Method for controlling an electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire and associated device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an electronic tire valve for a motor vehicle, comprising an electronic sensor assembly (3, 5, 7, 9) and a two-way radio frequency communication assembly (13, 15) connected to said electronic sensor assembly (3, 5, 7, 9). This method is remarkable in that it provides that: - when parked and in the absence of a user (19), said electronic sensor assembly (3, 5, 7, 9) is kept in sleep mode and said communication assembly (13, 15) is kept in standby mode, and - upon the arrival of a user, said electronic sensor assembly (3, 5, 7, 9) is activated by means of said communication assembly (13, 15). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling an electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire and associated device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling an electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire, and to an electronic valve duly programmed to implement this method. Prior art

[0002] Electronic valves for vehicle tires, known as “TPMS”, comprising temperature, pressure, and movement (accelerometer) sensors, are known from the prior art.

[0003] These electronic valves communicate with the vehicle's on-board electronics, to send drivers information concerning in particular the condition of their tires.

[0004] Until recently, these electronic valves, electrically powered by batteries, communicated unidirectionally with the vehicle's on-board electronics.

[0005] Work has been carried out to develop means of two-way communication with these electronic valves, in particular to be able to reprogram them, and to be able to communicate to them information relating to the environment in which the vehicle is traveling, such as for example the signaling of the approach of an aquaplaning zone.

[0006] This work resulted in the integration of a two-way radio frequency communication chip inside the electronic valve.

[0007] This chip, which can typically be of the Bluetooth® type and operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, communicates with the microcontroller which controls the temperature, pressure and movement sensors. Remaining technical problem

[0008] The disadvantage of such a chip is that it has a high energy consumption, which is not very compatible with the life requirements of the battery installed inside the electronic valve, which must be able to operate typically for between 8 and 10 years.

[0009] The present invention thus aims in particular to provide means for reducing the consumption of the battery of the electronic valve when the latter comprises a bidirectional radiofrequency communication chip such as a Bluetooth® chip. Statement of the invention

[0010] This object of the invention is achieved, as well as other advantages, by means of a method for controlling an electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire comprising an electronic set of sensors and a two-way radio frequency communication set, connected to said electronic set of sensors, this method being remarkable in that it provides: - that in a parking situation and in the actual absence of a user, the said electronic set of sensors is kept dormant and the said communication set is kept on standby, and - that upon arrival of a user, said electronic set of sensors is activated by means of said communication set.

[0011] Thanks to these standby characteristics of the bidirectional communication assembly, its transmission frames can be reduced to a minimum when the vehicle is in a parking situation and in the absence of a user, that is to say in practice for approximately 95% of the lifetime of a vehicle.

[0012] The arrival of the user in the vehicle in a parking situation can be detected for example by the approach of an electronic device such as a Smartphone held by the user, or by an event emitted by the electronics on board the vehicle: the opening of a door, the detection of a presence by a presence sensor placed inside the vehicle, or even by switching on the ignition of the vehicle.

[0013] According to other optional characteristics of the method according to the invention, taken alone or in combination: - it is expected that upon arrival of a user, said two-way communication set is operated at full capacity and said set of sensors at partial capacity: in such a situation of presence of a user near or in the vehicle in a parking situation, corresponding in reality to approximately 0.5% of the lifetime of a vehicle, one can benefit from the full service capacity offered by the two-way communication set while ensuring the detection of physical events (motion detection, pressure alert, etc.). This set can thus communicate, for example, with a Smartphone held by the user; - we also plan: - that in a parking situation and in the foreseeable absence of a user, the said communication system is kept dormant, - that the said electronic set of sensors is periodically activated to detect any movement of the vehicle indicating the presence of a user at a given moment not planned, and - that the said communication set is activated if necessary; thanks to these optional features, the two-way communication system can be placed completely in sleep mode during periods identified as those when the user is accustomed to not using his vehicle, standby then being ensured periodically, but at time intervals as spaced out as possible, by the set of sensors; the activation of the two-way communication system only at the end of the period of foreseeable absence of the user, or where appropriate in the event of premature use by the set of sensors, makes it possible to reduce to a minimum the electrical consumption of this communication system; - the arrival of a user is detected using an electronic device worn by this user, or present on the vehicle and capable of communicating with said communication set: such an electronic device may be, for example, a telephone or Smartphone held by the user, registered in advance and capable of communicating with the two-way communication set and / or with the set of sensors; - communication between said electronic device and said communication set is authorized only if said electronic device is included in a list of authorized devices stored in said communication set: the use of such a list makes it possible to prevent electronic devices held by unauthorized persons from entering into communication with the two-way communication set;such a situation could occur through communication from the electronic devices of passers-by, or through the on-board electronics of a vehicle passing near the electronic valve; - the arrival of a user is detected by starting the said vehicle via the vehicle's on-board electronics: the arrival of a user can thus be detected regardless of whether they are carrying an electronic device such as a Smartphone; - said communication unit is made to transmit radio frequency request frames when it is in standby mode at a frequency 5 to 10 times lower - and preferably 8 times lower - than its transmission frequency in fully active mode: such reduced transmission of request frames makes it possible to reduce to a minimum the electrical energy consumed by the two-way communication unit.

[0014] The present invention also relates to an electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire comprising an electronic set of sensors and a two-way radio frequency communication set, remarkable in that said electronic set of sensors and / or said communication set are duly programmed to implement the method in accordance with the above: such an electronic valve allows, without significant hardware change, and thanks to a simple programming, to implement this process.

[0015] According to other optional characteristics of this electronic valve, said communication assembly is a Bluetooth® type assembly: such an assembly has the advantage of being available “off the shelf”, and of offering a communication protocol recognized by most electronic devices such as Smartphones. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, in which: [fig.l]: Figure 1 schematically represents the different electronic components of an electronic valve according to the invention; [fig.2]: Figure 2 schematically represents the operating diagram of the method according to the invention, according to a first variant; [fig.3]: Figure 3 schematically represents the operating diagram of the method according to the invention, according to a second variant.

[0017] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures. Description of the embodiments

[0018] We now refer to Figure 1, which shows the main electronic components installed inside an electronic valve according to the invention.

[0019] These members are arranged inside a housing 1 intended to be located inside the tire of a motor vehicle, also called electronic module 1.

[0020] Inside the housing 1 is a microcontroller 3 communicating with pressure 5, temperature 7, and movement 9 sensors.

[0021] The motion sensor 9 is generally an accelerometer, and it should be noted that other sensors can also be considered.

[0022] In practice, the microcontroller 3 and the sensors 5, 7, 9 form an ASIC chip, that is to say an integrated circuit dedicated to particular functions, which will be designated in the context of the present invention by “set of sensors”.

[0023] The microcontroller 3 is connected to a low-frequency antenna 11, capable of receiving in the 125 kHz range.

[0024] The microcontroller 3 is electrically connected to a bidirectional communication chip 13, such as a Bluetooth® chip, capable of communicating with the outside world using an antenna 15 in both directions, i.e. both in transmission and in reception.

[0025] The microcontroller 3 and the chip 13 are powered by a battery 17, the lifespan of which is typically between 8 and 10 years.

[0026] The purpose of the electronic module 1 which has just been described is first of all to be able to communicate information to the electronics on board the vehicle representative of the state of the tire (temperature, pressure) as well as the situation of the vehicle (stationary or moving, thanks to the accelerometer 9)

[0027] Furthermore, due to the bidirectional communication capacity of the Bluetooth® chip 13, it is also possible to redefine the operating mode of this chip, and of the microcontroller 3 and / or send to the electronic module 1 information representative of the environment in which the vehicle is traveling, such as the foreseeable presence of an aquaplaning zone, which may lead to modifying certain signals generated by the sensors 5, 7, 9.

[0028] As indicated in the preamble to the present description, a disadvantage of this type of electronic valve is that the electrical consumption of the bidirectional communication assembly 13, 15 is high, and not very compatible with the expected lifetime of the battery 17.

[0029] To solve this problem, the present invention proposes placing the Bluetooth® chip 13 in sleep mode when the vehicle is parked, and in the absence of a user, which corresponds in practice to 95% of the lifespan of a vehicle.

[0030] In this situation, indicated by the reference 19 in FIG. 2, it can typically be envisaged that the Bluetooth® chip only transmits request frames at a rate of 12.5% ​​of its full capacity, i.e. typically every 16 seconds, instead of every 2 seconds in normal operation.

[0031] During this time, the sensor assembly is switched off, which is indicated by the BLE 12.5% ​​and ATIC 0% markings in Figure 2 respectively.

[0032] When the presence of a user is detected while the vehicle is in a parking situation, as indicated by reference 21 in FIG. 2, the Bluetooth® chip wakes up and operates at full capacity, that is to say, it emits request frames every two seconds, and waits for responses which may come for example from an electronic device such as a Smartphone held by the user or from the electronics on board the vehicle (ECU for “Electronic Control Unit” in English).

[0033] The Bluetooth® chip then wakes up the set of sensors, which can monitor the physical quantities (pressure, temperature, acceleration), with a view to transmitting via Bluetooth® an event or a physical quantity to the on-board electronics of the vehicle as well as a certain amount of necessary information, by operating for example at 50% of its capacity, that is to say by carrying out the monitoring every 32 seconds, if we take as a hypothesis that at full capacity this set of sensors transmits frames spaced 16 seconds apart.

[0034] This is indicated respectively by the mentions BLE 100% and ATIC 50% in figure 2.

[0035] Then, when the vehicle switches to driving mode, which typically represents around 5% of the lifetime of a vehicle, and which is indicated by the reference 23 in FIG. 2, the Bluetooth® chip drops back to around 25% of its operating capacity, i.e. it emits request frames every 8 seconds, and can thus communicate with the on-board electronics of the vehicle and / or with the user's Smartphone to offer a service that achieves a good compromise between electrical consumption and the expected level of service.

[0036] In driving mode, the set of sensors operates at 100% of its capacity, that is to say, it typically measures the physical quantities at intervals of 16 seconds, so as to bring to the user's attention, via the frames of the Bluetooth® chip, updated information, in particular on the state of the vehicle's tires.

[0037] The transition from one to the other of situations 19, 21, 23 is reversible, which is indicated by the bidirectional arrows 25.

[0038] Referring now to Figure 3, a variant can be seen which provides an improvement over the previous embodiment.

[0039] In this variant, an additional state 27 is provided in which the Bluetooth® chip 13 is completely dormant, only the set of sensors then being on standby, typically at 25% of its full capacity.

[0040] This therefore means that this set of sensors monitors physical quantities (acceleration to detect movement, and pressure to detect a pressure alert) approximately every 64 seconds.

[0041] This additional state 27 is defined according to the vehicle usage habits of its user.

[0042] Thanks to the Bluetooth® chip which allows two-way communication, the electronic module 1 learns over time which periods are most likely to occur during which the vehicle will not be used.

[0043] During these periods, the standby of the Bluetooth® chip 13 is therefore useless, and it is sufficient to ask the set of sensors from time to time to send a signal from the accelerometer 9 to ensure that the vehicle is indeed in a stopped situation, and not in an unusual state of motion.

[0044] If ever an unusual movement, that is to say one occurring outside the normal habits of use of the vehicle, is detected, then one can switch to one or other of the situations 21 or 23 previously described, in which the Bluetooth® chip 13 is activated, respectively at full capacity, or at partial capacity.

[0045] In normal operating mode, state 27 is switched to state 19 when the vehicle is about to be used, in accordance with the user's habits.

[0046] Advantageously, it will be ensured that the Bluetooth® 13 chip cannot com- communicate only with certain electronic devices listed in a predetermined list, in particular to avoid unwanted communications of this chip with other Smartphones than that of an authorized user.

[0047] As can be understood in light of the preceding description, the present invention makes it possible to place minimal demands on the Bluetooth® chip, thanks to strategies for putting this chip into standby mode, or even putting it to sleep in situations where the vehicle is not operational, which in practice represent the vast majority of the vehicle's lifespan.

[0048] In this way, the life of the battery which powers the electronic valve can be optimized, while guaranteeing a very satisfactory level of service for the user.

[0049] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling an electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire comprising an electronic set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) and a two-way radio frequency communication set (13, 15), connected to said electronic set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9), this method being characterized in that it is provided: - that in a parking situation and in the actual absence of a user (19), said electronic set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) is kept dormant and said communication set (13, 15) is kept on standby, and - that upon the arrival of a user, said electronic set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) is activated by means of said communication set (13, 15).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided that upon arrival of a user (21), said two-way communication assembly (13, 15) is operated at full capacity and said set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) at partial capacity.

3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it is further provided: - that in a parking situation and in the foreseeable absence of a user (27), said communication assembly (13, 15) is kept dormant, - that said electronic assembly of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) is periodically activated to detect any movement of the vehicle indicating the presence of a user at an unforeseen moment, and - that said communication assembly (13, 15) is activated if necessary.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrival of a user is detected using an electronic device carried by this user, or present on the vehicle and capable of communicating with said communication assembly (13, 15).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that communication between said electronic device and said communication set (13, 15) is authorized only if said electronic device is included in a list of authorized devices stored in said communication set (13, 15).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrival of a user is detected by starting said vehicle via the on-board electronics of the vehicle.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that radio frequency request frames are transmitted by said communication assembly (13, 15) when it is in standby at a frequency 5 to 10 times lower - and preferably 8 times lower - than its transmission frequency in fully active mode.

8. Electronic valve for a motor vehicle tire comprising an electronic set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) and a two-way radio frequency communication set (13, 15), characterized in that said electronic set of sensors (3, 5, 7, 9) and / or said communication set (13, 15) are duly programmed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Electronic valve according to claim 8, characterized in that said communication assembly (13, 15) is a Bluetooth® type assembly.

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