Apparatus for alarming abnormality of tire air pressure

• US 5,844,475 A
• Filed: 10/08/1996
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Inventors: Horie, Hiroto
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/727,764
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/461, 340/462, 340/459, 340/525, 340/438, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 364/187, 364/188
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0401 characterised by the type of alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/061 by monitoring wheel speed measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles G01C22/00

Abstract

An apparatus for alarming abnormality of tire air pressure, including: a display section capable of displaying information in a normal operation mode and information in a special operation mode; an input switch capable of entering ON/OFF information; and a non-volatile memory whose information in the special mode does not disappear even if an ignition is turned off wherein the apparatus is configured so that the special operation mode is entered by turning on the ignition while pressing the input switch, and the information in the special operation mode is displayed on the display section. The apparatus can prevent a dangerous action such that the driver reads a failure code or the position of a tire having abnormal internal air pressure while driving a vehicle.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a plurality of inflated tires, a warning apparatus having first and second diagnostic modes, comprising:

a display for displaying information in both the first and second diagnostic modes, said displayed information in the first diagnostic mode being different from, but related to, said displayed information in the second diagnostic mode;

a memory for storing said information displayed in the second diagnostic mode;

at least one sensor for detecting rotational movement of the tires; and

a switch constructed and arranged to cause entry into the second diagnostic mode when said switch is actuated during a power-up operation, when said sensor detects no rotational movement of the tires.

2. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory is a volatile memory powered by a back-up power supply.

3. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory is a non-volatile memory.

4. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display is a lamp unit.

5. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising an electronic control unit constructed and arranged to detect and identify an abnormality in operation of the vehicle, wherein said information displayed in the first diagnostic mode is an indication that said abnormality exists, and said information displayed in the second diagnostic mode describes a specific aspect of said abnormality.

6. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said abnormality is an abnormality in tire pressure, said information displayed in the first diagnostic mode identifying that at least one tire has an abnormal tire pressure, and said information displayed in the second diagnostic mode identifying which tire has an abnormal tire pressure.