TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHODS

• US 20090167517A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Inoue, Eiji, Usui, Masanori
• Granted Patent: US 8,648,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A vehicle having a sensor apparatus includes a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion disposed on a side surface of a vehicle frame, wherein the first and second mounting portions are spaced apart in a vehicle length direction, wherein the first and second mounting portions configured to receive a load platform of the vehicle, a wheel assembly comprising a sensor transmitter, and a receiver mounted to the side surface between the first and the second mounting portions, the receiver configured to receive a signal from the sensor transmitter.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a sensor apparatus, comprising:

a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion disposed on a side surface of a vehicle frame, he first and second mounting portions spaced apart in a vehicle length direction;

the first and second mounting portions configured to receive a load platform of the vehicle;

a wheel assembly comprising a sensor transmitter; and

a receiver mounted to the side surface between the first and the second mounting portions, the receiver configured to receive a signal from the sensor transmitter.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a pressure sensor.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of temperature sensors, velocity sensors, vibration sensors, and acceleration sensors.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sensor transmitter is located within a tire cavity of the wheel assembly.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a pressure measurement of the wheel assembly.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the side surface is an outboard facing surface of the vehicle frame.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the wheel assembly comprises a rear wheel assembly; and

the receiver is disposed forward of the rear wheel assembly.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a suspension system including a leaf spring attached to the side surface,

wherein the receiver is disposed above and laterally apart from the leaf spring.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the receiver is disposed above a maximum vertical displacement limit of the leaf spring.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the receiver is disposed adjacent to the wheel assembly.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the receiver is arranged so that a signal transmission path between the wheel assembly and the receiver is unobstructed.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting portions are arranged to shield the receiver from at least one of impacts and splashes.

14. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

an attachment bracket coupled to the side surface of the vehicle frame,

wherein the receiver is coupled to the attachment bracket.

15. A method to transmit a signal from a wheel assembly to a receiver of a vehicle, the method comprising:

mounting the receiver between a pair of mounting portions disposed upon a side surface of a vehicle frame;

supporting a load platform of the vehicle with the pair of mounting portions; and

transmitting the signal from a sensor transmitter of a wheel assembly to the receiver.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal comprises a pressure measurement of the wheel assembly.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising shielding the receiver from at least one of impacts and splashes with the mounting portions.

18. A vehicle having a sensor apparatus, comprising:

first and second means for mounting a load platform disposed on a side surface of a vehicle frame, the first and second means for mounting spaced apart in a vehicle length direction;

a wheel assembly comprising a means for transmitting a signal; and

a means for receiving the signal mounted to the side surface between the first and second means for mounting.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, further comprising an attachment means for coupling the means for receiving the signal to the side surface of the vehicle frame.