A method for locating at least one wheel of a vehicle, the wheels each being equipped with an electronic device which sends a wheel rotation signal to a central unit, a speed sensor for each wheel which supplies a signal to the central unit. For each electronic device, at least two sequences of several acquisitions are performed by formation of the signal with simultaneous acquisition by the central unit of the signal transmitted by each speed sensor. A pairing is performed of the two signals for an electronic device with each of the wheel speed signals. For each pair, a phase offset is measured between the two signals. When a constant phase offset is measured in the pairs with a speed sensor, the electronic device associated with the signal is identified as being assigned to the wheel associated with the speed sensor.

A method for locating at least one wheel of a vehicle, the wheels each being equipped with an electronic device which sends a wheel rotation signal to a central unit, a speed sensor for each wheel which supplies a signal to the central unit. For each electronic device, at least two sequences of several acquisitions are performed by formation of the signal with simultaneous acquisition by the central unit of the signal transmitted by each speed sensor. A pairing is performed of the two signals for an electronic device with each of the wheel speed signals. For each pair, a phase offset is measured between the two signals. When a constant phase offset is measured in the pairs with a speed sensor, the electronic device associated with the signal is identified as being assigned to the wheel associated with the speed sensor.

A vehicle tire monitoring system has an electronic controller in electronic communication with a rotation sensor, an input device and a signaling device. The electronic controller is configured to do at least the following. In response to the input device receiving a request to orient a valve stem of a tire with low air pressure to a predetermined orientation, the electronic controller determines that the valve stem is not currently in the predetermined orientation. The electronic controller operates the signaling device to provide a first signal to a vehicle passenger and/or the vehicle operator. Further, in response to receiving the request to orient the valve stem to the predetermined orientation and determining that the valve stem is currently in the predetermined orientation, the electronic controller operates the signaling device to provide a second signal indicating the need to rotate the tire to bring the valve stem to the predetermined orientation.

A brake pad wear measuring system is for use on a vehicle equipped with a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system including a wheel mounted TPM sensor, and a floating caliper disc brake system including a piston supporting an inner brake pad and a floating caliper supporting an outer brake pad, wherein the piston and floating caliper move toward each other along a braking axis in response to application of the brake system so that the brake pads engage and apply a braking force to a brake rotor. The brake pad wear system includes a permanent magnet attached to the floating caliper. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field and being positioned on the floating caliper so that the TPM sensor of the wheel passes through the magnetic field as the wheel rotates during vehicle operation. The system also includes a field sensor implemented in the TPM sensor. The field sensor detects the magnetic field as the TPM sensor passes through the magnetic field. The system further includes a ferromagnetic target mounted to the piston. The target has a portion positioned to move between the magnet and the TPM sensor in response to brake pad wear to attenuate the strength of the magnetic field acting on the TPM sensor.

A wireless tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) emulation device for a vehicle and a method of activating the device. The device has a memory, a microcontroller, a radio frequency transmitter, a trigger, an actuator and a power supply. The memory is adapted to have stored thereon a software module. The microcontroller is powered by a power supply, such as a battery, and is connected to the memory. The microcontroller is adapted to control a TPMS transmission signal indicative of an acceptable tire pressure signal, according to the software module. The radio frequency transmitter is connected to the microcontroller and is adapted to transmit the transmission signal. The trigger is connected to the microcontroller and is adapted to activate a TPMS sensor pairing of the emulation device for at least one tire of the vehicle. The actuator is connected to the microcontroller and is adapted to activate the emulation device.

A control unit supplies power and data through a rotary transformer to a sensor assembly disposed on a wheel. The data sent by the control unit to the sensor assembly is produced by modulation of the power signal using frequency shift key or amplitude shift key modulation. The sensor assembly converts the received power signal that power to operate the circuitry and sensor assembly, converts the FSK or ASK data signal, and sends sensor data back to the control unit through the rotary transformer by load modulation. The control unit demodulates the load modulated sensor data.

An apparatus for collecting and forwarding sensor signals for vehicles with sensors for monitoring wheel ends, with at least two inputs for sensor signals and at least one output interface for digital signals. The output interface can, for example, be a radio device and the apparatus can include a receiver for radio signals from tire pressure sensors. A method is for operating such an apparatus and includes transferring sensor signal dependent digital signals to the at least one output interface.

A wireless tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) emulation device for a vehicle and a method of activating the device. The device has a memory, a microcontroller, a radio frequency transmitter, a trigger, an actuator and a power supply. The memory is adapted to have stored thereon a software module. The microcontroller is powered by a power supply, such as a battery, and is connected to the memory. The microcontroller is adapted to control a TPMS transmission signal indicative of an acceptable tire pressure signal, according to the software module. The radio frequency transmitter is connected to the microcontroller and is adapted to transmit the transmission signal. The trigger is connected to the microcontroller and is adapted to activate a TPMS sensor pairing of the emulation device for at least one tire of the vehicle. The actuator is connected to the microcontroller and is adapted to activate the emulation device.

A wheel position detector for a vehicle includes: a transmitter at each wheel having a first control portion for transmitting a frame with specific identification information; and a receiver at a vehicle body receiving the frame from one wheel and having a second control portion for performing wheel position detection; and a wheel speed sensor for detecting a tooth of a gear. The second control portion: acquires gear information indicating a tooth position; sets a variation allowance based on the tooth position; registers the one wheel with using the variation allowance; and performs the wheel position detection by excluding an identified wheel as the one wheel from a candidate of another wheel mounting the transmitter that transmits another frame when the second control portion identifies the one wheel.