Wheel identifying apparatus and tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus with function of wheel identification

• US 20080276701A1
• Filed: 05/05/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Watabe, Nobuya, Mori, Masashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,163 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 23/045 Means for detecting electromagnetic field changes being not part of the signal transmission per se, e.g. strength, direction, propagation or masking
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0462 Structure of transmission protocol

Abstract

A wheel identifying apparatus includes first and second triggering devices located on the body of a vehicle, a plurality of transceivers each of which is located on one of the running and spare wheels of the vehicle, and a receiver and a wheel identifier both of which are located on the body of the vehicle. The first and second triggering devices continuously transmit first and second trigger signals, respectively. Each of the transceivers monitors the strength of either the first or second trigger signal thereat for a given length of time, and transmits a signal indicating variation in the monitored strength. The receiver receives and provides to the wheel identifier all the signals transmitted by the transceivers. The wheel identifier identifies, for each of the signals, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the signal is located through a comparison between the variations indicated by the signals.

Claims

1. A wheel identifying apparatus for a vehicle which includes a body, two front wheels, two rear wheels, and a spare wheel located on the body closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels, the wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

a first triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the front wheels than the rear wheels and at different distances from the front wheels;

a second triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels and at different distances from the rear wheels;

five transceivers each of which is located on a corresponding one of the five wheels of the vehicle away from a rotational axis of the corresponding wheel;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the first triggering device continuously transmits a first trigger signal to the transceivers on the front wheels for a first predetermined time period during running of the vehicle;

in response to receipt of the first trigger signal, each of the transceivers on the front wheels monitors the strength of the first trigger signal thereat for a given length of time, determines a first physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the first trigger signal, and transmits a first response signal which indicates the determined first physical quantity;

the receiver receives the two first response signals respectively transmitted by the transceivers on the front wheels;

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the two first response signals received by the receiver, the front wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the first response signal is located through a comparison between the first physical quantities indicated by the two first response signals;

the second triggering device continuously transmits a second trigger signal to the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels for a second predetermined time period during running of the vehicle;

in response to receipt of the second trigger signal, each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels monitors the strength of the second trigger signal thereat for the given length of time, determines a second physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the second trigger signal, and transmits a second response signal which indicates the determined second physical quantity;

the receiver receives the three second response signals respectively transmitted by the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels; and

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the three second response signals received by the receiver, that one of the rear and spare wheels on which the transceiver having transmitted the second response signal is located through a comparison between the second physical quantities indicated by the three second response signals.

2. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein among the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels, the wheel identifier identifies:

the transceiver which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the smallest second physical quantity as being located on the spare wheel;

the transceiver which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the largest second physical quantity as being located on the closer one of the rear wheels to the second triggering device; and

the remaining transceiver as being located on the farther one of the rear wheels to the second triggering device.

3. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a running speed determiner that determines a running speed of the vehicle, wherein both the first and second triggering devices respectively transmit the first and second trigger signals only when the running speed of the vehicle determined by the running speed determiner is above a predetermined value.

4. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first physical quantity determined for each of the transceivers on the front wheels is an amplitude of the variation in the monitored strength of the first trigger signal for the given length of time, and

the second physical quantity determined for each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels is an amplitude of the variation in the monitored strength of the second trigger signal for the given length of time.

5. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiver and the wheel identifier are integrated into a single device.

6. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is incorporated in a tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus which comprises:

five pressure sensors each of which is provided on one of the five wheels of the vehicle to sense an inflation pressure of a tire fitted on the wheel; and

a tire pressure determiner provided on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus is so configured that;

each of the transceivers also transmits tire pressure information indicating the inflation pressure of the tire sensed by that one of the pressure sensors which is on the same wheel as the transceiver;

the receiver receives and provides to the tire pressure determiner all the tire pressure information transmitted by the transceivers; and

the tire pressure determiner determines the inflation pressure of each of the tires based on the tire pressure information transmitted by that one of the transceivers which is on the same wheel as the tire.

7. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the pair of one of the transceivers and one of the pressure sensors on each of the five wheels is integrated into a single device, and

the receiver, the wheel identifier, and the tire pressure determiner are integrated into a single device.

8. A wheel identifying apparatus for a vehicle which includes a body, two front wheels, two rear wheels, and a spare wheel located on the body closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels, the wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

a first triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the front wheels than the rear wheels and at different distances from the front wheels;

a second triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels and at different distances from the rear wheels;

five transceivers each of which is located on a corresponding one of the five wheels of the vehicle away from a rotational axis of the corresponding wheel;

a monitoring time setter located on the body of the vehicle;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the monitoring time setter sets a monitoring time according to a running speed of the vehicle;

the first triggering device continuously transmits a first trigger signal to the transceivers on the front wheels for a first predetermined time period during running of the vehicle, the first trigger signal indicating the monitoring time set by the monitoring time setter;

in response to receipt of the first trigger signal, each of the transceivers on the front wheels monitors the strength of the first trigger signal thereat for the monitoring time indicated by the first trigger signal, determines a first physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the first trigger signal, and transmits a first response signal which indicates the determined first physical quantity;

the receiver receives the two first response signals respectively transmitted by the transceivers on the front wheels;

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the two first response signals received by the receiver, the front wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the first response signal is located through a comparison between the first physical quantities indicated by the two first response signals;

the second triggering device continuously transmits a second trigger signal to the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels for a second predetermined time period during running of the vehicle, the second trigger signal also indicating the monitoring time set by the monitoring time setter;

in response to receipt of the second trigger signal, each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels monitors the strength of the second trigger signal thereat for the monitoring time indicated by the second trigger signal, determines a second physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the second trigger signal, and transmits a second response signal which indicates the determined second physical quantity;

the receiver receives the three second response signals respectively transmitted by the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels; and

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the three second response signals received by the receiver, that one of the rear and spare wheels on which the transceiver having transmitted the second response signal is located through a comparison between the second physical quantities indicated by the three second response signals.

9. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein among the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels, the wheel identifier identifies:

the transceiver which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the smallest second physical quantity as being located on the spare wheel;

the transceiver which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the largest second physical quantity as being located on the closer one of the rear wheels to the second triggering device; and

the remaining transceiver as being located on the farther one of the rear wheels to the second triggering device.

10. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the monitoring time setter sets the monitoring time by the following steps:

determining a rotation time that is required each of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle to make one revolution at the running speed of the vehicle;

comparing the rotation time with a predetermined threshold; and

setting the monitoring time to the rotation time when the rotation time is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, and to the predetermined threshold otherwise.

11. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first physical quantity determined for each of the transceivers on the front wheels is a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the monitored strength of the first trigger signal for the monitoring time, and

the second physical quantity determined for each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels is a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the monitored strength of the second trigger signal for the monitoring time.

12. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the monitoring time setter, the receiver, and the wheel identifier are integrated into a single device.

13. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is incorporated in a tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus which comprises:

five pressure sensors each of which is provided on one of the five wheels of the vehicle to sense an inflation pressure of a tire fitted on the wheel; and

a tire pressure determiner provided on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus is so configured that;

each of the transceivers also transmits tire pressure information indicating the inflation pressure of the tire sensed by that one of the pressure sensors which is on the same wheel as the transceiver;

the receiver receives and provides to the tire pressure determiner all the tire pressure information transmitted by the transceivers; and

the tire pressure determiner determines the inflation pressure of each of the tires based on the tire pressure information transmitted by that one of the transceivers which is on the same wheel as the tire.

14. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the pair of one of the transceivers and one of the pressure sensors on each of the five wheels is integrated into a single device, and

the monitoring time setter, the receiver, the wheel identifier, and the tire pressure determiner are integrated into a single device.

15. A wheel identifying apparatus for a vehicle which includes a body, two front wheels, two rear wheels, and a spare wheel located on the body closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels, the wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

a first triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the front wheels than the rear wheels and at different distances from the front wheels;

a second triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels and at different distances from the rear wheels;

five transceivers each of which is located on a corresponding one of the five wheels of the vehicle away from a rotational axis of the corresponding wheel;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the first triggering device continuously transmits a first trigger signal to the transceivers on the front wheels for a first predetermined time period during running of the vehicle;

in response to receipt of the first trigger signal, each of the transceivers on the front wheels monitors the strength of the first trigger signal thereat for a given length of time, determines a value of the monitored strength of the first trigger signal, and transmits a first response signal which indicates the determined value of the strength of the first trigger signal;

the receiver receives the two first response signals respectively transmitted by the transceivers on the front wheels;

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the two first response signals received by the receiver, the front wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the first response signal is located through a comparison between the values of the strength of the first trigger signal indicated by the two first response signals;

the second triggering device continuously transmits a second trigger signal to the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels for a second predetermined time period during running of the vehicle;

in response to receipt of the second trigger signal, each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels monitors the strength of the second trigger signal thereat for the given length of time, determines a value of the monitored strength of the second trigger signal, determines a physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the second trigger signal, and transmits a second response signal which indicates both the determined value of the strength of the second trigger signal and the determined physical quantity;

the receiver receives the three second response signals respectively transmitted by the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels; and

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the three second response signals received by the receiver, that one of the rear and spare wheels on which the transceiver having transmitted the second response signal is located through comparisons between the values of the strength of the second trigger signal indicated by the three second response signals and between the physical quantities indicated by the three second response signals.

16. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein among the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels, the wheel identifier identifies:

the transceiver which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the smallest physical quantity as being located on the spare wheel; and

that one of the remaining two transceivers which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the larger value of the strength of the second trigger signal as being located on the closer one of the rear wheels to the second triggering device, and the other as being located on the other rear wheel.

17. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a running speed determiner that determines a running speed of the vehicle, wherein both the first and second triggering devices respectively transmit the first and second trigger signals only when the running speed of the vehicle determined by the running speed determiner is above a predetermined value.

18. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the physical quantity determined for each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels is an amplitude of the variation in the monitored strength of the second trigger signal for the given length of time.

19. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the receiver and the wheel identifier are integrated into a single device.

20. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is incorporated in a tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus which comprises:

five pressure sensors each of which is provided on one of the five wheels of the vehicle to sense an inflation pressure of a tire fitted on the wheel; and

a tire pressure determiner provided on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus is so configured that;

each of the transceivers also transmits tire pressure information indicating the inflation pressure of the tire sensed by that one of the pressure sensors which is on the same wheel as the transceiver;

the receiver receives and provides to the tire pressure determiner all the tire pressure information transmitted by the transceivers; and

the tire pressure determiner determines the inflation pressure of each of the tires based on the tire pressure information transmitted by that one of the transceivers which is on the same wheel as the tire.

21. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the pair of one of the transceivers and one of the pressure sensors on each of the five wheels is integrated into a single device, and

the receiver, the wheel identifier, and the tire pressure determiner are integrated into a single device.

22. A wheel identifying apparatus for a vehicle which includes a body, two front wheels, two rear wheels, and a spare wheel located on the body closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels, the wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

a first triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the front wheels than the rear wheels and at different distances from the front wheels;

a second triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle closer to the rear wheels than the front wheels and at different distances from the rear wheels;

five transceivers each of which is located on a corresponding one of the five wheels of the vehicle away from a rotational axis of the corresponding wheel;

a monitoring time setter located on the body of the vehicle;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the monitoring time setter sets a monitoring time according to a running speed of the vehicle;

the first triggering device continuously transmits a first trigger signal to the transceivers on the front wheels for a first predetermined time period during running of the vehicle, the first trigger signal indicating the monitoring time set by the monitoring time setter;

in response to receipt of the first trigger signal, each of the transceivers on the front wheels monitors the strength of the first trigger signal thereat for the monitoring time indicated by the first trigger signal, determines a value of the monitored strength of the first trigger signal, and transmits a first response signal which indicates the determined value of the strength of the first trigger signal;

the receiver receives the two first response signals respectively transmitted by the transceivers on the front wheels;

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the two first response signals received by the receiver, the front wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the first response signal is located through a comparison between the values of the strength of the first trigger signal indicated by the two first response signals;

the second triggering device continuously transmits a second trigger signal to the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels for a second predetermined time period during running of the vehicle, the second trigger signal also indicating the monitoring time set by the monitoring time setter;

in response to receipt of the second trigger signal, each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels monitors the strength of the second trigger signal thereat for the monitoring time indicated by the second trigger signal, determines a value of the monitored strength of the second trigger signal, determines a physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the second trigger signal, and transmits a second response signal which indicates both the determined value of the strength of the second trigger signal and the determined physical quantity;

the receiver receives the three second response signals respectively transmitted by the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels; and

the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the three second response signals received by the receiver, that one of the rear and spare wheels on which the transceiver having transmitted the second response signal is located through comparisons between the values of the strength of the second trigger signal indicated by the three second response signals and between the physical quantities indicated by the three second response signals.

23. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein among the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels, the wheel identifier identifies:

the transceiver which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the smallest physical quantity as being located on the spare wheel; and

that one of the remaining two transceivers which has transmitted the second response signal indicating the larger value of the strength of the second trigger signal as being located on the closer one of the rear wheels to the second triggering device, and the other as being located on the other rear wheel.

24. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the monitoring time setter sets the monitoring time by the following steps:

determining a rotation time that is required each of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle to make one revolution at the running speed of the vehicle;

comparing the rotation time with a predetermined threshold; and

setting the monitoring time to the rotation time when the rotation time is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, and to the predetermined threshold otherwise.

25. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the physical quantity determined for each of the three transceivers on the rear and spare wheels is a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the monitored strength of the second trigger signal for the monitoring time.

26. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the monitoring time setter, the receiver, and the wheel identifier are integrated into a single device.

27. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is incorporated in a tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus which comprises:

five pressure sensors each of which is provided on one of the five wheels of the vehicle to sense an inflation pressure of a tire fitted on the wheel; and

a tire pressure determiner provided on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus is so configured that;

each of the transceivers also transmits tire pressure information indicating the inflation pressure of the tire sensed by that one of the pressure sensors which is on the same wheel as the transceiver;

the receiver receives and provides to the tire pressure determiner all the tire pressure information transmitted by the transceivers; and

the tire pressure determiner determines the inflation pressure of each of the tires based on the tire pressure information transmitted by that one of the transceivers which is on the same wheel as the tire.

28. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the pair of one of the transceivers and one of the pressure sensors on each of the five wheels is integrated into a single device, and

the monitoring time setter, the receiver, the wheel identifier, and the tire pressure determiner are integrated into a single device.

29. A wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

two transceivers that are respectively located on two running wheels of a vehicle away from a rotational axis of the respective wheel;

a triggering device located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the running wheels;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the triggering device continuously transmits a trigger signal to the transceivers for a predetermined time period during running of the vehicle;

in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers monitors the strength of the trigger signal thereat for a given length of time, determines a physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the trigger signal, and transmits a response signal which indicates the determined physical quantity;

the receiver receives and provides to the wheel identifier the two response signals transmitted by the two transceivers; and

the wheel identifier identifies that one of the two transceivers which has transmitted the response signal indicating the larger physical quantity as being located on the closer one of the two running wheels to the triggering device, and the other as being located on the other running wheel.

30. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein the physical quantity determined for each of the transceivers is an amplitude of the variation in the monitored strength of the trigger signal for the given length of time.

31. A wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

two transceivers that are respectively located on two running wheels of a vehicle away from a rotational axis of the respective wheel;

a triggering device located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the running wheels;

a monitoring time setter located on the body of the vehicle;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the monitoring time setter sets a monitoring time according to a running speed of the vehicle;

the triggering device continuously transmits a trigger signal to the transceivers for a predetermined time period during running of the vehicle, the trigger signal indicating the monitoring time set by the monitoring time setter;

in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers monitors the strength of the trigger signal thereat for the monitoring time indicated by the trigger signal, determines a physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the trigger signal, and transmits a response signal which indicates the determined physical quantity;

the receiver receives and provides to the wheel identifier the two response signals transmitted by the two transceivers; and

the wheel identifier identifies that one of the two transceivers which has transmitted the response signal indicating the larger physical quantity as being located on the closer one of the two running wheels to the triggering device, and the other as being located on the other running wheel.

32. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the physical quantity determined for each of the transceivers is a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the monitored strength of the trigger signal for the monitoring time.

33. A wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

two transceivers that are respectively located on a running wheel and a spare wheel of a vehicle away from a rotational axis of the respective wheel;

a triggering device located on a body of the vehicle;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the triggering device continuously transmits a trigger signal to the transceivers for a predetermined time period during running of the vehicle;

in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers monitors the strength of the trigger signal thereat for a given length of time, determines a physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the trigger signal, and transmits a response signal which indicates the determined physical quantity;

the receiver receives and provides to the wheel identifier the two response signals transmitted by the two transceivers; and

the wheel identifier identifies that one of the two transceivers which has transmitted the response signal indicating the smaller physical quantity as being located on the spare wheel, and the other as being located on the running wheel.

34. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein the physical quantity determined for each of the transceivers is an amplitude of the variation in the monitored strength of the trigger signal for the given length of time.

35. A wheel identifying apparatus comprising:

two transceivers that are respectively located on a running wheel and a spare wheel of a vehicle away from a rotational axis of the respective wheel;

a triggering device located on a body of the vehicle;

a monitoring time setter located on the body of the vehicle;

a receiver located on the body of the vehicle; and

a wheel identifier located on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel identifying apparatus is so configured that;

the monitoring time setter sets a monitoring time according to a running speed of the vehicle;

the triggering device continuously transmits a trigger signal to the transceivers for a predetermined time period during running of the vehicle, the trigger signal indicating the monitoring time set by the monitoring time setter;

in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers monitors the strength of the trigger signal thereat for the monitoring time indicated by the trigger signal, determines a physical quantity which represents variation in the monitored strength of the trigger signal, and transmits a response signal which indicates the determined physical quantity;

the receiver receives and provides to the wheel identifier the two response signals transmitted by the two transceivers; and

the wheel identifier identifies that one of the two transceivers which has transmitted the response signal indicating the smaller physical quantity as being located on the spare wheel, and the other transceiver as being located on the running wheel.

36. The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein the physical quantity determined for each of the transceivers is a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the monitored strength of the trigger signal for the monitoring time.