Visor parameter monitor and display

• US 5,926,087 A
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Price Company (Costco Wholesale Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zeinstra, Mark L., Busch, David B., Robillard, James P., Fluharty, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/995,450
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/442, 340/447, 340/425.5, 340/461, 296/97.1
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0401 characterised by the type of alarm
• 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: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/16 Circuits; Control arrangements

Abstract

A tire pressure monitor is incorporated in a module mounted within a vehicle visor for ready accessibility and visibility by the vehicle operator. The monitor includes a light display extending on a first side of the visor which faces the vehicle operator when the visor is in a raised stored position against the vehicle headliner. A more detailed display is located on the opposite side of the visor for providing an indication to the vehicle operator as to which tire is low in pressure and the pressure of each of the tires.

Claims

1. A vehicle visor mounted tire pressure monitor and display system comprising:

a visor body having first and second sides; and

a monitor and display module mounted to said visor body, said module having an indicator on said first side of said visor to be exposed when said visor body is in a raised stored position, said indicator actuated when the pressure of a tire is below a predetermined level, said module including a numerical display indicator on said second side of said visor facing the vehicle operator when said visor body is in a lowered use position for displaying the pressure of a vehicle tire wheich is below said predetermined level.

2. A vehicle visor mounted parameter monitor and display system comprising:

a visor body; and

a monitor and display module mounted to said visor body, said module having a first side with a first display indicator exposed when said visor body is in a raised stored position and a second side with a second display indicator facing the vehicle operator when said visor body is in a lowered use position, wherein said first display indicator comprises an indicator light and said second display indicator includes a numerical display, and wherein said module monitors the pressure in each tire of a vehicle.

3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said second display includes an icon indicating the location of each tire and an indicator light associated with each tire location.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said module includes a control circuit including a switch which is operator actuated for sequentially displaying the tire pressure by said numeric display corresponding to each of said tire locations as said indicator light associated with said tire location is illuminated.

5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said first display indicator comprises at least an amber and a red LED coupled to said control circuit.

6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein said numerical display comprises a dot matrix display.

7. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said monitor includes an RF receiver for receiving tire pressure information to be displayed.

8. A vehicle visor including a tire pressure display comprising:

a visor body;

a source of tire pressure information signals; and

a display module mounted to said visor body, said display module coupled to said source for displaying tire pressure information, said module having a first side with a display indicator exposed when said visor body is in a raised stored position and a second side having a vehicle icon thereon showing the location of each vehicle tire and an indicator light for each tire location, said second side facing the vehicle operator when said visor body is in a lowered use position.

9. The display as defined in claim 8 wherein said second side of said module includes a numerical display.

10. The display as defined in claim 9 wherein said display indicator is a two-color LED for displaying two different tire conditions.

11. The display as defined in claim 10 wherein said module includes a control circuit for sequentially displaying the tire pressure by said numerical display corresponding to each of said tire locations as said indicator light associated with each tire location is illuminated.

12. The display as defined in claim 11 wherein said display indicator comprises at least an amber and a red LED coupled to said control circuit.

13. The display as defined in claim 12 wherein said numerical display is positioned in a center area of said vehicle icon.

14. The display as defined in claim 8 wherein said module further includes an RF trainable transceiver.

15. The display as defined in claim 14 wherein said transceiver receives tire pressure information from individual tire pressure transmitters associated with each tire.

16. A vehicle visor mounted parameter monitor and display system comprising:

a source of signal information representing a vehicle operating parameter;

a visor body; and

a monitor and display module coupled to said source and mounted to said visor body, said display module having a first side exposed when said visor body is in a raised stored position and a second side facing the vehicle operator when said visor body is in a lowered use position;

wherein said first side of said module includes an indicator activated when a detected vehicle parameter is out of a desired range and said second side of said module includes a selectable display for displaying detailed information regarding the detected vehicle parameter.

17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein said source includes a receiver for receiving tire pressure information to be displayed.

18. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said indicator comprises an indicator light.

19. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein said indicator light comprises at least an amber and a red LED.

20. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein said selectable display includes a numerical display.

21. The system as defined in claim 20 wherein said module monitors the pressure in each tire of a vehicle.

22. The system as defined in claim 21 wherein said selectable display includes an icon indicating the location of each tire and lights associated with each tire location.

23. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein said module includes a control circuit for sequentially displaying the tire pressure by said numeric display corresponding to each of said tire locations as a light associated with said tire location is illuminated.