Vehicle wheel vibration monitoring system

• US 6,784,793 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allain Gagnon
• Original Assignee: Allain Gagnon
• Inventors: Gagnon, Allain
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/159,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 340/447, 340/442, 340/438, 340/426.11, 340/429, 340/467, 340/452, 340/451, 340/440, 340/683, 731/465, 116/34.R, 180/271, 180/282, 701/70, 701/78, 303/89, 303/123, 303/132, 303/28
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle

Abstract

A vibration monitor is mounted on a vehicle for monitoring vibrations in the axles and wheels of the vehicle which may indicate some type of failure associated with the wheels. The monitor includes sensors mounted on the axles which are connected to a control box for disabling the vehicle in response to receipt of a vibration signal from the sensors. The control box is arranged to vent the air brake circuit of the truck for applying the brakes of the truck if the control box receives a vibration signal from the sensors having a magnitude which exceeds an acceleration threshold and a duration which exceeds a time threshold determined by the control box. In one embodiment, electrical acceleration sensors are provided which transmit the vibration signals to the control box using an intermittent RF signal having a unique identification signal for indicating which sensor has recorded each vibration signal.

Claims

1. A vibration monitor for use in monitoring vibrations on a wheel of a vehicle, the monitor comprising:

an acceleration sensor associated with the wheel and being arranged to produce a vibration signal in response to repeated accelerations acting on the wheel over an elapsed period of time;

a controller arranged to receive the vibration signal from the acceleration sensor and compare the vibration signal to a prescribed vibration condition; and

an indicator arranged to indicate an operator of the vehicle in response to determination by the controller that the vibration signal exceeds the prescribed vibration condition;

the controller including a receiver and the sensor including a transmitter arranged to transmit the vibration signal from the sensor to the controller; and

the controller being arranged to determine that the vibration condition has been exceeded in response to an absence of a vibration signal being received from the sensor.

2. The monitor according to claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a disabling mechanism comprising a solenoid actuated valve arranged to be coupled to a main air supply tank of an air brake circuit of the vehicle for venting the supply tank in response to the prescribed vibration condition being exceeded.

3. A vibration monitor for use in monitoring vibrations on a wheel of a vehicle, the monitor comprising:

an acceleration sensor associated with the wheel and being arranged to produce a vibration signal in response to repeated accelerations acting on the wheel over an elapsed period of time;

a controller arranged to receive the vibration signal from the acceleration sensor and compare the vibration signal to a prescribed vibration condition;

an indicator arranged to indicate an operator of the vehicle in response to determination by the controller that the vibration signal exceeds the prescribed vibration condition;

the indicator including a disabling mechanism comprising a solenoid actuated valve coupled to a main air supply tank of an air brake circuit of the vehicle so as to be arranged to vent the supply tank in response to the prescribed vibration condition being exceeded.

4. The monitor according to claim 3 wherein the solenoid actuated valve is arranged to vent pressurised air from the supply tank faster than a compressor of the vehicle is arranged to fill the supply tank with pressurised air.

5. The monitor according to claim 4 wherein the disabling mechanism is arranged to permit continued operation of the compressor when the prescribed vibration condition is exceeded.