Tire Deflation Or Inflation Patents (Class 340/442)
  • Patent number: 9057662
    Abstract: A method for operating a tire pressure monitoring unit for monitoring pneumatic tires of a vehicle includes where a pressure measurement is taken at regular intervals using a pressure sensor and the pressure information is transmitted wirelessly at larger intervals by a transmitter. A control unit checks whether a pressure change exceeding a threshold value has occurred, and, if so, pressure measurements are taken at shortened intervals and the transmission activity is increased. The control unit uses a first threshold value for the pressure change in the case of a stationary vehicle and uses a second threshold value, which differs from the first threshold value, for the pressure change in the case of a moving vehicle. The control unit, by evaluating a signal of an acceleration sensor of the tire pressure monitoring unit, establishes whether the first threshold value or the second threshold value is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Wagner, Michael Kraft
  • Patent number: 9056532
    Abstract: A pressure detection device and a controller in communication with the device are used to implement a tire pressure optimization system for a vehicle. The pressure detection device detects a vehicle tire's inflation pressure. The controller is programmed to identify the vehicle as being in a warning state when the inflation pressure is below a warning low pressure threshold, identify the vehicle as being in an optimum state when the inflation pressure is within an optimum pressure range where the vehicle will exhibit optimum performance, and identify the vehicle as being in an advisory state when the inflation pressure is within an advisory pressure range where the vehicle will exhibit an undesirable performance characteristic. The advisory pressure range is outside of the optimum pressure range and above the warning low pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Farokh Kavarana, Scott Fritz, David Zdeb, John DeYoung
  • Patent number: 9050862
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved universal TPMS tool. According to one aspect of the tool, the tool can include a housing and a processor and a memory storage device positioned within the housing. The tool can optionally include a key pad positioned on the housing in communication with the processor for input of commands from a user, an electronic communication port positioned on the housing in communication with the processor, and an antenna for transmission and receipt of electronic information from the plurality of TPMS tire sensors. The tool can also include an optical scanner for reading indicia connected to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ATEQ Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Mouchet
  • Patent number: 9045129
    Abstract: An engine control system for changing engine speed on an agricultural vehicle. The system includes a vehicle control unit for controlling an engine and a transmission mounted within the vehicle, and a tire control unit for detecting the pressure of at least one tire and wherein the engine speed is automatically changed upon detection of an adjustment of the tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Brenninger
  • Publication number: 20150123779
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a built-in tire pressure monitoring and alarming device. A housing is provided therein with a reference chamber and an inlet pipe extended from the reference chamber to a valve stem, and a reference chamber valve capable of sealing and opening the inlet pipe is mounted within the inlet pipe. A throttle core of the reference chamber valve is directly resisted against a core bar of a throttle core. During the tire is inflated, the throttle core is pushed open, the core bar of the throttle core is pushed against the valve core, and then the reference chamber valve is opened so that the reference chamber is inflated. After the inflation is accomplished, the throttle core is restored and the reference chamber valve is closed so that the reference chamber is sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Hongyan Lu
  • Patent number: 9024742
    Abstract: A warning strategy determines in a mutually separate manner the different effects that may occur in a tire and allows the increments and their priority in the display or indication for the driver to be evaluated in a mutually separate manner. This strategy occurs in connection with a sensor which can transmit at least the outside temperature and, preferably, also the barometric pressure to an evaluation device for detecting tire inflation pressure and tire temperature. As a result, in addition to an air loss monitoring function, the load capacity of the tire can also be evaluated at least as a function of the outside temperature. The evaluation device receives further input signals, such as the vehicle velocity, the tire contact area and/or the vehicle load, whereby also a dynamic tire stress can be taken into account as an indication or display for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hubert Schumacher, Jochen Hartmann
  • Patent number: 9024743
    Abstract: A receiver device is tuned to monitor for first transmissions at a first time according to a first criterion and to monitor for second transmissions at a second time according to a second criterion. When the receiver device initially recognizes one of the first transmissions being transmitted according to the first criterion or the second transmissions being transmitted according to the second criterion, the recognized transmission is verified as being valid. When the transmission is recognized as valid, a transmission apparatus is activated to transmit an indication to a receiver so that a localization process can be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive System, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Deniau, Brian J. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20150116105
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a state parameter of an object to be monitored comprises a means for providing a plurality of measurement values, wherein the measurement values comprise information relating to the state parameter of the object to be monitored, a comparison means for comparing the measurement value to a predeterminable comparison parameter, wherein the comparison means is formed to output a first comparison signal when a predeterminable number of measurement values falls below the comparison parameter within a measurement interval, or to output a second comparison signal when the predeterminable number of measurement values exceeds or reaches the comparison parameter, wherein the first comparison signal or the second comparison signal indicate the state parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Steiner, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 9008903
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents a wheel diameter variation-detecting device capable of properly detecting relative variation in diameter between a plurality of wheels of a vehicle. The wheel diameter variation-detecting device can detect variation in diameter between a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, can detect rotational speeds of the respective wheels, and can calculate a variation parameter indicative of variation in diameter between the wheels using one of the wheels as a reference wheel, based on a result of comparison between the rotational speed of the reference wheel and that of one of the wheels other than the reference wheel. Further, the wheel diameter variation-detecting device can learn the variation parameter based on a value obtained by averaging a plurality of values of the variation parameter obtained before the detected travelled distance reaches a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kurata, Takahiro Eguchi, Shuichi Fujimoto, Hirohiko Totsuka
  • Publication number: 20150097662
    Abstract: A flexible board type tire pressure sensor device includes a flexible PC board having a first surface bonded to an inside wall of a tire of a vehicle wheel and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a sensor module installed in the second surface of the flexible PC board for sensing a variety of statuses of the vehicle wheel, a transmission terminal set installed in the second surface of the flexible PC board and electrically connected with the sensor module for allowing transmission of a communication program to the sensor module, and an antenna installed in the second surface of the flexible PC board and electrically connected with the sensor module for sending out a sensor signal generated by the sensor module. Thus, the flexible board type tire pressure sensor device has excellent structural stability to provide accurate sensing results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: CUB ELECPARTS INC.
    Inventors: SAN-CHUAN YU, TZU-WEN KO, TSAN-NUNG WANG, YEN-HUNG LIN, YU-HSIEN LIN, KUO-TING LEE
  • Patent number: 8997561
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a decrease in tire pressure based on a resonance frequency of a tire installed in a vehicle includes rotation information detection means for detecting rotation information of the tire, resonance frequency estimate means for estimating the resonance frequency of the tire from the rotation information of the tire, and judgment means for judging the decrease in the tire pressure by comparison between the resonance frequency estimated by the resonance frequency estimate means and a reference frequency preliminarily determined by learning at the time of initialization. An effective speed region when the reference frequency is determined at the time of the initialization is a first speed or less. The apparatus further includes effective speed region change means for extending an upper limit of the effective speed region to a second speed which is larger than the first speed at the time of shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nomura, Seigou Sakagami, Hiroaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9000923
    Abstract: A drive over, reader system for a wheel-based, electric field-actuated transponder device includes a vehicle support pad surface; an antenna device on the support pad located to operatively align with a wheel-based transponder device of the vehicle with the vehicle positioned on the pad in a read location; a transmitter device and a receiver device coupled to the antenna device for generating an upwardly directed electric field to actuate the transponder device and receive a responsive signal back from the transponder device. The upwardly directed electric field operatively engages the transponder device as the vehicle drives over the antenna device. Multiple antennae may be aligned in a linear array to subject the transponder device to multiple electric fields as the vehicle traverses the support pad. The antenna device of the reader system may be configured as a layered panel positioned on the support pad or as a dipole antenna embedded within the support pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Robert Leon Benedict
  • Patent number: 8997560
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing the measurements obtained, over a given period, from a number of measurement acquisition means for acquiring measurements of characteristics associated with the stresses withstood by a tire fitted on a running vehicle. The measurement acquisition means are brought into operation independently of one another and at least one indexing at a given instant of the measurements from each of said means is created relative to a time-measuring reference means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Denis Martin
  • Publication number: 20150091719
    Abstract: A tire pressure sensor is installed on a tire rim which includes an assembly through hole. The tire pressure sensor includes a sensor body, a gas intake nozzle fixed on the tire rim and connected to the sensor body, and a gas nozzle assembly member to couple with the sensor body and the gas intake nozzle. The sensor body includes a gas nozzle assembly hole to couple with the gas intake nozzle, a tire pressure sensing module disposed in the sensor body for detecting a tire pressure, and an update connection port electrically connected to the tire pressure sensing module. Through the update connection port, the tire pressure sensing module receives an update firmware data for updating firmware stored therein in response to different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Sung Jung Minute Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Huo HUANG
  • Patent number: 8984937
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) wheel mounting bracket that is designed to attach a TPMS to an air flow tube having means for being attached to a vehicle wheel rim. The TPMS wheel mounting bracket includes a first end that terminates with a vertical section having a threaded bore, and a second end that terminates with a tube/bracket attachment bore. When a threaded bolt is inserted through a bracket attachment bore located on the TPMS and into the threaded bore on the vertical section, the TPMS is secured to the first end of the TPMS wheel mounting bracket. The tube/bracket attachment bore located on the second end is dimensioned to fit over the air inlet tube that is secured to the TPMS mounting bracket by means of a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: William C. Falkenborg
  • Patent number: 8988207
    Abstract: Electronic components, conductors, and the like that the form a detecting-and-transceiving circuit are positioned in a space inside a casing other than a space E that is enclosed by an imaginary surface that forms a predetermined angle ? with respect to a coil axis x toward the outside from a position on the edge of an aperture surface of the end part of a coil-shaped antenna 450 in the direction of the coil axis x. The angle ? is, e.g., 5° or more and is preferably 90°. Minute electronic components and conductors may be positioned within the space E if doing so does not dramatically change the magnetic current of the antenna 450.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8988193
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of four tires on corresponding four wheels in a vehicle. Each wheel has an axis of rotation. Each tire has an embedded Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag. The RFID tags embedded in the four tires have respective identifiers denoted as ID1, ID2, ID3, and ID4. A position to place a reader antenna is determined and the reader antenna is subsequently placed in the determined position. The reader antenna in the determined position emitting N signals to the respective RFID tag in the four tires. A delay is measured for receiving each signal reflected from the RFID tags. Which wheel of the four wheels each tire is on is identified according to the measured delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Bauchot, Jean-Yves Clement, Gerard Marmigere, Pierre Secondo
  • Patent number: 8988209
    Abstract: A monitoring device (20) of a vehicle wheel (11) is configured for detecting and transmitting, by a wireless connection, information relating to at least one characteristic quantity of the status of the wheel (11), such as the inflating pressure of a tire thereof. The device (20) has a casing (21-22) housing a circuit (30) adapted to transmit said information, the casing (21-22) being designed for coupling to an end portion (3a) of electrically conductive body (3) of a tire valve (2) of the wheel (11). The casing (21-22) includes a casing body (21) integrating interconnection means (28, 29, 40) prearranged to obtain both an electric connection of the circuit (30) to the end portion (3a) of the electrically conductive body (3) of the valve (2; 2?; 2?), and a mechanical coupling of the casing (21-22) to the end portion (3a) of the electrically conductive body (3) of the valve (2; 2?; 2?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eltek S.p.A.
    Inventors: Domenico Cantarelli, Paolo Colombo
  • Patent number: 8981919
    Abstract: A flow indication system for a central tire inflation system is provided. The flow indication system provides a venturi in fluid communication with the conduit providing air to a tire. A pressure reading is taken at the inlet and throat of the venturi and the air flowing through the venturi is calculated based on the pressure differential. According to some embodiments, the pressure readings are provided to a microcontroller that uses a table and interpolation algorithms to calculate the flow of the air flowing through the venturi, such as the mass of air in a given unit of time (grams/second for example). In one embodiment, two separate pressure sensors are coupled to different ends of a narrowed orifice that causes a pressure change in the flow as flow rate increases in the throat of the sensor. This pressure change is then used to calculate a proportional flow that can then be broadcast to various parties instead of an on/off reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stemco LP
    Inventors: Michael James Massey, Mark J. Kranz, Mark N. Gold, James C. Steph, Herman Goins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8981920
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for monitoring tire pressure, and in particular, a method of identifying a position of a TPM sensor attached to a tire using tooth data of ABS. The apparatus identifies the position of the TPM sensor using a point where tooth data of ABS has a variation different for each wheel, by estimating wheel tooth data from wheel position angle information measured by a rotation sensor of the TPM sensor, comparing the actual measured value with the estimated value, and recognizing that the TPM sensor is attached to a tire where the actual measured value is the same as or closest to the estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8981921
    Abstract: A status indicator and reminder system for a temporary mobility kit for use in a vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system. A tire sealant containing temporary mobility kit is fittable within the vehicle. A controller coupled to the temporary mobility kit and the tire pressure monitoring system will generate a service warning signal for the temporary mobility kit in response to information provided by the tire pressure monitoring system. The service warning signal will be provided at a message center in the vehicle to apprise the driver of the need to service the temporary mobility kit. The status indicator and reminder system may also utilize inputs from a power load monitor and a trailer brake controller system to generate and display a service warning signal at the message center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins
  • Patent number: 8976029
    Abstract: A system of managing product at a location in which a weight-sensing RFID tag is utilized to determine the weight or pressure applied to a substrate and then this information is read by an RFID reader and then transmitted to a data storage repository and processing program for further handling of the data. The data storage repository and processing program may be near the RFID reader or may be remotely located with respect to the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Annette Cote McTigue
  • Publication number: 20150061852
    Abstract: An improved method for a passenger car tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), including improvements of a direct TPMS or an indirect TPMS technique. The direct TPMS uses a dynamic tire pressure reference as a tire pressure determination basis, and monitors the real-time tire load, e.g., when the wheel load changes, the TPMS data processing center takes the tire cold inflation pressure data corresponding to the real-time load as the current tire pressure reference, and performs determinations and warnings for the real-time tire pressure data. The indirect TPMS establishes a wheel speed reference database based on a vehicle speed reference, and conducts compensations and corrections for wheel speed distortions caused by the tire wear in use, and performs an analysis and comparison between the compensated and modified real-time wheel speed and the data from the wheel speed reference database, and makes a real-time tire pressure information indication or warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: LIMING FU
  • Patent number: 8970361
    Abstract: A wrong operation detection device is disclosed for monitoring whether or not a calibration start for determining an initial deflation index is issued in a tire pressure unadjusted state after a deflation warning in a tire pressure monitoring system for detection of deflation of a tire. The device includes comparison means for comparing a first deflation index serving as a deflation index at any time point in a period from issue of the deflation warning to vehicle stop after the issue of the warning, with a second deflation index serving as a deflation index obtained after the calibration start; detection means for detection of wrong operation of a reset button based on a comparison result by the comparison means; and warning means for issuing a warning when the detection means detects the wrong operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seigou Sakagami, Yusuke Fukuba
  • Patent number: 8963700
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes an electric power generation unit, an electric power accumulation unit, a sensor supplied with the electric power from the electric power accumulation unit, and a wireless communication unit supplied with the electric power from the electric power accumulation unit, for transmitting the sensed information outputted by the sensor to outside of the wireless communication device. A storage unit stores the sensed information outputted by the sensor. A control unit controls operation of the wireless communication unit, the sensor and/or the storage unit in accordance, at least in part, with the electric power accumulated in the electric power accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Tanaka, Yasuhiro Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8954230
    Abstract: In telematics device mounted to a vehicle, an auxiliary processor detects an interrupt from an accelerometer and forwards the interrupt to a main processor—the interrupt wakes up the processor from a sleep mode. The main processor may then compare vehicle voltage and/or a value for a speed parameter to predetermined criteria to determine whether the interrupt was a false positive or if the accelerometer missed a detection of a user cranking up the vehicle. The main processor may also enter a conditional state if monitored information meets a minimum threshold. During the conditional state, the processor may operate according to rules for a current operational state and also according to rules for a changed state. The threshold for deeming a changed operational state is higher than for entering a conditional state to evaluate whether a change of operational state (i.e., on to off, or off to on) occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: HTI IP, LLC
    Inventors: Deep Kalinadhabhotla, Ivan Neflali Cardenas Perez, Bruce Lighter
  • Publication number: 20150035667
    Abstract: An Insertable indicator with a spare receptacle includes an indicating component and a power getting plug, the indicating component comprises an enclosure and an display screen disposed in the enclosure for displaying content, the power getting plug is intended for connection with a car power getting receptacle for obtaining power therefrom and supplying it to the display screen. The indicating component of the enclosure is pivoted with a side of an exposed end of the power getting plug; and an end surface of the exposed end of the power getting plug is provided with a spare receptacle electrically connected to the car power getting receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Zhitao Li
  • Patent number: 8948967
    Abstract: The present invention relates detecting the conditions of tires for a vehicle. In the present invention, signals are received from a plurality of wheel speed sensors, a reverse gear sensor, and a brake sensor. Errors of the wheel speed sensors are estimated using the received signals, a signal having a corrected error is obtained using the estimated errors, linear interpolation and band-pass filtering processing are performed on the signal, a tire resonant frequency is estimated using the processed signal, tire pressure is estimated based on the estimated resonant frequency, and whether or not to generate an alarm is determined based on the calculated tire pressure. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that whether or not pressure within a tire of a vehicle is abnormal can be determined in a cheap calculation device for a short time using a conventional wheel speed sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guy Championnet
  • Publication number: 20150029016
    Abstract: A direct tire data collection and communication device is adapted for use in a pneumatic vehicle tire. The device incorporates a tire-mounted electronics module comprising a microcontroller, and at least one tire property sensor in electronic communication with the microcontroller and capable of measuring at least one operational property of the vehicle tire. The threshold operational property value defines a positive tire safety condition and a negative tire safety condition. The electronics module calculates accumulated travel data of the vehicle tire while in the negative tire safety condition. A transmitter transmits the travel data to an electronic remote terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Alan C. Lesesky, George B. Waites, JR., Samuel Duke Drinkard
  • Publication number: 20150029015
    Abstract: A central tire pressure monitoring system interfaces with a tire inflation system to check the pressure in all of the tires of a trailer of a heavy-duty vehicle at a single interface location on the trailer, without the need to provide power to the trailer. The tire inflation system includes a source of pressurized air, at least one tire, a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the source of pressurized air to the tire, and a controller fluidly connected to the conduit. The monitoring system includes a monitoring valve fluidly connected to the conduit between the controller and the tire. The monitoring valve includes a port, and a test tool selectively fluidly connects to the monitoring valve port to enable air flow from the tire to the test tool. An indicator fluidly connects to the test tool and provides a reading of a pneumatic pressure in the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Phillippi R. Pierce, Matt J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8935956
    Abstract: A touch-control tire pressure sensor device includes a housing holding an air nozzle at one side thereof, a circuit board accommodated in the housing and carrying a processor and memory unit having electrically coupled thereto a pressure sensor unit, a temperature sensor unit, an acceleration sensor unit, a LF transmission interface and a RF transmission interface for transmitting a sensed signal to an on-vehicle main unit, a battery pack providing the circuit board with the necessary working voltage, and a conducting plate having one end connected to the touch sensor IC and an opposite end kept in contact with the air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Cub Elecparts Inc.
    Inventors: San-Chuan Yu, Chao-Ching Hu, Tsan-Nung Wang
  • Patent number: 8931334
    Abstract: A re-usable tire monitor assembly for detecting wear of the tire includes a band that is selectively coupled to the tire on a vehicle. A processor is coupled to the band. A first sensor is coupled to the band. The first processor is operationally coupled to the processor so the first sensor monitors wear of the tire. A second sensor is coupled to the band. The second sensor is operationally coupled to the processor so the second sensor monitors wear of the tire. A first transceiver is operationally coupled to the band. The first transceiver is operationally coupled to the processor. A remote unit may be carried by a user. A second transceiver is coupled to the remote unit. The second transceiver is operationally coupled to the first transceiver so the first transceiver communicates information about the tire to the second transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Jimmie E. Dudley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8928472
    Abstract: A member for attachment to tire includes a functional object in suspension in a soft substance of very high deformability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Martine Borot, Jonathan Champredonde
  • Patent number: 8915130
    Abstract: A battery-replaceable tire pressure sensor is installed on a tire rim with an assembly through hole formed thereon, and includes a sensor body, a gas intake nozzle connected to the sensor body, and a gas nozzle assembly member coupling with the sensor body and the gas intake nozzle. The sensor body includes a tire pressure sensing module disposed therein for detecting a tire pressure, a battery accommodating portion accommodating at least one battery, a cover screwed with the battery accommodating portion, and a gas nozzle assembly hole for the gas nozzle assembly member to penetrate. The gas intake nozzle includes a coupling section inserted into the gas nozzle assembly hole, and a gas intake section connecting to the coupling section, penetrating through the assembly through hole, and extending outside the tire rim for gas to input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sung Jung Minute Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Huo Huang
  • Publication number: 20140368325
    Abstract: A magnetic force transmission type tire pressure sensor device and related setting tool and setting method is disclosed. The invention uses a magnetic force sensor unit in the tire pressure sensor device, to receive lines of magnetic flux being transmitted by a magnetic force transmitter unit in the setting tool, and then the received waveform is converted into a communication protocol and stored in the tire pressure sensor device. Therefore, the invention not only can achieve the purpose of wireless transmission but also can enhance the stability of signal transmission, eliminate wireless regulatory constraints and improve product quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: San-Chuan YU, Tsan-Nung WANG, Ying-Pi CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140368326
    Abstract: A method for the hands-free access to a motor vehicle (V) is combined with a method for monitoring tire pressure. More particularly, wheel units (20, 21, 22, 23) belonging to the tire pressure recognition system detect the cessation of low frequency LF transmissions caused by the recognition of a badge B paired with the vehicle in order to trigger the measurement via the wheel units of the pressure and temperature values prevailing in each tire of the vehicle. These pressure and temperature measurements are sent to a central unit (14), which is mounted on the vehicle, so as to provide the driver with this information. The temperature and pressure measurements are transmitted to the central unit as soon as the measurements have been taken, irrespective of whether or not the driver has entered the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventors: Youri Vassilieff, Helene Garnier
  • Patent number: 8912896
    Abstract: A TPMS setting tool includes a housing carrying a display unit and an input device on the outside and a circuit board and a power supply device on the inside, the power supply device and the circuit board being electrically coupled together to provide the TPMS setting tool with the necessary working power supply. The housing has a receptacle provided at one side thereof and a connection port with multiple pins mounted inside the receptacle for the connection of a TPMS, enabling the desired communication protocol and ID code to be written into the inserted TPMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cub Elecparts Inc.
    Inventors: San-Chuan Yu, Yuan-Tung Hung, Tsan-Nung Wang, Chi-Hung Chen, Chao-Ching Hu
  • Patent number: 8910683
    Abstract: A high temperature warning system for a vehicle steer axle an air pressure supply, a normally-closed valve in fluid communication with pressure supply, a heat sensitive control capable of opening the normally-closed valve upon a predetermined temperature, the heat sensitive control mounted adjacent to the wheel end assembly in a heat exchange relationship therewith, and a warning system connected to the air pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the normally-closed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Equalaire Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kevin Hennig
  • Patent number: 8907774
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an antenna that receives RF signals from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. A processor receives the RF signals from the antenna. The processor converts the RF signals to a proprietary serial bus formatted message. The processor transmits the proprietary serial bus formatted message to an electronic control unit via a vehicle communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William P. Amato, Timothy J. Frashure, Shawn D. Lammers
  • Patent number: 8909420
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a fill level of a plurality of tires of a vehicle includes a situation detecting unit set up for detecting a situation in which adaptation of a fill level of at least one of the tires of the vehicle is expected. The system further includes a fill level adaptation assistant set up for autonomously assisting a user of the vehicle during the adaptation of the fill level of the at least one tire when the situation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Kuchler, Frank Fischer, Juergen Spotka
  • Publication number: 20140354420
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system has a first abnormality determination means for determining a state to be normal, the normal state being when the front wheel air pressure is higher than a front wheel warning threshold 400 kPa and the rear wheel tire pressure is higher than a rear wheel warning threshold 240 kPa. The first abnormality determination means also turns on a warning light in the state. A second abnormality determination means turns the warning light to an off state regardless of the determination result of the first abnormality determination means when the warning light is turned off while the vehicle is stopped, the tire pressures of two wheels have been determined to be higher than the front wheel warning threshold 400 kPa, and the tire pressures of the remaining two wheels have been determined to be higher than the rear wheel warning threshold 240 kPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Syoji Terada, Kazuo Sakaguchi, Takashi Shima
  • Patent number: 8902056
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system where the position and orientation of a receiver antenna associated with the tire pressure monitoring system is at a location that is proximate the tire pressure monitoring system. In one embodiment, the receiver antenna is positioned beneath a vehicle chassis. The location of the receiver antenna can be determined by system performance prediction tools that include mean-time-to-warning verses packet error rate curves for a desired packet error rate and packet error rate verses signal-to-noise ratio curves for various operational scenarios and different classes of vehicle that provides a necessary signal-to-noise ratio for a wireless link, and operational scenarios that established desired levels of performance and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vikas Kukshya, Hyok Jae Song, Hui Pin Hsu, Richard W. Wiese
  • Patent number: 8887561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating the dynamic load borne by a tire of a vehicle running along over a given period, whereby the pressure is measured during the period, at each pressure measurement point, the pressure, known as the reference pressure, of the same tire subjected to a load that is constant and known per time interval is determined, and the variation in load is calculated from the difference between the measured pressure and the pressure, known as the reference pressure, and from a model of the tire devised beforehand and that relates a variation in load to a variation in pressure. The invention also proposes a method for estimating the load borne by a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Lemineur
  • Patent number: 8886395
    Abstract: A dynamic slip angle estimation system and method uses measured vehicle acceleration and yaw rate parameters in estimating a tire slip angle. From load sensor(s) mounted to the vehicle tire, a tire static load estimation is made and a tire slip angle is calculated at low frequency. The vehicle center of gravity longitudinal position and yaw moment of inertia is estimated from the static load on the vehicle tires. An observer calculates tire axle forces based on the vehicle acceleration and yaw rate. From the tire axle force estimations, the vehicle moment of inertia and vehicle center of gravity longitudinal position estimate and a low frequency direct measurement of the tire slip angle, a dynamic tire slip angle calculation is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Kanwar Bharat Singh, Anthony William Parsons, Marc Engel
  • Patent number: 8886393
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a reminder message to a user associated with a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system involves sending to a user an email, web page or other communication that contains a user selectable reminder request, receiving the reminder request from the user, setting a reminder trigger in the vehicle, and then carrying out a requested action in response to occurrence of the trigger. The requested action can be presentation of a reminder message to the occupant and/or establishment of a call from the vehicle to a call center or other remote location to obtain services, such as telematics subscription renewal, or dealer service. The user-selectable reminder request can be implemented in the communication as a virtual button that mimics the look of a physical button installed in the car that is used to provide telematics services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Edwards, Heather C. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20140327535
    Abstract: A method for filtering data in a tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle includes the steps of: recording a variable that is dependent on the tire radius for a wheel of the vehicle, and filtering the variable that is dependent on the tire radius on the basis of driving dynamics data and/or a global navigation satellite system signal, called GNSS signal below. A vehicle control system and a vehicle having the control system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Stefan Günthner, Klaus Rink, Ulrich Stählin, Bernhard Schmid
  • Publication number: 20140327534
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a component, such as a sensor, for a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to be replaced for a vehicle of interest by performing a Quick Search or an Advanced Search of a TPMS Manager database. In the Quick Search, the user inputs year/make/model (Y/M/M) or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). In the Advanced Search, the user inputs various physical attributes of the component to be replaced. All related superseded, alias or interchange parts with like communication or physical structure and relevant service components are determined and the results displayed to the user. A relearn procedure for the replacement TPMS component for the vehicle of interest identifies and validates scan tool compatibility. A report to the user of a cause/failure analysis of the component to be replaced can be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: TIREMETRIX LLC.
    Inventor: Joseph William Donehue
  • Patent number: 8878663
    Abstract: Frames of data are received. Each frame includes at least a sensor identifier and a changeable data field and is sent from one of a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective one of a plurality of sensor identifiers. The changeable data field includes, in some of the frames, data representing a sensed condition and, in others of the frames, counter data. The counter data is analyzed to determine whether any of the sensor identifiers can be associated with one of a plurality of sensor locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsen Katiba, Dilip B. Patel, Greg Swadling
  • Patent number: 8878664
    Abstract: A tire status receiving system includes a first signal converter module including a first microcontroller unit, a wireless receiver unit for receiving a wireless signal from a tire status sensor and providing the wireless signal to the first microcontroller unit for enabling the first microcontroller unit to convert the wireless signal into a code for information interchange for output through an output unit being electrically coupled to the first microcontroller unit, and a second signal converter module including a second microcontroller unit, a memory unit for storing tire status sensor ID codes and predetermined alarm threshold values, an interface unit for communication with the output unit to receive data, a power supply unit to provide the necessary working electricity, and a communication port electrically coupled to the second microcontroller unit and having installed therein signal transmission circuit and a charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cub Elecparts Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Tao Yu, Tsan-Nung Wang, Chao-Ching Hu, Tzu-Wen Ko, Ya-Ling Chi, Chi-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 8868290
    Abstract: The present disclosure relate to an indirect tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In some embodiments, the indirect TPMS has magnetic field sensor that detects a modulated magnetic field indicative of one or more resonance parameters of an automobile tire. The magnetic field sensor generates a modulated sensor signal based upon the modulated magnetic field. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts the modulated sensor signal to a digital sensor signal, which is provided to a digital signal processing unit that perform analysis of the digital sensor signal to determine the one or more resonance parameters. A communication interface transmit data corresponding to the one or more resonance parameters to an electronic control unit (ECU).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt