Method for operating a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: - Repeated recording of actual tire pressure data of a tire of the vehicle within a specified time interval; - Repeated comparison of the recorded actual tire pressure data with specified target tire pressure data within the specified time interval; - Repeated determination of target / actual difference tire pressure data from the comparison; - Recording the vehicle's driving behavior and / or vehicle behavior within the specified time interval; - Determining an average target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure depending on the recorded driving behavior and / or vehicle behavior within the time interval; - Displaying the average target / actual difference of the tire pressure to a vehicle occupant and / or vehicle owner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. For the prior art, reference is made, for example, to DE 10 2014 206 198 A1.

[0002] In vehicles, particularly motor vehicles such as passenger cars and trucks, it is common practice to have tires filled with fluid, especially air. The tire pressure on these tires can generally be adjusted. The tire pressure of an individual fluid-filled tire influences not only its service life, but also the overall driving behavior of the associated vehicle. In motor vehicles in particular, tire pressure also affects fuel consumption. For this reason, it is common practice to set the tire pressure in the vehicle's tires to a specific target value. Such a target value is specified for each vehicle and is noted in the vehicle manual and / or on a sticker in a vehicle door, in the glove compartment, or on the fuel cap.

[0003] Electronic indicators are also known as warning devices. These, known as electronic tire pressure indicators, provide a digital display of the target tire pressure on a vehicle display. For this purpose, the actual tire pressure is measured using a sensor or pressure detection system for tire pressure detection or a tire pressure measuring unit. If the actual tire pressure is too high or too low, the tire pressure should be adjusted to the target pressure.

[0004] DE 10 2014 206 198 A1 discloses a vehicle with a sensor system for detecting tire inflation pressure. For this purpose, each driving condition is assigned a specific target tire inflation pressure, which is preferably stored in a data memory of the vehicle. If such a target tire inflation pressure of the driving condition detected by the condition detection deviates from a tire inflation pressure detected by the sensor system, a warning signal can be generated by the warning device. In response to the warning signal, the tire inflation pressure can be adjusted to each driving condition.

[0005] If, however, the tire pressure detected by the sensor system matches the target tire pressure of the driving condition detected by the condition detection system, the warning device can preferably also generate a signal confirming the existing tire pressure as optimal. According to the application, the tire pressure can therefore be adjusted to the respective driving condition, in particular by comparing the values ​​detected and / or measured by the sensor system and the condition detection system. Depending on the result of the comparison, a warning signal is to be issued by the warning device.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle that is comfortable and understandable for a vehicle driver.

[0007] The solution to the problem is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] In one step of the method, it is provided that actual tire pressure data or an actual tire pressure of a vehicle tire is recorded repeatedly within a predetermined time interval.

[0009] Such detection of the actual tire pressure is carried out, for example, by suitable sensors, in particular a tire pressure sensor.

[0010] Particularly preferred is to continuously record and store the actual tire pressure within the specified time interval, for example every second.

[0011] Preferably, only the tire pressure should be recorded while the vehicle is moving. Tire pressure is not recorded when the vehicle is stationary.

[0012] The specified time interval is a fixed period of time over which the actual tire pressure (while the vehicle is moving) is recorded. The time interval can be several weeks or months, for example. Preferably, the driver, vehicle occupant, or vehicle owner can determine and set the time interval themselves, for example, by inputting a value.

[0013] Within such a time interval, the actual tire pressure changes constantly due to different boundary conditions, such as vehicle load, temperature fluctuations, road surface characteristics, etc. Therefore, repeated recording of the actual tire pressure data is necessary.

[0014] In a next step of the method, it is provided that a repeated comparison of the recorded actual tire pressure data with (at the respective time) specified target tire pressure data takes place within the specified time interval.

[0015] The target tire pressure data is either specified by the system itself or determined for the respective situation. For example, the target tire pressure data for the respective situation can be determined depending on the outside temperature, the vehicle's load condition, the number of passengers in the vehicle, the tire type, or the vehicle's speed.

[0016] For example, an interior camera can be used to determine the number of vehicle occupants at any given time.

[0017] The target tire pressure data or the target tire pressure is preferably also determined repeatedly in parallel with the actual tire pressure (for example, every second) and compared with the corresponding actual tire pressure during this time.

[0018] From the comparison made, target-actual difference tire pressure data are then repeatedly determined.

[0019] In particular, this means that for each point in time at which an actual tire pressure and a target tire pressure are recorded or determined, a target-actual tire pressure difference value is calculated. This value then indicates the tire pressure difference for the current moment by which the tire pressure would have to be increased or decreased to achieve an ideal tire pressure.

[0020] However, the tire pressure changes continuously during each trip, which is why the target-actual difference tire pressure data also constantly has a different value.

[0021] It is therefore further provided that the driving behavior of the vehicle and / or a vehicle behavior is continuously determined within the specified time interval and is, so to speak, learned by the system in the time interval.

[0022] The driving behavior or vehicle behavior includes in particular the loading condition of the vehicle, the speed range in which the vehicle is predominantly located during the time interval or, for example, acceleration data of the vehicle.

[0023] Subsequently, an average target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure is calculated depending on the recorded driving behavior and / or vehicle behavior within the time interval.

[0024] The driving behavior or tire behavior is learned specifically over the specified time interval, so that an average tire pressure difference or average target-actual tire pressure difference can be generated for this period. The vehicle learns specifically the driving behavior or vehicle behavior and tire behavior and determines an average pressure difference or target-actual tire pressure difference for the selected time interval.

[0025] It is further provided that this determined averaged target-actual tire pressure difference is displayed accordingly to a vehicle occupant or vehicle owner. This provides the occupant, owner, or driver with an averaged tire pressure difference or target-actual tire pressure difference for the tire pressure behavior and for the vehicle behavior over a specified period or over the selected time interval, so that they do not have to constantly correct the tire pressure. Therefore, the highest optimization potential, given by the fewest number of tire pressure adjustments by the vehicle driver over a selected period or time interval, is advantageously calculated and displayed.

[0026] The averaged target-actual tire pressure difference is then displayed, for example, as a suggestion for correcting the tire pressure after the selected time interval has elapsed.

[0027] It should be noted that the steps of the procedure mentioned do not have to be carried out in the order given.

[0028] As already described above, it is preferably provided that the vehicle driver or the passenger selects the time interval for which the averaged target-actual tire pressure difference, or the one optimal for tire and vehicle behavior, is to be displayed. For example, they can choose between a monthly, weekly, quarterly, etc. time interval. The more frequently such a determination of the averaged target-actual tire pressure difference is made or the shorter the selected time interval, the greater the optimization potential and the more accurate and better the displayed averaged target-actual tire pressure difference or the recommendation for correcting the tire pressure.

[0029] It is preferably provided that the determined average target-actual tire pressure difference is displayed in the form of a range gain or a consumption saving or a money saving when correcting the tire inflation pressure with the target-actual tire pressure difference.

[0030] By translating the averaged target-actual tire pressure difference or converting it into a range gain, a fuel consumption saving or even a money saving when corrected, the driver can be made aware of the effect of the incorrectly set tire pressure, so that he or she is motivated to correct the tire pressure.

[0031] Particularly preferred is the calculation of the range gain and / or fuel consumption savings and / or financial savings based on vehicle-specific parameters. For example, vehicle-specific data such as the exact vehicle model, the engine model (with corresponding known fuel consumption characteristics), certain optional equipment, weight, and other data can be used in the conversion.

[0032] An average target-actual tire pressure difference can then be calculated for a specific vehicle and converted and displayed as optimization potential for the driver in the form of fuel consumption savings (e.g., in a specific currency) or range savings (e.g., in km or miles). For example, an average deviation of, say, 0.2 bar in a tire from the (averaged) target tire pressure can be calculated for a specific vehicle model. Using vehicle-specific data, the driver can be shown a range improvement of 15 km for a tire pressure adjustment of 0.2 bar.

[0033] Particularly preferred is the averaged target-actual tire pressure difference and / or the calculated range gain and / or fuel consumption savings of the vehicle to be displayed to the driver or vehicle owner via a smartphone application. For example, the values ​​can be displayed as a so-called push notification.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to display the values ​​on the vehicle itself, for example on a display in the vehicle.

[0035] It is also preferably provided that a standard deviation of the target-actual difference in tire inflation pressure is determined within the time interval. If a predetermined limit is exceeded by the standard deviation, the averaged target-actual difference in tire inflation pressure and also the other specified values ​​are preferably not determined and displayed. This standard deviation and the predetermined limit can ensure that the statement or display to a vehicle occupant is meaningful. If the standard deviation is very high and exceeds the limit, the driving behavior of the vehicle varies greatly within the selected time interval. An optimum is then difficult to calculate. It is then further preferably provided that the vehicle occupant is informed that a calculation is not possible.

[0036] A tire inflation pressure monitoring system for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 is also claimed. Furthermore, a vehicle comprising such a tire inflation pressure monitoring system is claimed according to claim 10.

[0037] The proposed method enables a compromise with a consumption-optimized tire pressure that only needs to be adjusted within a specified time interval. By preferentially converting the tire pressure to fuel consumption savings or range savings, the added value of tire pressure adjustment is easily communicated to the customer.

[0038] The process thus indirectly reduces a vehicle's fuel consumption and promotes an increase in the vehicle's range as well as a reduction in CO2 emissions. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2014 206 198 A1 [0001, 0004]

Claims

[1] Method for operating a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: - Repeated recording of actual tire pressure data of a vehicle tire within a specified time interval; - Repeated comparison of the recorded actual tire pressure data with specified target tire pressure data within the specified time interval; - Repeated determination of target-actual difference tire pressure data from the comparison; - Recording a driving behavior of the vehicle and / or a vehicle behavior within the specified time interval; - Determining an average target-actual difference in tire inflation pressure depending on the recorded driving behavior and / or vehicle behavior within the time interval; - Displaying the average target-actual difference in tire inflation pressure to a vehicle occupant and / or a vehicle owner. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the average target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure is calculated and displayed in the form of a range gain and / or a fuel consumption saving of the vehicle and / or a money saving within the time interval when adjusting the tire inflation pressure. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the range gain and / or the fuel consumption saving and / or the money saving is calculated as a function of vehicle-specific variables. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, wherein the averaged target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure and / or the calculated range gain and / or the fuel consumption savings of the vehicle are displayed on an application of a smartphone. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a standard deviation of the target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure is determined within the time interval, wherein if the standard deviation exceeds a predetermined limit value, no determination and display of the average target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure takes place. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined target tire pressure data is adjusted depending on the current number of passengers in the vehicle. [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the number of passengers is entered manually and / or detected by an interior camera and / or seat occupancy sensors. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle owner and / or vehicle occupant selects the predetermined time interval themselves. [9] Tire inflation pressure control system for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, comprising - a recording unit for recording actual tire pressure data, - a calculation unit for calculating target tire pressure data, - a recording unit for recording a driving behaviour of the vehicle and / or a vehicle behaviour, - at least one computing unit for determining an average target-actual difference in tire inflation pressure depending on the recorded driving behavior and / or vehicle behavior - a computing unit for determining an average target-actual difference in tire inflation pressure depending on the recorded driving behavior and / or vehicle behavior within the time interval; - a display unit for displaying the average target-actual difference of the tire inflation pressure to a vehicle occupant and / or a vehicle owner. [10] Vehicle comprising a tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 9.