Vehicle tire monitoring apparatus

• US 4,695,823 A
• Filed: 04/27/1984
• Issued: 09/22/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger W. Vernon
• Original Assignee: Roger W. Vernon
• Inventors: Vernon, Roger W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US06/604,934
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 340/58, 200/61.25, 200/61.22, 73/146.5, 73/146.8, 137/226, 137/227, 99/330
• 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 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/20 Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature only
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/22 Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices

Abstract

A monitor for telemetering data such as temperature or pressure from a vehicle tire or the like including a transducer responsive to the data; a processor responsive to the transducer; and a transmitter responsive to the processor for transmitting the processed electrical signal to a remote location where the transducer, processor and transmitter are disposed on a single integrated circuit. Various techniques for mounting the transducer and for encoding the telemetered signal are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit monitor for telemetering data such as temperature or pressure from a vehicle tire comprising

sensing means constituting an integral part of an integrated circuit for transducing a sensed parameter to an electrical signal;

means constituting a further integral part of said integrated circuit for processing said electrical signal;

transmitting means constituting yet a further integral part of said integrated circuit for transmitting the processed, electrical signal to a remote location;

means for mounting said integrated circuit with respect to said tire; and

whereby said integrated circuit includes as integrated circuit elements thereof at least said sensing means, processing means and transmitting means.

2. A monitor as in claim 1 where said integrated circuit is mounted with respect to a valve stem for said tire.

3. A monitor as in claim 2 where said integrated circuit is mounted on a ring disposed about the valve stem.

4. A monitor as in claim 2 where said integrated circuit is mounted within the valve stem.

5. A monitor as in claim 1 where the monitor is located on a vehicle and where said processing means includes (a) means for generating an out-of-range signal whenever the electrical signal is outside a predetermined range of values, and (b) means for generating said processed signal encoded with an out-of-range condition in response to the out-of-range signal being generated.

6. A monitor as in claim 5 where said processing means includes (a) means for generating a signal indicative of the location of the integrated circuit on the vehicle and (b) means for encoding said processed signal with said latter signal.