Tire pressure detector tread positioning method

Abstract

This invention discloses a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for tire tread positioning. The positioning steps include: a startup operation step, an initial positioning step, a vehicle driving step, and a driving positioning step. After the vehicle is started and driven, during vehicle movement, the tire pressure monitoring systems located on the inner surface of each tire continuously monitor the tire's rotation. The system detects the contact area between each tire and the ground. When driving straight, the vehicle pitches up; when turning, due to the turning radius, the contact area between the left and right tires and the ground differs. By analyzing the differences in tire contact area during straight-line and turning driving, the system summarizes the data sent by each tire pressure monitoring system, analyzes, calculates, and compares the data. This allows the determination of the position of the left and right wheels, as well as the front and rear wheels. By utilizing the different contact areas between each tire and the ground, the system can determine the tire pressure in each tire, ensuring driving safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tire pressure monitoring device with a tire tread positioning method, specifically applied to the field of wheel detection. It mainly detects changes in the area of ​​the tire tread in contact with the ground during vehicle operation, thereby determining the tire pressure value and alerting the driver to changes in tire pressure for safety. Prior Technology

[0002] Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are mandatory devices mandated by current regulations. Their primary function is to continuously monitor the tire pressure in each tire to ensure driving safety and reduce accidents. There are two main types of TPMS on the market: indirect and direct. Direct TPMS have sensors mounted on the tire with signal transmission capabilities. Depending on the installation method, there are external and internal types. External TPMS sensors are directly mounted on the tire valve stem. The advantage is simple installation, allowing car owners to install them themselves. The disadvantages are that the sensor itself is heavy, and locking it to the valve stem may affect tire balance; the sensor needs to be removed when inflating; and there is a risk of breakage for rubber valve stems.

[0003] In-tire sensors are installed inside the wheel rim or in the tire casing. Since the tire needs to be removed for installation, it can usually only be installed by a car maintenance shop. It is too troublesome and time-consuming. After installation, the tire needs to be rebalanced. However, the advantage is that it does not affect inflation.

[0004] However, both external and internal tire pressure sensors can provide actual tire pressure readings, and some can also provide tire temperature readings. In addition to sensors, a signal receiver is also required. Some sensors are paired with a signal receiver that is installed in the vehicle and the two are connected wirelessly, while others can be connected to the sensor via Bluetooth using a smartphone app.

[0005] Most of the tire pressure monitoring devices mentioned above primarily detect the air pressure inside the tire, but they do not distinguish between the front, rear, left, and right wheels. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of unclear positioning in conventional tire pressure monitoring devices and to pursue a better tire pressure monitoring device positioning method, the inventor has innovated a positioning detection method. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main objective of this invention is to detect and locate tire pressure sensors in a non-pressure-detecting manner, utilizing changes in the contact area between the tire tread and the ground to determine the front-to-back and left-to-right orientation of each tire. To achieve this objective and effect, the inventor has developed a tire pressure sensor tread positioning method, comprising the following steps: Start-up operation: A vehicle is started, and a central control system located in the vehicle is wirelessly connected to multiple tire pressure sensors installed inside the tire treads; Initial positioning: When the vehicle has weight, each tire will deform slightly due to the weight. At this time, each tire pressure sensor performs an initial detection, measuring the area of ​​contact between the tire tread and the ground. Each tire pressure sensor transmits the detected data to the central control system for recording. At this stage, the tire's position on the vehicle is not yet determined; Vehicle driving: The vehicle begins to move, and during the driving process… The system includes straight-line driving and turning driving. The driving positioning steps are as follows: During the vehicle's driving process, each tire pressure sensor detects the change in the contact area between each tire and the ground as the vehicle moves in a straight line or turns. Each tire rotates once or several times, bringing the tire pressure sensor closer to the ground, and the sensor can sense the size of the contact area. The sensor transmits the sensed data to the central control system, comparing it with the initial data recorded in the system. Through routine analysis, mathematical models, or algorithms, the system uses the relevant data to determine the tire's position relative to the vehicle.

[0007] The vehicle's central control system can use sensors to provide the vehicle's longitudinal axis for clockwise / counterclockwise left and right tilting, the lateral axis for tilting up or down, and the vertical axis for swaying left or right. Following the steps outlined above, after the user starts the vehicle and begins driving, the tire pressure sensors located inside each tire's inner surface continuously monitor the pressure as the tire rotates. The sensors detect the contact area between each tire and the ground. Therefore, the vehicle may be traveling in a straight line or turning. As the vehicle moves, its center of gravity constantly changes, resulting in various vehicle postures. The vehicle's central control system uses sensors to determine the vehicle's posture, such as when traveling in a straight line. When a vehicle pitches up, and when it turns, the contact area between the left and right wheels and the ground differs due to the turning radius. Therefore, by analyzing the differences in tire contact area between the tires and the ground during straight-line and turning driving, the tire pressure sensors can summarize the data sent by each sensor, analyze, calculate, and compare it. This allows them to determine the position of the left and right wheels, as well as the front and rear wheels. Furthermore, by utilizing the different contact areas between each tire and the ground, they can determine the tire pressure in each tire, providing the user with information about the tire condition and ensuring driving safety. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] The first figure is a block diagram illustrating the steps of this invention. The second figure is a schematic diagram of the structural relationship between each tire pressure detector of the present invention and the vehicle. The third figure is a planar schematic diagram of the tire pressure detector of the present invention installed on the inner surface of the tire. The fourth figure is a schematic diagram showing the contact area between each tire and the ground when the vehicle of the present invention is traveling in a straight line. The fifth figure is a schematic diagram showing the contact area between each tire and the ground when the vehicle of the present invention is making a right turn. Implementation

[0009] To clearly illustrate the aforementioned objectives and effects achieved by this invention, its features and effects are described in detail with reference to the accompanying illustrations. Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. The present invention provides a tire pressure monitoring device tread positioning method, the positioning steps of which are as follows: Start-up operation step S1: A vehicle 100 is started and a central control system 200 located in the vehicle 100 is wirelessly connected to a plurality of tire pressure monitoring devices 400 located within the tires 300 and on the inner surface of each tire 300. The primary function is to confirm that each tire pressure monitoring device 400 can transmit signals and data to the central control system 200. Initial positioning step S2: After starting the vehicle 100, when personnel board the vehicle, giving it weight, each tire 300 will be slightly deformed by the weight. Initial detection is performed when each tire 300 begins to deform (because each tire 300 is deformed, different tire pressures, tire temperatures, etc., when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain speed...). Initial detection begins by measuring the contact area between the tread of each tire 300 and the ground (the tread area indicates the tire pressure inside the tire 300, as pressure on the tire 300 means the internal air pressure is compressed). Each tire pressure sensor 400 transmits the detected data to the central control system 200 for recording. At this point, the position of each tire 300 on the vehicle 100 cannot be determined; only the tire pressure, temperature, and contact area of ​​the four tires 300 are known, but the actual position of each tire 300 is unknown. Vehicle driving step S3: Once the vehicle 100 begins to move, its movement must include straight-line travel and turning. Driving positioning step S4: During the vehicle driving step, each tire pressure sensor 400 detects the longitudinal axis rotation (clockwise / counterclockwise, left / right) of each tire 300 as the vehicle 100 moves in a straight line and turns. The horizontal axis provides the tilting up or down, and the vertical axis provides the swaying left or right of the vehicle 100. The change in the contact area between each tire 300 and the ground is mainly achieved by using the tire pressure sensor 400 to sense the contact area when each tire 300 rotates once or several times and the tire pressure sensor 400 is close to the tire tread and in contact with the ground. Each tire pressure sensor 400 transmits the sensed data to the central control system 200 and compares it with the initial data originally recorded in the central control system 200. The comparison result is used to determine the tire position of each tire 300 relative to the vehicle 100.

[0010] According to the steps defined above for this invention, the user only needs to drive the vehicle 100, and the driving is not limited to a straight line (as shown in Figure 4), but can also include turning routes (as shown in Figure 5). Each tire pressure sensor 400 detects the changes in the tires 300 as they travel on different paths. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the contact area formed by each tire 300 with the ground is completely different when turning right. This is because of the axle center of the vehicle 100 during the turn, so the contact area between each tire 300 and the ground is different. By collecting multiple sets of data and considering the vehicle's posture, the system can improve... The information is compared, judged, and calculated by the central control system 200, enabling it to accurately determine the value of each tire pressure sensor 400 and thus confirm the position of each tire 300 relative to the vehicle 100. In addition to detecting tire pressure, it can also clearly determine the position of each tire 300 by measuring the contact area between each tire 300 and the ground. This avoids misjudgments by the central control system 200 and provides the driver with a clear understanding of the condition of each tire 300 while driving, ensuring safe driving.

[0011] Based on the technical features described above, other technical features of the present invention will be further detailed below. First, as shown in the second figure, each tire pressure sensor 400 can locate its position on the vehicle 100 by sensing the contact area between each tire 300 and the ground. The inertial sensor 500 installed on the vehicle 100 mainly consists of a gyroscope and an accelerometer, which can provide the longitudinal axis for clockwise / counterclockwise left and right rotation, the lateral axis for pitching up or down, and the vertical axis for swaying left or right. Combined with the area of ​​the tire tread in contact with the ground detected by each tire pressure sensor 400, the left and right positions of each tire 300 on the vehicle 100 are determined. Please see the second, fourth, and fifth figures.

[0012] Additionally, as shown in the second figure, in order to clearly and accurately process the data and signals transmitted by each tire pressure sensor 400, the central control system 200 must be configured to work with each tire pressure sensor 400. Therefore, the central control system 200 further incorporates a database 202 and an analog-to-digital converter 203. The database 202 stores and records the area size detected by each tire pressure sensor 400 between the tire tread and the ground. The area size data obtained by each tire pressure sensor 400 for each revolution or several revolutions of each tire 300 is stored in the database 202. In addition to recording, it can also serve as a temporary data storage location to accommodate the time required for processing large amounts of data. The analog-to-digital converter 203 converts the data transmitted by each tire pressure sensor 400 received by the central control system 200.

[0013] Finally, vehicle travel does not always involve turning, such as the normal straight-line travel on a highway (not considering lane changes). To avoid excessive power consumption, this invention further incorporates a comparison module 204 and a control module 205 into the central control system 200. After the vehicle 100 has been traveling for a period of time, if the vehicle 100 is in a stable and prolonged straight-line travel, the data transmitted from each tire pressure sensor 400 to the central control system 200 enters the comparison module 204. This comparison module 204 compares the data transmitted from multiple tire pressure sensors 400 and finds no significant changes. The comparison module 204 then transmits a message to the control module 205. The control module 205 suspends the operation and calculation of the central control system 200. In simple terms, it enters a pause mode. Each tire pressure sensor 400 will remain in the detection state, but although the central control system 200 will continue to receive data and signals transmitted by each tire pressure sensor 400, the central control system 200 will pause its operation, leaving only the comparison module 204 to continue the comparison, in order to avoid any sudden changes. By pausing the central control system 200 for a short time, the power consumption required for the operation of the central control system 200 can be reduced.

[0014] In summary, this invention offers more precise positioning compared to commercially available tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). Unlike commercially available TPMS which lack positioning capabilities and require individual tire pressure monitoring systems for each tire to connect to the vehicle's system, resulting in a complex and bulky connection between the vehicle and each TPMS, this invention only requires the user to start the vehicle 100 and begin driving. During the vehicle's movement, the tire pressure monitoring systems 400, located on the inner surface of each tire 300, continuously monitor the pressure as each tire 300 rotates. The system monitors the contact area between each tire 300 and the ground. Therefore, the vehicle 100 may be traveling in a straight line or turning. As the vehicle moves, its center of gravity constantly changes, resulting in various vehicle postures. The vehicle's central control system 200 determines the vehicle's posture via inertial sensors 500. For example, during straight-line driving... When vehicle 100 tilts upwards, and when vehicle 100 turns, due to the turning radius, the contact between the left and right tires 300 and the ground is not the same. Therefore, by using the tire pressure sensors 400 to monitor the differences in contact between the tires 300 and the ground during straight-line and turning driving, the data sent by each tire pressure sensor 400 can be summarized, analyzed, calculated, and compared. In this way, the position of each tire 300 of the left and right wheels, as well as the front and rear wheels, can be determined. Furthermore, by using the different contact areas of each tire 300 with the ground, the tire pressure of each tire 300 can be determined, so as to provide the user with information on the condition of each tire 300 and ensure driving safety.

[0015] Step S1: Start Operation Step S2: Initial positioning Step S3: Driving the vehicle Step S4: Navigation and Positioning 100: Vehicles 200: Central Control System 201: Analysis Module 202: Database 203: Analog / Digital Conversion Module 204: Comparison Module 205: Control Module 300: Tires 400: Tire Pressure Monitoring System 500: Inertial Sensor

Claims

1. A method for tire tread positioning of a tire pressure monitoring device, comprising the following positioning steps: Start-up operation step: Starting the operation of a vehicle and wirelessly connecting a central control system installed in the vehicle to a plurality of tire pressure monitoring devices installed inside the tire treads of each tire; Initial positioning step: When the vehicle has weight, each tire will be slightly deformed by the weight. At this time, each tire pressure monitoring device first performs initial detection, and the detection direction is the area of ​​contact between each tire tread and the ground. Each tire pressure monitoring device transmits the detected data to the central control system for recording. At this time, the installation position of each tire on the vehicle cannot be determined; Driving vehicle step: Starting the vehicle to move. The driving process includes straight-line driving and turning driving; driving positioning steps: In the driving process, each tire pressure sensor detects the change in the contact area between each tire and the ground during the straight-line and turning driving of the vehicle. Each tire rotates once or several times, and when each tire pressure sensor is close to the ground, it can sense the size of the contact area. Each tire pressure sensor transmits the sensed data to the central control system and compares it with the data in the central control system. Alternatively, through normal analysis, mathematical models or algorithms, the comparison results are matched with the vehicle attitude measured by the inertial sensor to determine the tire position relative to the vehicle.

2. The tire pressure monitoring system tread positioning method as described in claim 1, wherein an inertial sensor is further provided on the vehicle to the central control system and each tire pressure monitoring system, the inertial sensor detecting the degree of changes in the vehicle's movement, tilt, vibration, etc., and thereby determining the operating status of each tire on the vehicle, accelerating, decelerating, and braking.

3. The tire pressure monitoring system tread positioning method as described in claim 1, wherein the central control system further includes a database and an analog-to-digital conversion module. The database stores and records the detection of the area formed between the tire tread and the ground by each tire pressure monitoring system. The analog-to-digital conversion module converts the data transmitted by each tire pressure monitoring system received by the central control system.

4. The tire pressure monitoring system tread positioning method as described in claim 1, wherein the central control system further integrates a comparison module and a control module. After the vehicle has been driven for a period of time, the data transmitted to the central control system by each tire pressure monitoring system enters the comparison module. When the comparison module compares the data transmitted by multiple tire pressure monitoring systems and finds no change, the comparison module transmits a message to the control module, which then suspends the operation and calculation of the central control system.

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