METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVED DETECTION OF MINISPARE TIRES
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a minispare tire in a vehicle having a vehicle control system, the method comprising:
- detecting a rotational velocity of each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle;
determining whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle based on the rotational velocities detected at each of the plurality of wheels;
adjusting the vehicle control system if a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle;
sensing a hydraulic pressure of a braking system of the vehicle; and
suspending determination of whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle if the hydraulic pressure exceeds a predetermined critical pressure level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of detecting a minispare tire in a vehicle having a vehicle control system. The method includes detecting a rotational velocity of each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle; determining whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle based on the rotational velocities detected at each of the plurality of wheels; adjusting the vehicle control system if a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle; sensing a hydraulic pressure of a braking system of the vehicle; and suspending determination of whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle if the hydraulic pressure exceeds a predetermined critical pressure level.
30 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a minispare tire in a vehicle having a vehicle control system, the method comprising:
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detecting a rotational velocity of each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle; determining whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle based on the rotational velocities detected at each of the plurality of wheels; adjusting the vehicle control system if a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle; sensing a hydraulic pressure of a braking system of the vehicle; and suspending determination of whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle if the hydraulic pressure exceeds a predetermined critical pressure level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for suspending detection of a minispare tire in a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a plurality of wheel speed sensors, wherein each wheel speed sensor is attached to a wheel of the vehicle such that the wheel speed sensor measures a rotational velocity value for the wheel; a braking system including; a master cylinder; a brake pedal attached to the master cylinder; and a hydraulic pressure sensor to measure a hydraulic pressure value within the braking system; and a vehicle control system comprising a control unit in operative communication with the braking system and wheel speed sensors, wherein the control unit has a logic unit and a storage unit, the storage unit having a critical pressure level stored therein and the logic unit configured to; receive the rotational velocity values from the wheel speed sensors; analyze the relative rotational velocities of the wheels to determine whether a minispare tire is mounted on a wheel; receive the hydraulic pressure value from the hydraulic pressure sensor; compare the hydraulic pressure value to the critical pressure level stored in the storage unit; and if the hydraulic pressure level is less than or equal to the critical pressure level, adjust the vehicle control system for the presence of a minispare tire. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a vehicle control system, the method comprising:
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detecting a rotational velocity of each of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle; sensing a hydraulic pressure in a braking system of the vehicle; if the hydraulic pressure in the braking system is at or below a predetermined critical pressure, determining whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle based on the rotational velocities of the wheels; and adjusting the vehicle control system if it has been determined that a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of detecting a two-footed driver in a vehicle, comprising:
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driving a vehicle at a constant speed; increasing pressure applied to a braking system of the vehicle; measuring hydraulic pressure in the braking system; and recording a critical hydraulic pressure in the braking system when the vehicle speed deceases. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification