TIRE PRESSURE INFLATION SYSTEM

• US 20100212798A1
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bothe, Steven P. JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/390,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20100212798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/415
• 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 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means

Abstract

A tire pressure inflation system includes an inflation device having a communication portion and an inflation portion. The communication portion is configured to receive tire pressure signals wirelessly transmitted from a tire pressure sensor disposed within a vehicle tire cavity. The inflation portion is configured to change pressure within the pressurized vehicle tire cavity in response to signals from the tire pressure sensor.

Claims

1. A tire pressure inflation system comprising:

an inflation device having a communication portion configured to receive tire pressure signals wirelessly transmitted from a tire pressure sensor disposed within a vehicle tire cavity, and an inflation portion configured to change pressure within the pressurized vehicle tire cavity in response to signals from the tire pressure sensor.

2. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, further comprising:

the communication portion of the inflation device is configured to receive low frequency wireless signals.

3. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the communication portion of the inflation device includes a wireless signal transmitting section configured to transmit a request signal to the tire pressure sensor requesting tire pressure signals from the tire pressure sensor.

4. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 3, wherein

the communication portion of the inflation device is configured to send and receive high frequency transmissions.

5. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the communication portion of the inflation device is configured to send and receive high frequency transmissions.

6. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the communication portion of the inflation device is configured to send and receive both low frequency transmissions and high frequency transmissions.

7. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 6, wherein

the communication portion of the inflation device is configured to send and receive low frequency transmissions at 125 kHz and high frequency transmissions at one of 315 MHz, 433-434 MHz, 448 MHz, 868 MHz, and 915 MHz.

8. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the inflation device is installed within a vehicle that includes at least one tire equipped with a tire pressure sensor such that the inflation device is in wireless communication with the tire pressure sensor.

9. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the inflation device is a portable unit having a power cord configured for receiving electrical power from a vehicle.

10. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the inflation device is a portable unit having a power cord that receives standard alternating current.

11. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the inflation device is a stationary unit having a power cord that receives standard alternating current.

12. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the inflation portion includes an air compressor and a manually operated air nozzle configured to couple to a tire valve for fluid communication with the vehicle tire cavity.

13. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, wherein

the inflation device further comprises a microprocessor, memory and a tire sensor diagnostic section configured 10 diagnose operation of a tire pressure sensor.

14. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a tire pressure sensor disposed within a vehicle tire cavity.

15. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 14, wherein

the tire pressure sensor includes a wireless transmitter and an automated circuit configured to transmit tire pressure signals at predetermined intervals via the wireless transmitter.

16. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 15, wherein

the transmitter is a low frequency transmitter.

17. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 14, wherein

the tire pressure sensor includes a transmitter and an automated circuit configured to transmit tire pressure signals in response to changes in tire pressure within the vehicle tire cavity via the wireless transmitter.

18. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 17, wherein

the transmitter is a high frequency transmitter.

19. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 14, wherein

the tire pressure sensor includes a transmitter configured to transmit tire pressure-signals, a receiver configured to receive signals from the communication portion of the inflation device and a circuit configured to transmit tire pressure signals via the wireless transmitter in response to receiving signals from the communication portion of the inflation device.

20. The tire pressure inflation system according to claim 19, wherein

the transmitter of the tire pressure sensor is a high frequency transmitter.