System and method for tire pressure monitoring with optimal tire pressure indication during tire pressure adjustment

• US 20030164759A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nantz, John S., Ghabra, Riad, King, Ronald O., Tang, Qingfeng
• Application Number:
  US10/318,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20030164759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0416 allocating a corresponding wheel position on vehicle, e.g. front/left or rear/right
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0476 Temperature compensation of measured pressure values
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/325 characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/326 the resonator being an acoustic wave device, e.g. SAW or BAW device
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 1/46 Modulators with mechanically-driven or acoustically-driven parts

Abstract

A system and method for remote monitoring of tire pressure provide an indication of optimal tire pressure when a tire inflation valve is actuated. A tire monitor mounted a tire includes sensors for sensing tire pressure and temperature, and a transmitter for transmitting wireless tire information signals having tire pressure and tire temperature data. A controller mounted on board the vehicle determines an optimal pressure for the tire based on the temperature data and vehicle load information. The controller generates a control signal for use in providing an audible and/or visual indication during tire pressure adjustment when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, a system for remote monitoring of tire pressure comprising:

a tire monitor for mounting in the tire, the monitor comprising a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure, a temperature sensor for sensing tire temperature, and a transmitter for transmitting wireless tire information signals comprising tire pressure and tire temperature data; and

a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller for determining an optimal pressure for the tire based on the temperature data and vehicle load information, wherein the controller generates a control signal for use in providing an audible indication during tire pressure adjustment when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control signal is for use in controlling a vehicle horn and the audible indication comprises at least one activation of the vehicle horn.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a receiver for mounting on the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the controller, the receiver for receiving the tire information signals.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller and receiver together comprise a control unit, the control unit for mounting on the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a single tire information signal comprises tire pressure data and tire temperature data.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a receiver for receiving the tire information signals.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is for use in controlling a vehicle light to provide a visual indication when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

8. In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, a system for remote monitoring of tire pressure comprising:

a tire monitor for mounting in the tire, the monitor comprising a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure, a temperature sensor for sensing tire temperature, and a transmitter for transmitting wireless tire information signals comprising tire pressure and tire temperature data; and

a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller for determining an optimal pressure for the tire based on the temperature data and vehicle load information, wherein the controller generates a control signal for use in providing a visual indication during tire pressure adjustment when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the control signal is for use in controlling a vehicle light and the visual indication comprises at least one activation of the vehicle light.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a receiver for mounting on the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the controller, the receiver for receiving the tire information signals.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller and receiver together comprise a control unit, the control unit for mounting on the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein a single tire information signal comprises tire pressure data and tire temperature data.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the controller comprises a receiver for receiving the tire information signals.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the controller is for use in controlling a vehicle horn for providing an audible indication when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

15. In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, a method for remote monitoring of tire pressure comprising:

sensing a pressure and a temperature of a tire;

transmitting wireless tire information signals comprising tire pressure and tire temperature data representing the sensed pressure and temperature;

determining an optimal pressure for the tire based on the temperature data and vehicle load information; and

providing an indication during tire pressure adjustment when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the indication comprises at least one activation of a vehicle horn.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the indication comprises at least one activation of a vehicle light.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the indication comprises at least one activation of a vehicle light.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein a single tire information signal comprises tire pressure data and tire temperature data.