METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF A VEHICLE AIR TIRE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates to a method for determining the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle. The method comprises at least one of the following steps: Providing a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a plurality of pneumatic tires, each of the pneumatic tires having a measuring device, each measuring device being suitable for measuring the temperature of the pneumatic tire in or on which the measuring device is arranged; measuring the temperatures of the pneumatic tires by means of the measuring devices, wherein each pneumatic tire is assigned a value corresponding to the temperature measured on or in it; providing an evaluation device, wherein the values ​​assigned to the pneumatic tires of the temperatures measured by means of the measuring devices can be evaluated by means of the evaluation device.

[0003] The assignment of the measured temperature values ​​to the vehicle tires is carried out in particular by means of the evaluation device.

[0004] Methods for determining the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle are known in the prior art. In particular, it is known in the prior art to determine the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle by transmitting information about a measured physical quantity using measuring devices arranged in the vehicle tire. Simultaneously, information about the position of the vehicle tire on the vehicle is also transmitted. The measuring devices have transmitting means for transmitting the information, which are particularly suitable for sending and / or receiving electromagnetic signals. Based on all this transmitted information, the position of the vehicle tire on the vehicle can be determined.

[0005] This transmission of additional information about the position of a vehicle tire on the vehicle could entail increased transmission effort, i.e., increased transmission power required, on the part of the measuring devices. Furthermore, such methods known from the prior art could result in increased use of storage space on the memory elements of the measuring devices, since the memory elements of the measuring devices would have to store information about the spatial position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle.

[0006] The state of the art is defined by EP1616722A1, CN103722992B and US2004 / 083034A1.

[0007] The methods known from the prior art for determining the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle might therefore not be optimally designed.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved method for determining the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle, whereby in particular unnecessarily high transmission powers of measuring devices and unnecessary occupancy of storage space on memory elements of the measuring devices are to be avoided.

[0009] The problem set out in the invention is solved by the process steps of claim 1.

[0010] The position determination using the model is based on distinct temperature characteristics of the vehicle tires, which depend on the tire's position on the vehicle. These temperature characteristics are the temperatures of the tires measured by the measuring devices.

[0011] For example, the temperature characteristics of a vehicle tire located further inboard on an axle of a vehicle with multiple tires differ from the temperature characteristics of a vehicle tire located further outboard on the same axle.

[0012] The innermost tire on the axle is protected from the wind by tires positioned further out or by other vehicle components. The outermost tire is less protected from the wind than the innermost tire. This outermost tire is therefore exposed to a stronger wind, which can actually cool the tire.

[0013] Due to the inventive feature, whereby the method includes the aforementioned further step, the position of each vehicle tire on the vehicle can be determined in an evaluation unit arranged externally with respect to the individual measuring devices, without the need to transmit specific information about the position of the vehicle tire on the vehicle via the measuring device. The externally arranged evaluation unit is, in particular, a computer.

[0014] Because the position of each vehicle tire on the vehicle is determined solely based on the measured temperature values ​​assigned to the vehicle tire, it is not necessary to send any further specific information about the position of the vehicle tire on the vehicle.

[0015] Overall, it is therefore unnecessary to transmit information about the position of the vehicle's pneumatic tire on the vehicle using individual measuring devices. This results in a reduced required transmission power for each measuring device. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to store memory on the measuring device's memory elements to store information about the vehicle's pneumatic tire position.

[0016] This provides an improved method for determining the position of a vehicle tire on a vehicle.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective vehicle pneumatic tire on the vehicle is determined by means of the model using the evaluation device, depending on the values ​​of the measured temperatures assigned to the vehicle pneumatic tires.

[0019] The evaluation device may, for example, be an electronically or electrically operating device located inside or outside the vehicle, or a computer device.

[0020] According to the invention, the position of each vehicle tire on the vehicle is determined solely based on measured temperatures that have only been measured after a minimum period of time. This minimum period is the time from the moment the vehicle has commenced continuous operation.

[0021] The inventive feature, whereby the position of each vehicle tire on the vehicle is determined solely based on measured temperatures that have only been recorded after a minimum period of time (the minimum period being the time from the commencement of continuous vehicle operation), ensures that only those temperature values ​​measured by the measuring devices are considered that allow for a reliable assignment of a vehicle tire using the model. The rationale for this reliable assignment is that at the start of operation, temperatures may also be measured that do not yet allow for a characteristic assignment of a vehicle tire to its position on the vehicle.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of each vehicle tire on the vehicle is determined solely based on measured temperatures that have only been measured after a minimum driving distance has been reached. This minimum driving distance is the minimum distance traveled by the vehicle from the point at which continuous operation of the vehicle has commenced.

[0023] According to the invention, the minimum duration depends on technical parameters of the vehicle, technical parameters of the vehicle's pneumatic tires, and / or the conditions of the vehicle's operation. The conditions of the vehicle's operation include, for example, the vehicle's speed.

[0024] The minimum duration is, for example, 20 minutes.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the minimum duration depends on the vehicle's speed, the length of the minimum duration is inversely proportional to the vehicle's speed.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, temperatures are measured for each vehicle tire at successive time points, and a time series of measured temperature values ​​is assigned to each tire. The position of each tire on the vehicle is then determined based on the assigned time series of measured temperature values.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective vehicle pneumatic tire on the vehicle is determined as a function of the temperature gradient of the respective associated time series of the measured temperature values.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, signals are sent to at least one common receiver by means of the measuring devices. The position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined depending on the signal strength. The signals preferably contain information about the measured temperatures.

[0029] The measuring devices include, in particular, transmitting elements for sending electromagnetic waves.

[0030] The at least one common receiver is, in particular, the evaluation device. The evaluation device includes, in particular, receiving means for receiving electromagnetic waves.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective vehicle pneumatic tire on the vehicle is additionally determined depending on a currently measured signal reception strength.

[0032] In particular, the transmission strength of all signals is the same or approximately the same or is known.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective pneumatic tire on the vehicle is additionally determined as a function of an average signal reception strength. This is the average signal reception strength of a previous, definable period of time.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined as a function of a maximum signal reception strength. This is the maximum signal reception strength of a previously definable period of time.

[0035] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined as a function of a minimum, but non-zero, signal reception strength. This is the minimum, but non-zero, signal reception strength of a previous, definable period of time.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined as a function of a median value of the received signal strength. The median value of the received signal strength is that of the signals from a previous, definable period of time.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, signals are sent to a plurality of common receivers by means of the measuring devices. The position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined depending on the signal strength received at the multiple receivers.

[0038] Due to the inventive circumstance whereby signals are sent to a plurality of common receivers by means of the measuring devices, whereby the position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined depending on the received strength of the signals, the position of the measuring device, and thus the position of the vehicle tire itself, can be determined by means of a triangulation method.

[0039] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the case where signals are sent to a plurality of common receivers by means of the measuring devices and the position of the respective vehicle tire on the vehicle is additionally determined depending on the received signal strength, the position is additionally determined depending on an average received signal strength of a previous, definable period, or additionally determined depending on a maximum received signal strength of a previous, definable period, or additionally determined depending on a minimum but non-zero received signal strength of a previous, definable period, or additionally determined depending on a median value of the received signal strength of a previous, definable period.

[0040] Further advantages, features and details, to which the scope of the invention is not limited, will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0041] It shows: Fig. 1 : A vehicle on which the position of a vehicle tire is determined using the method according to the invention; Fig. 2 : A schematic representation of a model relationship between the temperature of a vehicle tire and the position of the vehicle tire on the vehicle.

[0042] In the Figure 1 Figure 1 schematically represents a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 has multiple pneumatic tires 2. The pneumatic tires 2 are positioned at different locations 3 on the vehicle 1. Each pneumatic tire 2 has a measuring device 4. Each measuring device 4 is capable of measuring the temperature of the respective pneumatic tire 2.

[0043] According to the Figure 1In the schematically depicted embodiment of vehicle 1, an evaluation device 5 is arranged on the vehicle. The temperatures measured by the measuring devices 4 can be evaluated by means of the evaluation device 5. In particular, the evaluation device 5 is configured such that the position 3 of each vehicle tire 2 on the vehicle 1 can be determined using a provided model. The position 3 of each vehicle tire 2 on the vehicle 1 can be determined by the evaluation device 5 based on the temperature values ​​assigned to the vehicle tire 2 using the model.

[0044] In the Figure 2This schematic diagram illustrates the relationship between a measured temperature T and the position of a vehicle tire for use as a model. The ordinate represents the temperature T of a vehicle tire measured at a given time t, compared to the temperature T measured at a given time t on the abscissa. The curve V1 of the first tire corresponds to its first position, V2 to its second position, V3 to its third position, and V4 to its fourth position. Reference symbol list

[0045] 1. Vehicle 2. Vehicle pneumatic tire 3. Position of a vehicle pneumatic tire on a vehicle 4. Measuring device 5. Evaluation device

Claims

1. Method for determining a position (3) of a pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on a vehicle (1), comprising at least one of the following steps: - providing a vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) having a plurality of pneumatic vehicle tyres (2), each of the pneumatic vehicle tyres (2) having a measuring device (4), each measuring device (4) being suitable for measuring a temperature of the pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) in or on which the measuring device (4) is arranged; - measuring the temperatures of the pneumatic vehicle tyres (2) by means of the measuring devices (4), each pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) being assigned a value of the temperature measured at or in it; - providing an evaluation device (5), the values of the temperatures measured by means of the measuring devices (4) that are assigned to the pneumatic vehicle tyres (2) being able to be evaluated by means of the evaluation device (5), - providing a model, the model being provided for the purpose of determining the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) on the basis of the values of the measured temperatures that are assigned to the pneumatic vehicle tyres (2), characterized in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is determined solely on the basis of those measured temperatures which have only been measured for a minimum period of time, the minimum period of time being a period of time from the time at which uninterrupted driving of the vehicle (1) has been started, the minimum period of time depending on technical parameters of the vehicle (1), on technical parameters of the pneumatic vehicle tyres (2) and / or on the driving conditions of the vehicle (1), for example the driving speed of the vehicle (1), the minimum period of time being 20 minutes, for example.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is determined, on the basis of the values of the measured temperatures that are assigned to the pneumatic vehicle tyres (2), by means of the model by means of the evaluation device (5).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the event of the minimum period of time depending on the driving speed of the vehicle (1), the length of the minimum period of time is inversely proportional to the driving speed.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that temperatures are measured at successive times for each pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) and each pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) is assigned a time series of values of the measured temperatures, the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) being determined on the basis of the respectively assigned time series of the values of the measured temperatures.

5. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is determined on the basis of the temperature gradient of the respectively assigned time series of the values of the measured temperatures.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that signals are sent by means of the measuring devices (4) to at least one common receiver (5), the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) additionally being determined on the basis of the reception strength of the signals.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is additionally determined on the basis of a currently measured reception strength of the signals, or in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is additionally determined on the basis of an average reception strength of the signals, or in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is additionally determined on the basis of a maximum reception strength of the signals, or in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is additionally determined on the basis of a minimum reception strength of the signals that differs from zero, or in that the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) is additionally determined on the basis of a median value of the reception strength of the signals.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that signals are sent by means of the measuring devices (4) to a plurality of common receivers, the position (3) of the respective pneumatic vehicle tyre (2) on the vehicle (1) additionally being determined on the basis of the reception strength of the signals.