Procedure for indicating a noticeable under-inflation pressure on a vehicle tire of a truck trailer

Abstract

Method for indicating a noticeable under-inflation pressure on a vehicle tire (5) of a truck trailer (2) with the following steps: a) measuring the inflation pressure with a tire module arranged on a vehicle tire (5), b) Forwarding the inflation pressure data of the individual vehicle tyres to a receiving unit (4) arranged on the truck trailer, c) Monitoring the inflation pressure of the individual vehicle tyres (5) by comparing the measured inflation pressure with a specified target inflation pressure d) issuing a warning signal if the measured inflation pressure on one of the vehicle tyres (5) falls noticeably below the specified target pressure value and e) Activation of a warning lamp (7) arranged on the truck trailer (2), which indicates a noticeable under-pressure of a vehicle tire (5) on the truck trailer (2), wherein the receiving unit (4) determines the faulty wheel position on the truck trailer (2) at which the noticeable under-pressure was detected, wherein the warning lamp (7) switches to another warning mode in the standstill mode of the truck in which the faulty wheel position is indicated by optical light signals.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for indicating a noticeable under-inflation pressure on a vehicle tire of a truck trailer.

[0002] Tire modules equipped with transponders are used in tires, particularly in tire sensors for truck tires, for various tasks. This includes, in particular, tire identification, which allows an automobile manufacturer to quickly and automatically determine, among other things, which tire factory supplied a specific tire and which vehicle the tire was mounted on. Other tasks typically include air pressure monitoring, temperature measurement, or the measurement of mechanical stress states in the tire. Modern transponders consist of an electronic component or chip, in which sensor elements can be arranged, and an antenna connected to this electronic component. An example of such a transponder is disclosed in DE 102 43 441 A1.

[0003] One problem with tire pressure monitoring on trucks is that in many cases, the tire pressure on the vehicle tires of the truck trailer needs to be monitored independently of the tractor unit. For example, many tractor units do not have a tire pressure monitoring system. Even if the tractor unit has a tire pressure monitoring system, this system may not be able to communicate with the tire pressure monitoring system on the truck trailer. The publications DE 10305761 B3, US 2007 / 0069877 A1, US 6246317 B1, US 4131876 A, US 4065751 A, US 3276503 A, and WO 2010 / 056860 A1 disclose known methods for tire pressure monitoring systems for tires on a truck trailer.

[0004] The object of the invention was to provide a method with which the tire pressure on the vehicle tires of a truck trailer can be monitored in a simple manner.

[0005] The problem is solved by a method according to claim 1.

[0006] A particular advantage of the invention is that the method according to the invention easily monitors the tire pressure on the vehicle tires of the truck trailer. This provides simple and cost-effective tire pressure monitoring of the vehicle tires on the truck trailer, independent of the presence of a tire pressure monitoring system on the tractor unit. A radio data connection or a data line between the tractor unit and the truck trailer is also not required. The warning light on the truck trailer easily indicates whether one of the vehicle tires on the truck trailer is under-inflated.

[0007] In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the warning lamp is arranged on the truck trailer in such a way that when a general warning state is activated, the warning signal of the warning lamp can be perceived by the truck driver via an outside mirror on the tractor unit of the truck.

[0008] This makes it easy to indicate to the truck driver while driving that he or she needs to check the condition of the tires, particularly the tire pressure, of the vehicle tires on the truck trailer.

[0009] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the warning light emits a light signal focused on the exterior mirror, thus preventing oncoming traffic from being visually impaired. This prevents oncoming traffic from being confused by the warning light. The same applies to vehicles driving behind the truck.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the warning light is an LED lamp. A key advantage of the LED lamp is that it offers high light intensity with low power consumption.

[0011] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the warning light can be activated when a truck is moving, thereby prompting the truck driver to stop and perform a tire check. This also provides a simple warning to the truck driver in the event of a sudden loss of pressure in a tire on the truck trailer.

[0012] In a further advantageous development of the invention, one of the tire modules detects a standstill of the truck and forwards this information to the receiving unit on the truck trailer. A standstill of the vehicle can be easily detected, for example, using an acceleration sensor, which is integrated in one of the tire modules.

[0013] The receiver unit is designed to determine the faulty wheel position on the truck trailer where the unusual low pressure was detected. The wheel position can be determined using appropriate signal analysis and the receiver unit.

[0014] The warning light is designed to switch to a different warning mode when the truck is stationary, in which the incorrect wheel position is indicated by optical light signals. This information is important for the truck driver because it immediately indicates which of the vehicle tires on the truck trailer is under-inflated.

[0015] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the warning light indicates the faulty wheel position via a defined number and sequence of emitted optical light signals. This type of encryption is easy to implement.

[0016] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the meaning of the different light signals is stored in a table, and the truck driver uses this table to determine the incorrect wheel position at which the tire pressure needs to be checked. The table could, for example, be placed directly next to the warning light so that the truck driver has this information immediately available.

[0017] The invention will be explained below using an exemplary embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1 a truck trailer with a tractor.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a truck with a tractor unit 1 and a truck trailer 2. The truck trailer 2 has a plurality of vehicle tires 5, in each of which tire pressure modules are arranged, with which the tire pressure can be monitored.

[0019] The individual tire modules of the vehicle tires 5 are connected, for example, via a radio link to the receiving unit 4, which in turn is located on the truck trailer 2. If one of the vehicle tires 5 has a low pressure that deviates by approximately 10 to 20% from the specified target value, a corresponding warning signal is registered by the receiving unit 4.

[0020] The receiving unit 4 simultaneously detects the incorrect wheel position of the vehicle tire with the noticeable low pressure. A warning lamp 7 is located on the side of the truck trailer 2 and is connected to the receiving unit 4 via a data line or radio link. If a general warning condition exists, the warning lamp 7 is activated accordingly by the receiving unit 4. While the truck is moving, a radial light signal is then projected onto the exterior of the tractor unit 8. This light signal informs the truck driver of a general warning condition, indicating a noticeable low pressure in a vehicle tire on the truck trailer. In the following scenario, the truck driver would stop at the next opportunity and check the tires of the truck trailer. The vehicle's standstill is then registered in the receiving unit 4 of the truck trailer, causing the warning lamp 7 to switch to a second mode.In this second mode, warning light 7 emits a defined number and sequence of optical light signals, indicating the corresponding incorrect wheel position on the truck trailer. The truck driver would then use a table to assign the light signal to a wheel position on the truck trailer and then specifically check the tire pressure on that vehicle tire. List of reference symbols 1 tractor 2 truck trailers 3 side windows on driver's side 4 Receiver unit on the truck trailer 5 vehicle tires on the truck trailer 6 Light signal or light beam 7 Warning light 8 exterior mirrors on the tractor

Claims

[1] Method for indicating a noticeable under-inflation pressure on a vehicle tyre (5) of a lorry trailer (2) comprising the following steps: a) measuring the inflation pressure with a tire module arranged on a vehicle tire (5), b) Forwarding the inflation pressure data of the individual vehicle tyres to a receiving unit (4) arranged on the truck trailer, c) Monitoring the inflation pressure of the individual vehicle tyres (5) by comparing the measured inflation pressure with a specified target inflation pressure d) issuing a warning signal if the measured inflation pressure on one of the vehicle tyres (5) falls noticeably below the specified target pressure value and e) Activation of a warning lamp (7) arranged on the truck trailer (2), which indicates a noticeable under-pressure of a vehicle tire (5) on the truck trailer (2), wherein the receiving unit (4) determines the faulty wheel position on the truck trailer (2) at which the noticeable under-pressure was detected, wherein the warning lamp (7) switches to another warning mode in the standstill mode of the truck in which the faulty wheel position is indicated by optical light signals. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the warning lamp (7) is arranged on the truck trailer (2) in such a way that when a general warning state is activated, the warning signal of the warning lamp (7) can be perceived by the truck driver via an outside mirror (8) on the tractor unit (1) of the truck. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that the warning lamp (7) emits a light signal focused on the exterior mirror (8), whereby oncoming traffic is not visually impaired. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the warning lamp (7) is an LED lamp. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the warning lamp (7) can be activated when a truck is moving, thereby prompting the truck driver to stop and carry out a tire check. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that one of the tire modules detects a standstill of the truck and forwards this information to the receiving unit (4) on the truck trailer (2). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the warning lamp (7) indicates the faulty wheel position via a defined number and sequence of emitted optical light signals. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the meaning of the different light signals is stored in a table and the truck driver uses this table to determine the incorrect wheel position at which the tire pressure needs to be checked.

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