Tire inflation assistance monitoring system

• US 6,472,979 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van
• Application Number:
  US09/876,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20010026218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/446, 340/447, 340/448, 362/494, 307/10.1, 116/34.R
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0401 characterised by the type of alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0406 Alarms noticeable from outside the vehicle, e.g. indication in side mirror, front light or audible alarms B60C23/0403, B60C23/0405 take precedence
• 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: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings

Abstract

A vehicular tire inflation monitoring system is provided for a vehicle that includes at least one tire inflation indicator assembly, visible exterior of the vehicle, positioned at an exterior vehicle portion, such as at an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The at least one tire inflation indicator assembly provides an indication of the inflation condition of at least one of the vehicle tires. The tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving at least one input from at least one tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of at least one vehicle tire. The control produces an output to illuminate the at least one tire inflation indicator assembly.

Claims

1. A tire inflation monitoring system suitable for use on a vehicle comprising:

at least one tire inflation indicator assembly positioned at an exterior vehicle portion at a side of the vehicle and visible exterior the vehicle, said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly providing an indication of the inflation condition of at least one vehicle tire positioned at said side of the vehicle, wherein said tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving at least one input from at least one tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of the at least one vehicle tire and said control producing an output to illuminate said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly in response to a tire pressure condition, said illumination of said indicator assembly providing an indication of tire pressure status to a person external of the vehicle in the act of adjusting tire pressure of the at least one vehicle tire positioned at the side of the vehicle.

2. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises an exterior rearview mirror assembly.

3. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises an exterior body panel.

4. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly is visible forward and rearward of said exterior vehicle portion.

5. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at an under surface of said exterior vehicle portion.

6. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises a door panel.

7. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises a side marker.

8. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly produces a pattern of light that does not substantially extend to a driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle driver is substantially unaware of an indication by said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly.

9. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control receives an input indicative of operation of the vehicle.

10. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control includes a lockout function which precludes producing said output during operation of the vehicle.

11. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control produces said output during a particular period of time after operation of the vehicle is discontinued.

12. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 11 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.

13. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 11 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.

14. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 11 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.

15. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control receives an input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said output in response to the vehicle door being in an unlocked state.

16. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control produces said output in response to said at least one tire pressure sensor sensing a substantial change in tire pressure.

17. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire pressure indicator assembly produces a first indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially within a predetermined normal pressure range.

18. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 17 wherein said at least one tire pressure indicator assembly produces at least one of a second indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially less than said predetermined pressure range and a third indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially greater than said predetermined pressure range.

19. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 18 wherein said at least one tire pressure indicator assembly produces a fourth indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor undergoing change indicative of the associated tire undergoing inflation.

20. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 19 wherein said first through third indications are produced with one indication color.

21. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 18 wherein one of said indications is produced by continuously indicating said one indication color, another of said indications is produced by flashing said one indication color at a first predetermined rate and another of said indications is produced by flashing said one indication color at a second higher predetermined rate.

22. The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 21 wherein said first indication is produced by continuously indicating said one indication color, said second indication produced by flashing said one indication color at said first predetermined rate, said third indication is produced by flashing said one indication color at said second higher predetermined rate.