Tire inflation pressure detecting device

• US 8,258,938 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ando, Masakuni, Fukui, Kunihiko, Kanai, Yuki, Hattori, Makoto, Suzuki, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/570,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 340/447, 340/427, 340/442, 340/445, 340/448, 731/463, 731/468
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/006 having two wheels only
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A pressure detection unit includes a front-wheel transmitter and a rear-wheel transmitter operatively connected to wheel rims of a front wheel and a rear wheel, respectively. Inflation pressure signals transmitted from the front-wheel transmitter and the rear-wheel transmitter are received by a receiver. The receiver is arranged to be offset outward of a straight line connecting the front-wheel transmitter and the rear-wheel transmitter in the vehicle-body width direction. More specifically, the receiver is arranged in a space surrounded by a front cowl and a side panel, the space being between a coolant reserve tank and a radiator. The single receiver receives the signals transmitted from the front-wheel transmitter and the rear-wheel transmitter.

Claims

1. A tire inflation pressure detecting device comprising:

tire inflation pressure sensors;

transmitters for transmitting signals indicating tire inflation pressures detected by the tire inflation pressure sensors, respectively; and

a receiver for receiving the signals transmitted by the transmitters;

a pair of one of the tire inflation pressure sensors and one of the transmitters being operatively connected to each of wheel rims of a front wheel and a rear wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle, wherein the receiver is arranged in a region outward, in a vehicle-body width direction, of a straight line connecting the wheel rims of the front and rear wheels, and forward of a rider'"'"'s seat,

wherein the two-wheeled vehicle includes;

a pair of right and left main tubes extending obliquely downward and rearward to the right and to the left, respectively, from a head pipe; and

a front cowl for covering an area extending from a front portion of the head pipe to front portions of regions outside of the respective main tubes in the vehicle-body width direction,

a pair of right and left radiators, which are arranged, respectively, in the regions outside of the respective main tubes in the vehicle-body width direction,

wherein a face of a radiator core included in each of the radiators is substantially opposed to the front cowl, and

wherein the receiver is arranged in a space formed between one of the main tubes and the front cowl, and is attached by a stay to a radiator cap above one of the radiator cores.

2. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is arranged under a side panel covering an upper portion of a space between one of the main tubes and the front cowl.

3. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the receiver incorporates a receiving antenna.

4. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the receiver includes a microcomputer for comparing the tire inflation pressure indicated by the signal received by the receiver to a referential inflation pressure;

inputting a result of the comparison to a meter unit of the vehicle; and

causing the meter unit to give a predetermined warning indication.

5. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver incorporates a receiving antenna.

6. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the receiver includes a microcomputer for comparing the tire inflation pressure indicated by the signal received by the receiver to a referential inflation pressure;

inputting a result of the comparison to a meter unit of the vehicle; and

causing the meter unit to give a predetermined warning indication.

7. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a microcomputer for comparing the tire inflation pressure indicated by the signal received by the receiver to a referential inflation pressure;

inputting a result of the comparison to a meter unit of the vehicle; and

causing the meter unit to give a predetermined warning indication.

8. A tire inflation pressure detecting device comprising:

tire inflation pressure sensors;

transmitters for transmitting signals indicating tire inflation pressures detected by the tire inflation pressure sensors, respectively; and

a receiver for receiving the signals transmitted by the transmitters;

a pair of one of the tire inflation pressure sensors and one of the transmitters being operatively connected to each of wheel rims of a front wheel and a rear wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle, wherein the receiver is arranged in a region outward, in a vehicle-body width direction, of a straight line connecting the wheel rims of the front and rear wheels, and forward of a rider'"'"'s seat, wherein

the two-wheeled vehicle includes;

a vehicle-body frame including a head pipe in a front portion of the vehicle body;

a pair of right and left main tubes extending obliquely downward and rearward to the right and to the left, respectively, from the head pipe; and

a front cowl for covering an area extending from a front portion of the head pipe to front portions of regions outside of the respective main tubes in the vehicle-body width direction,

a pair of right and left radiators, which are arranged, respectively, in the regions outside of the respective main tubes in the vehicle-body width direction,

wherein a face of a radiator core included in each of the radiators is substantially opposed to the front cowl; and

wherein the receiver is arranged in a space formed between one of the main tubes and the front cowl, and in a position above a reservoir tank connected to one of the radiators.

9. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 8, wherein the receiver incorporates a receiving antenna.

10. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 8, wherein the receiver includes a microcomputer for comparing the tire inflation pressure indicated by the signal received by the receiver to a referential inflation pressure;

inputting a result of the comparison to a meter unit of the vehicle; and

causing the meter unit to give a predetermined warning indication.

11. A tire inflation pressure detecting device comprising:

a front tire inflation pressure sensor operatively positioned within a front tire of a vehicle;

a rear tire inflation pressure sensor operatively positioned within a rear tire of the vehicle;

a front transmitter for transmitting signals indicating tire inflation pressure detected by the front tire inflation pressure sensor;

a rear transmitter for transmitting signals indicating tire inflation pressure detected by the rear tire inflation pressure sensor; and

a single receiver which incorporates a single receiving antenna for receiving the signals transmitted by the transmitters;

said front tire inflation pressure sensor and said front transmitter being provided on a front wheel rim of a front wheel;

said rear tire inflation pressure sensor and said rear transmitter being provided on a rear wheel rim of a rear wheel;

wherein the single receiver which incorporates a single receiving antenna is arranged in a region outward, in a vehicle-body width direction, of a straight line connecting the wheel rims of the front and rear wheels, and forward of an operator'"'"'s seat of the vehicle.

12. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 11, and further including a vehicle-body frame having a head pipe in a front portion of the vehicle body;

a pair of right and left main tubes extending obliquely downward and rearward to the right and to the left, respectively, from the head pipe; and

a front cowl for covering an area extending from a front portion of the head pipe to front portions of regions outside of the respective main tubes in the vehicle-body width direction, and

the receiver is arranged in a space formed between one of the main tubes and the front cowl.

13. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 12, and further including a pair of right and left radiators, which are arranged, respectively, in the regions outside of the respective main tubes in the vehicle-body width direction wherein a face of a radiator core included in each of the radiators is substantially opposed to the front cowl;

and

the receiver is arranged above one of the radiators, and below a reservoir tank connected to the one of the radiators.

14. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 11, wherein the receiver is arranged under a side panel covering an upper portion of a space between one of left and right main tubes and a front cowl.

15. The tire inflation pressure detecting device according to claim 11, wherein the receiver includes a microcomputer for comparing the tire inflation pressure indicated by the signal received by the receiver to a referential inflation pressure;

inputting a result of the comparison to a meter unit of the vehicle; and

causing the meter unit to give a predetermined warning indication.