Target tire pressure learning method

• US 6,666,078 B1
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beverly, James A., Claussen, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, JERMAINE L
• Application Number:
  US10/006,276
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46--468, 152/415-419
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00318 on the wheels or the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00372 characterised by fluid diagrams

Abstract

A target tire pressure learning method wherein tire pressure is ascertained via a central pressure sensor. The method of learning a target tire pressure for a tire maintained by a tire pressure maintenance system, having conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to and/or from the tire and a pressure sensor for ascertaining fluid pressure in the conduit assemblies, according to the invention includes ascertaining a current tire pressure with the pressure sensor and designating the current tire pressure as a target tire pressure.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a tire pressure in a tire maintained by a tire pressure management system, comprising the steps of:

supplying pressurized fluid from a fluid source to a conduit disposed between said fluid source and said tire for a first predetermined time period sufficient to open a wheel valve disposed at one end of an axle supporting a wheel on which said tire is mounted;

measuring a first conduit pressure in said conduit with a sensor disposed in said conduit following a second predetermined time period;

storing said first conduit pressure as a target tire pressure; and

,

maintaining said tire pressure in said tire equal to said target tire pressure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing pressurized fluid from said fluid source to said conduit to pressurize said conduit to a supply pressure;

measuring said supply pressure in said conduit with said sensor; and

,

comparing said supply pressure to a predetermined minimum pressure.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of clearing a flag in a memory if said supply pressure exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

measuring a second conduit pressure in said conduit with said sensor following a third predetermined time period; and

,

comparing a difference between said first and second conduit pressures to a predetermined line leak pressure.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of setting a line leak indicator if said difference exceeds said predetermined line leak pressure.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an indicator of said target tire pressure to an operator of a vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said supplying step is initiated in response to a command from an operator of a vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing said first conduit pressure to a predetermined minimum target tire pressure.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of setting a line leak indicator if said first conduit pressure is less than said predetermined minimum target tire pressure.

11. A method for controlling a tire pressure in a tire maintained by a tire pressure management system, comprising the steps of:

supplying pressurized fluid from a fluid source to a conduit disposed between said fluid source and said tire for a first predetermined time period sufficient to open a wheel valve disposed at one end of an axle supporting a wheel on which said tire is mounted;

measuring a first conduit pressure in said conduit with a sensor disposed in said conduit following a second predetermined time period;

measuring a second conduit pressure in said conduit with said sensor following a third predetermined time period;

comparing a difference between said first and second conduit pressures to a predetermined line leak pressure;

setting a line leak indicator if said difference exceeds said line leak pressure;

storing said first conduit pressure as a target tire pressure; and

, maintaining said tire pressure in said tire equal to said target tire pressure.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

providing pressurized fluid from said fluid source to said conduit to pressurize said conduit to a supply pressure;

measuring said supply pressure in said conduit with said sensor; and

,

comparing said supply pressure to a predetermined minimum pressure.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of clearing a flag in a memory if said supply pressure exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of providing an indicator of said target tire pressure to an operator of a vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said supplying step is initiated in response to a command from an operator of a vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of comparing said first conduit pressure to a predetermined minimum target tire pressure.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of setting a line leak indicator if said first conduit pressure is less than said predetermined minimum target tire pressure.

19. A method for controlling a tire pressure in a tire maintained by a tire pressure management system, comprising the steps of:

supplying pressurized fluid from a fluid source to a conduit disposed between said fluid source and said tire for a first predetermined time period sufficient to open a wheel valve disposed at one end of an axle supporting a wheel on which said tire is mounted;

measuring a first conduit pressure in said conduit with a sensor disposed in said conduit following a second predetermined time period;

comparing said first conduit pressure to a predetermined minimum target tire pressure;

setting a line leak indicator if said first conduit pressure is less than said predetermined minimum target tire pressure;

measuring a second conduit pressure in said conduit with said sensor following a third predetermined time period;

comparing a difference between said first and second conduit pressures to a predetermined line leak pressure;

setting said line leak indicator if said difference exceeds said line leak pressure;

storing said first conduit pressure as a target tire pressure; and

,

maintaining said tire pressure in said tire equal to said target tire pressure.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing an indicator of said target tire pressure to an operator of a vehicle.