U.S. patent application number 09/789790 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for arrangement and method of vehicle tire identification.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRW Inc.. Invention is credited to LeMense, Thomas John.
Application Number | 20020113691 09/789790 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25148689 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020113691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LeMense, Thomas John |
August 22, 2002 |
ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF VEHICLE TIRE IDENTIFICATION
Abstract
An arrangement (10) and method for identifying a vehicle tire
(20) to a vehicle-based tire condition unit (38) that utilizes the
tire identification. An ECU (40) and an indication and control
panel (42) of the vehicle-based tire condition unit (38) cooperate
to prompt a person to spin the tire (20). A signal that is
indicative of the tire being spun is provided to the vehicle-based
tire condition unit (38). In one embodiment, the signal is provided
by a wheel speed sensor (36). In another embodiment, the signal is
provided by a sensor transponder (22) at the tire (20).
Inventors: |
LeMense, Thomas John;
(Farmington, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL, TUMMINO & SZABO L.L.P.
1111 LEADER BLDG., 526 SUPERIOR AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-1400
US
|
Assignee: |
TRW Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25148689 |
Appl. No.: |
09/789790 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/442 ;
340/539.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C 23/0416
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/442 ;
340/539 |
International
Class: |
B60C 023/00 |
Claims
Having described the invention, the following is claimed:
1. An arrangement for identifying a vehicle tire to a vehicle-based
tire condition unit that utilizes the tire identification, said
arrangement comprising: means for prompting a person to spin the
tire; and means for providing a signal to the vehicle-based tire
condition unit, the signal being indicative of the tire being
spun.
2. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for
providing the signal comprises an wheel tire rotation sensor,
associated with the vehicle tire, for outputting the signal
indicative of tire rotation speed.
3. An arrangement as set forth in claim 2, comprising means for
providing a second signal to the vehicle-based tire condition unit,
the second signal being indicative of the tire being spun.
4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for
providing the second signal comprises a transponder, disposed in
the vehicle tire, for outputting the second signal when the tire is
spun.
5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for
providing the signal comprises a transponder, disposed in the
vehicle tire, for outputting the signal when the tire is spun.
6. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, comprising sensor means
for sensing a condition of the tire and means associated with the
tire for outputting a signal indicative of the sensed tire
condition to the vehicle-based tire condition unit.
7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
vehicle-based tire condition unit utilizes the tire identification
to indicate the sensed condition and the tire identification to a
vehicle operator.
8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sensor
means includes means for sensing tire inflation pressure as the
tire condition.
9. An arrangement for identifying a location of one of a plurality
of vehicle tires during a programming sequence of a tire condition
monitoring system, said arrangement comprising: means for providing
a signal that is indicative of the one tire being spun; and means
for receiving the signal at a vehicle-based unit of the tire
condition monitor system.
10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 9, comprising means for
associating a location with the spun tire and means for storing the
associated location of the spun tire.
11. An arrangement as set forth in claim 10, comprising means for
receiving a signal at the vehicle-based unit that indicates an
identification code from a tire-based unit of the tire condition
monitor system at the spun tire, and means for associating and
storing the identification code with the stored location of the
spun tire.
12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for
providing the signal indicative of the one tire being spun
comprises a wheel speed sensor.
13. An arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said wheel
speed sensor is also part of an anti-lock brake system.
14. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for
providing the signal indicative of the one tire being spun
comprises a centrifugal switch and a transponder of said tire-based
unit.
15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14, wherein the signal
indicative of the one tire being spun is provided as the signal
indicative of the identification code, when said centrifugal switch
operates in response to tire spin.
16. An arrangement for identifying a vehicle tire, said arrangement
comprising: a component for prompting a person to spin the tire; a
tire identification sensor for sending a tire identification signal
when the tire is spun; a condition sensor for monitoring a
condition of the tire and sending a condition signal; and a
processing unit for receiving and processing said tire
identification signal and said condition signal.
17. An arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein said tire
identification sensor is a wheel rotation sensor.
18. An arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein said condition
sensor is a transponder, wherein said transponder further includes
a centrifugal switch for actuating said transponder when said tire
is spun.
19. An arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein said condition
sensor is a tire pressure sensor and said condition signal is a
tire pressure signal.
20. A method for identifying a vehicle tire to a vehicle-based tire
condition unit that utilizes the tire identification, said method
comprising: prompting a person to spin the tire; and providing a
signal to the vehicle-based tire condition unit, the signal being
indicative of the tire being spun.
21. A method for identifying a location of one of a plurality of
vehicle tires during a programming sequence of a tire condition
monitoring system, said method comprising: providing a signal that
is indicative of the one tire being spun; and receiving the signal
at a vehicle-based unit of the tire condition monitor system.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle tire identification
for systems that provide tire information. More particularly, the
present invention relates to an arrangement that associates a tire
identification with a tire location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A typical remote automotive tire condition monitoring system
includes a plurality of tire-based sensory transponders and a
central, vehicle-based arrangement. The sensory transponders
include a component that senses a tire condition, such as tire
inflation pressure or tire temperature. Each transponder is capable
of outputting a coded transmission that conveys sensed tire
condition information and an identification for reception by the
vehicle-based arrangement. Within the vehicle-based arrangement, an
electronic control unit ("ECU") processes the conveyed information
and controls provision of information regarding the sensed tire
conditions to a vehicle operator. During operation of such a
system, the vehicle operator is readily notified of a current tire
condition, such as a low inflation pressure in a tire.
[0003] In order for the vehicle operator to comprehend which tire
currently has a condition of interest (e.g., a low inflation
pressure), the information provided to the vehicle operator must
unambiguously identify the location (e.g., right front) of the tire
that has the condition of interest. In order for the ECU to provide
such tire location information, the ECU has a memory that stores
tire identification information for comparison with the
identification conveyed from the transponder. Also, within the
memory, a certain tire location is associated with each stored tire
identification. Thus, once a provided identification is matched to
a stored identification, a location on the vehicle is associated
with the provided tire condition information. Accordingly, the
operator is made aware that the tire at a certain location (e.g.,
right front) has the certain condition (e.g., low inflation
pressure).
[0004] Changes routinely occur regarding the tires and/or
transponders that are associated with a vehicle. The changes can
result in new, different transponders being associated with the
vehicle, or a rearrangement of the locations of the transponders,
via rearrangement of the tires. Some examples of such changes occur
when one or more new tires with new transponders are mounted on a
vehicle (e.g., the placement of the initial set of tires during
vehicle manufacture or replacement of one or more tires), when the
tires are rotated during routine maintenance, or when a transponder
is replaced on an existing tire. It should be readily apparent that
new/modified identification and location information regarding the
tire must be provided or "taught" to the ECU.
[0005] In order to accomplish the "teaching" of the tire
identification information to a vehicle-based portion, one known
tire identification system is placed in a "learn" mode via
actuation of pushbutton(s) on an operator-accessible information
panel of the vehicle-based portion. During the learn mode, the
vehicle-based portion is in a ready state to receive a distinctive
"learn" mode signal transmitted from each of tire-based transmitter
of the system. In order to cause each tire-based transmitter to
send the "learn" mode signal, a strong magnet is swept over the
outside of the associated vehicle tire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
provides an arrangement for identifying a vehicle tire to a
vehicle-based tire condition unit that utilizes the tire
identification. The arrangement comprises means for prompting a
person to spin the tire. Means provides a signal to the
vehicle-based tire condition unit, the signal is indicative of the
tire being spun.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides an arrangement for identifying a location of one of a
plurality of vehicle tires during a programming sequence of a tire
condition monitoring system. The arrangement comprises means for
providing a signal that is indicative of the one tire being spun.
Means receives the signal at a vehicle-based unit of the tire
condition monitor system.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides an arrangement for identifying a vehicle tire. The
arrangement comprises a component for prompting a person to spin
the tire. A tire identification sensor sends a tire identification
signal when the tire is spun. A condition sensor monitors a
condition of the tire and sends a condition signal. A processing
unit receives and processes the tire identification signal and the
condition signal.
[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention
provides a method for identifying a vehicle tire to a vehicle-based
tire condition unit that utilizes the tire identification. A person
is prompted to spin the tire. A signal is provided to the
vehicle-based tire condition unit, wherein the signal is indicative
of the tire being spun.
[0010] In accordance with still another aspect, the present
invention provides a method for identifying a location of one of a
plurality of vehicle tires during a programming sequence of a tire
condition monitoring system. A signal that is indicative of the one
tire being spun is provided. The signal is received at a
vehicle-based unit of the tire condition monitor system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
to which the present invention relates upon reading the following
description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of
a vehicle tire identification arrangement, in accordance with the
present invention, along with related vehicle structure and vehicle
servicing components;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of a process associated with
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of
a vehicle tire identification arrangement, in accordance with the
present invention, along with related vehicle structure and vehicle
servicing components; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of a process associated with
the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An example embodiment of a vehicle tire identification
arrangement 10, in accordance with the present invention, and
certain portions (e.g., 12) of an associated vehicle are shown in
FIG. 1. A shaft 12 of the vehicle includes a wheel end housing 14
that supports a wheel 16. The wheel 16 includes a rim 18 that
supports a pneumatic tire 20. The rim 18 and the tire 20 bound a
tire cavity that is inflated, e.g., with air, to have a pressure
(i.e., the tire pressure).
[0017] The wheel 16/tire 20 carries a transponder 22 that is part
of a tire condition monitoring system. In the illustrated example,
the transponder 22 is located within the tire cavity and is mounted
to an inner portion of a conventional tire inflation valve 24. It
is to be appreciated that the transponder 22 may be Amounted at
some other location within the tire cavity.
[0018] The transponder 22 has various structures and features that
are not to taken as a limitation on the present invention. In one
example, the transponder 22 includes a pressure sensor that
measures the pressure within the tire cavity. Thus, the transponder
22 is subject to the tire pressure. In addition or as an
alternative to the pressure sensor, the transponder 22 includes a
temperature sensor that measures the temperature within the tire
cavity. Also, dependent upon the embodiment of the arrangement 10,
the transponder 22 may include a centrifugal switch 28. The switch
28 is connected to control operation of the transponder 22 to occur
during spinning rotation of the tire 20.
[0019] The transponder 22 includes an antenna 30 to transmit radio
signals that convey tire condition information (e.g., pressure
and/or temperature information). The transponder 22 has a unique
identification code that is included in every signal
transmission.
[0020] Even though only one tire 20 and associated transponder 22
are shown, the vehicle can have any number of tires and associated
transponders. For brevity only the single tire and associated
transponder are discussed in detail. It is to be appreciated that
the discussions provided herein for the single tire and transponder
are applicable to the other tires and transponders,
respectively.
[0021] The transmitted signal from the transponder 22 is provided
to a vehicle-based tire condition unit 38 of the tire condition
monitoring system. Specifically, a vehicle-based antenna 32 that is
operatively connected to a vehicle-based receiver 34 of the unit 38
receives the signal. Within the vehicle-based unit, an electronic
controller (hereinafter referred to as an electronic control unit
or ECU) 40 is operatively connected to the receiver 34 such that
the conveyed tire condition information, the identification, etc.
are provide to the ECU.
[0022] In one example, the ECU 40 comprises a plurality of discrete
circuits, circuit components, and a controller. A person of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the ECU 40 can take
several forms including a combination digital or analog circuits or
packaged as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
[0023] The ECU 40 is operatively connected to a wheel speed sensor
36. In one example, the wheel speed sensor 36 is part of an
anti-lock braking system (ABS). In the example, the wheel speed
sensor 36 is operatively connected to the wheel end housing 14.
[0024] The wheel speed sensor 36 outputs a signal indicative of the
rotational speed of the associated wheel 16 and thus the tire 20.
For example, the wheel speed indicative signal has a signal
characteristic that varies in proportion to the rotational speed of
the wheel 16. The wheel speed indicative signal is provided to the
ECU 40.
[0025] It is to be appreciated that the ECU 40 receives a plurality
of signals from plural speed sensors associated with the plural
tires of the vehicle. Each wheel speed indicative signal thus
corresponds to a particular tire location (e.g., right front, left
front, right rear, and left rear). The connection of the wheel
speed sensors to the ECU 40 is such that the ECU comprehends the
tire location (e.g., right front) of each wheel speed indicative
source.
[0026] The ECU 40 is operatively connected to an indication and
control panel 42. The indication and control panel 42 includes
portions that provide an indication of the sensed tire
characteristics to a vehicle operator. The portions that provide
the indication to the vehicle operator include visual (e.g.,
display screens or indicator lights) and/or audible (e.g., buzzers
or chimes) indicator devices. Due to the fact that the signal
transmitted from the transponder 22 contains an identification, the
indication and control panel 42 provides an indication of the
location of the tire 20 along with the sensed condition. For
example, when the ECU 40 is apprised, via signal, that the front
left tire has a low inflation pressure, the indication and control
panel 42 indicates that the left front tire is the tire that has
the low inflation pressure. Similarly, the sensed conditions at the
other tires are indicated in a manner associated with tire
location.
[0027] In order to indicate the sensed tire condition and the
associated location of the tire together, the ECU contain a memory,
or the like, that holds identifications that are used to match with
the identifications provided via the transmitted signals. Each held
identification is paired with a tire location in the memory. When
an identification that provided via a received transmission is
matched to an identification held in the memory, the ECU associates
the tire condition information provided via that transmission with
the tire location paired to that identification.
[0028] In order to keep the pairing of identifications and tire
locations current, the arrangement 10 has means to modify the
identifications and/or pairings to tire locations. In sum, the tire
condition monitoring system is re-programmable. The indication and
control panel 42 includes a portion that is actuatable by the
operator, or other person such as a service technician, to cause
the arrangement 10 enter a "reprogram" mode. Specifically, the
"reprogram" mode is designed to adapt to changes in the tires
and/or transponders (e.g., new tires installed on the vehicle for
the first time or a tire that is changed a previous location). In
one example, the actuation is a manual actuation of a pushbutton or
the like on the indication and control panel 42. Upon actuation, a
signal is sent from the indication and control panel 42 to the ECU
40. Also, the indication and control panel 42 may even provide an
indication of the entry into the reprogram mode.
[0029] In order to be able to perform the "reprogram" feature, the
vehicle tire(s) 20 must be permitted to individually spin. As shown
in the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the vehicle is elevated from
the from the traveling surface (e.g., the ground) 44 using a jack
stand 46, lift, hoist or the like, such that the tire 20 is free to
be rotated by hand.
[0030] The ECU 40 controls the indication and control panel 42 to
provide a prompt to the person to spin any tire 20 that has had
some change (e.g., replacement of a transponder or new to a certain
tire location) occur that merits identification of the tire within
the arrangement 10. The tire is manually or otherwise rotated,
while the other tires are stationary.
[0031] As the tire 20 is spun, the wheel speed sensor 36 associated
with the tire being spun provides a signal to the ECU 40 that
identifies the position. Further, during the tire spin, the
centrifugal switch 28 associated with the tire 20 being spun closes
such that the transponder 22 transmits the signal with the tire
identification to the ECU 40. Thus, the ECU 40 receives two
signals, one from the wheel speed sensor 36 identifying the tire
position and another from the transponder 22 providing an
identification for the tire 20 being spun. The ECU 40 processes,
associates, and stores the information (i.e., identification and
location). In one embodiment, the ECU 40 communicates with the
indication and control panel 42 to provide an indication that the
tire identification and location have been received and stored, and
to prompt the person to either proceed with spinning of another
tire or to end the "reprogram" mode.
[0032] Normally, only the tires that have experience a change
(e.g., replaced or rotated) need to be involved with the
reprogramming. When the ECU 40 is in the "reprogram" mode, the ECU
40 does not erase all of the tire identification(s) for those
tire(s) that were previously identified. In the "reprogram" mode,
the ECU 40 only overwrites the previously stored information for
each tire location that has a new/updated tire identification and
leaves undisturbed the stored information for any tire location
that has not had a new/updated tire.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a process 200 associated with the
example of FIG. 1 is shown. Specifically, the process 200 is used
in conjunction with the vehicle that includes wheel speed sensors,
such as those provided within an ABS system. The process 200 begins
at step 202 where memories are cleared, initial flag conditions are
set, etc., as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan. The
process 200 then proceeds to step 204 where the person enables the
"reprogram" mode. From step 204, the process proceeds to step
206.
[0034] At step 206, the ECU 40 prompts the person via the
indication and control panel 42 to spin a tire 20 and the person
spins the tire. Of course, it is to be appreciated that prompt may
be by any other means. For example, the prompt may be via vehicle
horn honk, lamp flash, etc. At step 208, while the tire 20 is
spinning, the wheel speed sensor 36 senses the tire 20 spinning and
sends a signal to the ECU 40 indicative of the tire location (e.g.,
right front) associated with the tire 20 being spun. From step 208,
the process proceeds to step 210.
[0035] At step 210, the centrifugal switch 28, which is operatively
connected to the transponder 22 associated with the tire 20 being
spun, senses the tire 20 spinning. As a result, the centrifugal
switch 28 enables the transponder 22 to transmit the signal
identifying the tire 20 being spun and a signal indicative of the
sensed tire condition. From step 210, the process proceeds to step
212. At step 212, the ECU 40 receives the tire identification
signal from the transponder 22 associated with the tire 20 being
spun.
[0036] At step 214, the ECU 40 processes, associates, and stores
the tire identification signal received from the transponder 22
with the tire location. Further, the ECU 40, via the indication and
control panel 42, indicates that the tire 20 has been identified.
From step 214, the process proceeds to step 216.
[0037] At step 216, a determination is made as to whether there are
more tires that need to be identified. If the determination is
affirmative, the process 200 then loops back to step 206. At step
206 the person is prompted to spin another tire and the other tire
is spun. If the determination in step 216 is negative, the process
proceeds to step 218 where the operator ends the "reprogram"
mode.
[0038] A situation could occur, if the vehicle is mounted on a
hoist, that the other tires spin while the operator is spinning the
tire 20 that needs to be identified. However, because the other
tires are not being driven to spin but are freely spinning, the
tire 20 being spun by the operator would spin faster than the other
tires. Thus, the ECU 40' would compare the rotational speeds from
all the wheel speed sensors associated with each tire and consider
the one with the greater speed signal.
[0039] FIG. 3 is another embodiment that is for a vehicle that does
not include wheel speed sensors. For example, the embodiment of
FIG. 3 is for a vehicle that does not include an ABS system.
Structure of the embodiment of FIG. 3 that is identical to
corresponding structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is identified
with identical reference numerals. Structure of the embodiment of
FIG. 3 that is similar to corresponding structure of the embodiment
of FIG. 1 is identified with the same reference numerals with prime
markers.
[0040] In operation, the ECU 40' communicates with the indication
and control panel 42' to provide a prompt to the person to spin a
tire 20 at a particular location. In other words, the ECU can
select the tire location and accordingly prompts the person to spin
that tire. In this manner, the ECU 40' anticipates that a
subsequently received identification signal corresponds to the
selected tire location.
[0041] For example, the person is prompted to spin the tire 20 at a
first tire location (e.g., right front). If the tire 20 associated
with the particular location is not in need of updating of
identification information, the operator can input a request to
skip the first tire location and proceed to the next tire location
(e.g., left front). These steps repeated as needed.
[0042] For a tire that is spun, the centrifugal switch 28 enables
the transponder 22 to send a tire pressure signal and a tire
identification signal to the ECU 40'. The ECU 40' processes,
associates, and stores the received tire location for that tire
location.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows an example process 300 associated with the
embodiment of FIG. 3. Specifically, the process 300 is for a
vehicle that does not include wheel speed sensors (e.g., no ABS
system). The process 300 is initiated at step 302 and proceeds to
step 304 where the person enables the "reprogram" mode via the
indication and control panel 42'. Also, The person is prompted to
spin a selected tire.
[0044] At step 306, it is queried if the tire location is to be
skipped. For example, in the event the particular tire on the right
front tire was not changed or replaced, that particular tire can be
skipped. If the determination at step 306 is affirmative (i.e.,
skip the current tire location), the process 300 proceeds to step
308 and the ECU 40' would proceed with the next tire mounted on the
next tire position. A prompt is provided to the person. From step
308, the process 300 loops back to step 306 to again query if the
current tire location is to be skipped.
[0045] If the determination at step 306 is negative (i.e., do not
skip the current tire location), the process proceeds to step 310.
At step 310, the person spins the tire at the location selected and
prompted. At step 312, the centrifugal switch 28 at the spinning
tire enables the transponder 22 to transmit a signal that conveys
the identification and the sensed condition information.
[0046] At step 314, the ECU 40' receives the tire identification
signal from the transponder 22 associated with the tire 20 being
spun. At step 316, the ECU 40' processes, associates, and stores
the tire identification signal received from the transponder 22
with the selected tire position. Further, an indication of
completion for the tire location is provided via the indication and
control panel 42'. From step 316, the process proceeds to step
318.
[0047] At step 318, a determination is made as to whether there are
more tires that need to be identified. If the determination is
affirmative, the process proceeds to step 308 and the ECU 40' would
proceed with the next tire mounted on the next tire position (e.g.,
left front). The process then loops back to step 306. If the
determination in step 318 is negative, the process proceeds to step
320 where the process ends the "reprogram" mode.
[0048] A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that,
in the event the vehicle is mounted on a hoist, the operator could
run the "reprogram" mode from a remote terminal such as a computer
or hand-held computer including an infrared port. The ECU 40' would
include an infrared port to transmit to the remote terminal a
signal indicative of the tire 20 being identified. Of course, it is
to be appreciated that other alternatives to the use of infrared
transmission are possible. For example, a wired connection to the
ECU, or a wired connection to an in-vehicle network bus could be
used.
[0049] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
if it were necessary to "teach" the system a new tire location, the
operator would press a button on the indication and control panel
42' to begin the "reprogram" mode of operation. A person of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in the alternative,
the "reprogram" mode button could be concealed and accessible only
by a service operator qualified to run such program. Still further,
it is to be appreciated that the reprogram mode may be initiated by
some other means. For example, the reprogram mode may be initiated
via an in-vehicle network diagnostic tool.
[0050] From the above description of the invention, those skilled
in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications.
Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of
the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *