Method of positioning sensors for twinned wheels of a vehicle

• US 8,258,931 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LDL Technology SAS
• Original Assignee: LDL Technology SAS
• Inventors: Lefaure, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US12/599,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340442-448, 340/438, 340/870.28, 340/539.21, 731/462, 731/463, 731/464, 731/468, 731/465
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/007 having multiple wheels arranged side by side
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/008 having wheels on more than two axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0416 allocating a corresponding wheel position on vehicle, e.g. front/left or rear/right

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of positioning sensors on wheels (200 and 300) installed coaxial to the same end of one and the same axle of a vehicle (C) comprising a receiving module (100) associated with the body of the vehicle, noteworthy in that it consists in positioning the sensors (210 and 310) at an angular interval greater than or equal to ninety (90) degrees of a wheel (200) relative to the other (300) so that, when operating in displacement mode, the distance between the receiving module and the sensor varies according to the wheel rotation, and in using a link of low frequency (LF) type so that the creation of a distance between the points of emission makes it possible to vary the power of the signals received, thus rendering them distinct. The invention also relates to a device making it possible to implement the method described hereinabove. Applications: measurement and transmission of data associated with the wheels of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for positioning sensors on a vehicle comprising a chassis, an axle, and a receiving module coupled to the chassis, the method comprising:

positioning a first wheel on the axle, on a first side of a plane of symmetry of the vehicle;

subsequently, positioning a second wheel on the axle, on the first side of a plane of symmetry;

positioning a third wheel on the axle, on a second side of a plane of symmetry, the second side being opposite the first side;

positioning a fourth wheel on the axle, on the second side of a plane of symmetry;

placing a first sensor on the first wheel, the first sensor being configured to detect a pressure in the first wheel and transmit a first wireless signal indicating a detected pressure in the first wheel, the first wireless signal being of a low frequency type;

positioning a second sensor, the second sensor being configured to detect a pressure in the second wheel and transmit a second wireless signal indicating a detected pressure in the second wheel, the second wireless signal being of the low frequency type, the second sensor being positioned such that an angular displacement, about the axle, of the second sensor relative to an angular displacement, about the axle, of the first sensor is greater than or equal to ninety degrees, such that, during movement of the vehicle, at a first time, a distance between the first sensor and the receiving module is less than a distance between the second sensor and the receiving module and, at a subsequent time, the distance between the second sensor and the receiving module is less than the distance between the first sensor and the receiving module, as a result of wheel revolution, thereby varying respective power levels of the first and second signals received by the receiving module, thereby making the first and second signals distinct from each other.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the second sensor includes positioning such that an angular displacement, about the axle, of the second sensor relative to an angular displacement, about the axle, of the first sensor is substantially equal to one hundred and eighty degrees.

3. A method according to claim 1, further including making an outside visual reference mark, on a rim of the second wheel, at a position of the second sensor.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor is not associated with a valve of the first wheel and the second sensor is not associated with a valve of the second wheel, wherein the step of positioning the second sensor includes positioning the second wheel.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor is associated with a valve of the first wheel and the second sensor is associated with a valve of the second wheel, wherein the step of positioning the second sensor includes positioning the second wheel.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of positioning the second sensor includes positioning the second wheel.

6. A receiving module configured to operate on a vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a chassis;

an axle;

a first wheel on the axle, positioned on a first side of a plane of symmetry of the vehicle;

a second wheel on the axle, positioned on the first side of a plane of symmetry;

a third wheel on the axle, positioned on a second side of a plane of symmetry, the second side being opposite the first side;

a fourth wheel on the axle, positioned on the second side of a plane of symmetry;

a first sensor on the first wheel, the first sensor being configured to detect a pressure in the first wheel and transmit a first wireless signal indicating a detected pressure in the first wheel, the first wireless signal being of a low frequency type;

a second sensor, the second sensor being configured to detect a pressure in the second wheel and transmit a second wireless signal indicating a detected pressure in the second wheel, the second wireless signal being of the low frequency type, the second sensor being positioned such that an angular displacement, about the axle, of the second sensor relative to an angular displacement, about the axle, of the first sensor is greater than or equal to ninety degrees,

the receiving module being positioned on the chassis such that, during movement of the vehicle, at a first time, a distance between the first sensor and the receiving module is less than a distance between the second sensor and the receiving module and, at a subsequent time, the distance between the second sensor and the receiving module is less than the distance between the first sensor and the receiving module, as a result of wheel revolution, thereby varying respective power levels of the first and second signals received by the receiving module, the receiving module being configured to distinguish the first and second signals from each other.