Tire initiated vehicle control system

• US 6,498,967 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Inventors: Roth, Stephen F, Landers, Samuel Patrick, Hopkins, William Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/057,128
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/37, 701/41, 701/48, 701/70, 701/71, 701/78, 702/138, 702/140, 340/438, 340/442, 340/443, 340/444, 340/447, 303/122.09
• US Class Current: 701/1
• 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: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/52 in tyre
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/20 Spring action or springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/984 Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2240/03 Tire sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/58 responsive to speed and another condition or to plural speed conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0071 Controller overrides driver automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/20 Tyre data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/20 Steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/22 Suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/14 Adaptive cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A tire initiated vehicle control system 110 for vehicles 100 is described. The vehicles 100 have vehicle components including a power train 140, a suspension system 180, a steering mechanism 160, a plurality of wheel brake mechanisms 130, one wheel brake mechanism 130 being at each wheel position 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d location, a fuel or vehicle speed throttle 144 with or without a cruise control system, the vehicle control system 110 has a tire pressure detection device 120 and a control means 200, which preferably has a computer 208 for receiving data from the tire pressure detection device 120. The control means 200 processes the received tire pressure data and upon a preset pressure or rate of change value in tire pressure the control means 208 directs a change in response rates of one or more of the above listed vehicle components.

Claims

1. A tire initiated vehicle control system for automobile type vehicles having vehicle components including a power train, a steering mechanism, a plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, one wheel brake mechanism at each wheel position, a fuel or vehicle speed throttle with or without a cruise control system, four or more pneumatic tires, and a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle control system comprising:

a tire pressure detection device;

a control means for receiving data from the tire pressure detection device, the control means processes the received data and upon a preset pressure or rate of change value in tire pressure, the control means directs a change in the response rate of one or more of the following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, the fuel or vehicle speed throttle or the vehicle suspension system; and

wherein a preset pressure or rate of change value causes an activation of the control means to adjust the vehicle suspension causing a lowering of the vehicle.

2. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein the control means at a preset pressure additionally directs a change in the response rate in one or more following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanism or the vehicle suspension.

3. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein the control means at a preset pressure additionally directs a change in the response rate in one or more following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanism or the vehicle suspension.

4. A tire initiated vehicle control system for automobile type vehicles having vehicle components including a power train, a steering mechanism, a plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, one wheel brake mechanism at each wheel position, a fuel or vehicle speed throttle with or without a cruise control system, four or more pneumatic tires, and a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle control system comprising:

a tire pressure detection device;

a control means for receiving data from the tire pressure detection device, the control means processes the received data and upon a preset pressure or rate of change value in tire pressure, the control means directs a change in the response rate of one or more of the following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, the fuel or vehicle speed throttle or the vehicle suspension system; and

wherein a present pressure or rate of change value causes activation of the control means to adjust the vehicle weight balance shifting the mass center directly away from the wheel position signaling the preset pressure or rate of change value has been triggered.

10. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 4 wherein the control means at a preset pressure additionally directs a change in the response rate in one or more following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanism or the vehicle suspension.

5. A tire initiated vehicle control system for automobile type vehicles having vehicle components including a power train, a steering mechanism, a plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, one wheel brake mechanism at each wheel position, a fuel or vehicle speed throttle with or without a cruise control system, four or more pneumatic tires, and a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle control system comprising:

a tire pressure detection device;

a control means for receiving data from the tire pressure detection device, the control means processes the received data and upon a preset pressure or rate of change value in tire pressure, the control means directs a change in the response rate of one or more of the following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, the fuel or vehicle speed throttle or the vehicle suspension system; and

wherein a present pressure or rate of change value causes activation of the control means to adjust the steering mechanism response rate lowering the wheel movement inversely proportional to steering input.

6. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 5 wherein the wheel turning movement is reduced relative to steering input in a negative linear slope relationship relative to vehicle speed (v), the faster the speed (v) the lower the wheel turning movement for a given steering input.

11. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 5 wherein the control means at a preset pressure additionally directs a change in the response rate in one or more following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanism or the vehicle suspension.

7. A tire initiated vehicle control system for automobile type vehicles having vehicle components including a power train, a steering mechanism, a plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, one wheel brake mechanism at each wheel position, a fuel or vehicle speed throttle with or without a cruise control system, four or more pneumatic tires, and a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle control system comprising:

a tire pressure detection device;

a control means for receiving data from the tire pressure detection device, the control means processes the received data and upon a preset pressure or rate of change value in tire pressure, the control means directs a change in the response rate of one or more of the following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, the fuel or vehicle speed throttle or the vehicle suspension system; and

wherein a preset pressure or rate of change value causes an activation of the control means to disengage the cruise control system.

12. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 7 wherein the control means at a preset pressure additionally directs a change in the response rate in one or more following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanism or the vehicle suspension.

8. A tire initiated vehicle control system for automobile type vehicles having vehicle components including a power train, a steering mechanism, a plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, one wheel brake mechanism at each wheel position, a fuel or vehicle speed throttle with or without a cruise control system, four or more pneumatic tires, and a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle control system comprising:

a tire pressure detection device;

a control means for receiving data from the tire pressure detection device, the control means processes the received data and upon a preset pressure or rate of change value in tire pressure, the control means directs a change in the response rate of one or more of the following vehicle components, the power train, the steering mechanism, the plurality of wheel brake mechanisms, the fuel or vehicle speed throttle or the vehicle suspension system; and

wherein a preset pressure or a rate of change value causes an activation of the control means to take over the fuel throttle input to the power train.

9. The tire initiated vehicle control system of claim 8 wherein the control means sets the maximum vehicle speed of the vehicle after a preset pressure or rate of change value is achieved.