METHOD FOR ASSIGNING TIRE MODULES TO DIFFERENT TIRE POSITIONS ON A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assigning tire modules to different tire positions on a vehicle.

[0002] It is known to use tire pressure monitoring systems in vehicle tires to reliably detect pressure loss.

[0003] One problem with tire pressure monitoring on commercial vehicles is that each vehicle tire is equipped with a tire module for pressure control, and each tire module must be assigned to a tire position on the vehicle.

[0004] DE 102011004561 A1, DE 102021203138 A1, EP 3281810 A1 and US 2019126694 A1 disclose known allocation methods for tire modules.

[0005] The invention was based on the objective of providing a method by which each tire module can be assigned to the correct tire position on the vehicle in a simple manner and with high accuracy.

[0006] The problem is solved using a procedure with the following steps: a) Providing vehicle tires with tire modules, wherein the tire modules have at least one acceleration sensor arranged on the inside of the tire, b) Measuring radial acceleration values ​​with the acceleration sensors arranged on the tire modules, wherein the vehicle tires of the vehicle are stationary, c) Assigning the acceleration value to an angular position of the tire module in the vehicle tire, d) Assigning the determined angular position to a tire module marking on the sidewall of the vehicle tire, wherein the tire module marking indicates the tire module position in the vehicle tire and wherein, if the determined angle position and tire module marking on the sidewall match, the tire module is assigned to the respective tire position on the vehicle.

[0007] One advantage of the invention is particularly evident in the fact that the inventive method allows for a simple and reliable assignment of the tire modules to the individual tire positions on the vehicle.

[0008] The radial acceleration values ​​of the individual tire modules can be easily measured and evaluated when the vehicle is stationary. Furthermore, the tire module marking on the sidewall is relatively easy to identify. This new method therefore allows for the simple and rapid assignment of tire modules to their respective tire positions.

[0009] In an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the sidewall of the vehicle tire with the tire module marking is recorded with a camera and the tire module marking on the sidewall is automatically identified using image processing.

[0010] This eliminates the need for the operator to search for the tire module marking on the sidewall.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the angular position of the tire module in the vehicle tire is determined using image processing and the identified tire module marking.

[0012] This allows the angular position of the tire module in the vehicle tire to be quickly determined.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the side wall is recorded with a camera from a smartphone or tablet and the image processing is carried out with software installed on the smartphone or tablet.

[0014] This means that no additional hardware is required for assigning the tire position.

[0015] InIn a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tire module marking is a DOT marking on the sidewall, wherein the tire module is arranged in a specific angular position relative to the DOT marking in the vehicle tire.

[0016] This eliminates the need for additional markings on the vehicle's sidewall. During installation of the tire module in the vehicle tire, the relative position of the tire module to the DOT marking is simultaneously recorded and stored.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radial acceleration values ​​from the tire modules are transmitted to a smartphone via a Bluetooth connection.

[0018] The Bluetooth connection enables secure data transfer.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the evaluation of the radial acceleration values ​​from the tire modules is carried out using software installed on the smartphone.

[0020] This allows for a rapid evaluation of the signals.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that software is used to automatically assign the tire modules to the respective tire positions on the vehicle.

[0022] This allows for a quick assignment of the respective tire modules to the individual tire positions on the vehicle.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the assignment of the tire positions is supported by an evaluation of the field strength of the signals received by the respective tire module.

[0024] Analyzing the field strength allows, in particular, the determination of the distance between the tire module and the receiver. This enables differentiation between tire modules that are closer and those that are farther away. The analysis then helps to narrow down which tire module should be assigned to which tire position.

[0025] The invention will be described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] It shows: Fig. 1: A vehicle tire in side view.

[0027] The Figure 1 shows an example implementation.

[0028] The figure schematically shows a vehicle tire with a sidewall 4 in a side view. A tire module 1 is arranged at a specific position on the inner sidewall of the vehicle tire. A number of sensors are arranged within the tire modules, including at least one tire pressure sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer of tire module 1 measures an acceleration value of -1 g when the vehicle is stationary. The tire module 1 is positioned at the 12 o'clock position relative to a clock face. The tire module 1 transmits the radial acceleration value to the operator's smartphone. The acceleration value is then displayed on the operator's smartphone. Since the position of the tire module within the vehicle tire is not visible from the outside, a tire module marking 5 is located on the sidewall. This tire module marking could, for example, be the DOT marking of the vehicle tire.The operator can identify the angular position of the tire module within the vehicle tire from the outside using the tire module marking. In this embodiment, tire module marking 5 indicates that the tire module is located at the 12 o'clock position within the vehicle tire. If the radial acceleration value of -1 g is displayed on the smartphone, the tire module can be unambiguously assigned to its respective tire position. Tire modules 2 and 3 show the angular position of the tire modules in adjacent vehicle tires. For example, tire module 1 is located on the left side of the vehicle at the rear axle, while tire module 2 is located, for example, in tire 2 on the left side of the vehicle at the front axle. The acceleration values ​​of tire modules 2 and 3 are also transmitted to the smartphone via a Bluetooth connection.

[0029] The tire module 2 on vehicle tire 2 is located at an angular position of 3:00. In this angular position, a radial acceleration of 0 g is measured.

[0030] Tire module 3 on vehicle tire 3 is located at the approximately 5 o'clock position. A radial acceleration of approximately 0.7 g is measured for this tire module 3. Measuring the acceleration value allows the determination of the angular position of each tire module within the vehicle tire. In an automated version, corresponding software is installed on a smartphone. The operator takes a photograph of the sidewall of the vehicle tire, and the tire module marking on the sidewall is then automatically detected. Subsequently, the radial acceleration values ​​of the respective tire modules are recorded. The software on the smartphone assigns the respective tire modules to their individual tire positions. Reference symbol list

[0031] 1. Tire module 1 on vehicle tire 1 (angle position: 12 o'clock, -1g) 2. Tire module 2 on vehicle tire 2 (angle position: 3 o'clock, 0g) 3. Tire module 3 on vehicle tire 3 (angle position: 5 o'clock, 0.7g) 4. Sidewall 5. Tire module marking 1 on the sidewall of vehicle tire 1

Claims

1. Method for assigning tyre modules (1, 2, 3) to different tyre positions on a vehicle, with the following steps: a) providing vehicle tyres comprising tyre modules (1, 2, 3), wherein the tyre modules (1, 2, 3) have at least one acceleration sensor and are arranged on the inner side of the tyre, b) measuring radial acceleration values with the acceleration sensors arranged on the tyre modules (1, 2, 3), wherein the vehicle tyres of the vehicle are at a standstill, c) assigning the acceleration value to an angular position of the tyre module (1, 2, 3) in the vehicle tyre, characterized by d) assigning the angular position ascertained to a tyre-module marking (5) on the sidewall (4) of the vehicle tyre, wherein the tyre-module position in the vehicle tyre is indicated by the tyre-module marking (5) and wherein, if the angular position ascertained and the tyre-module marking (5) on the sidewall (4) match, an assignment of the tyre module (1, 2, 3) to the respective tyre position on the vehicle is performed.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sidewall (4) of the vehicle tyre with the tyre-module marking (5) is recorded with a camera and the tyre-module marking (5) on the sidewall (4) is identified in an automated manner with image processing.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the image processing and the identified tyre-module marking (5), the angular position of the tyre module (1, 2, 3) in the vehicle tyre is determined.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sidewall (4) is recorded by a camera of a smartphone and the image processing is performed by software installed on the smartphone.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tyre-module marking (5) is a DOT code on the sidewall (4), wherein the tyre module (1, 2, 3) is arranged in a specific angular position in relation to the DOT code in the vehicle tyre.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radial acceleration values are transmitted from the tyre modules (1, 2, 3) via a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation of the radial acceleration values from the tyre modules (1, 2, 3) is performed by software installed on the smartphone.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an automated assignment of the tyre modules (1, 2, 3) to the respective tyre positions on the vehicle is performed by software.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assignment of the tyre positions is assisted by an evaluation of the field strength of the signals received from the respective tyre module (1, 2, 3).