Patent classifications
B60C23/00
Dynamic chassis and tire status indications
Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media provide dynamic chassis and tire status indications associated with a vehicle. Lift axle status data may be graphically represented by a lift axle indicator dynamically provided in a shared notification/messaging space positioned within the driver's line of sight during a lift axle transition. The lift axle indicator may include a side-view representation of the vehicle including a plurality of axle sections indicating the status of each axle. The lift axle indicator may be suppressed when air pressure is stabilized. Additionally, a graphical representation of data associated with statuses (e.g., air pressure, temperature) of each tire may be provided in a top-down view representation of the vehicle including its associated tire/axle configuration and the tire pressure for each tire. The graphical representation may be configured to reflect the correct number of axles and tires per position, and may further include a tractor versus trailer designation.
MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING DEVICE FOR TIRE-RELATED VARIABLES OF A VEHICLE
A device for measuring and/or monitoring tire-related variables of a vehicle, having a sensor unit for transmitting, receiving and processing signals, wherein a transmission signal is emitted by an antenna unit of the sensor unit in the direction of an object being measured and wherein a reflection signal reflected by the object being measured is received and analysed, the sensor unit having a transceiver device, via by means of which a reflection factor, formed as the quotient from the reflection signal reflected by the object being measured and the transmission signal, is measured and via which a resonance frequency and/or a phase difference between the transmission signal and the reflection signal is determined, wherein the transceiver unit comprises a vector network analyser and an analysis unit, so that a distance to the object being measured is established by detecting the phase difference between the transmission signal and the reflection signal.
PNEUMATIC PRESSURE CONTROLLER
A pneumatic pressure controller includes a body, an inflation plunger, a vent and a deflation diaphragm or piston. The body defines an input chamber and an output chamber for connection of a pneumatic pressure source and pneumatic container respectively. The plunger is biased towards a closed condition wherein it inhibits fluid flow from the input chamber to the output chamber and is movable against the bias to allow such fluid flow for inflation of the pneumatic container. The diaphragm or piston is variably biased towards a closed condition wherein it closes the vent. The diaphragm or piston is configured to move away from the vent to an open condition under the influence of fluid pressure in the output chamber when the inflation plunger is in the closed condition and the variable bias is sufficiently reduced, enabling fluid from the pneumatic container to egress to the atmosphere via the vent.
Tire position determination system
A tire position determination system is provided with: a plurality of tire air pressure transmitters each capable of transmitting a first radio signal including air pressure data and a tire ID; a plurality of axle rotation detection units each generating axle rotation information; and a receiver mounted to a vehicle body and capable of receiving the first radio signal. Each of the plurality of tire air pressure transmitters includes a specific position detection unit capable of detecting the arrival of the tire air pressure transmitter at a specific position on a trajectory of rotation of the tire, and a transmission control unit that, based on a result of detection, generates a second radio signal including data indicating the arrival of the tire air pressure transmitter at the specific position on the trajectory of rotation of the tire and the ID. The receiver includes a position determination unit that determines a tire position of the plurality of tires based on the second radio signal.
TPMS sensor autolocation through low frequency programming
In order to mitigate a need for reprogramming tire pressure sensors after tire rotation, tire change, etc., all sensors on a vehicle are preprogrammed with a lookup table that correlates modulation frequency to axle and wheel end positions on the vehicle. Dual antenna initiator coils are mounted to a vehicle such that each wheel end has one directional antenna directed toward it. Each initiator coil is programmed to modulate its transmission frequency by a predetermined modulation frequency such that each antenna transmits using a different modulation frequency. Each sensor receives a modulated signal, identifies the modulation frequency, and performs a table lookup to determine its axle and wheel end location. The sensor transmits its identified wheel end and axle location to a controller unit along with tire pressure status information for its wheel.
Inflation manifold
An inflation manifold connected to dual pneumatic tires by air hoses provides a central location for tire inflation and location of pressure sensors. A hose block connected to dual pneumatic tires by air hoses provides a central location for location of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be TPMS sensors or a combination of TPMS sensor and pressure gauge.
TIRE PRESSURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An assembly for a tire pressure management system includes a housing. The housing includes a first branch and a second branch. The second branch is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the first branch. The first branch and the second branch are in fluid communication with each other and a main branch. The main branch is rotatable with respect to the first branch. A valve assembly is housed within the first branch. The valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between a portion of the tire pressure management system and the main branch. A pressure relief valve assembly is housed within the second branch. The pressure relief valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between the assembly and the atmosphere.
TYRE PRESSURE REGULATING DEVICE
A tyre pressure regulating device for adjusting, while driving, the tyre pressures of vehicle wheels of a plurality of vehicle axles of a motor vehicle with pneumatic tyres includes at least one switchover valve arranged on the vehicle chassis that can be controlled in an electromagnetic/pneumatic manner, a plurality of axle valves, each axle valve being arranged on the vehicle chassis for each vehicle axle and being controllable in an electromagnetic/pneumatic manner, a plurality of pressure-controlled wheel valves, each pressure-controlled wheel valve being arranged at a respective vehicle wheel, a pilot control valve arranged on the vehicle chassis and being controllable in a purely electromagnetic manner or in an electromagnetic/pneumatic manner, and a plurality of two-channel rotary couplings arranged between the vehicle axles and associated vehicle wheels and provided with switchable seals.
RADAR WEAR SENSING FOR TIRE APPLICATIONS
A radar-based-sensing system for a tire includes a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.
AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE SYSTEM COMPONENT PROTECTOR
An air maintenance tire system component protector is provided. An air maintenance tire system includes at least one connecting tube extending between and being in fluid communication with an annular air tube and a valve housing. The protector includes a first end disposed proximate the connection of the at least one connecting tube to the annular tube, and a second end disposed proximate the valve housing. A mid-portion of the protector is disposed between the first and second ends. The protector covers an outboard surface of the at least one connecting tube and the valve housing, and includes means for engaging the at least one connecting tube to secure the position of the tube.