Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-06-12
Trieu, Van T. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
C340S442000, C073S146500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246317
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the pressure of tires in a vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a tire pressure monitoring system employing pressure sensors/transmitters located in each tire that transmit information to a receiver/controller.
Prior art vehicular systems exist which use pressure sensors/transmitters located in each tire that transmit pressure information to a receiver. Each sensor/transmitter may have an identification code associated therewith which enables the receiver to know which sensor/transmitter the pressure information is received from. The receiver analyzes the pressure information and, in some systems, displays current pressure information to the vehicle's operator via a mounted display. Some systems also contemplate the provision of a warning signal to the operator in the situation where the tire pressure is determined to be low. Such a prior art system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,301, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,301 provides a “learning” method whereby the receiver can learn the identification code associated with each tire sensor/transmitter, as well as the initial tire location associated with each sensor/transmitter. Furthermore, the method enables recalibration to be achieved whereby upon command from the operator, the receiver learns the new tire positions of the sensor/transmitters caused by rotation of the tires for maintenance purposes when the operator signals a learn mode at the drivers console and each tire transmitter is signaled to transmit a ID code in a specific order of wheel location on the vehicle.
However, prior art systems have not addressed the problem of enabling such systems to easily accommodate different “target” pressures of the tires. These target or desired pressures are used for operations such as determining whether or not improper inflation pressures are present and, thus, if a warning signal to the operator should be provided. Such target or desired pressures may vary for a variety of reasons, including different operating characteristics from one vehicle to the next, or may vary in the same vehicle based on the operating terrain or speed of the vehicle. Unfortunately, accommodation of different target pressures in the prior art systems disadvantageously requires the use of discrete pressure-specific part numbers which adds to the complexity of the production, distribution, and servicing of such systems.
Therefore, a methodology is needed whereby the receiver/system can easily learn the target pressure of each tire.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of easily identifying a target pressure signal level for each tire on a vehicle such as a tractor and trailer. Using the present invention, a plurality of individual tires are first inflated or deflated so that a desired target pressure level is achieved in each tire. Then each tire pressure signal transmitter is switched into a “program” or “learn mode” sequentially in order of location on the tractor/trailer by a receiver which is switched into the program mode whereupon a tire identification code is transmitted to the receiver along with a signal indicative of the target tire pressure level. Each target pressure level is stored in the receiver along with the identification code and location on the tractor/trailer for later reference in controlling the inflation pressure of each tire. In an alternate embodiment, if any individual tire pressure deviates significantly from an average target pressure, then the operator can be alerted of the abnormality and the pressure in that tire can be readjusted for reprogramming by the receiver.
One provision of the present invention is to provide a method of identifying a target pressure signal for each vehicle tire.
Another provision of the present invention is to provide a method of identifying an identification code and a target pressure signal for each vehicle tire.
Another provision of the present invention is to provide a method of identifying a target pressure signal for each vehicle tire and determining if an abnormal pressure signal condition exists.
Still another provision of the present invention is to provide a method of identifying a target pressure signal for each vehicle tire and determining if an abnormal target pressure signal condition exists based on a statistical analysis of the target pressure signals.
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Fortune G. Clark
Pickornik William
Schultz Gary R.
Waraksa Thomas J.
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Trieu Van T.
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