GB2243010A

GB2243010A - Fluidic pressure loss warning system

Info

Publication number: GB2243010A
Application number: GB9008154A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanleigh Bader; David Saull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-10
Filing date: 1990-04-10
Publication date: 1991-10-16
Also published as: GB9008154D0

Abstract

The system comprises a detector/transmitter(s) 1 and a receiver 2. The detector/transmitter(s) comprises a spring loaded switch which remains in a closed (off) position until the pressure which it's in contact with decreases below a pre-set threshold, allowing switch to assume an "on" position, causing a coded signal to be emitted either electro-magnetically or sonically to the receiver which, in a vehicle-based situation, would be mounted within view of the driver, presenting a visual and/or audible warning of air pressure loss at the pneumatic wherein or whereon the detector/transmitter(s) is sited. In its simplest application, the detector/transmitter(s) in a vehicle-based situation would be mounted on each tyre valve, the tyre air pressure keeping the detector/transmitter spring loaded switch in "off" position until there's a critical pressure loss, activating the system aided by the integral battery and transmitting a pre-set coded signal. <IMAGE>

Description

FLUID PRESSURE LOSS l!ArClNG SYSTt"M This invention relates to a system which is designed to remotely, via electro-magnetic or sonic radiations of coded signals, inform a driver of a vehicle, or user of pnewmatic/fluidic equipment, that there is a loss of air pressure to the tyre(s) of the vehicle, or drop in pressure of any employed fluidic system. whilst a fluid concerns itself with any air (gas), vapour or liquid, for descriptive purposes of this instant invention, we shall concern ourselves with a pneumatic situation.

Pneumatics motivate/assist in many applications, the most common being in the universe of vehicle use.

A warning system conveying indication of air-pressure loss can help the user of apparatuses employing air pressure to avoid possible damage or harm due to pressure loss. Instant knowledge of air-ressure loss is more significant, were the user situated remote and out of sight of the pneumatic in question. The most blatant situation is that of a user/driver of a vehicle, whilst the vehicle is in motion.

According to the present invention there is provided a detector/ transmitter for each pneumatic or vehicle tyre, and one receiver situated in the vicinity of the user/ driver. Eac detector/transmitter is normally dormant; however, in the event of a signifiaant pressure drop within the detector/transmitter's associated pneumatic, the detector/transmitter is activated and transmits a coded signal unique to that pneumatic, to the receiver, calibrated to receive the unique coded signal.

The detector/transmitter unit contains a spring-loaded switch which is held in "off" position by the air pressure of the pneumatic item/tyre. Then the item suffers air pressure loss, or the air pressure decreases to approximately one atmosphere, the pressure of the spring allows the switch an "on" position, actiatin the integral transmitter. A signal stream i:Jhich is either pulse-code, pulse-position, pulse width or frequency modulated is emitted. A battery incorporated into the detector/transmitter provides an energy source.

A specific embodiement of the invention -vill now be described, r-jith respect to its application to vehicle tyre pressure, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows an overall view of car-based system, one detector/transmitter mounted per tyre, compatible receiver mounted in vicinity of driver: Figure 2 illustrates surface and/or wheel mounted detector/transmitter unit based on heavy goods vehicle type wheel: Figure 3 is an expanded illustration of detector/transmitter unit, surface mounted on interior surface of tyre wheel rim: Figure 4 shows an expanded illustration of detector/ transmitter unit designed to be wheel mounted: figure 5 illustrates tyre-valve mounted unit, detector/ transmitter assembly relating to tyre air pressure by direct attachment to tyre valve, as an addition to existing valve.

The threshold of detection of the change in air pressure may be related to a puncture (complete loss of pressure) condition; alternatively the threshold may be set so as to inform the driver of a partial pressure loss, as in a routine pressure maintenance situation. As an example, if a tyre pressure (normal working) is 28 psi, the detection threshold could be set at 26psi. In the event of tyre pressure falling below 26psi, the alarm would be triggered.

The code within the pulse or signal stream will be specific to the host tyre, and will uniquely identify that tyre to the receiver. (See figure 1.) This code may be set either by a multi-turn potentiometer, or alternatively via a pre-configured link module fitted at the time of manufacture or supply. In the latter case the numbers of discrete combinations would be governed by the numbers of elements in the link module: number of combinations equals 2n where n eauals number of elements in the link module. This would enable a unique signal to define the code to be transmitted to the receiver.

Whilst the tyre is inflated and the unit is in the "off" state, no power is drawn from the integral battery, which is situated in the detector/transmitter unit as shorn in figures 3,4,5. The period between battery changes is thus set by the battery manufacturer's specified shelf life of the battery in use by the unit.

Upon receipt of this coded signal, provoked by air pressure loss, the receiver decodes the signal stream and activates an audible and/or visual indicator which will specifically indicate hitch tyre has suffered such a pressure change.

Transmission may be either via electro-magnetic or ultra-sonic link, either direct from the tyre to the receiver, or via a repeater unit which may change the form and/or method of transmission. A repeater unit is utilized -rhere the transmission source/pneumatic is too remote from the sited receiver.

A further embodiement of the invention, and as an enhancement to the basic system, a self-check facility may be included so as to enable the vehicle operator to verify that all components of the system are operative, including the tyre-bsed transmitter batteries. To carry out this self-chec, the receiver/indicator unit would transmit a "wake-up1, signal to each tyre's detector/transmitter unit, and would than receive a "reply" signal indicating that each tyre-based unit was functioning. The absence of any ttreply" signal would cause an alarm condition to exist, and be communicated to the vehicle operator.

Note that only one type of device is required; the mounting alternatives, as illustrated in accompanying drawings, allow for either complete siting within the tyre (surface-mounted, figures 1,2,3), or where battery maintoinability is a priority, the siting of the device in such a way that battery access is maximised (wheel mounted, figures 2,4), or, in its simplest installation, as an addition to existing tyre valve (figure 5).

Claims

CLAIIs1S

1. A fluidic-pressure loss warning system comprising a detector/transmitter and a receiver, means for the detector/transmitter(s) contacted to a fluidic situation to transmit a defined signal, either electro-magnetically or sonically, the coded signal set either by a multiturn potentiometer or) alternatively, an integral pre-configured link module, an integral battery supplying a power source, utilized only when pressure loss of the fluidic situation enables a pre-set spring-loaded switch to enter an "on" position, thus activating the integral transmitter, the coded signal thus emitted received remotely by a receiver, which identifies a pressure loss at the fluidic source.

2. An air-pressure loss warning system comprising a detector/transmitter(s) and a receiver as claimed in claim 1 wherein a detector/transmitter is mounted (eg) on a tyre(s). The means for transmitting a coded signal remotely to a receiver, indicating a loss of air pressure at the tyre(s), the detector/transmitter utiliing a multi-turn potentiometer to pre-set the coded signal, enabling the receiver to identify the instrument suffering the pressure loss.

3. An air-pressure loss warning system comprising a detector/transmitter(s) and a receiver as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the detector/transmitter(s) is mounted (eg) on a tyre(s) the means for transmitting a coded signal remotely to a receiver mounted (eg) on the dashboard of a vehicle, the detector/transmitter(s) utilizing a pre-configured link module, enabling a unique coded signal to be transmitted, thus identifying at the receiver the site(s) of the pressure loss.

4. An air-pressure loss warning system comprising a detector/tr nsmitter(s) and a receiver as claimed in any preceding claim, sftherein the detector/transmitter(s) is mountable on the interior surface of a tyre wheel rim, applicable to tubeless tyres, and secured by either magnets or epoxy; or wheel mounted through the rim, or mounted directly to the existing tyre(s) valve(s) as an addition thereto; in each preceding case the integral spring mounted switch in the detector/transmitter is held in "off" position by the air pressure, until a loss of pressure decreases below the preset threshold of the switch, at which point the switch releases to its onposition, allowing the coded signal to be emitted to the remote sited receiver.

5. An air-pressure loss warning system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein transmission of a coded signal may be via a repeater unit to the remotely sited receiver, in which instance the repeater unit may change the form and/or method of transmission.

6. An air-pressure loss warning system comprising a detector/transmitter(s) and a receiver as claimed substantially in any preceding claim, wherein the user/ driver would transmit from the receiver to the detector/ transmitter(s) a t'wake-u " signal, as a check facility to assure components are operative, and battery power source is functional.

7. An air-pressure loss warning system comprising a detector/transmitter(s) and a receiver substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.