WO1997049567A2 - Dispositifs d'avertissement et de detection de la hauteur d'un essieu - Google Patents

Dispositifs d'avertissement et de detection de la hauteur d'un essieu Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997049567A2
WO1997049567A2 PCT/GB1997/001708 GB9701708W WO9749567A2 WO 1997049567 A2 WO1997049567 A2 WO 1997049567A2 GB 9701708 W GB9701708 W GB 9701708W WO 9749567 A2 WO9749567 A2 WO 9749567A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
axle
axle height
ground
critical distance
warning device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1997/001708
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1997049567A3 (fr
Inventor
Clive Haslam
Original Assignee
Clive Haslam
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9613282.4A external-priority patent/GB9613282D0/en
Application filed by Clive Haslam filed Critical Clive Haslam
Publication of WO1997049567A2 publication Critical patent/WO1997049567A2/fr
Publication of WO1997049567A3 publication Critical patent/WO1997049567A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C23/00—Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
    • B60C23/06—Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre, e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle
    • B60C23/08—Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre, e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle by touching the ground

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to axle height warning and sensing devices which can serve to give warning of or sense appreciable deflation of a vehicle tyre, e.g., on a caravan or other trailer, especially resulting from a puncture, or to give warning of or sense overloading of a vehicle wheel, e.g., caused by lateral shifting of a lorry load caused by centrifugal force at a bend or roundabout or upon sudden braking or acceleration.
  • the present invention has been made to provide improved warning and sensing devices which overcome one or more of the disadvantages with conventional systems.
  • the warning device and sensing device of the invention satisfies one or more of the general requirements of an efficient warning, alarm or monitor system, including accuracy and sensitivity throughout its monitoring mode, quick response and clear unambiguous alarm signals.
  • an axle height sensing device for sensing a critical distance below a wheel axle less than the normal radius of the wheel comprising a member having a curved surface adapted to make physical contact with the ground, said member being adapted to be pivotally mounted relative to the wheel, the radius of curvature of said surface being greater than the radius of rotation of said member about said pivot .
  • the member comprises a pivot arm means having a quadrant type means at one end thereof, said quadrant type means defining said curved surface.
  • said pivotal movement of said member is in a plane substantially parallel to said wheel .
  • the sensing device comprises contact elements adapted to be contacted by corresponding elements on said member when the member pivots a predetermined amount .
  • roller or skid means are provided on said member, typically adjacent either end of said surface.
  • said pivot arm means includes means to facilitate deformation or reduction in effective length thereof under sudden force .
  • said pivot arm means is flexible in one direction and substantially inflexible in a transverse direction.
  • the pivot arm means may comprise two coiled springs, typically parallel and spaced apart, or spring means of the invention.
  • the pivot arm means comprises two arm sections pivotally connected together.
  • pivotal connection comprises a transverse pivot joint.
  • the pivot arm means preferably comprises means for accommodating any direct forces resulting from tyre deflation while the vehicle is stationary.
  • the pivot arm means preferably includes two transverse pivot joints.
  • the ground contacting surface is in the region of 5 to 10 cm long.
  • the curvature of the surface may De chosen according to the desired response.
  • an axle height warning device comprising sensing means adapted to be mounted in fixed relationship to the axle concerned and adapted to sense a critical distance below the axle less than the normal radius of the wheel, alarm means adapted to be activated by the sensing means after the distance between the axle and the ground becomes equal to the critical distance, and time delay means to ensure that the alarm means is not activated until the distance between the axle and the ground has been equal to the critical distance for a preset time.
  • time delay means is to ensure that the alarm means is not activated by a temporary equality of the critical distance and the distance between the axle and the ground, or a portion of ground such as a kerb, or an object on the ground.
  • an axle height warning device m accordance with the invention may alternatively serve to warn of a wheel sinking into mud or snow to a dangerous extent .
  • the sensing means may comprise a sensing device of the invention.
  • the sensing means may comprise a transmitter and a receiver of energy focused at the critical distance, whereby energy from the transmitter striking the ground at the critical distance is reflected to the receiver, which is coupled through the time delay means to the alarm means.
  • Any suitable form of energy may be utilised, such as radio frequency energy, sonic, ultrasonic, ultraviolet light, infra red radiation, laser beam, and may be a continuous emission or pulsed.
  • the transmitter and receiver may be incorporated m a compact housing mounted on the brake-drum or other part of the axle assembly that does not move in relation to the axle axis, with power leads to the transmitter from a battery or other energy source, and with signal leads from the receiver to the time delay means and alarm means mounted adjacent the driver of the vehicle or the towing vehicle .
  • the sensing means may comprise a mechanical member adapted to make physical contact with the ground, the vertical distance from the axle axis to the lowest extremity of the mechanical member being equal to the critical distance, and the time delay means being effective to ensure that the alarm means is not activated until the mechanical member has remained in contact with the ground for a preset time.
  • the mechanical member may be pendulum ⁇ like with a detent device within the pivot mounting to hold it centralised until its lowest extremity makes contact with the ground and causes it to swing, in one direction (or “backwards”) for forward motion of the vehicle, or in the opposite direction ⁇ or “forwards”) for reverse motion of the vehicle, and a pivot mounting for the mechanical member incorporates forward and reverse mating contact elements which may be within the pivot mounting respectively for completing circuits with the time delay means and the alarm means.
  • the pendulum-like mechanical member is preferably a quadrant having its ground contacting surface at a greater radius of curvature than the critical distance to ensure that continuing contact can be maintained after an initial swing m either direction from the central position.
  • Rollers or skids for example anti-f ⁇ ction rollers or replaceable skid type components aie preferably provided at the ends of the ground contacting surface to minimise frictional contact from the moment the alarm means is activated until the moment when the vehicle is brought to rest .
  • the mechanical member preferably includes a spring- loaded knee or knuckle-like device or flexible device such as spring means of the invention to enable it to deform or shorten its effective length rapidly in the event of a sudden dropping of the axle or m the event of a sudden upward blow from an object on the ground.
  • a spring- loaded knee or knuckle-like device or flexible device such as spring means of the invention to enable it to deform or shorten its effective length rapidly in the event of a sudden dropping of the axle or m the event of a sudden upward blow from an object on the ground.
  • Such device is preferably self resetting.
  • the mechanical member preferably includes a feature, which may be self resetting, incorporated to accommodate for any direct forces which would be imposed on the quadrant member if a total deflation of the eyre occurred while the vehicle was stationary.
  • an axle height sensing device for sensing a critical distance below a wheel axle less than the normal radius of the wheel comprising a transmitter and receiver of energy adapted to be mounted in fixed relationship to the axle and focused at the critical distance whereby energy from the transmitter striking the ground at the critical distance is reflected to the receiver.
  • the receiver generates a signal in response to reception of such energy.
  • the transmitter and receiver are incorporated into a housing adapted to be mounted on a vehicle wheel assembly.
  • the energy may be of any suitable form as previously described.
  • the sensing device may include cable or other means for transmitting a signal generated in response to reception of such energy from said receivei to alarm oi time delay means
  • spring means comprising a coiled spring and rod means located therethrough, said rod means being substantially more flexible in one spatial dimension than in the other two spatial dimensions.
  • said rod means is flexible in said one spatial dimension and not flexible in said other two spatial dimensions.
  • the rod means may comprise an elongate strip having a substantially rectangular cross- section.
  • said one spatial dimension corresponds to the thickness of the strip so that the thickness of the strip and the material which the strip comprises determine the degree of flexibility in said one spatial dimension.
  • the degree of flexibility in said other two spatial dimensions may be determined by the length and breadth and/or the material of said rod means or strip.
  • said strip has a narrow thickness.
  • said rod means is substantially planar.
  • said rod means substantially spans the aperture defined by said coiled spring at least in one of said other two spatial dimensions .
  • said rod means extends substantially the full length of said coiled spring.
  • said coiled spring is elongate.
  • the flexibility of said coiled spring is greater than or substantially similar to the flexibility of said rod means m said one spatial dimension.
  • the spring means acts with a um -directional bending capability since it permits bending in one, typically horizontal, spatial dimension yet suostantially inhibits bending in another, typically transverse horizontal, spatial dimension.
  • the coiled spring may permit a small degree of freedom or suspension capability in the third, typically vertical, spatial dimension while the rod means substantially inhibits any major bending in that dimension.
  • the spring means may be used in any suitable application for retaining a member m a uni-directional bending condition.
  • an axle height warning device comprising a sensing device of the invention and alarm means adapted to be activated when the sensing device senses said critical distance.
  • alarm means adapted to be activated when the sensing device senses said critical distance.
  • time delay means which may be as described above, to ensure that the alarm means is only activated when the critical distance has been maintained for a predetermined time.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view showing a sensing device of the invention mounted on a wheel in a normal inflated condition
  • Fig. 2 is a front view corresponding to Figure 1 with the wheel m a deflated condition
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of the sensing device corresponding to Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the sensing device in a collapsed condition
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of sensing device of the invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectlonal view of spring means of the invention.
  • Fig. 7 is front view of a further embodiment of sensing device of the invention.
  • the axle height sensing device 20 of the invention is fixedly mounted relative to a wheel 22, typically on the brake drum 5 or other part of the wheel axle assembly that does not move in relation to the axle axis 1.
  • the tyre 24 is in a normal inflated condition.
  • the sensing device 20 comprises a housing 6 which incorporates the means 28 for mounting the device relative to the wheel and a pivot mounting member or pm.
  • a pivot arm 30 is pivotally mounted on the pivot mounting so that it can swing forwards or backwards to make contact with forward or reverse contact elements (not shown) which may be located within the housing 6. Such pivoting is shown in Fig. 2.
  • the pivot arm 30 has a quadrant type member 7 at one end thereof.
  • the member 7 has a ground contacting surface 8 whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of rotation of the arm 30 or member 7 about the pivot axis 32. It will be appreciated that the pivot arm 30 and member 7 may be integral and that the curvaLuie of the surface 8 may be maintained while employing any suitably snaped pivot arm 30 or member 7.
  • Anti-friction rollers or skids 9 are located adjacent either end of member 7 to minimise frictional contact with the ground.
  • the rollers or skids may be detachable or replaceable .
  • a knee or knuckle type joint 10 is provided in the pivot arm 30, first and second parts 29, 31 of the arm being pivotally connected together by means of transverse pivot pin 34. As shown m Fig. 3, the joint 10 allows the arm to deform or shorten its effective length rapidly in the event of a sudden dropping of the axle or a sudden upward blow from an object on the ground.
  • the arm is further pivotally connected at joint 11 by means of a transverse pin so that m conjunction with joint 10 the arm can flex so that joint 10 bends outwardly away from the wheel 22 as shown in Fig. 4 in the event of any direct forces imposed on the member 7 due to a total deflation of the tyre while the vehicle is stationary.
  • Joint 11 may include magnetic contacting members which when closed maintain the arm m a straight, solid condition but which can be released instantly upon total tyre deflation when stationary.
  • the critical dimension 3 is determined by reference to the dimensional height of the wheel axle axis 1 above the ground level 4 when the tyre is at normal safe working tyre pressure and that reduced dimension of axle axis 1 height above ground level 4 when the tyre deflates to a pressure value which will soon influence the safety of the tyre and vehicle Similar considerations apply to overloading or sinking conditions.
  • the sensing device is mounted such that its lowest extremity or surface 8 is at the critical distance from the wheel axle 1.
  • the sensing device pivots backwards if the vehicle is moving forward, as shown in Fig. 2. If the vehicle is moving backwards, the sensing device pivots forwards.
  • the geometric design of the quadrant and in particular the profile of the ground contacting surface 8 is important in determining the response of the sensing device .
  • the sensing device should be capable of detecting and immediately initiating a deflation warning signal upon the detection of the smallest dimensional reduction in the critical height dimension.
  • the radius of curvature of the bottom profile of the quadrant 8 is dimensionally greater than the radius oi rotation of the quadrant arm about is pivot axis contained at the pivot housing 6.
  • an alternative embodiment of sensing device includes spring means 12 connecting the member 7 to the housing 6.
  • the spring means is uni directional in that it comprises two coiled springs which act to allow flexing in a direction towards or away from the wheel 22 but inhibit flexing in the direction of pivoting of the member 7. It will be apparent that such spring means give a similar effect to joints 10 and 11 on the pivot arm of the previous embodiment. Otherwise the construction and operation of the Fig. 5 embodiment is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4.
  • a single coiled spring having a rod extending therethrough may be used. As shown in Fig. 6, the rod 40 has a rectangular cross-section so that it is flexible across the thickness thereof but is substantially inflexible across its width so that the single spring 42 is made uni ⁇ directional by incorporation of the rod therein.
  • an alternative embodiment of sensing device comprises a transmitter and receiver unit 2 mounted relative to the wheel axle 1 typically on the brake drum 5 or other non rotating part of the wheel assembly.
  • the unit is located such that energy emitted therefrom is focused at the critical distance 3 and wnen the ground 4 coincides with the critical distance the energy is reflected back to the receiver to activate a signal generating or warning device.
  • a signal initiated by the sensing means within housing 6 or unit 2 may be sent to a time delay means and the alarm means by cable or as telemetric information such as by radio means .
  • the profile of the quadrant arm is sensitive to small dimensional changes in the reduction of the critical dimension of axle height .
  • An average caravan tyre has a diameter of 24 ins, i.e. a circumference of 75.5 ins.
  • the length of quadrant profile surface in contact with the ground is typically about 3 ins.
  • the sensor responds in l/25th of a revolution of the wheel or the vehicle will have travelled only 3 ins from the point when the quadrant contacts the ground to initiation of a warning signal .
  • warning device or sensing device of the invention may be used to give warning of or sense tyre deflation, overloading or sinking relative to the normal ground surface or in any other suitable application.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif d'avertissement de la hauteur d'essieu comprend: un capteur (20) prévu pour être monté de manière fixe par rapport à l'essieu (1) concerné et pour détecter une distance critique au-dessous de l'essieu inférieure au rayon normal de la roue; un dispositif d'alarme prévu pour être activé par le capteur après que la distance entre l'essieu (1) et le sol (4) est devenue égale à la distance critique; et un dispositif de retardement qui permet d'assurer que le dispositif d'alarme n'est pas activé tant que la distance entre l'essieu et le sol n'est pas restée égale à la distance critique pendant une durée prédéterminée.
PCT/GB1997/001708 1996-06-25 1997-06-24 Dispositifs d'avertissement et de detection de la hauteur d'un essieu WO1997049567A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9613282.4 1996-06-25
GBGB9613282.4A GB9613282D0 (en) 1996-06-25 1996-06-25 Axle height warning devices
GB9711405.2 1997-06-04
GB9711405A GB2314660A (en) 1996-06-25 1997-06-04 Axle height warning and sensing device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997049567A2 true WO1997049567A2 (fr) 1997-12-31
WO1997049567A3 WO1997049567A3 (fr) 1998-02-26

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1997/001708 WO1997049567A2 (fr) 1996-06-25 1997-06-24 Dispositifs d'avertissement et de detection de la hauteur d'un essieu

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR435043A (fr) * 1911-09-06 1912-02-20 Jean Baptiste Sylvestre Avertisseur de dégonflement des bandages pour toutes voitures à pneumatiques
DE511704C (de) * 1930-11-01 Gotthilf Roller Alarmvorrichtung bei einer Luftbereifung mit pendelnden Kotschuetzern
FR714697A (fr) * 1930-08-04 1931-11-18 Appareil indicateur du dégonflement des pneumatiques
US1916055A (en) * 1930-03-01 1933-06-27 Richard K Kenna Brake accessory for pneumatic tire vehicles
FR965782A (fr) * 1948-06-17 1950-09-21
DE1004504B (de) * 1954-11-09 1957-03-14 Erwin Balzer Reifenwaechteranlage an Kraftfahrzeugen und deren Anhaengern mit selbsttaetiger Bremsbetaetigung
FR1605001A (fr) * 1967-01-30 1972-08-28

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE511704C (de) * 1930-11-01 Gotthilf Roller Alarmvorrichtung bei einer Luftbereifung mit pendelnden Kotschuetzern
FR435043A (fr) * 1911-09-06 1912-02-20 Jean Baptiste Sylvestre Avertisseur de dégonflement des bandages pour toutes voitures à pneumatiques
US1916055A (en) * 1930-03-01 1933-06-27 Richard K Kenna Brake accessory for pneumatic tire vehicles
FR714697A (fr) * 1930-08-04 1931-11-18 Appareil indicateur du dégonflement des pneumatiques
FR965782A (fr) * 1948-06-17 1950-09-21
DE1004504B (de) * 1954-11-09 1957-03-14 Erwin Balzer Reifenwaechteranlage an Kraftfahrzeugen und deren Anhaengern mit selbsttaetiger Bremsbetaetigung
FR1605001A (fr) * 1967-01-30 1972-08-28

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1997049567A3 (fr) 1998-02-26

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