Bearing condition monitor for a vehicle, such as a truck or a trailer

Abstract

A system for monitoring bearing health of a wheel of a vehicle, such as a trailer, is provided. The system is configured to monitor at least one characteristic relating to the wheel bearings, such as a temperature, vibrations, and/or proximity. The monitoring system may be configured to monitor more than one of these characteristics (i.e., temperature, vibration and proximity) or even all three. The system is incorporated into a wheel speed sensor. The system may be incorporated in an anti-lock brake system (ABS) or electro-pneumatic brake system (EBS). Regardless of which characteristic is actually monitored by the system and whether the system is employed with an ABS or EBS, the bearing monitoring system provides that one or more bearings of a vehicle can be continuously and automatically monitored in the field.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 171,741, filed on Dec. 22, 1999, and entitled "Sensing System For a Trailer Wheel".[0002] This invention is generally directed to a bearing monitoring system for a vehicle, such as a trailer or a truck. The bearing monitoring system is provided in combination with a wheel speed sensor.[0003] Wheel bearing failure is a serious occurrence for trucks, trailers and for all wheeled vehicles. A seized bearing can result in the complete loss of a wheel, including both rims and tires. After the wheel separates from the vehicle, the potential for catastrophic damage is present as the wheel may strike other vehicles or stationery objects. Loss of control of the vehicle itself may also result.[0004] On trailers, both oil and grease lubrication systems are used and correct lubrication plays an important role in continued safe bearing operation. For both oil and grease, the lubrication system can fail. For oil, a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0016] Briefly, and in accordance with at least one of the foregoing objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bearing monitoring system for monitoring a bearing of a wheel of a vehicle, such as a truck or a trailer. The bearing monitoring system is configured to monitor at least one characteristic relating to the wheel bearings, such as a temperature generally proximate the bearings, vibrations of one or more elements of the wheel mounting apparatus, and / or the proximity of a rotating element of the wheel. The monitoring system may be configured to monitor more than one of these characteristics (i.e., temperature, vibration and proximity) or even all three. The bearing monitoring system is incorporated into a wheel speed sensor. The bearing monitoring system may be incorporated in an anti-lock brake system (ABS) or electro-pneumatic brake system (EBS). Regardless of which characteristic is actually monitored by the system and whether the system is employed with an ABS or EBS, the bearing monitoring system provides that one or more bearings of a vehicle can be continuously and automatically monitored in the field.

Problems solved by technology

Wheel bearing failure is a serious occurrence for trucks, trailers and for all wheeled vehicles.

A seized bearing can result in the complete loss of a wheel, including both rims and tires.

After the wheel separates from the vehicle, the potential for catastrophic damage is present as the wheel may strike other vehicles or stationery objects.

Loss of control of the vehicle itself may also result.

For both oil and grease, the lubrication system can fail.

For oil, a seal failure can result in significant oil loss and eventual disruption of the lubricating oil film.

For grease, the bearing may not have been packed properly to begin with.

In contrast, with oil, significant leakage occurs.

This cause loss of lubricant and the oil may contaminate other components.

Contaminated brake linings in particular can result in poor and / or unbalanced braking.

Grease, however, has the disadvantage that the grease cannot really be inspected without removing the hubcap, and ideally the entire hub assembly.

If the bearing is starved of lubrication, rapid wear occurs which eventually results in bearing failure.

Characteristic vibrations tend to occur as oil films break down and metal to metal contact occurs.

In other cases, however, the warning will be in advance of actual failure but would still require component replacement.

Quality control of field operations can rarely be as effective as the quality systems in place at vehicle assembly plants.

Wiring harnesses which connect to temperature, acceleration and / or proximity sensors are expensive.

Also, electronics to process the information and provide warning for the driver and / or maintenance personnel adds additional expense.

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