Wheel monitoring device

• US 20090179748A1
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Mayer, Patrick, Stephen, Bernd, Graf, Jens
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0498 for rim attachments B60C23/0494, B60C23/0496 take precedence

Abstract

A wheel monitoring apparatus includes a measuring and evaluation unit designed to be fastened to the wheel in the region of at least one wheel nut or bolt of the wheel. The wheel monitoring apparatus includes at least one sensor for detecting a characteristic variable for a state of a wheel bearing and at least one sensor for detecting a tire pressure of a tire of the wheel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a wheel, the wheel having a bearing, a tire, and at least one of a nut and a bolt, the apparatus comprising:

a measuring and evaluation unit configured to mount to the wheel proximal to the at least one of the nut and the bolt, the unit including at least one sensor configured to detect a characteristic variable for a state of the wheel bearing, and at least one sensor configured to detect a pressure of the tire.

2. The wheel monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit is configured to be activated by an interrogation signal.

3. The wheel monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit further includes a means for manually triggering the interrogation signal.

4. The wheel monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit has a receiver arrangement configured to wirelessly receive the interrogation signal.

5. The wheel monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit includes a signal output means for outputting a measured value, the signal output means being activateable by an interrogation signal.

6. The wheel monitoring device according to claim 5, wherein the signal output means includes a clear text display element configured to display the measured value.

7. The wheel monitoring device according to one of claims 5, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit is configured to use the interrogation signal to obtain power for activating the measuring and evaluation unit and the signal output means.

8. The wheel monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure hose configured to connect the sensor for detecting the tire pressure to an interior of the tire.

9. The wheel monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor for detecting the tire pressure is arranged in a region of the tire and the device further comprises a signal line configured to connect the tire pressure sensor with the measuring and evaluation unit.

10. The wheel monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein the tire further includes a valve and the sensor for detecting the tire pressure is arranged proximal to the valve.

11. The wheel monitoring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit is configured to be fastened between two wheel nuts or bolts of the wheel.

12. The wheel monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit includes at least one fastening lug for fastening the measuring and evaluation unit to the rim of the wheel, the fastening lug being configured to be braced between the wheel nut or bolt and the rim of the wheel.

13. The wheel monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring and evaluation unit has at least one means for obtaining electrical power from thermal energy and/or movement energy of the wheel.

14. The wheel monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reading device configured to display data from at least one of the sensors.