Device for protecting the systems and load of motor vehicles

• US 5,081,443 A
• Filed: 01/29/1990
• Issued: 01/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christoph Breit
• Original Assignee: Christoph Breit
• Inventors: Breit, Christoph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US07/449,969
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/438, 340/439, 340/441, 340/442, 340/459, 73/146.5
• US Class Current: 340/426.25
• 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: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/0209 Closure caps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/14 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/04 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/70 Level
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/20 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/22 using warning lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A device for monitoring the systems of a truck has sensors for detecting the gas tank level, temperature of the driver'"'"'s compartment, outside temperature, operating conditions of the engine and electrical system, and various parameters of the fluids and exhaust gas. Electrical conductors connect these sensors to a control unit which receives signals from the sensors. The device includes at least one additional sensor which is located in a wheel of the truck. This additional sensor comprises a hollow spherical jacket, and the outer surface of the jacket is provided with a foil designed to measure tire temperature and pressure. The inner surface of the jacket is coated with an electrically conductive layer and magnetic strips are embedded in the jacket near the inner surface of the same. An inner sphere of synthetic resin having a plurality of coils embedded therein rides on the inner surface of the jacket via ball bearings. The inner sphere includes a signal receiver, electronic processing unit and radio transmitter. The radio transmitter sends the control unit data on tire temperature and pressure as well as data on movement of the inner sphere. The tire temperature is used to monitor brake function while the tire pressure is used to monitor the weight of the cargo. Movement of the inner sphere is used to detect attampted theft of the truck. Depending upon the signals recieved by the control unit, the control unit can inhibit starting of the truck, shut off the engine, generate an alarm and generate indications of malfunctions.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a motor vehicle, comprising a generally spherical body insertable in a tire of the motor vehicle, said body having first means for sensing the pressure and temperature of the tire and second means for transmission of the sensed pressures and temperatures, and said body including a generally spherical hollow jacket having said first means and a generally spherical element inside said jacket having said second means.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said body is designed to be movable inside the tire relative to the latter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said element and said jacket are rotatable relative to one another.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of rollers between said element and said jacket, said rollers supporting said element for rotation relative to said jacket.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said element comprises a counterweight.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a magnet on one of said jacket and said element and an electrical coil on the other of said jacket and said element.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said jacket is provided with a plurality of magnets which are distributed over said jacket and said element is provided with a plurality of electrical coils arranged to interact with said magnets.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said jacket has an external surface and said first means comprises a foil on said external surface for generating signals in response to changes in the pressure and temperature of the tire.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said jacket has an internal surface;

and further comprising an electrically conductive layer which is disposed on said internal surface and is connected to said foil.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means is mounted on said element.

2. A monitoring system for a motor vehicle, comprising a generally spherical body insertable in a tire of the motor vehicle, said body having first means for sensing the pressure and temperature of the tire, second means for sensing movements of said body, and third means for transmission of the sensed pressures, temperatures and movements.

15. The system of claim 2, further comprising an antitheft alarm unit, said third means being operable to activate said antitheft unit upon transmission of a predetermined movement of said body.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein said third means comprises a radio transmitter.

17. The system of claim 2 wherein said first means is designed to generate signals in response to changes in the pressure and temperature of the tire and said body is provided with electronic processing means for the signals.

18. The system of claim 2, further comprising control means responsive to transmissions by said third means.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said control means comprises a record keeping unit for recording data relating to the motor vehicle in response to transmissions from said third means.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said control means comprises an indicating unit for providing indications relating to operation of the motor vehicle in response to transmissions from said third means.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said control means comprises an antitheft alarm unit responsive to transmissions from said third means.

3. A monitoring system for a motor vehicle, comprising a generally spherical body insertable in a tire of the motor vehicle, said body having first means for sensing the pressure and temperature of the tire and second means for transmission of the sensed pressures and temperatures;

and control means responsive to transmissions by said second means, said control means including a starting and cutoff unit for preventing an engine of the motor vehicle from starting, and for shutting off the engine, in response to transmissions from said second means.

4. A monitoring system for a motor vehicle, comprising a generally spherical body insertable in a tire of the motor vehicle, said body having first means for sensing the pressure and temperature of the tire and second means for transmission of the sensed pressures and temperatures;

control means responsive to transmissions by said second means; and

means for monitoring the weight of cargo in the motor vehicle based on the tire pressures transmitted by said second means, said weight monitoring means being operable to activate said control means when a tire pressure transmitted by said second means is outside of a predetermined range.

5. A monitoring system for a motor vehicle, comprising a generally spherical body insertable in a tire of the motor vehicle, said body having first means for sensing the pressure and temperature of the tire and second means for transmission of the sensed pressures and temperatures;

control means responsive to transmissions by said second means; and

means for monitoring a brake of the motor vehicle based on the tire temperatures transmitted by said second means, said brake monitoring means being operable to activate said control means when a tire temperature transmitted by said second means is outside of a predetermined range.