System for measuring and transmitting tire temperature according to thresholds

Abstract

Real-time tire temperature information device for the driver or pilot via temperature thresholds, with data recording.

Description

Title of the invention: System for measuring and transmitting tire temperature according to thresholds

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire temperature measurement and transmission system (also called TTMS herein), for 2-wheeled vehicles, the objective of which is to inform the driver or pilot in real time whether the tire(s) are at the correct temperature.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a system for dialogue between the subsystems of the present invention, including an interface on a mobile phone, tablet or PC via a cellular network (WIFI, Bluetooth or other wireless communication technology) or with wires. This interface (claim 1) allows the user to consult the data of the TTMS system, and to make certain adjustments thereto such as for example the temperature thresholds (claim 2) but also the duration of recording of the measurements (claim 3) or other parameters internal to the system.

[0003] A central unit based in the cockpit (or at least visible to the driver or pilot), has the function of sending information on the temperature of the tires to the driver or pilot. This information is based on a system with 4 LEDs (quantity of LEDs can vary) which light up according to the diagram of claim 4. Any other display system is possible, as well as placing the central unit in another location on the vehicle

[0004] Table 1 (claim 4) represents the heart of the system because the driver or pilot will be able, thanks to the thresholds defined beforehand, to know if his tires are at the desired temperature or not. All this information is available even while driving. Thanks to the data recording also provided, an analysis of the data can be carried out afterwards.

[0005] [Fig. 1] is a Description of the Central Unit (the color of the LEDs can vary from blue / green / red / yellow etc.).

[0006] This central unit is the heart of the system, as it is composed of: i. An electronic board comprising a microcontroller, power management, interfacing circuits and other discrete components ii. A POWER LED indicating that the TTMS is powered on iii. A VG LED indicating the status of the left front tire sidewall iv. An AVD LED indicating the status of the right front tire sidewall v. An ARG LED indicating the status of the left rear tire sidewall vi. An AVD LED indicating the status of the right rear tire sidewall The position of the LEDs, their color, and their functionality are not fixed in this patent. All configurations are possible depending on the number of sensors used.

[0007] The TTMS also has a program for recording data in real time for a configurable duration and at configurable regular intervals (claim 3). This data is recorded in a non-volatile memory and can be consulted according to (claim 5).

[0008] A wireless connection is provided between the sensors located near the wheels / tires and the central unit of the TTMS so that the temperatures can be transmitted. A wired connection is also possible as an option according to (claim 6).

[0009] Temperature acquisition is done using infrared sensors and a signal processing circuit in the immediate vicinity of the sensor. The use of a sensor with integrated processing circuit is also an option, or any other temperature acquisition system following (claim 4) other than infrared.

[0010] At each wheel / tire, a set of several sensors is arranged, which are necessary for measuring the temperature at different points. The TTMS for a 2-wheeled vehicle is provided with at least 2 sensors, but can be adapted to 1 or 10 sensors as appropriate (claim 8) (number of sensors not limiting).

[0011] Thus for a standard 2-wheeled vehicle, 4 temperature sensors will be installed and therefore 4 temperature information items will be sent to the driver or pilot.

[0012] [Fig.5] is a general diagram of the TTMS system

[0013] In this diagram, we find the main components with the central unit (9) based in proximity and within sight of the driver or pilot, the front wheel acquisition system (10) here composed of only 2 sensors, the rear wheel acquisition system (11) also composed of 2 sensors. The number of sensors is not fixed in the present invention.

[0014] [Fig.2] shows a Description of the temperature acquisition system.

[0015] [Fig.3] shows an arrangement of sensors at the wheels / tires.

[0016] [Fig.4] shows an arrangement of sensors at the wheels / tires, variations in the number of sensors.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4. Claims Communication interface between TTMS subsystems: a. The integrated WEB interface with private WIFI network (or any other means of dialogue) is used to dialogue and configure the TTMS (Network protected by specific password) b. Interface between the central unit and the sensors located at the wheels / tires. The temperature thresholds are adjustable within a certain range via the WEB interface. These thresholds will allow the user to choose at what temperature he wishes to be informed by the LED system (or any other means of informing the pilot) in the cockpit. The duration of measurement recording can be configured by the user via the WEB interface. The WEB interface also allows the measurement interval to be changed. At the level of the central unit located in the cockpit, a display is provided consisting of at least LEDs or any other display system making it possible to inform the driver or pilot of the temperature of the tires according to the thresholds chosen according to claim 2. In the case of an LED display, the operation is as follows: Table 1 Example of operation of one of the 4 LEDs: !!■ illllllM^ QFF LED OFF Starting LED test phase (one by one then in blocks) Preset temperature threshold reached LED flashes (to inform the driver) Preset temperature threshold reached LED OFF Fault on sensor track (missing or defective) LED ON STEADY This table describes the different states of the LEDs based on the measurements made by the TTMS. The LED lighting phases or the type of screen are not fixed in this invention and can be adapted.

5. The recorded data is read via a WEB page claim 2 which also allows the user to retrieve a file containing the temperature data of the sensors as a function of time. Management of these files is also provided. Non-volatile memory storage and a rotating battery ensure that all data is saved.

6. A wireless communication protocol transmits the temperature data measured by the sensors to the central unit for processing. Thus, each sensor must be identified in order to transmit to the central unit the position of the latter on the vehicle and to provide the correct information to the driver or pilot. Transmission by wires or by any other means is also possible within the scope of this invention.

7. A sensor 1 acquires the temperature of the objects present in its field of incidence 2, this raw signal is processed by the circuit 3 which, once processed, is transmitted to the central unit 4 by a communication box (drawing 2).

8. The left sensor 5 is placed in such a way that it will evaluate the temperature of the left sidewall of the outer carcass of the tire 7, which is the most interesting in the operation of the latter. The sensor 6 placed on the right evaluates the temperature of the right sidewall. Thus the temperature measurement is made directly on the rolling surface which is in contact with the road. The rim 8 and the tire 7 are not part of the present invention. The exact position and the angle of incidence of the sensors can vary and are not fixed in the present invention (drawing 3). Drawing 4 proposes a variant with a third sensor 8 placed in the center. Other possibilities exist with a single sensor which will be placed in the center like sensor 8. Other possibilities also consist of placing a greater number of sensors (non-limiting here).

9. On flatter shaped tires, the position of the sensors will be more rectilinear but the principle will remain the same. The position exact and the angle of incidence of the sensors may vary and are not fixed in the present invention

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