Patent Application
20170305212
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to a Republic of China (Taiwan) application No. 103132274, filed on Sep. 18, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention related to a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and more particularly to a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with a time encoded wireless tire condition sensing device and synchronization.
Motor vehicles are undoubtedly one of the most important transportation to modern society, and therefore safety issue regarding motor vehicles has become a major concern. For ensuring driving safety, tire air pressure, especially, plays an important factor of road safety. Improper tire pressure can lead to greater fuel consumption and inferior vehicle controllability, which threatens the safety of the drivers and the passengers. When the tire pressure is too low, the friction between the road and the tire increases, which may result in drivers losing control of the vehicle. Under low tire pressure, the tire may roll out of the tire rim resulting in serious accidents. When the tire pressure is too high, the friction reduces, which may lead to skidding and out of control. In addition, the high-pressure tire is more prone to burst when its temperature increases through traveling.
Therefore, there exists prior art in the current market, which will allow driver to check the tire pressure before traveling to make sure the tire pressure is in a safe range. However, it is inconvenient when the driver has to manually check the tire pressure every single time. To resolve this issue, the current practice is to install a pressure detector on the tires to constantly gather and report to the driver. When installing such detector, manufactures use a bolt and a gas nozzle to fix the detector inside the tire frame. While driving, the detector in each tire will send tire conditions such as pressure back to the central controller for the driver to review. This system is generally referred to as the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS).
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is an electronic system that is designed to monitor and provide real-time information of the air pressure of tires on various types of vehicles. The accurate measure of vehicle tire pressure while a vehicle is moving can prevent accidents and increase gas mileage. Government and university studies have cited the connection between tire under-inflation and vehicle crashes, including fatality rates. Furthermore, The accurate measure of vehicle tire pressure can increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles through reducing rolling resistance of the vehicles.
Generally, TPMS report the tire air pressure information via a gauge, a pictorgram display, or a simple low-pressure warning light. Furthermore, TPMS in use today are primarily either direct or indirect systems. Direct systems use a pressure sensor, either internally or externally, on each of the tires to directly measure tire pressure. Indirect systems use the ABS to derive the tire pressure by comparing the number of revolutions of each wheel while driving. The circumference of a tire with low pressure is slightly less than one with correct pressure. Therefore, the revolutions per mile of the low pressure wheel is greater and these increased revolutions can be used to detect a low tire pressure.
Indirect tire pressure systems have great appeal because they can be combined with an existing ABS. The ABS already measures the rotation of each wheel so adding an ABS based TPMS only involves modifying the ABS software and adding a warning light display to the instrument cluster.
Unfortunately, ABS indirect systems are very inaccurate. Since the decrease in circumference of tires with low pressure is very slight, a large pressure drop combined with a long driving distance must occur to trigger a low tire pressure warning. Also, if the pressure is simultaneously low in all four tires on an vehicle, no detection is possible because there is no differential wheel rotations to detect.
The performance of a direct TPMS is far superior. Since tire pressure is being measured directly, low pressure warnings can be made instantly and very accurately. Although more accurate, direct systems are much more expensive than indirect systems because new hardware must be added to the vehicle.
Moreover, essentially all modern direct TPMS are wireless systems. A pressure sensor and transmitter is placed inside the tire (typically mounted on the rim) and a receiver is mounted elsewhere on the vehicle. Most wireless systems operate at a frequency of 433 MHz or higher to obtain a large transmission range. Most systems also require a new stand-alone receiver although a few systems share the keyless entry system receiver that is installed on some luxury or higher tier vehicles.
Furthermore, after the tire pressure sensors are installed on each tire and have been in operation for some time, they may have clock rate or clock frequency errors, which will result in overlapping signals. When the main controller receives such overlapping signals, it will interfere with the calculation and resulting in erroneous information being provided to the driver.
The current wireless tire pressure detectors, such as ROC Patent Publication No. 201,314,187 “wireless tire pressure sensors to avoid duplication of data transfer method”, mainly assigns each set of the wireless tire pressure sensors its own ID and a set of different wake-up-time parameters. When the wireless tire pressure sensor starts working, it first identifies the ID and uses the corresponding algorithm to calculate which wake-up-time parameter to select, and send the data after the wake up time ends. The reason for assigning different wake-up-time to each sensors is to avoid overlapping data at the receiver, which may cause missed or false information. In addition to the different wake-up-time for each wireless tire pressure sensor to transfer data, each sensor is also assigned different spacing time to avoid overlapping at the receiver.
Unfortunately, such wireless tire pressure detectors use manual tire pressure detectors that require drivers to check the detectors every time before driving the vehicle. Furthermore, since it uses different ID, wake-up-time and corresponding algorithm to avoid data overlapping at the receiver, each individual algorithm and wake-up-time will interfere with each other while functioning. As a result, the central controller cannot distinguish among the received information. Finally, after the tire pressure sensors are installed on each tire and have been in operation for some time, they may have clock rate or clock frequency errors, which will result in overlapping signals. When the main controller receives such overlapping signals, it will interfere with the calculation and resulting in erroneous information being provided to the driver.
Accordingly, in order to resolve the inconveniences arising from detecting tire pressure manually and to eliminate errors arising from overlapping data as a result of overlapping receiving time from different ID and algorithm of various wireless tire pressure sensors, the present invention develops a Method and System for Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Time Encoded Wireless Tire Condition Sensing Device wherein the device detects each and every single sensor through one central system and multiple transmitters.
Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system wherein main controller can communicate with one or more tire sensors.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system wherein the main controller and the sensors can communicate wirelessly.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system wherein the main controller and the sensors are synced with a time parameter to prevent signal interference.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system wherein there is a synchronization function to prevent clock rate or clock frequency errors.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system wherein the tire sensor can detect tire condition, such as tire pressure data, temperature data, centrifugal force data and battery voltage information.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system wherein the main controller can display the condition on the display unit in the vehicle for the driver to review in the driver's convenient time.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system such that it is simple to replace the tires, wherein the driver only needs to press the button on the new transmitter, and then the main controller will replace the old transmitter. The main controller's second micro-processing unit will match the old time parameter to the new transmitter, so the new transmitter will function immediately.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easily adoptable to current vehicles or tires, and is effective and efficient.
As aspect of the invention is disclosed, specifically, a method for monitoring tire pressure which comprises: providing a main controller wherein the main controller is comprised of a second micro processing unit, a second memory unit, a first receiver unit , a second transmitting unit, a display unit; providing one or more tire transmitter wherein the tire transmitter is comprised of a first micro processing unit, a first memory unit, an operation unit, a detection unit, a first transmitter unit and a second receiving unit; having the first micro processing unit transmit a pairing signal via the first transmitting unit to the second micro processing unit via the first receiver unit; performing a matching process on the pairing signal wherein the matching process is comprised of assigning a first time interval to the pairing signal; storing the pairing signal to the second memory unit; transmitting the pairing signal back to the first micro processing unit via the second transmitting unit and the second receiver unit and storing the pairing signal to the first memory unit; obtaining at least one data point of a tire by the detection unit; transmitting the data point by the first micro processing unit via the first transmitting unit to the second micro processing unit via the first receiver unit at the first time interval; synchronizing the main controller and the one or more tire transmitter comprising the second micro processing unit sending a synchronizing signal via the second transmitting unit and the second receiving unit to the first micro processing unit.
In one embodiment, the first micro processing unit transmits a pairing signal to the second micro processing unit and perform the matching service after receiving the synchronizing signal. In one embodiment, the matching process is comprised of assigning a second time interval.
In one embodiment, after receiving the synchronizing signal the first micro processor proceeds to obtain at least one data point of the tire by the detection unit and transmit the data point by the first micro processing unit via the first transmitting unit to the second micro processing unit via the first receiver unit at the first time interval.
In one embodiment, the first transmitter unit, the first receiver unit, the second transmitter unit and the second receiver unit are comprised of radio frequency technology. In one embodiment, the first radio transmitter unit is a low frequency transmitter unit and the second radio receiver unit is a high frequency radio receiver unit. In one embodiment, the first radio receiver unit is a low frequency receiver unit and the second radio transmitter unit is a high frequency radio transmitter unit. In one embodiment, the first radio transmitter unit is a high frequency transmitter unit and the second radio receiver unit is a low frequency radio receiver unit. In one embodiment, the first radio receiver unit is a high frequency receiver unit and the second radio transmitter unit is a low frequency radio transmitter unit. In one embodiment, the first transmitter unit, the first receiver unit, the second transmitter unit and the second receiver unit are comprised of infra red communication technology. In one embodiment, the first transmitter unit, the first receiver unit, the second transmitter unit and the second receiver unit are comprised of bluetooth communication technology. In one embodiment, the paring signal is comprised of an identification code to identify the transmitter.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the invention.
The invention disclose herein provides for a method and system for a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with time encoded wireless tire condition sensing device and synchronization in order to resolve the inconveniences arising from detecting tire pressure manually and to eliminate errors from overlapping data receiving time through the different ID and algorithm of wireless tire pressure sensors. Such device detects each and every single sensor through one central system and multiple transmitters.
Specifically, each one of the tires corresponds to a transmitter with a unique serial number and a first micro-processing unit with a memory unit. Electrically connected to the first micro-processing unit are (1) a first operation unit, (2) a detecting unit, (3) a high frequency transmitter unit, and (4) a low frequency receiver unit.
On the other hand, a main controller with a second micro-processing unit with a second memory unit is installed inside the vehicle. Electronically connected to the second micro-processing unit are (1) a second operation unit, (2) a high frequency receiver unit, (3) a low frequency transmitter unit, and (4) a display unit.
Initially, the operation unit will have the first micro-processing unit send out a pairing signal. The pairing signal is sent out from the high frequency transmitter unit and received by the high frequency receiver unit. The high frequency receiver unit, then, transmit the pairing signal to the second micro-processing unit for time pairing program. The time pairing program provides each transmitter a corresponding, but unique time parameter, and each time parameter is assigned a different delay time, and the time parameter is stored in the second memory unit.
Furthermore, the main controller will, at a set time or interval, perform a synchronization between the main controller and the transmitters. Specifically, the second micro-processing will send out a synchronization signal, which is stored in the second memory unit, via a low frequency transmitter. The low frequency receiver receives the synchronization signal, which is then stored in the first memory unit.
Then, according to the time parameter of each transmitter, the synchronization signal will delay the time interval to ensure that the transmitters are in sync and the time parameters are being conserved. Thereafter, the tire information will be sent via the high frequency transmitter and received by the high frequency receiver, and be stored in the second micro-processor for display by the display unit.
At the same time, the time parameter will be sent through the low frequency radio transmitter and received through the low frequency radio receiver and stored in the second micro-processing unit for the display unit to display the data to the driver.
The timing parameter is 1˜N, where N is a natural number, which is the delay time. The operating unit can be a button. Furthermore, the tire condition includes any of the following or a combination of the followings: a tire pressure data, a temperature data, a centrifugal force data, a battery voltage data.
The present invention of time encoding wireless sensing device for tire condition has the actual time encoding function. First, the operation unit will have the first micro-processing unit sent out a pairing signal. The pairing signal is sent out from the radio frequency transmitter unit and received by the radio frequency receiver unit. The radio frequency receiver unit, then, transmit the paring signal to the Second micro-processing unit for time pairing program. The time paring program provides each transmitter a corresponding, but unique time parameter. The timing parameter is 1˜N, where N is a natural number. Each time parameter has a different delay time to mainly avoid the signal interference and overlapping problem.
The present invention's operating unit can also be installed on the main controller. The operation unit will have the second micro-processing unit to send out “wake-up” signal. The “wake-up” signal is transmitted from the low frequency radio transmitter unit to the low frequency radio receiver unit. Then the “wake-up” signal will run through the time pairing program, which will match each transmitter's ID with its own time parameter. Each time parameter will have a different delay time to mainly avoid the signal interference and overlapping problem.
The present invention will also perform a synchronization between the main controller and the transmitters. Specifically, the second micro-processing will send out a synchronization signal, which is stored in the second memory unit, via a low frequency transmitter. The low frequency receiver receives the synchronization signal, which is then stored in the first memory unit.
Then, according to the time parameter of each transmitter, the synchronization signal will delay the time interval to ensure that the transmitters are in sync and the time parameters are being conserved. Thereafter, the tire information will be sent via the high frequency transmitter and received by the high frequency receiver, and be stored in the second micro-processor for display by the display unit. This effectively prevents clock rate or clock frequency errors as a result of signal overlap, and therefore, allows the main controller to accurate receive the signals emitted by each of the transmitters.
The present invention installs each transmitter on different tires, so it can detect tire condition, such as tire pressure data, temperature data, centrifugal force data and battery voltage information, and display the condition on the display unit in the vehicle for the driver to review in the driver's convenient time.
The present invention has a simple method for replacing tires. The driver only needs to press the button on the new transmitter, and then the main controller will replace the old transmitter. The main controller's second micro-processing unit will match the old time parameter to the new transmitter, so the new transmitter will function immediately.
The present invention relates to a sequence encoding functions of a tire information wireless sensing devices and methods. The main technical characteristics , purpose and effectiveness will be clearly presented to the embodiments described below .
Referring to
Referring to
The transmitter (1) comprises: a first micro-processing unit (101) and includes a first memory unit (1011); an operation unit (102) electrically connecting the first micro-processing unit (101); a detection unit (103) electrically connecting the first micro-processing unit (101) for the detection of the tire including the tire information; a radio frequency transmitter unit (104), electrically connecting the first micro-processing unit (101); and a low-frequency radio receiving unit (105) electrically connecting the first micro-processing unit (101).
The master controller (2) includes: a second micro-processing unit (201) and includes a second memory means (2011); a radio frequency receiver unit (202) electrically connected to the second micro-processing unit (201); a high-frequency wireless transmitting unit (104); a low-frequency radio transmitting unit (203) electrically connected to the second micro-processing unit (201); a receiving unit should be a low frequency radio (105); and a display unit (205) electrically connected to the second micro-processing unit (201) .
Referring to
Referring to
In the next step (301), through the operation unit (102) of the transmitter (1), the first micro-processing unit (101) sends a pairing signal, transmitting through the radio frequency to the main controller (2)'s the second micro-processing unit (201). The time matching process is to match each transmitter (1) to a different time parameter with different delay time.
Finally, in the last step (302), each of the respective tire detected by a detecting unit (103) for tire condition, each transmitter (1) will put the tire condition data into a sequential order with different delay time, through the radio transmission, this information is transmitted to the main controller (2) of the second micro-processing unit (201).
Referring to
The main controller (2) starts (506) and when it receives a signal (507) from the transmitter (1), it will determine if its a pairing signal (508). If it is not, the main controller (2) will go back into receive pairing signal (507). If it is, the main controller (2) will pair and provide a time parameter (509), which is stored in the second memory unit (2011).
Still referring to
Referring only to
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The main controller (2) starts (706) and it will determine if a synchronization is needed 706. If a synchronization is not needed, it will go back to the previous step 705. If a synchronization is needed 707, it will send out a synchronization signal and time parameter signal (708) to the transmitter (1).
Further, please refer to
First 800, for each set of tires, each tire has one transmitter (1), and each transmitter (1) has its own ID.
Second 801, each operation unit (102) will, via each transmitter's (1) first micro-processing unit (101), send a pairing signal, through radio transmission, to the main controller's (2) second micro-processing unit (201), in order to run the pairing program. Such pairing program will match each transmitter (1) with a unique ID and a unique time parameter.
Third 802, each tire has its own detector (103) detecting the tire's condition. Each transmitter (1) will sequence the tire condition data in accordance with the delay time, through the radio frequency transmission, send to and stored in the main controller's (2) second micro-processing unit (201).
Fourth 803, the main controller (2) will run the synchronization program at a pre-determined time. The predetermined time can be either at installation or at a pre-set time during the program. The synchronization program mainly function when the second micro-processing unit (201) sends a synchronization signal, along with the time parameter stored in the second memory unit (2011), which is sent through the low frequency radio transmitter (203) and received by the low frequency radio receiver (105). The synchronization signal will then be transmitted to each transmitter's (1) first micro-processing unit (101) to reset each transmitter (1).
Finally 804, the tire condition data collected by each transmitter (1) will be sequenced according to the transmitter's (1) unique time parameter and delay time, sent through the radio frequency transmitter unit (104) and received by radio frequency receiver unit (202), and transmitted to the second micro-processing unit (201) and displayed on the display unit (205).
Further, after vehicles have ran for a period of time, each transmitter may incur error due to its own inconsistency with their clock rate or clock frequency, and it will result in launch time overlap. Therefore, the synchronization program described above will send a synchronizing signal from the main controller (2) and they will be received by each transmitter (1) at the same time. As a result, all the transmitters (1) can shut down at the same time to save battery. As described above, after resetting the transmitter (1), each transmitter (1) will send the collected tire condition data, according to the designated time parameter and delay time, through the radio frequency transmitter unit (104) and the radio frequency receiver unit (202), to the second micro-processing unit (201) and be displayed on the display unit (205). These can effectively avoid the launch time overlap problem due to transmitter's inconsistent clock rate or clock frequency. As a result, the main controller can receive each transmitter's data accurately.
Further, referring to the
Referring to
The main controller (2) starts (1007) and receives a signal (1008). If the main controller (2) does not receive a detection signal, the main controller (2) goes back to receiving signal status. If there is a signal (1009), then the main controller reads the signal (1010).
Still referring to
Referring to
General description of the above-described embodiments, when fully understood the effect of the operation of the present invention to produce, and the use of the present invention. Provided that the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention only based embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment thus the scope of actual application. That is in accordance with the present patent scope and content of the invention described by simple equivalent change and modification, all fall within the scope of the invention covered.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103132274 | Sep 2014 | TW | national |
