Assembly including a pressure sensor, with an activation module, and a microprocessor for measurement and control purposes

• US 7,437,921 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronic (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Delaporte, Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J
• Application Number:
  US10/505,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20050206512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• Field of Search: 731/462, 731/46, 731/465, 340/442, 340/445, 340/44
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• 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: B60C 23/0454 Means for changing operation mode, e.g. sleep mode, factory mode or energy save mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0457 self triggered by timer
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0459 self triggered by motion sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0474 Measurement control, e.g. setting measurement rate or calibrating of sensors; Further processing of measured values, e.g. filtering, compensating or slope monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0488 Movement sensor, e.g. for sensing angular speed, acceleration or centripetal force

Abstract

A tire pressure assembly includes a tire pressure sensor for automobile vehicle wheels and a microprocessor for pressure measurement and for control of a radio transmission circuit. The sensor has a module for activating the microprocessor associated with an activation control timer. The timer is programmable and the assembly includes means for programming the timer.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a tire pressure sensor for automobile vehicle wheels; and

a microprocessor for pressure measurement and for control of a radio transmission circuit,

wherein the tire pressure sensor has an activation control timer and a module for activating the microprocessor that is associated with the activation control timer, wherein the activation control timer is programmable, and

wherein the microprocessor is arranged to program the activation control timer.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor for programming the activation control timer is sensitive to a temperature of a tire.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor for programming the activation control timer is sensitive to a pressure of a tire.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor for programming the activation control timer is sensitive to at least one of a speed of rotation and to a centrifugal force caused by rotation of a corresponding wheel.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a radio transmission circuit controlled by the microprocessor, wherein the radio transmission circuit is arranged to transmit information containing at least an identification of the sensor at an accelerated rate during balancing of the corresponding wheel being assembled and at a slowed rate when a temperature of the corresponding wheel increases.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the activation control timer is mounted in the pressure sensor and is arranged to control a variable-period activation module.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the activation control timer is mounted in the microprocessor and is arranged to be controlled by a fixed-period activation module.

8. A pressure assembly for use with a wheel of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a tire pressure sensor; and

a processing circuit configured to receive signals from the tire pressure sensor and output data based on the tire pressure, the processing circuit having a periodic operation;

wherein a period of the periodic operation of the processing circuit is variable and comprises a predetermined finite period of time which can be interrupted by occurrence of a predetermined event causing the processing circuit to operate.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the predetermined event is determined based on a gradient in temperature.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the processing circuit is configured to be controlled to operate at a first rate when a temperature is at a first value and is configured to be controlled to operate at second rate slower than the first rate when the temperature is at a second value higher than the first value.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is configured to be controlled such that when operating at the second rate, the processing circuit is interrupted and will activate upon the occurrence of the predetermined event.

12. A method for operating a tire pressure sensor assembly of a motor vehicle configured to monitor pressure of a tire of the vehicle, comprising:

operating a microprocessor of the tire pressure sensor at a first rate greater than zero; and

operating the microprocessor at a second rate greater than zero in response to a signal received from a sensor that is configured to monitor a parameter of an environment of the tire, the second rate being different than the first rate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second rate is slower than the first rate.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the parameter of the tire is a temperature of the tire.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein operating the microprocessor comprises controlling the microprocessor with a timer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the timer is programmable based on data received from the sensor.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising operating the microprocessor at a third rate greater than zero in response to a signal received from a second sensor that is configured to monitor a parameter related to the tire, the third rate being different than the first rate and the second rate.