Tire pressure monitoring system and method of using same
First Claim
1. A tire pressure monitor and information communicator for use in the operation of an automotive vehicle to relay information to the vehicle operator about the internal tire air pressure inflation level of each tire mounted on individual wheels on each axle of the vehicle, comprising:
- at least one rotating magnetic actuator in communication with the internal tire air pressure of a tire on the vehicle, said magnetic actuator being mounted through the wheel to provide access for the magnetic actuator to the internal tire air pressure, said mounting being made through the wheel in a location selected from the group consisting of the wheel rim, the wheel valve, the wheel side, the wheel valve stem, and the tire itself;
an air pressure transducer within the at least one rotating magnetic actuator mounted through the wheel in a parallel relationship with the axle so that the transducer is speed-insensitive and reliable at any speed, said air pressure transducer for generating a signal proportional to the internal tire air pressure by transforming an input signal of said internal tire air pressure of from about 1.0 psi to about 100 psi to a detectable output signal for communicating tire pressure information to the vehicle operator;
at least one stationary field sensor permanently mounted in a face-to-face relationship with the rotating magnetic actuator, said sensor being permanently mounted on a stationary portion of the vehicle, facing the rotating magnetic actuator as it rotates around at a physical distance gap between the rotating magnetic actuator and the field sensor of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm, whereby the field sensor detects the signal generated by the rotating magnetic actuator each time it rotates past the field sensor as the wheel makes a revolution; and
a signal emitter for communicating information, said signal emitter being in communication with the stationary field sensor to communicate the signal information to the vehicle operator for relaying tire air pressure information whenever the tire pressure goes outside of a predetermined safe level for operating the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tire pressure monitoring system (10) including a magnetic actuator (11) having an air pressure transducer therein for generating a signal proportional to the interior tire air pressure. The actuator (11) operates parallel to the axle to alleviate speed sensitivity. Magnetic actuator (11) communicates with a stationary field sensor (12) permanently mounted on the vehicle at a close proximity to the magnetic actuator (11). The magnetic actuator (11) rotates about the access with the wheel (15), and for every revolution of the wheel (15), comes in to close proximity to the sensor (12) at least once, and communicates information about the internal tire pressure to the driver.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tire pressure monitor and information communicator for use in the operation of an automotive vehicle to relay information to the vehicle operator about the internal tire air pressure inflation level of each tire mounted on individual wheels on each axle of the vehicle, comprising:
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at least one rotating magnetic actuator in communication with the internal tire air pressure of a tire on the vehicle, said magnetic actuator being mounted through the wheel to provide access for the magnetic actuator to the internal tire air pressure, said mounting being made through the wheel in a location selected from the group consisting of the wheel rim, the wheel valve, the wheel side, the wheel valve stem, and the tire itself; an air pressure transducer within the at least one rotating magnetic actuator mounted through the wheel in a parallel relationship with the axle so that the transducer is speed-insensitive and reliable at any speed, said air pressure transducer for generating a signal proportional to the internal tire air pressure by transforming an input signal of said internal tire air pressure of from about 1.0 psi to about 100 psi to a detectable output signal for communicating tire pressure information to the vehicle operator; at least one stationary field sensor permanently mounted in a face-to-face relationship with the rotating magnetic actuator, said sensor being permanently mounted on a stationary portion of the vehicle, facing the rotating magnetic actuator as it rotates around at a physical distance gap between the rotating magnetic actuator and the field sensor of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm, whereby the field sensor detects the signal generated by the rotating magnetic actuator each time it rotates past the field sensor as the wheel makes a revolution; and a signal emitter for communicating information, said signal emitter being in communication with the stationary field sensor to communicate the signal information to the vehicle operator for relaying tire air pressure information whenever the tire pressure goes outside of a predetermined safe level for operating the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. A tire pressure monitor and information communicator for use in the operation of an automotive vehicle to relay information to the vehicle operator about the internal tire air pressure inflation level of each tire mounted on individual wheels on each axle of the vehicle, comprising:
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a rotating magnetic actuator in constant communication with the internal tire air pressure of a tire on the vehicle, said magnetic actuator being mounted through the wheel to provide access for the actuator to the internal tire air pressure, said mounting being made through the wheel in a location selected from the group consisting of the wheel rim, the wheel valve, the wheel side, and the wheel valve stem; an air pressure transducer within the rotating magnetic actuator which generates a magnetic flux density proportional to the internal tire air pressure by converting an input signal of said internal tire air pressure of from about 1.0 psi to about 100 psi to an output signal of from about 1 mks to about 10 million mks of magnetic flux density; a stationary magnetic field sensor permanently mounted on the vehicle at a physical gap of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm from the rotating magnetic actuator as the wheel to which it is attached revolves around the axle of the vehicle during operation, whereby the magnetic field sensor detects the magnetic flux density generated by the rotating magnetic actuator each time it makes a revolution with the wheel; and a signal emitter in electrical communication with the stationary magnetic field sensor that emits a signal to communicate information to the vehicle operator for relaying low tire air pressure information once the tire pressure drops to a level of less than from about 1 to about 5 psi more than a safe tire air pressure for operating the vehicle.
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Specification