Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Ttc/truck Tech Corp.

Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLC

Smartire Systems, Inc.

Shawn D Lammers

Robert Gordon Patterson

Daniel Peter Zula

Joseph M Macnamara

Kian Sheikh-Bahaie

Sharon A Seitz

Timothy J Frashure

Jon D Intagliata

Robert H Fulton

Paul R Bowler

John Mackay

William P Amato

Thomas J Weed

Qing Chen

Thomas Weed

An apparatus is provided for auto-locating positions of a plurality of wireless sensors on a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a receiving unit for receiving signals from the plurality of wireless sensors. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit arranged to calculate a probability value for each one of the plurality of wireless sensors based upon signals that have accumulated over a period of time to provide a table of probability values. Each probability value contained in the table during a calculation cycle of the processing unit is indicative of likelihood of one of the plurality of wireless sensors being located at a corresponding one of a plurality of positions on the vehicle. Each one of the plurality of wireless sensors is associated with the position having the highest probability value during the calculation cycle.

Method for auto-locating positions of a plurality of wireless sensors on a vehicle and an apparatus therefor

In order to mitigate a need for reprogramming tire pressure sensors after tire rotation, tire change, etc., all sensors on a vehicle are preprogrammed with a lookup table that correlates modulation frequency to axle and wheel end positions on the vehicle. Dual antenna initiator coils are mounted to a vehicle such that each wheel end has one directional antenna directed toward it. Each initiator coil is programmed to modulate its transmission frequency by a predetermined modulation frequency such that each antenna transmits using a different modulation frequency. Each sensor receives a modulated signal, identifies the modulation frequency, and performs a table lookup to determine its axle and wheel end location. The sensor transmits its identified wheel end and axle location to a controller unit along with tire pressure status information for its wheel.

TPMS sensor autolocation through low frequency programming

Various examples of a transmitting device with an antenna are disclosed. In one example, a transmitting device comprises a planar circuit board; a sensor mounted on the planar circuit board; a transmitter mounted on the planar circuit board and in communication with the sensor, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit signals containing a plurality of packets; and an antenna mounted on the planar circuit board and in electrical communication with the transmitter for transmitting the signals containing the plurality of packets. The antenna comprises a first end connected to the planar circuit board and a first support section; a meander line section connected to the first support section and a second support section and lying in a plane parallel with the circuit board; a second end connected to the second support section and an electrical ground.

Transmitting device with antenna

Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire sensor system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method begins with rotating a plurality of tires on a vehicle. The tire sensor associated with a first wheel location generates a data transmission in response to the rotation of the plurality of tires, the data transmission comprising at least a unique sensor identification and a motion value. The controller transmits a brake control device control signal in a first predetermined event sequence to a first brake control device associated with the first wheel location. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and assigns the unique sensor identification with the first wheel location in response to determining the motion value of the tire characteristic signal corresponds with the first predetermined event sequence.

Apparatus and method for configuring a tire sensor system

Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.

Apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system

An electronic component in a vehicle tire condition monitor system includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processor. The first antenna is oriented at an angle with respect to the second antenna. Both of the antennas are capable of receiving RF signals transmitted from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. The processor receives the RF signals transmitted by the sensor from at least one of the antennas. The first and second antennas receive the condition signals from any of a plurality of the sensors associated with respective tires on the vehicle.

Diversity antenna

An electronic device includes an antenna that receives RF signals from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. A processor receives the RF signals from the antenna. The processor converts the RF signals to a proprietary serial bus formatted message. The processor transmits the proprietary serial bus formatted message to an electronic control unit via a vehicle communication bus.

System and method for monitoring tire condition

A vehicle electronic control unit includes a power input port, which receives electric power from a vehicle battery, and a power output port, which provides electric power to a vehicle electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device receives data transmissions from a vehicle sensor. The power output port provides substantially uninterrupted electric power from the vehicle battery to the vehicle electronic device. A communication port is electrically connected to a vehicle communication bus. The communication port receives data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device via the communication port. An electronic component, electrically connected to the communication port, is initially in a first state when a vehicle ignition is off. The electronic component, while in a second state and while the vehicle ignition is off, receives additional data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device indicating statuses of respective vehicle sensors.

System and method for monitoring tire status

A method and apparatus for producing a circuit carrier for mounting components of a pressure sensing circuit, circuit carrier formed thereby, an apparatus for housing a pressure sensor circuit carrier to form a pressure sensing apparatus and a pressure sensing system using the pressure sensing apparatus and a coupler for coupling the pressure sensing apparatus to a pressurized system. A housing has provisions for aligning and urging a circuit carrier to sealingly position a pressure sensor adjacent an opening in a wall extending through of housing. The wall defines a pressure sensing chamber operable to cooperate with a pressure coupler having a profile that sealingly engages the wall.

Fluid pressure sensing method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for measuring a physical quantity, property or condition and for transmitting a code representing the measured physical quantity, property or condition. The method includes the steps of developing a first signal in response to a physical quantity, property or condition, sampling the first signal to produce an instantaneous first signal value, assigning a first code to the instantaneous first signal value, and transmitting the first code for reception by a receiver. The method and apparatus are explained in connection with a vehicle tire monitoring apparatus wherein plurality of tire units measure tire pressures and temperatures and transmit values representing pressure and temperature to a central receiver located in a cab portion of the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Delta, Canada

Shawn D Lammers