Tire condition detection system and induction feed method thereof

• US 8,044,783 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2007
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Company Limited
• Original Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Company Limited
• Inventors: Ishii, Eiichi, Nagata, Shiro, Ou, Hok Huor
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US11/708,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20070222570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 340/447, 340/424.4, 340/438, 340/442, 340/445, 340/700, 340/787, 340/788, 343/700, 343/787, 343/788, 116/34.R, 116/34.A, 116/34.B
• US Class Current: 340/447
• 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 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders

Abstract

An external solenoid positioned external to a tire, and an internal solenoid provided inside a valve of the tire, which transmits and receives power by an alternating magnetic field in a predetermined high frequency band that generates an induced alternating current in the internal solenoid, is used as a new source of power for a tire pressure/temperature detection device instead of a battery. If the alternating magnetic field in a predetermined high frequency band is well matched to the physical structure and electrical structure of the tire, then, in the space between the tire and a wheel, an induced alternating magnetic field component is distributed that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire. If the internal solenoid is matched to the direction of maximum magnetic field reception, when the tire rotates, and when the position of the wheel is stopped, substantially stable power may be received.

Claims

1. A tire condition detection system for use with a vehicle having an axle, a wheel coupled to the axle, and a tire mounted on the wheel, the axle having an axle axis and the wheel rotating about a wheel axis, the tire including resilient tire material and conductive reinforcement material that is embedded in and surrounded by the resilient tire material, said tire condition detection system comprising:

an external solenoid fixed in proximity to the outside of said tire and radiating a primary alternating magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to a side surface of said tire and that generates a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material, said external solenoid being disposed adjacent a side surface of said tire and having an external solenoid axis that is substantially perpendicular to the side surface of said tire;

a coreless internal solenoid having an internal solenoid axis, said internal solenoid being fixed in an inner space between said wheel and said tire such that said internal solenoid does not circumscribe said wheel axis and said internal solenoid axis is substantially parallel to said wheel axis, said internal solenoid receiving a secondary alternating magnetic field that is generated in the space inside said tire due to said primary induced alternating current generated in said reinforcement material, and outputting a secondary alternating current, said internal solenoid having two ends and having an internal solenoid axis that is substantially parallel to said wheel axis;

a power source, fixed in said inner space and said tire, electrically connected to said two ends of said internal solenoid and converting said secondary alternating current into direct current power and outputting source power; and

a detector, fixed in said inner space and said tire and operated by said source power, detecting predetermined conditions inside said tire and transmitting the detected signal to said external solenoid via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

2. The tire condition detection system according to claim 1, wherein said primary alternating magnetic field radiated by said external solenoid is excited by a high frequency power source.

3. A tire condition detection system for use with a vehicle having an axle, a wheel that is coupled to the axle and that is provided with a valve fixed thereto, and a tire mounted on the wheel, the axle having an axle axis and the wheel having a wheel axis, the tire including resilient tire material and conductive reinforcement material that is embedded in and surrounded by the resilient tire material, said tire condition detection system comprising:

an external solenoid that is fixed in proximity to the outside of said tire, said external solenoid having an external solenoid axis that is substantially parallel to said axle axis and radiating a primary alternating magnetic field that generates a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material due to said primary alternating magnetic field;

an internal solenoid that is fixed at said valve, said internal solenoid having two ends and having an internal solenoid axis that is substantially parallel to said wheel axis, said internal solenoid receiving a secondary alternating magnetic field, generating a secondary induced alternating current, and outputting a secondary induced alternating current, wherein said secondary alternating magnetic filed is generated in a space between said tire and said wheel by said primary induced alternating current flowing in said reinforcement material;

a power source, fixed at said valve, said power source being electrically connected to said two ends of said internal solenoid and converting said secondary induced alternating current into direct current power and outputting source power; and

a detector, fixed at said valve, operated by said source power, detecting predetermined conditions inside said tire and transmitting the detected signal to said external solenoid via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

4. The tire condition detection system according to claim 3, wherein said external solenoid comprises a plurality of turns of conductive wire wound in a solenoid shape, and said external solenoid receives high frequency power from a high frequency power source and radiates said primary alternating magnetic field in the direction of said external solenoid axis such that said primary alternating magnetic field at both ends of said external solenoid diverges, and widens out into the surrounding space and a portion of components of said magnetic field passes through a side face of primary alternating said tire substantially perpendicularly.

5. The tire condition detection system according to claim 3, further comprising a bar shaped core, with a main component of soft iron or ferrite, and provided along the external solenoid axis.

6. The tire condition detection system according to claim 3, wherein a C-shaped core is provided with a main component of soft iron or ferrite along said external solenoid axis and a conductive wire of said external solenoid is wound around said C-shaped core, said C-shaped core having two ends that substantially face one another.

7. The tire condition detection system according to claim 3, wherein said primary alternating magnetic field radiated by said external solenoid is excited by a high frequency power source.

8. An induction supply method of a tire condition detection system for use in a vehicle having an axle, a wheel coupled to the axle, and a tire mounted on the wheel, the axle having an axle axis and the wheel rotating about a wheel axis, the tire including resilient tire material and conductive reinforcement material that is embedded in and surrounded by the resilient tire material, said induction supply method comprising:

radiating a primary alternating magnetic field for power use from an external solenoid that is fixed adjacent the outside of said tire so as to radiate said primary alternating magnetic field substantially perpendicular to a side surface of said tire, said external solenoid having an external solenoid axis that is substantially perpendicular to the side surface of said tire, and said external solenoid additionally receiving a data signal from said tire;

generating a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material via said primary alternating magnetic field, a second alternating magnetic field being generated in a space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material;

receiving said secondary alternating magnetic field with a coreless internal solenoid that has two ends and that is fixed in an inner space between said wheel and said tire, said internal solenoid having an internal solenoid axis that does not circumscribe said wheel axis and that is substantially parallel to said wheel axis, said internal solenoid generating a secondary induced alternating current and transmitting said data signal from said tire via said reinforcement material to said external solenoid; and

using said secondary induced alternating current to power an apparatus that is electrically connected to said two ends of said internal solenoid.

9. The induction supply method according to claim 8, wherein said primary alternating magnetic field radiated by said external solenoid is excited by a high frequency power source, a continuous high frequency alternating magnetic field.

10. An induction supply method of a tire condition detection system for use with a vehicle having an axle, a wheel coupled to the axle, and a tire mounted on the wheel, the axle having an axle axis and the wheel rotating about a wheel axis, the tire including resilient tire material and conductive reinforcement material that is embedded in and surrounded by the resilient tire material, said induction supply method comprising:

radiating a primary alternating magnetic field for power use from an external solenoid disposed adjacent the outside of the tire so as to radiate said primary alternating magnetic field substantially perpendicular to a side surface of said tire, and receiving a data signal from said tire, said external solenoid having an external solenoid axis that is substantially perpendicular to the side surface of the tire;

generating a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material via said primary alternating magnetic field, a second alternating magnetic field being generated in an inner space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material;

receiving said secondary alternating magnetic field with a coreless internal solenoid that is fixed in said inner space and that has two ends, said internal solenoid having an internal solenoid axis that does not circumscribe said wheel axis and that is substantially parallel to said wheel axis, said internal solenoid generating a secondary induced alternating current for power use and transmitting said data signal from said tire via said reinforcement material to said external solenoid; and

detecting at least one predetermined condition inside said tire with an apparatus that is electrically connected to said two ends of said internal solenoid and that is operated by said secondary induced alternating current, and transmitting a detected signal to said external solenoid via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

11. The induction supply method according to claim 10, wherein said-primary alternating magnetic field radiated by said external solenoid is excited by a high frequency power source, a continuous high frequency alternating magnetic field.

12. An induction supply method of a tire condition detection system for use with a vehicle having an axle, a wheel coupled to the axle, and a wheel with a valve fixed thereto, the axle having an axle axis and the wheel rotating about a wheel axis, the tire including resilient tire material and conductive reinforcement material that is embedded in and surrounded by the resilient tire material, said induction supply method comprising:

radiating a primary alternating magnetic field for power use from an external solenoid that is fixed adjacent the outside of said tire, said external solenoid having an external solenoid axis that is substantially parallel to said axle axis and receiving a data signal from said tire;

generating a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material via said primary alternating magnetic field, a second alternating magnetic field being generated in an inner space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material;

receiving said secondary alternating magnetic field with an internal solenoid that is fixed at said valve, said internal solenoid generating a secondary induced alternating current and transmitting said data signal from said tire via said reinforcement material to said external solenoid, said internal solenoid having two ends and having an internal solenoid axis that is substantially parallel to said wheel axis;

detecting at least one predetermined condition inside said tire with an apparatus that is electrically connected to said two ends of said internal solenoid and that is operated by said secondary induced alternating current, and transmitting a detected signal to said external solenoid via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

13. The induction supply method according to claim 12, wherein said external solenoid comprises a plurality of turns of conductive wire with an insulating coating wound in a solenoid shape, and said external solenoid receives an alternating current from a high frequency power source.

14. The induction supply method according to claim 13, wherein said external solenoid is a first external solenoid, and further comprising a second external solenoid, with said first and second external solenoids being positioned at substantially 90°

or more to each other on the circumference of a circle with said wheel axis at the center, and wherein power generated by said secondary alternating magnetic field of both said first and second external solenoids is supplied to said detector.

15. The induction supply method according to claim 14, wherein said first and second external solenoids are disposed at positions substantially on opposite sides of a circle with said wheel axis at the center.

16. The induction supply method according to claim 12, wherein said primary alternating magnetic field radiated by said external solenoid is excited by a high frequency power source, a continuous high frequency alternating magnetic field.

17. An inductively powered tire condition detection system comprising:

a tire internally provided with conductive reinforcement material, and mounted on a wheel with a valve fixed thereto;

two external solenoids each comprising a plurality of turns of conductive wire with an insulating coating wound in a solenoid shape are positioned in the same direction to the rotational axis of said tire, wherein said two external solenoids are disposed one on each side of said tire such that they have the same central axes as each other, and the directions of flow of alternating currents in said external solenoids are adjusted such that the direction of alternating magnetic fields radiated by said respective external solenoids are the same, and as a primary alternating magnetic field is generated when power is supplied from a high frequency power source, said two external solenoids generate a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material via said primary alternating magnetic field radiating at the side surface of said tire substantially perpendicularly;

an internal solenoid fixed at said valve, receiving a secondary alternating magnetic field, that is generated in the space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current, at the cross section of said internal solenoid substantially perpendicularly, and generating a secondary induced alternating current;

a power source, fixed at the valve, converting said secondary induced alternating current into direct current power and outputting source power; and

a detector, fixed at the valve, operated by said source power, detecting predetermined conditions inside said tire and transmitting the detected signal to said external solenoids via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

18. An inductively powered tire condition detection system comprising:

a tire, internally provided with a conductive reinforcement material, and mounted on a wheel with a valve fixed thereto;

an external solenoid, wound with a plurality of turns, with an extended dimension in the lateral direction, curved in the lateral direction an arc shape around the outer peripheral surface of said tire is disposed either directly above the outer peripheral surface of said tire or at an angle to that position, so that the central axis of said external solenoid is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said tire, wherein, as a primary alternating magnetic field is generated when power is supplied from a high frequency power source, said external solenoid generates a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material via said primary alternating magnetic field radiating at the side surface of said tire substantially perpendicularly;

an internal solenoid, fixed at said valve, receiving a secondary alternating magnetic field, that is generated in the space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current, at the cross section of said internal solenoid substantially perpendicularly, and generating a secondary induced alternating current;

a power source, fixed at the valve, converting said secondary induced alternating current into direct current power and outputting source power; and

a detector, fixed at the valve, operated by said source power, detecting predetermined conditions inside said tire and transmitting the detected signal to said external solenoids via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

19. The inductively powered tire condition detection system according to claim 18, wherein said external antenna is formed of a solenoid shape using tape-shaped conductive foil.

20. An inductively powered tire condition detection system comprising:

a tire, internally provided with a conductive reinforcement material, and mounted on a wheel with a valve fixed thereto;

an external solenoid that is curved in the central axis direction such that the two ends of said solenoid approach the two side faces of said tire, and said solenoid is disposed with substantially left-right symmetry to said tire, wherein as a primary alternating magnetic field is generated when power is supplied from a high frequency power source, said external solenoid generates a primary induced alternating current in said reinforcement material via a component of said primary alternating magnetic field radiating at the side surface of said tire;

an internal solenoid, fixed at said valve, receiving a secondary alternating magnetic field, that is generated in the space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current, at the cross section of said internal solenoid substantially perpendicularly, and generating a secondary induced alternating current;

a power source, fixed at the valve, converting said secondary induced alternating current into direct current power and outputting source power; and

a detector, fixed at the valve, operated by said source power detecting predetermined conditions inside said tire and transmitting the detected signal to said external solenoids via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.

21. An inductively powered tire condition detection system comprising:

a tire internally provided with conductive reinforcement material, and mounted on a wheel with a valve fixed thereto;

an external solenoid that is formed in a loop shape with one turn of conductive wire, said external solenoid having a central axis that is substantially the same as the rotational axis of said tire, and being disposed at a predetermined position from a side of said tire, wherein said external solenoid receives high frequency power from a high frequency power source and a primary alternating magnetic field vortex is generated around said conductive wire of said external solenoid, and a primary induced alternating current is generated in said reinforcement material via said primary alternating magnetic field radiating at the side surface of said tire substantially perpendicularly;

an internal solenoid, fixed at said valve, receiving a secondary alternating magnetic field, that is generated in the space between said tire and said wheel due to said primary induced alternating current, at the cross section of said internal solenoid substantially perpendicularly and generating a secondary induced alternating current;

a power source, fixed at the valve, converting said secondary induced alternating current into direct current power and outputting source power; and

a detector, fixed at the valve, operated by said source power, detecting predetermined conditions inside said tire and transmitting the detected signal to said external solenoids via said internal solenoid and said reinforcement material.