3933results about "Tyre measurements" patented technology

Sensor assembly capable of obtaining and providing a measurement of a physical quantity, e.g., measurement of temperature and/or pressure of a vehicular tire, includes an antenna capable of receiving a radio frequency signal, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to the antenna, a sensor coupled to the RFID device arranged to generate a measurement of the physical quantity or quantities, and a switch coupled to the RFID device and arranged to connect or disconnect the sensor from a circuit with the antenna dependent on whether the antenna receives a particular signal associated with the RFID device. When the antenna receives the particular signal associated with the RFID device, the RFID device causes the switch to close and connect the sensor in the circuit with the antenna to enable the measurement generated by the sensor to be directed to and transmitted by the antenna.

Method and system for diagnosing whether vehicular components are operating abnormally based on data obtained from sensors arranged on a vehicle. In a training stage, output from the sensors during normal operation of the components is obtained, each component is adjusted to induce abnormal operation thereof and output from the sensors is obtained during the induced abnormal operation. A determination is made as to which sensors provide data about abnormal operation of each component based on analysis of the output from the sensors during normal operation and during induced abnormal operation of the components. During operation of the vehicle, the output from the sensors is obtained and analyzed, e.g., by inputting it into a pattern recognition algorithm or neural network generated during the training stage, in order to output an indication of abnormal operation of any components being diagnosed.

A navigation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, a vehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at least two instructions with each of the instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control is operable to provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operable to provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction.

A home control and automation system and method. The system generally includes one or more wireless remote controls, a plurality of appliances (including network enabled appliances and traditional legacy appliances in the exemplary system), associated control centric devices, and associated content centric devices. Various methods for control and operation of appliances in the networked home control and automation environment are disclosed. Specifically, methods are disclosed which enable advanced home control features such as location based control setup and operation, network enabled legacy appliances and system integration, save and recall capabilities for appliance and media states, generic command based appliance controls, dynamic/complex macro command generation, and Internet based control capabilities from remote locations are disclosed in conjunction with the system of the current invention.

A device for monitoring a rotating shaft is provided. The device measures strain in the shaft and provides angular velocity and torque in the shaft. The device includes a sensor, sensor conditioning circuitry, a microprocessor, and a transmitter, all located on a rotating shaft. The device obtains power by harvesting mechanical energy of the rotating shaft itself. Coils are provided rotating with the shaft and permanent magnets are mounted adjacent the rotating shaft so electrical energy is induced in the coils as they rotate through the magnetic field of the permanent magnets. A battery or capacitor is connected to the coils for storing energy. A microprocessor is connected to the sensors, the storage device, and the transmitter for managing power consumption and for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the transmitter when the stored energy exceeds a threshold.

A modular electronic assembly for integration with a pneumatic tire includes a mounting patch, a power source, and at least one electronic device supported by a substrate. The mounting patch is preferably adapted for positioning on the inner liner of a pneumatic tire, and the power source is at least partially embedded in the mounting patch. Such embedded positioning of the battery results in an overall structure with a lower center of gravity than previous tire electronics assemblies, thus having increased mechanical stability and survivability in a tire environment. Electronic device(s) supported on the substrate may receive power from the power source, which in some embodiments corresponds to one or more batteries. The substrate supporting the at least one electronic device may be attached to the mounting patch by a variety of fashions. Exemplary attachment configurations may correspond to an adhesive layer, a hook and loop tape combination, or physical interconnection via terminals extending from the power source through the support substrate. Exemplary electronic devices may include such components as condition-responsive devices including transducers, acoustic devices, sensors, etc. for sensing certain environmental conditions such as temperature and/or pressure, tire revolution counters, vehicle speed sensors, sidewall deflection sensors, tire displacement sensors, microprocessors, memory modules, RFID transponders, light assemblies, data transmitters and/or receivers, and power, supply components. Selected of the electronic devices (including one or more antennas associated with any RF devices) may be encapsulated by a non-conductive rubber or elastic material to facilitate effective transmission characteristics. Conductive springs, flexible conductive elastomer or fatigue-resistance metal may be used to interconnect various electronic components (such as an RF device to an antenna).

PCT No. PCT/JP97/01514 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 28, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 28, 1998 PCT Filed May 2, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/45489 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 4, 1997A pneumatic tire having an air permeation preventive layer comprising a low permeability thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer having a thermoplastic resin composition as a continuous phase and a rubber composition as a dispersed phase, in which a barrier resin composition is contained, which low permeability thermoplastic elastomer composition has a phase structure in which the barrier resin composition is dispersed in the form of a flat state in the thermoplastic elastomer, is abundant in flexibility, is superior in gas permeation preventive property, and enables the tire to be reduced in weight.

A vehicular video mirror system comprises an interior electrochromic mirror having a transflective mirror reflector and a video screen disposed behind the mirror reflector so that the presence of the video screen is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until the video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through the electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle. Control circuitry receives a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver and actuates the video screen in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle.

A vehicle tire communication and information system for viewing air psi and other characteristics that affects psi in a tire includes un-obstructive sensors embedded in a silicon substrate and etched in a re-enforced micro-fibered material to enable excellent detection platform, sensitivity, and selectivity within the detection environment. The embedded sensors facilitate detection and communication efficiency and transforms electrical energy into acoustic energy indicative of data transmission to a wireless electronic control module, allowing a nitride membrane to march the acoustic impedance of the air inside the tire to enable pressure waves indicative of the tire pressure.

A sensor node arrangement in a wireless network, includes a sensor to sense information, an RF transceiver to communicate the information to at least one element of the wireless network, and a coil to establish a secondary communications channel with a handheld device via inductive coupling, the secondary communications channel used, for example, to receive, during installation of the sensor node arrangement, a node identifier of the sensor node arrangement.

Sensors and transponders combined on a single semiconductor substrate package. The invention includes an RFID tag and a sensor commonly assembled onto a common substrate. The substrates can be provided in the form of a flex circuit or printed circuit board. The flex circuit would be fabricated using standard flex circuit fabrication methods. It is a polymer/metal laminate film structure and incorporates the antenna pattern for the sensor and RFID tag system on the circuit. The flex circuit can also combine antennas for the sensor and the RFID tag onto a single flex circuit substrate, thus eliminating the need for separate antennas.

Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (400, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1751, 1752, 1852, 1852′, 1951, 1951a) and a separate antenna (1520, 1520′, 1520″, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) to an inner surface (1504, 1504′, 1504″, 1704, 1804) of a pneumatic tire (312, 650, 1204, 1350, 1350′, 1550, 1550′, 1550″), and for coupling the transponder module to the antenna by coupling coils which are included with the transponder module (450, 760, 953, 1004, 1024) and the antenna (750, 750′, 866, 938, 968, 1538, 1538′, 1538″, 1638, 1638′, 1738, 1738′, 1838, 1838′, 1938). The transponder module mounting methods generally allow it to be inserted, removed, or accessed for maintenance at any time during the tire's life cycle, and allow sensing access to the tire's inner atmosphere.

A control system is employed in a vehicle to assist a user to operate the vehicle effectively and safely. The system provides driving assistance to the user by taking into account the user's physical condition, the vehicle condition and the surrounding conditions. The surrounding conditions include, e.g., road, weather and traffic conditions, external to the vehicle. The vehicle condition concerns the conditions of the brakes, steering, tires, radiator, etc. of the vehicle. Signs of fatigue, stress and illness of the user are monitored by the control system to assess the user's physical condition.

In one aspect, the invention is a system and method for improving vehicle operating conditions through the monitoring and adjustment of tire pressure in response to changing conditions. The system improves commercial vehicle productivity by reducing tire and fuel expenses, improving traction when needed, and reducing tire-induced shock-load damage to the vehicle axles and chassis. In another aspect, the invention is a tire management system, comprised of a tire inflation and deflation system positioned onboard said vehicle and operationally controlled by an onboard microprocessor-based control unit or by a remote centralized control-unit.

The frequency of an information signal indicative of the vibration of a wheel detected by an acceleration sensor 11 mounted to a wheel 1 or the frequency of an information signal indicative of a change in the pressure of a gas in a tire detected by a pressure sensor 31 installed in the tire is analyzed by frequency analyzing means 14 (34), the band value of the obtained vibration spectrum or pressure change spectrum is detected, and a vibration level or pressure change level at the detected frequency band is compared with a vibration level table 15T showing the relationship between road friction coefficient μ and vibration level stored in vibration level storage means 15, or a pressure change level table 35T showing the relationship between road friction coefficient μ and pressure change level stored in pressure change level storage means 35 to estimate a road friction coefficient μ. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the value of road friction coefficient μ accurately and improve the safety of a car.

A single integrated sensing chip with multi-functions for tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) comprises: a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, and an ASIC (Applied Specific Integrated Circuit) that implements signal conditioning and digitalizes pressure output. The accelerometer incorporated for vehicle motion is used to determine centrifugal acceleration or three-axial acceleration of the rotating wheel, and used for the TPMS sensor wake-up from “power down” mode, or when the velocity of the vehicle is higher than certain speed threshold, which is more robust and lower in cost than the mechanical vibration switch and is naturally integrated with the electronic control unit. The accelerometer can be used for regular motion sensing to monitor the dynamic stability. The integrated sensor system can be packaged into one plastic package first, and then surface mounted to the printed circuit board, or the multi-function single chip can be wafer bonded on the wafer level first and diced into many individual chips, with each chip being directly attached on to the printed circuit board by wire bonding or flip-chip assembly.

The present subject matter discloses apparatus and methodologies for fabricating apparatus for harvesting power from environmentally induced vibrations. Piezoelectric devices and structures (1600) are disclosed that employ constant force spring or flexure arrangements (1512) in balanced opposition configurations (1510, 1534) to enhance the power harvesting capabilities of the piezoelectric devices (1600). Power harvesting devices and systems in accordance with the subject technology may concurrently operate as sensors in motion sensitive applications thus providing self-powered monitoring capabilities.

A vehicle wheel information supply device for supplying wheel information relating to a state of a wheel of a vehicle, including a wheel state detector for detecting the state of the wheel, a wheel information generator for generating the wheel information relating to the state of the wheel, on the basis of an output of the wheel state detector, a transmitter for transmitting the wheel information, and a receiver which receives the wheel information transmitted by the transmitter, the wheel state detector, the wheel information generator and the transmitter being disposed on the wheel while the receiver being disposed on a body of said vehicle, wherein the wheel information generator is capable of selectively generating different kinds of wheel information having respective different volumes, and at least one of the wheel information generator and the transmitter operates in a manner depending upon at least one parameter indicative of the state of the wheel, which at least one parameter is detected by the wheel state detector.

An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured to measure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester is configured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wireless receiver can be configured to receive pressure information from a transmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.

Method and apparatus for sensing a crash of a vehicle in which acceleration and angular motion of the vehicle are measured and analyzed by a processor to determine whether a crash is occurring. A deployable occupant protection device is deployed by a processor when deployment criteria are satisfied. The processor may embody a pattern recognition technique for analyzing the measured acceleration and angular motion of the vehicle and determine whether deployment of the occupant protection device is beneficial. For example, the pattern recognition technique may be a neural network trained to determine whether the vehicle is experiencing a crash such as a rollover based on the measured acceleration and angular motion of the vehicle.

A control system (11) for a vehicle (10) includes vehicle dynamics sensors (35-47) providing a vehicle dynamics signal. Tire monitoring system sensors (20) in each wheel generate tire signals including temperature, pressure and acceleration data. A controller (26) communicates with the tire monitoring system sensors (20) and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, and generates a roadway surface condition estimation value as a function of the multi-axis acceleration data of the tire signals. The roadway surface condition estimation value is transmitted to a suspension control system (33) to adjust the vevhicle suspension characteristics in response to the roadway surface condition estimation value.

In a mobile control node system and method for a vehicle (630), the mobile control node (624) can interact, via a bi-directional radio link (642), with a transceiver processor unit (628) in the vehicle. The transceiver processor unit (628) is connected to a vehicle control system (120) and allows the mobile control node (624) to function as an input and output node on a vehicle control network (632), allowing remote control of the vehicle and providing functions such as remote or passive keyless entry. Additionally, the system provides a vehicle location function wherein the range and bearing between the mobile control node (624) and the vehicle (630) can he determined and displayed on the mobile control node (624). The range and bearing are calculated by determining the range between the mobile control node (624) and vehicle (630), preferably using a time of flight methodology, and by processing the travel distance of the mobile control node and compass data in order to triangulate the position of the vehicle (630) relative to the mobile control node (624).

A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

A control system (11) for a vehicle (10) includes vehicle dynamics sensors (35-47) providing a vehicle dynamics signal. Tire monitoring system sensors (20) in each wheel generate tire signals including temperature, pressure and acceleration data. A controller (26) communicates with the tire monitoring system sensors (20) and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, and generates a tire abnormality value as a function of the multi-axis acceleration data of the tire signals. Tire multi-axis acceleration data is also used to detect a roadway departure, and an oversteer or understeer event.

Method for controlling a vehicle including a smartphone-engaging coupling element. Data about operational status of the vehicle is transferred from one or more vehicle-resident systems to a smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. Commands are received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, which commands being based in part on data previously transferred from the vehicle-resident system(s) to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. A vehicular system, e.g., seat positioning system, mirror positioning system, passenger compartment temperature control system, route guidance or navigation system, changes its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

A tire monitor for mounting to a vehicle as part of a remote tire monitoring system includes a tire condition sensor to produce a tire condition signal, a controller coupled to the tire condition sensor to control operation of the tire monitor, and a radio circuit coupled to the controller to transmit radio signals based at least in part on the tire condition signal. A shock sensor is coupled to the controller of the tire monitor to produce a motion signal indicating motion of the tire monitor.

A tire characteristic receiver comprises a receiver circuit, a processing circuit, and a housing. The receiver circuit is configured to receive tire characteristic data wirelessly from a vehicle tire. The processing circuit is configured to receive the tire characteristic data and to provide the tire characteristic data to an operator interface device. The housing is coupled to the processing circuit and the receiver circuit and is removably coupleable to a vehicle interior element.

A method for operating a tire pressure measuring system uses a transceiver. When triggered, the transceiver transmits an energy signal to a transponder in a tire that then responds with a data signal. So that the energy signals do not interfere with other transceivers on receipt of the data signals, the method makes provision for the repetition rate with which the energy signals are triggered to be a function of the speed of the vehicle. Transmission is more frequent at higher speed than at lower speed.

A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or more piezoelectric devices configured to generate electric charge therein upon being subjected to mechanical strains associated with flexure of tire or wheel components. The piezoelectric device may be incorporated in a variety of tire structures and in many different locations. In pneumatic tire structures, the piezoelectric device and related electronics may be embedded in crown or sidewall locations among such selected components as the exterior tread portion, first and second steel belts of a belt package, carcass, cap ply portion, inner liner, zone base, etc. The piezoelectric device with optional rubber casing may also be attached to such locations as the inner liner and tire exterior. Piezoelectric devices may also be integrated with a tire and safety support combination that is configured to operate in an extended mobility mode when the tire structure loses air pressure. Piezoelectric devices may alternatively be integrated with a non-pneumatic structurally supported tire such as one including a reinforced annular band, a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the annular band, a mounting band at the inner end of the web spokes and a tread portion disposed on the annular band.

A pneumatic vehicle tire includes a carcass, a bead with a bead core arranged in the bead, and a first sensor located within the bead. The first sensor delivers signals which are correlated to frictional forces transmitted by the pneumatic vehicle tire during operation. This sensor has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a heel attached to the bead core and the second end extends radially outward from the bead core within the tire. A plurality of such sensors can be included in each tire, some for measuring longitudinal forces in a circumferential direction of the tire and others for measuring lateral forces in an axial direction of the tire.