Tire pressure regulation method, system, device and vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of automotive wheel technology, and proposes a tire pressure regulation method, system, device, and vehicle. When the vehicle is powered on, the following steps are performed: obtaining the current load of the vehicle through a load sensor; obtaining a target tire pressure based on the current load; obtaining the initial tire pressure of the tires through a tire pressure sensor; and adjusting the tire pressure based on the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure to achieve the target tire pressure. In this solution, the vehicle load is detected when the vehicle is powered on. At this time, the driver is generally preparing to drive, and the occupants and cargo are already in place. The load will not change significantly afterward, and the vehicle is stationary. Therefore, the load sensor on the vehicle will not have reading deviations due to vehicle movement. Then, through devices such as an onboard air pump and a three-way valve, the tire pressure of each tire can be adjusted in real time to improve the comfort of the occupants under different load conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automobile wheel technology, and in particular to a tire pressure regulation method, system, device, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] According to statistics from the national transportation department, 70% of highway traffic accidents resulting in injury or death are caused by tire problems. Tire pressure plays a crucial role in vehicle safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and tire wear. Low tire pressure can lead to abnormal tire wear or damage to the internal tire structure; driving at high speeds with low pressure may cause a tire blowout. High tire pressure reduces tire friction, resulting in decreased braking performance, and makes the tire and rim more susceptible to deformation from impacts on uneven road surfaces, potentially also causing a blowout.

[0003] Current technology typically includes tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) installed inside the tires to obtain real-time tire pressure values. However, if occupants don't check the tire pressure regularly, they are only notified when a low tire pressure warning is triggered. Furthermore, existing TPMS systems do not issue warnings for excessively high tire pressure. Additionally, the required tire pressure varies depending on the vehicle's load. As vehicle load changes with the addition or removal of occupants, different loads result in varying levels of comfort at different tire pressures. Drivers, however, usually maintain the tire pressure at around 2.5 bar and do not adjust it accordingly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a tire pressure regulation method, system, device and vehicle that can meet the tire pressure requirements of automobiles under different load scenarios in a timely manner.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a tire pressure regulation method, wherein the following steps are performed when the vehicle is powered on:

[0006] The current load of the vehicle is obtained through load sensors;

[0007] The target tire pressure is obtained based on the current load.

[0008] The initial tire pressure is obtained through a tire pressure sensor;

[0009] Adjust the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure.

[0010] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the step of obtaining the current load of the vehicle via a load sensor includes:

[0011] Obtain the load value from each of the load sensors on each vibration damper;

[0012] The load values ​​on each of the load sensors are weighted to obtain the current load of the vehicle.

[0013] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the step of obtaining the target tire pressure based on the current load includes:

[0014] Multiple preset tire pressure values ​​correspond to multiple load conditions;

[0015] Obtain the load status based on the current load;

[0016] The tire pressure value corresponding to the load state is taken as the target tire pressure.

[0017] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the step of adjusting the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure includes:

[0018] When the initial tire pressure is less than the target tire pressure, the tire is inflated to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure.

[0019] When the initial tire pressure is greater than the target tire pressure, the tire is deflated to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure.

[0020] Tire pressure adjustment ends when the initial tire pressure equals the target tire pressure.

[0021] The present invention also provides a tire pressure regulation system, comprising:

[0022] The load acquisition module is used to obtain the current load of the vehicle;

[0023] The comparison module is used to obtain the target tire pressure based on the current load;

[0024] The tire pressure acquisition module is used to obtain the initial tire pressure.

[0025] An adjustment module is used to adjust the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure so that the tire pressure reaches the target tire pressure.

[0026] The present invention also provides a tire pressure regulating device, comprising:

[0027] Load sensor;

[0028] Tire pressure sensor;

[0029] air pump;

[0030] A three-way valve is located on the side of the tire near the axle, and the three openings of the three-way valve are respectively connected to the atmosphere, the air pump, and the inner cavity of the tire.

[0031] An air passage, used to connect the air pump and the three-way valve;

[0032] A control unit for controlling the air pump and the three-way valve;

[0033] Wiring harness for electrically connecting the control unit to the air pump and the three-way valve.

[0034] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting device includes a hub bearing fixedly connected to the tire, and the air passage includes an air chamber disposed in the hub bearing. The air chamber is connected to the three-way valve and the air pump through a first pipeline and a second pipeline, respectively.

[0035] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the second pipeline is coaxially connected to the wheel hub bearing and forms a rotational sealing fit.

[0036] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the wiring harness between the control unit and the three-way valve is arranged along the air path from the three-way valve to the air pump and then connected to the control unit.

[0037] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, a load sensor is provided on each shock absorber of the vehicle.

[0038] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the vibration damper is an air spring vibration damper, which is supplied with air by the air pump.

[0039] The present invention also provides a vehicle including the above-described tire pressure regulating device.

[0040] This invention proposes a tire pressure regulation method, system, device, and vehicle. In the above solution, the vehicle load is detected when the vehicle is powered on. At this time, the driver is generally preparing to drive, and the passengers and cargo to be loaded are in place. After this, the load will not change significantly, and the vehicle is stationary. Thus, the load sensor on the vehicle will not have reading deviations due to the movement of the vehicle. In other words, the true load of the vehicle can be obtained at this time. Then, the optimal tire pressure required at this time can be obtained based on the true load of the vehicle. Then, the tire pressure of each tire can be adjusted in real time through the on-board air pump and three-way valve to improve the comfort of the passengers under different load conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0041] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a tire pressure regulation method according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air circuit of the tire pressure regulating device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the three-way valve in a tire pressure regulating device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Wheel; 10. Three-way valve; 20. Wheel hub bearing; 30. Air chamber; 40. First pipeline; 50. Second pipeline. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features described therein can be combined with each other.

[0047] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0048] Proper tire pressure ensures adequate tire grip while keeping fuel consumption within a reasonable range. The standard tire pressure for each vehicle model is usually indicated in the owner's manual or on the driver's side door frame. Overinflation reduces the tire's contact area with the ground, which, while reducing rolling resistance and fuel consumption, also decreases grip, affecting vehicle handling stability and braking safety. Underinflation increases the contact area, increasing rolling resistance, which not only increases fuel consumption but also accelerates tire wear. Furthermore, vehicle load also affects the tire's contact area; therefore, selecting the appropriate tire pressure for different loads ensures a balanced approach to both braking distance and fuel economy.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, a tire pressure regulation method involves the following steps when the vehicle is powered on:

[0050] S1. Obtain the current load of the vehicle through the load sensor;

[0051] S2. Obtain the target tire pressure based on the current load;

[0052] S3. Obtain the initial tire pressure using the tire pressure sensor;

[0053] S4. Adjust the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure so that the tire pressure reaches the target tire pressure.

[0054] When the vehicle is powered on, the driver is typically preparing to drive, and the passengers and cargo are already in place. The load is unlikely to change significantly after this point, and the vehicle is stationary. Therefore, the load sensors on the vehicle will not experience reading deviations due to vehicle movement. One or more load sensors can be used, preferably multiple in this application. The load sensors can acquire the vehicle's load. A tire pressure-load correspondence table can be preset. The target tire pressure is obtained by finding the tire pressure corresponding to the load range in the table. The tire pressure is adjusted based on the target tire pressure. If the initial tire pressure is lower than the target tire pressure, the tire is inflated; if the initial tire pressure is higher than the target tire pressure, the tire is deflated; if the initial tire pressure is within ±0.1 bar of the target tire pressure, no action is taken. The target tire pressure can also be set by the driver, allowing the driver to adjust the tire pressure from inside the vehicle without the need for a manual air pump.

[0055] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the step of obtaining the current load of the vehicle via a load sensor includes:

[0056] Obtain the load value from each of the load sensors on each vibration damper;

[0057] The load values ​​on each of the load sensors are weighted to obtain the current load of the vehicle.

[0058] In this application, the load sensor is installed on the shock absorber, so that the sprung mass of the vehicle can be measured by the load sensor. The unsprung mass of the vehicle is generally fixed. Thus, the sprung mass is added to the unsprung mass measured by the manufacturer to obtain the total vehicle mass.

[0059] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the step of obtaining the target tire pressure based on the current load includes:

[0060] Multiple preset tire pressure values ​​correspond to multiple load conditions;

[0061] Obtain the load status based on the current load;

[0062] The tire pressure value corresponding to the load state is taken as the target tire pressure. Multiple load states can be divided into three states: unloaded, half-loaded, and fully loaded, and can also be further refined for different vehicle models.

[0063] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the step of adjusting the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure includes:

[0064] When the initial tire pressure is less than the target tire pressure, the tire is inflated to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure.

[0065] When the initial tire pressure is greater than the target tire pressure, the tire is deflated to bring the tire pressure to the target tire pressure.

[0066] Tire pressure adjustment ends when the initial tire pressure equals the target tire pressure.

[0067] The present invention also provides a tire pressure regulation system, comprising: a load acquisition module, a comparison module, a tire pressure acquisition module, and an adjustment module.

[0068] The load acquisition module is used to obtain the current load of the vehicle;

[0069] The comparison module is used to obtain the target tire pressure based on the current load;

[0070] The tire pressure acquisition module is used to obtain the initial tire pressure;

[0071] The adjustment module is used to adjust the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure so that the tire pressure reaches the target tire pressure.

[0072] The present invention also provides a tire pressure regulating device, comprising: a load sensor, a tire pressure sensor, an air pump, a three-way valve 10, an air circuit, a control unit, and a wiring harness, all mounted on a vehicle.

[0073] The three-way valve 10 is disposed on the side of the tire near the axle, and the three openings of the three-way valve 10 are respectively connected to the atmosphere, the air pump and the inner cavity of the tire;

[0074] The air passage is used to connect the air pump and the three-way valve 10;

[0075] The control unit is used to control the air pump and the three-way valve 10;

[0076] The wiring harness is used to electrically connect the control unit to the air pump and the three-way valve 10.

[0077] In the above scheme, tire inflation and deflation are achieved through a three-way valve 10. When inflation is needed, the tire cavity is connected to the air pump, at which point the air pump supplies air to the tire cavity. When deflation is needed, the atmosphere is connected to the tire cavity, at which point the tire will deflate under the action of internal pressure until the tire pressure reaches the target tire pressure, after which the three-way valve 10 is closed. Figure 3 As shown, the three-way valve 10 is located on the side of the wheel 1 near the wheel center.

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown, the adjustment system includes a hub bearing 20 fixedly connected to the tire. The air passage includes an air chamber 30 disposed within the hub bearing 20. The air chamber 30 is connected to the three-way valve 10 and the air pump via a first pipe 40 and a second pipe 50, respectively. Since the wheel 1 is a rotating component relative to the vehicle body, a hub bearing 20 is provided that is stationary relative to the wheel 1. Thus, the first pipe 40 can be directly connected to the three-way valve 10. The connection between the air pump and the air chamber 30 is achieved by coaxially rotating the second pipe 50, which can be disposed inside the axle of the wheel 1.

[0079] like Figure 2 As shown, the second pipe 50 is coaxially connected to the hub bearing 20 and forms a rotating seal fit. A rotary joint can be provided between the second pipe 50 and the air chamber 30 to achieve connection. The rotary joint refers to a pipe connection device, and the connected pipes can rotate relative to each other.

[0080] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the wiring harness between the control unit and the three-way valve 10 is arranged along the air path from the three-way valve 10 to the air pump and then connected to the control unit. The control wiring harness of the three-way valve 10 also needs to be arranged for rotation; a conductive rotary joint can be provided on the wiring harness to achieve the connection and prevent the wiring harness from breaking due to self-twisting caused by rotation. A conductive rotary joint is an electromechanical component that can transmit current and data signals from a fixed device to a rotating device; it is also called a conductive ring, slip ring, current collector ring, brush, rotary electrical joint, or electrical rotor. The rotary joint is usually installed at the rotation center of the equipment and mainly consists of two parts: a rotating part and a stationary part. The rotating part, called the "rotor," connects to the equipment's shaft and rotates with it; the stationary part, called the "stator," connects to the base of the equipment's machine structure.

[0081] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, one load sensor is provided on each shock absorber of the vehicle. Automobile shock absorbers generally need to support the weight of the entire vehicle body; therefore, placing load sensors on them allows the acquisition of the vehicle's sprung mass. Unsprung mass refers to the weight not supported by the elastic elements of the suspension system, generally including wheels, springs, shock absorbers, and other related components. Sprung mass is the mass of the remaining parts of the vehicle, generally including the frame, powertrain, transmission, and occupants. The unsprung mass does not change after leaving the factory; thus, adding the sprung mass and unsprung mass gives the vehicle body weight.

[0082] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the shock absorber is an air spring shock absorber, which is supplied with air by the air pump. The shock absorber in this application is preferably an air spring shock absorber. The automotive suspension is the bridge between the vehicle body and the wheels 1, and is an important system for vehicle ride comfort. Traditional automotive suspensions rely on mechanical spring suspensions to support the vehicle body, and the vehicle height cannot be adjusted. Air springs, however, can change the vehicle height according to different road and vehicle conditions, greatly improving the vehicle's passability and ride comfort. The working process of the air spring is as follows: for the air spring corresponding to a single wheel 1 of the target vehicle, the target lifting speed of the air spring is determined, and then the opening of the proportional control valve corresponding to the air spring is controlled according to the target lifting speed, so that the wheel 1 corresponding to the air spring lifts and lowers according to the lifting and lowering of the air spring. In this way, while the wheel 1 can be lifted and lowered, there is no need to install an additional air pump; only the corresponding air passage and three-way valve 10 are required, saving costs and reducing the overall vehicle weight.

[0083] The present invention also provides a vehicle including the above-described tire pressure regulating device.

[0084] In summary, this invention proposes a tire pressure regulation method, system, device, and vehicle. In the above solution, the vehicle load is detected when the vehicle is powered on. At this time, the driver is generally preparing to drive, and the passengers and cargo to be loaded are in place. After this, the load will not change significantly, and the vehicle is stationary. Thus, the load sensor on the vehicle will not have reading deviations due to the movement of the vehicle. In other words, the true load of the vehicle can be obtained at this time. Then, the optimal tire pressure required at this time can be obtained based on the true load of the vehicle. Then, the tire pressure of each tire can be adjusted in real time through the on-board air pump and three-way valve 10 to improve the comfort of the passengers under different load conditions.

[0085] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

[0086] Throughout this description, numerous specific details, such as examples of components and / or methods, are provided to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or by other devices, systems, components, methods, parts, materials, components, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.

[0087] Throughout this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," or "specific embodiment" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment that is included in at least one embodiment of the invention, but not necessarily in all embodiments. Therefore, the various representations of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment" in different places throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic of any specific embodiment of the invention can be combined with one or more other embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the invention described and illustrated herein may be based on the teachings herein and will be considered part of the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0088] It should also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the figures may be implemented in a more separate or more integrated manner, or may even be removed because they are inoperable in certain circumstances or provided because they may be useful for a particular application.

[0089] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any arrows in the accompanying drawings should be considered illustrative only and not limiting. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and / or". Where a term is anticipated to provide a separation or combination capability that is unclear, a combination of components or steps will also be considered as indicated.

[0090] As used herein and throughout the claims below, unless otherwise specified, “a” and “the” include the plural references. Similarly, as used herein and throughout the claims below, unless otherwise specified, “in” means “in” and “on”.

[0091] The above description of the embodiments shown in this invention (including the content set forth in the abstract of the specification) is not intended to be an exhaustive enumeration or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments and examples of the invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized and understood by those skilled in the art. As indicated, these modifications can be made to the invention in accordance with the above description of the embodiments described herein, and such modifications will be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0092] This document has generally described the systems and methods in detail to aid in understanding the invention. Furthermore, various specific details have been set forth to provide a general understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more specific details, or using other means, systems, accessories, methods, components, materials, parts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, and / or operations have not been specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.

[0093] Therefore, although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, freedom of modification, various changes and substitutions are also within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, and it should be understood that in some cases, certain features of the invention may be adopted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without corresponding use of other features. Thus, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular environment or material to the essential scope and spirit of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used in the following claims and / or the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for carrying out the invention, but the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention will be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tire pressure adjustment method characterized by, The following steps are performed when the vehicle is powered on: obtaining a current load of the vehicle through a load sensor; obtaining a target tire pressure according to the current load; obtaining an initial tire pressure of the tire through a tire pressure sensor; adjusting the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure so that the tire pressure of the tire reaches the target tire pressure; in the step of obtaining a current load of the vehicle through a load sensor, comprising: obtaining a load value on each of the load sensors on each shock absorber; weighting the load value on each of the load sensors to obtain the current load of the vehicle, wherein the weighting method is to obtain the sprung mass of the vehicle by adding the values of each of the load sensors, and the current load of the vehicle is obtained by adding the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the vehicle; in the step of obtaining a target tire pressure according to the current load, comprising: predefining a plurality of tire pressure values corresponding to a plurality of load states; obtaining a load state according to the current load, wherein the current load is the actual load in the stationary state of the vehicle; taking the tire pressure value corresponding to the load state as the target tire pressure.

2. The tire pressure regulation method according to claim 1, characterized by: in the step of adjusting the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure so that the tire pressure of the tire reaches the target tire pressure, comprising: when the initial tire pressure is less than the target tire pressure, inflating the tire so that the tire pressure of the tire reaches the target tire pressure; when the initial tire pressure is greater than the target tire pressure, deflating the tire so that the tire pressure of the tire reaches the target tire pressure; when the initial tire pressure is equal to the target tire pressure, ending the tire pressure adjustment.

3. A tire pressure regulation system characterized by, comprising: a load obtaining module for obtaining a current load of the vehicle; a comparison module for obtaining a target tire pressure according to the current load; a tire pressure obtaining module for obtaining an initial tire pressure of the tire; an adjusting module for adjusting the tire pressure according to the initial tire pressure and the target tire pressure so that the tire pressure of the tire reaches the target tire pressure; wherein the load obtaining module is used to obtain a load value on each of the load sensors on each shock absorber and weight the load value on each of the load sensors to obtain the current load of the vehicle, and the weighting method is to obtain the sprung mass of the vehicle by adding the values of each of the load sensors, and the current load of the vehicle is obtained by adding the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the vehicle; the current load is the actual load in the stationary state of the vehicle, and the tire pressure value corresponding to the load state is taken as the target tire pressure.

4. A tire pressure adjusting device characterized by, comprising being provided on a vehicle: a load sensor; a tire pressure sensor; a gas pump; a three-way valve provided on one side of the tire close to the shaft center, three openings of the three-way valve being respectively communicated with the atmosphere, the gas pump and the inner cavity of the tire; a gas path for connecting the gas pump and the three-way valve; a control unit for controlling the gas pump and the three-way valve; a wire harness for electrically connecting the control unit and the gas pump and the three-way valve; the adjusting system comprises a hub bearing fixedly connected with the tire, the gas path comprises a gas chamber provided in the hub bearing, and the gas chamber is connected with the three-way valve and the gas pump through a first pipeline and a second pipeline respectively; The wire harness between the control unit and the three-way valve is connected to the control unit after being arranged along the gas path from the three-way valve to the air pump.

5. The tire pressure regulating apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by: The second pipeline is coaxially connected with the hub bearing and constitutes a rotating sealing fit.

6. The tire pressure regulating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by: The load sensor is provided with one on each shock absorber of the vehicle.

7. The tire pressure regulating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by: The shock absorber is an air spring shock absorber, which is supplied with air by the air pump.

8. A vehicle characterized by: The tire pressure regulating device comprises the tire pressure regulating device according to any one of claims 4-7.

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