Device for measuring vehicle tire pressure

• US 6,169,480 B1
• Filed: 04/20/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beru Aktiengesellschaft (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Doduco GmbH (BASF SE)
• Inventors: Kessler, Ralf, Normann, Norbert, Uhl, Günter, Schulze, Gunter Lothar
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US08/973,280
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/442, 340/445, 731/462, 731/464, 731/465, 731/468
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring device includes a pressure measurement sensor provided on each of the wheels to be monitored, a transmitter arranged near each pressure measurement sensor for sending signals representative of the pressure determined by the pressure measurement sensor, respective antennas for receiving the signals, the antennas being arranged on the vehicle chassis near the respective wheel. Each antenna is formed by making use of a separate electric line belonging to another monitoring system that is associated to the same wheel or is formed by making use of a sensor belonging to another monitoring system associated to the same wheels. Alternatively an electric line that leads to another consumer which is associated to the respective wheel, like a lamp, is used as an antenna.

Claims

1. A device fitted to vehicles equipped with a chassis and wheels having pneumatic tires, said device for monitoring the air pressure within said tires, comprising:

a respective pressure measurement sensor provided on each of the wheels to be monitored;

a respective transmitter arranged near each pressure measurement sensor for sending signals representative of the air pressure determined by the pressure measurement sensor;

a receiver for receiving the pressure signals, said receiver arranged on the chassis of the vehicle neighboring the respective wheel;

an antenna arranged near each wheel, said antenna comprised of an electric line belonging to another monitoring system associated to each of the wheels.

2. the device of claim 1, wherein:

a pressure measurement sensor provided on each of the wheels to be monitored, a transmitter arranged near each pressure measurement sensor for sending signals representative of the tire pressure determined by the pressure measurement sensor,

a receiver for the signals arranged on the chassis of the vehicle neighboring the respective wheel,

wherein each receiver uses a sensor belonging to another monitoring system associated to each of the wheels for its respective antenna.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the other monitoring device respectively monitors the wear of a brake pad lining of each said wheels.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the other monitoring device respectively monitors the wheels for at least one of locked wheel conditions and wheel slip.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein an electric line near the respective wheel, leads to another electrical consumer, and wherein said electric line is used as an antenna.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electric line is a coaxial cable having a length, said cable free of its outer conductor over part of the length near the the respective wheel.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electric line is a coaxial cable having a length, said cable free of its outer conductor over part of the length near the respective wheel.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric line (5, 6;

7, 8) is a coaxial cable, which is freed of its outer conductor over part or its length, in the neighborhood of the wheel (2).

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein the electric line is a coaxial cable having a length, said cable free of its outer conductor over part of the length near the respective wheel.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein each of the antennas are connected to a common electronic receiver and a common signal evaluation circuit.

11. The device according to claim 5, wherein each of the antennas are connected to a common electronic receiver and a common signal evaluation circuit.