Unit for measuring and system for monitoring tire pressure in tires of the extended mobility or other type

• US 8,061,192 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), Societe De Technologie Michelin (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Liberge, Franck, Corniot, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US12/532,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20100288039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 23/0455 Transmission control of wireless signals

Abstract

Measuring unit with at least a pressure sensor and signal transmission means, intended to be fitted on a tire/wheel assembly, characterized in that it comprises a logic indicator with two states, active and inactive, and in that the logic indicator becomes active each time the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is below a given threshold, close to zero.

Claims

1. A measuring unit to be fitted on a tire/wheel assembly installed in a vehicle, comprising:

a pressure sensor;

a signal transmitter; and

a logic indicator with two states;

active and inactive,

wherein the logic indicator enters the active state each time the pressure sensor measures a tire pressure below a given threshold,

wherein the given threshold is close to zero, indicating that the tire pressure is close to atmospheric pressure,

wherein, when the logic indicator is in the active state, a signal is transmitted by the signal transmitter, and

wherein the logic indicator is operational when the vehicle is started up.

2. The measuring unit according to claim 1, wherein the given threshold is equal to 100 mbar.

3. The measuring unit according to claim 1, wherein the given threshold is equal to 200 mbar.

4. The measuring unit according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmitter transmits an alert message to a central unit when the logic indicator is in the active state.

5. The measuring unit according to claim 1, wherein the logic indicator is returned to the inactive state from the active state by a diagnostic tool.

6. The measuring unit according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing an additional code dependent on a type of tire of the tire/wheel assembly, wherein the signal transmitter transmits the additional code to a central unit when the logic indicator is in the active state.

7. A system for monitoring pressure in a tire of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a central unit with a receiver and a processor, and

a measuring unit that includes;

a pressure sensor,

a signal transmitter, and

a logic indicator with two states;

active and inactive,

wherein the logic indicator enters the active state each time the pressure sensor measures a tire pressure below a given threshold,

wherein the given threshold is close to zero, indicating that the tire pressure is close to atmospheric pressure,

wherein, when the logic indicator is in the active state, a signal is transmitted by the signal transmitter to the central unit, and

wherein the logic indicator is operational when the vehicle is started up.

8. The system according to claim 7,

wherein the processor of the central unit includes a plurality of data processing programs for processing data transmitted by the measuring unit, and

wherein each data processing program is suited to a given type of tire.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the central unit receives a signal of an additional code transmitted by a diagnostic tool, the additional code corresponding to a type of the tire of the vehicle.

10. System according to claim 7, wherein the measuring unit transmits a signal of an additional code to the central unit, the additional code corresponding to a type of the tire of the vehicle.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the additional code is stored by the measuring unit and is modifiable by a diagnostic tool.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein a type of the tire is chosen from a group of tires that includes extended mobility tires and standard tires.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the type of the tire is chosen from a group of tires that includes “

summer”

tires and “

winter”

tires.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein a type of the tire is chosen from a group of tires that includes extended mobility tires and standard tires.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the type of the tire is chosen from a group of tires that includes “

summer”

tires and “

winter”

tires.