Movable unit and system for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tyre

• US 7,415,870 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A. (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Original Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A. (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Inventors: Mancosu, Federico, Fioravanti, Anna Paola, Brusarosco, Massimo, Romeo, Fabio
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank; Rodney T
• Application Number:
  US10/518,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20050223788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,251 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel

Abstract

A system for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tire fitted to a vehicle includes a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is combined with the tire and includes a device for sensing the at least one characteristic parameter, a device for transmitting signals out of the tire, a processing unit, and a storage device. The fixed unit is combinable with the vehicle and includes a device for receiving signals from the movable unit. The processing unit and storage device carry out pre-processing of a signal generated by the sensing device and send the pre-processed signal to the transmitting device. The movable unit may also include a device for generating electrical energy that is capable of supplying the processing unit and the transmitting device. The transmitted signal relates to the at least one characteristic parameter. The movable unit and a vehicle wheel are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tyre fitted to a vehicle, comprising:

a movable unit; and

a fixed unit;

wherein the movable unit is combined with the tyre,

wherein the movable unit comprises;

a device for sensing the at least one characteristic parameter;

a device for transmitting signals out of the tyre;

a processing unit;

a storage device; and

a device for generating electrical energy;

wherein the fixed unit is combinable with the vehicle,

wherein the fixed unit comprises a device for receiving signals from the movable unit,

wherein the processing unit and storage device carry out pre-processing of a signal generated by the sensing device and send the pre-processed signal to the transmitting device,

wherein the electrical energy generating device is capable of supplying electrical energy to the processing unit and to the transmitting device,

wherein the transmitted signal relates to the at least one characteristic parameter, and

wherein the sensing device, the transmitting device, the processing unit, the storage device and the electrical energy generating device are produced and integrated on the same substrate by micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) technology.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises at least one pre-stored procedure capable of performing the pre-processing of the signal generated by the sensing device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generated by the sensing device is converted into a digital signal by the processing unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy generating device comprises a capacitor that charges itself with electrical energy in response to mechanical stresses applied to the tyre.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the capacitor comprises:

a fixed plate; and

a movable plate;

wherein the fixed plate and the movable plate move with respect to each other in response to the mechanical stresses.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a distance between the fixed plate and the movable plate can vary in response to the mechanical stresses.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the fixed plate and the movable plate are connected to each other by a pair of springs.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the fixed plate is connected to a fixed support, and

wherein the movable plate is connected to a movable support.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein movement of the movable plate is bounded by a pair of end-stop elements.

10. A movable unit for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tyre fitted to a vehicle, comprising:

a device for sensing the at least one characteristic parameter;

a device for transmitting signals out of the tyre;

a processing unit;

a storage device; and

a device for generating electrical energy;

wherein the processing unit and storage device carry out pre-processing of a signal generated by the sensing device and send the pre-processed signal to the transmitting device,

wherein the electrical energy generating device is capable of supplying electrical energy to the processing unit and to the transmitting device,

wherein the transmitted signal relates to the at least one characteristic parameter, and

wherein the sensing device, the transmitting device, the processing unit, the storage device and the electrical energy generating device are produced and integrated on the same substrate by micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) technology.

11. A vehicle wheel, comprising:

a tyre;

a supporting rim for the tyre; and

a movable unit combined with the tyre;

wherein the movable unit comprises;

a device for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of the tyre;

a device for transmitting signals out of the tyre;

a processing unit;

a storage device; and

a device for generating electrical energy;

wherein the processing unit and storage device carry out pre-processing of a signal generated by the sensing device and send the pre-processed signal to the transmitting device,

wherein the electrical energy generating device is capable of supplying electrical energy to the processing unit and to the transmitting device,

wherein the transmitted signal relates to the at least one characteristic parameter, and

wherein the sensing device, the transmitting device, the processing unit, the storage device and the electrical energy generating device are produced and integrated on the same substrate by micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) technology.