METHOD FOR DETECTING A TIRE MODULE DETACHED FROM THE INNER FACE OF A TIRE FOR VEHICLES

• US 20120173073A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Hanna, Joerg
• Granted Patent: US 9,073,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0488 Movement sensor, e.g. for sensing angular speed, acceleration or centripetal force
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring and detecting the detachment of a tire module from the inner face of the tire in a simple manner, having the following steps: a) measuring the centrifugal acceleration having an effect on a tire module by means of an acceleration sensor arranged in the tire module, b) forwarding the measured acceleration values to an evaluation unit, c) analyzing the acceleration values upon acceleration of the vehicle in the starting phase or upon constant low speeds of the vehicle, d) activating a warning signal in the evaluation unit, insofar as the analysis of the acceleration values (3, 4) results in a statistically significant standard deviation in comparison to a tire module (1, 2) which is not detached from the inner face of the tire, thus detecting a freely tumbling tire module in the hollow space of the tire, e) outputting a warning signal to the vehicle owner which indicates the tire module which has detached from the inner face of the tire to the vehicle owner and gives the vehicle owner instruction to have the wheels of the vehicle inspected by a repair shop.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a tire module, detached from the inner face of a tire, for vehicles, having the following steps:

a) measuring the centrifugal acceleration acting on a tire module, with an acceleration pickup arranged in the tire module,

b) passing on the measured acceleration values to an evaluation unit,

c) analyzing the acceleration values during the acceleration of the vehicle in the starting phase or at constant low speeds of the vehicle,

d) activation of a warning signal in the evaluation unit if the analysis of the acceleration values (3, 4) reveals a statistically significant standard deviation compared to a tire module (1, 2) which is not detached from the inner face of the tire, as a result of which a tire module which is tumbling freely in the cavity of the tire is detected, and

e) outputting of a warning signal to the keeper of the vehicle, which indicates to the keeper of the vehicle that the tire module is detached from the inner face of the tire and instructs the keeper of the vehicle to have the vehicle wheels checked by a workshop.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that

during the analysis of the acceleration values of the individual tire modules of the vehicle in the evaluation unit a comparison is carried out between the acceleration values of the individual tire modules, wherein in the case of a statistically significant standard deviation of one of the acceleration values of the tire modules a tire module which is tumbling freely in the cavity of the tire is detected and a warning signal is subsequently activated.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that

the evaluation unit for analyzing the acceleration values is arranged in a central control unit of the vehicle, wherein the control unit receives and evaluates all the signals of the individual tire modules of the vehicle.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that

the evaluation unit for analyzing the acceleration values is arranged in the respective tire module, wherein each tire module analyzes its own acceleration values and a warning signal is activated in the event of a statistically significant deviation.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that

the warning signal is transmitted to a handheld reading device at a maintenance and storage facility when, in the context of a detached tire module, the evaluation unit is arranged in the tire module, wherein a warning message is subsequently issued at the handheld reading device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that

the warning signal is transmitted to a reading antenna which is let into the floor at the maintenance and storage facility when, in the context of a detached tire module, the evaluation unit is arranged in the tire module, wherein a warning message is subsequently issued.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that

during the analysis of the acceleration values, the mean values are evaluated by means of a predefined time window and compared with one another, wherein given a significant deviation, a tire module which is detached from the inner face of the tire is detected.