Signal receiver for tire air pressure monitoring system

• US 20030011472A1
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Itou, Shintarou, Taguchi, Akihiro
• Granted Patent: US 6,744,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/445
• 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 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0462 Structure of transmission protocol

Abstract

A signal receiver for tire air pressure monitoring system determines whether the pressure detection signals from all transmitters have been received during an engine stop state. Upon affirmative determination, the receiver sets a timer, and deactivates the entire or partial function of the receiver. The receiver determines whether the second predetermined period has expired after the setting of the timer. Until the period passes, the receiver retains the deactivated state thereby to save electric power consumption during engine stop state.

Claims

1. A signal receiver for a tire air pressure monitoring system comprising:

a receiving section that receives a tire pressure detection signal from a signal transmitter of a vehicle when activated with a supply of electric power; and

an intermittent operation time control section that activates intermittently a partial or entire function of the receiver section during a first predetermined period and deactivates the partial or entire function of the receiver section during a second predetermined period that follows the first period, the intermittent operation time control section repeating activation and deactivation of the function of the receiver section cyclically.

2. The signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein the partial function of the receiver includes receiving of the tire pressure detection signal from the signal transmitter.

3. The signal receiver according to claim 2, wherein the receiver includes a control circuit section that includes at least the intermittent operation time control section, the partial receiver function includes a function of the control circuit section excluding the intermittent operation time control section and the function of the receiving section.

4. The signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined period is set to allow the receiving section to receive all signals to be treated by the receiving section.

5. The signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent operation time control section turns from an intermittent active operation in the first predetermined period to a deactivated state in the second predetermined period upon receiving all signals to be treated by the receiving section.

6. The signal receiver according to claim 4, wherein the all signals treated by the receiving section includes tire air pressure detection signals from all transmitters provided for all tires of a vehicle.

7. The signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent operation time control section extends the second predetermined period progressively with time.