Method and apparatus, for identifying the location of pressure sensors in a tire pressure monitoring system

• US 6,952,160 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Brombach, Ronald Patrick, Miller, Thomas Lee, Bennie, Brian, McQuade, Thomas Michael, Shah, Leena, Porter, Frederick James
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US10/064,690
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/444, 340/447, 340/438, 340/426.15, 340/426.3, 340/426.32, 340/539.1, 340/309.16
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a plurality of tires (14a-d) in respective rolling locations having a respective plurality of tire transmitters (16a-d) that generate a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals. A controller (22) is coupled to a counter that counts ignition cycle transitions. The controller enters a learn mode in response to the count and the brake condition signal. The system may also include a display for signaling the vehicle operator to perform a desired action. The controller generates a plurality of display signals on the display indicative of the respective plurality of tire locations and activates a timer when the plurality of transmitter identification signals are received before a predetermined time is counted by the timer.

Claims

1. A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle having a plurality of tire locations and a memory comprising:

generating an ignition signal;

generating a brake condition signal;

entering a learn mode in response to the ignition signal and the brake condition signal, wherein the learn mode learns a plurality of transmitter identifications, where each transmitter identification is associated with one of the plurality of tire locations.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the ignition condition signal transitions from an off state to an on state, further comprises counting the transitions, and entering the learn mode after a predetermined number of transitions.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein counting comprises counting the number of transitions before and after generating the brake condition signal.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the predetermined number comprises three.

5. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein generating a brake condition signal comprises generating a brake transition signal.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising generating a first display signal indicative of a first tire location in response to entering the learn mode.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 further comprising activating a timer in response to entering the learn mode.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising when a first transmitter identification signal is received before a predetermined time counted by the timer, resetting the timer and generating a second display signal indicative of a second tire location.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising receiving a second transmitter identification signal.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising associating the first identification signal with a first tire location and a second identification signal with a second tire location.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein at least one of the first tire location and the second tire location comprises a spare location.

12. A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle having a plurality of tire locations and a memory comprising:

generating an ignition signal;

generating a brake condition signal;

generating a speed signal;

entering a learn mode in response to the ignition signal, the brake condition signal, and the speed signal, wherein the learn mode learns a plurality of transmitter identifications, where each transmitter identification is associated with one of the plurality of tire locations;

thereafter, sequentially

generating a plurality of display signals indicative of the respective plurality of tire locations;

activating a timer; and

when the plurality of transmitter identification signals are received before a predetermined time counted by the timer, associating the respective plurality of identification signals with the respective plurality of locations in a memory.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising generating a status signal indicative of a successful process in response to the step of associating.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising when during the steps of generating or activating, the speed is greater than a predetermined speed leaving the learn mode.

15. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of locations comprise a spare location.

19. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising when during the steps of generating or activating, the ignition is off leaving the learn mode.

16. A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle comprising:

an ignition switch generating an ignition signal;

a brake switch generating a brake condition signal;

a counter coupled to said ignition switch counting a count of ignition signal transitions

a plurality of tires having a respective plurality of tire transmitters generating a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals; and

a controller coupled to said counter, said controller entering a learn mode in response to the count and the brake condition signal, wherein the learn mode learns a plurality of transmitter identifications, where each transmitter identification is associated with one of the plurality of tire locations.

17. A system as recited in claim 16 further comprising a display for signaling a desired action, wherein said controller generates a plurality of display signals on the display indicative of the respective plurality of fire location;

activating the timer;

when a the plurality of transmitter identification signals are received before a predetermined time counted by the timer.

18. A system as recited in claim 17 further comprising a memory;

and associating the respective plurality of identification signals with the respective plurality of locations in a memory.