated identification and tire location in memory.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the generator is a low frequency generator.

8. The transmitter of claim 6 wherein the transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

9. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a generator for generating low frequency initiation signals;

a controller for controlling transmission strength of said generated low frequency initiation signals and for controlling transmission direction of said generated low frequency initiation signals so as to direct said generated low frequency initiation signals toward at least a selected one of a plurality of tires on a vehicle;

at least two tires of said vehicle having associated initiation signal receivers, said at least one selected tire receiving said generated low frequency initiation signal transmitting a response signal, the response signal having at least an unique identification signal portion associated with the at least a selected one tire receiving the initiation signal; and

a receiver for receiving the transmitted response signal with the unique identification signal portion and associating the received unique identification signal portion of the response signal with a location of the at least a selected one tire location on the vehicle.