Device for monitoring the air pressure of a tire in motor vehicles with a sensor

• US 5,546,070 A
• Filed: 09/02/1994
• Issued: 08/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Hein, Hans-Rudolf, Ellmann, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/300,317
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/443, 340/445, 340/447, 73/146.5
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0411 Piezoelectric generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/064 comprising tyre mounted deformation sensors, e.g. to determine road contact area

Abstract

In a device for monitoring tire air pressure in motor vehicles with a sensor that delivers a signal corresponding to the deformation of the tire, and with an evaluating unit that detects the signal from the sensor, the sensor is so designed such that it delivers an electrical pulse corresponding to the degree of deformation of a tire, especially deformation during a footprint pass. The evaluating unit determines the degree of deformation as a function of the height of the amplitude of the pulse or the evaluating unit determines the degree of deformation as a function of the ratio of the duration of the pulse to the duration of one wheel revolution.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring a tire air pressure in a tire on a motor vehicle, comprising:

a sensor operatively arranged with respect to the tire for delivering a signal corresponding to a deformation of the tire;

an evaluating unit arranged in the motor vehicle for receiving said signal from the sensor;

wherein said sensor delivers an electrical pulse corresponding to a degree of the deformation of a tire during a footprint pass;

wherein the evaluating unit continuously determines various degrees of deformation as a function of said electrical pulse.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluating unit determines said degree of the deformation as a function of an amplitude height of said electrical pulse.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said evaluating unit determines said degree of the deformation as a function of a ratio of a duration of the electrical pulse to a duration of one wheel revolution of said tire.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical pulse is delivered per wheel revolution of the tire.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein one electrical pulse is delivered per wheel revolution of the tire.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein one electrical pulse is delivered per wheel revolution of the tire.

7. A device according to claim 4, wherein a number of pulses is determined over a service life of the tire.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is mounted on or in an area of the tire that is deformed during said footprint pass.

9. A device according to claim 2, wherein said sensor is mounted on or in an area of the tire that is deformed during said footprint pass.

10. A device according to claim 3, wherein said sensor is mounted on or in an area of the tire that is deformed during said footprint pass.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is a piezo element.

12. A device according to claim 2, wherein said sensor is a piezo element.

13. A device according to claim 3, wherein said sensor is a piezo element.

14. A device according claim 1, wherein said evaluating unit is permanently mounted in the motor vehicle and further comprising means for wirelessly transmitting the electrical pulse to said evaluating unit.

15. A device according claim 11, wherein said evaluating unit is permanently mounted in the motor vehicle and further comprising means for wirelessly transmitting the electrical pulse to said evaluating unit.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is connected to a transmitter for wireless transmission of the electrical pulse.

17. A device according to claim 11, wherein said sensor is connected to a transmitter for wireless transmission of the electrical pulse.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor includes a piezo element and a transmitter, said piezo element being coupled with said transmitter to supply electricity thereto.

19. A device according to claim 2, wherein said sensor includes a piezo element and a transmitter, said piezo element being coupled with said transmitter to supply electricity thereto.

20. A device according to claim 3, wherein said sensor includes a piezo element and a transmitter, said piezo element being coupled with said transmitter to supply electricity thereto.