WO2002094587A1

WO2002094587A1 - Control system and management of the tyres pressure for road vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2002094587A1
Application number: PCT/IT2001/000255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco De Vito
Original assignee: Francesco De Vito
Priority date: 2001-05-22
Filing date: 2001-05-22
Publication date: 2002-11-28
Also published as: AU2001262670A1; WO2002094587A8

Abstract

The system of control and management of the pressure of the tyres included a plant electronics, constituted by a processor A which go the signals produced by the varied sensors and plants installed on the vehicles and a B module that receives the signals elaborated by the processor A and converts them in commands, to manage some eletromagnets (3) and (4) fixed to couple inside the circle (2) of every wheel of the vehicle; when the vehicle is in movement, the electromagnet (4) activates the compressor (5) to increase the pressure of the tyre, while the electromagnet (3) activates the attraction valves magnetic that realizes the diminution of the pressure of the tyre.

Description

"Control system and management of the tyres pressure for road vehicles ".

Description

Technical field This system is installed on the motor vehicles with gumed wheels, within which are positioned compressors and valve to electromagnetic operation commanded by an electronic card to which arrive the signals of the various sensors, and is able to vary and adapt the tyres pressure to the different conditions of use, to obtain a level of optimal pressure, improving the consumption, the dynamic behaviour and consequently the comfort and the safety of the vehicle.

State of the art

It is well-known that the tyres for vehicles, with the time, have a decrease of pressure, accelerated by the guide condition, from the oblique stop, from the bumps against obstacles for example the sidewalk and from the temperature excursion, for which it is necessary to check and to frequently restore the correct level of pressure of the tyres . It is well-known besides that the pressure of the tyre must be varied within certain values recommended by the builder according to the conditions of use: the pressure will be increased in the case it is travelled to elevated speed, when the vehicle is to full load, or when is covered a road with much curves, or when the driver adopts a sporting guide, when the active suspensions or the automatic gearbox of the vehicle has been set up or tared on the sporting guide, or when the blocking shutter purview or the control of the stability is intervened. Inflation pressure values more low are adopted instead in the case in which it is travelled to limited speed, or on a road rich in asperity or is climbed with the snow chains, or when the vehicle is a few charged, or a guide tourist is adopted and/or the suspensions or the automatic gearbox is tared on "comfort". It is well-known also that in the last few years the road vehicles are endowed always more of automatisms of electronic type that are served of manifold distributed sensors, to increase the comfort and the safety of the vehicle, as in the Italian patent IT/Mi93/1872 that effects the monitoring of the tyres pressure during the march using a sensor of connected pressure with a permanent magnet in degree following the sensor in its displacement so that to induce to every turn of the wheel, in a sited spool in the fixed part of the suspension, an impulse, able to be elaborated from a processor, that is directly correlated to the pressure of the tyre.

For what it is well-known to the applicant doesn't exist a device in degree to manage and vary the pressure of one or more pneumatics during the march of the vehicle.

The object and important characteristics of the invention

The object of the present invention is realize an apparatus that advantages supply in application flexibility terms and use in mode from is possible to answer to the more different demands with the same constructive system, it is possible to be install for example on a motorvehicle with a wheels of any number, for example of four wheels or of three wheels or on a motion to two wheels, of sure effectiveness, of encumbered foyer installed on a circle with an edge lightly more high, and that is able to offer the more wide reliability of guarantee and safety in the use, besides maintenance facility and does not create problems in the mounting phase and dismantling. Other aim of this invention according with the previous understanding is that of realizing a device that allows, both automatically without any intervention on behalf of the driver that to manual command from the guide cockpit, of maintaining a favourite value of the pressure of an or more pneumatics at the same time during the march of the vehicle.

Another aim of the present invention in addition to the previous understanding is that of puts to disposition an able device of droping, automatically without any intervention on behalf of the driver or with manual intervention from the guide cockpit, the tyre pressures up to such values that the march speed of the vehicle is reduced to the minimum or absolutely impossible.

Description of the drawings and the mode for carryng out the invention

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be shown more clearly in description of the various forms in which the invention can be realised and also in the drawings that are attached to this document for purely indicative and in no way limiting reasons: the fig.1 shows the diagram to blocks of the general architecture of the device according to the present invention; the fig.2 shows in schematic manner a lateral sight of the wheel of a vehicle on which are represented some elements of the device according to the present invention; the fig.3 shows in schematic manner a sight in longitudinal section of the wheel of a vehicle in which elements of the device are represented according to the present invention; the fig.4 shows in schematic mariner a particular enlarged of the previous figure ; the fig. 5 shows the superior surface of the rim of the wheel, expanse on a horizontal plane with the various element that are installed according to the present invention; the fig.6 shows in schematic manner a lateral sight in section of a first favourite type of driving valve magnetic according to the present invention; the fig.7 shows in schematic manner a lateral sight in section of a second favourite type of driving valve magnetic according to the present invention.

In accordance with to the drawings the device object of this invention includes an electronic card, constituted by a processor A which go all the produced signals by the various sensors and plants installed on the vehicle and a B module that receives the elaborated signals by the processor A and it converts them in commands, to manage a series of electromagnets situated to couple on each wheel of the vehicle. The B module besides signal continuously unformed to the processor A the execution of the commands. More in particular to the processor A goes the signals: of the pressure sensor ( a ) mounted on each tyre (1) that supplies informations the pressure state of the tyre same; of the speed sensor ( b) ; of the sensor that surveies the lateral acceleration ( c ) ; of the sensor that surveies the operation speed of steering and the swerve diameter ( d) ; of the sensor that surveies the load condition on the vehicle ( e) ; of the sensor that reads the frequency of the oscillations of the suspensions ( fj from the blocking shutter device brakes ( g); from the control device of the traction ( h); from the control device of the stability ( i); from the automatic gearbox ( 1); from the intelligent suspensions ( m); from the satellite antitheft ( n ).

Naturally some of these devices are not able to also be also installed on the vehicle and they tightly are not essential to the operation of the device object of the invention present, but they are useful to improve the functionality; others, as the speed sensor ( b), the sensor of the conditions of load ( e ) the sensor ( f ) and that ( d ) have a remarkable importance to that the system object of the present invention can guarantee those performances that are indispensable to confer to the vehicle safety and comfort. In any case to be only the tight necessary, without which the processor A don't is possible to decide of varying or compensate the pressure, it is the sensor (a) that effects the monitoring of the pressure of the tyres.

Inside the circle ( 2 ) of the wheel are positioned in fixed manner, two electromagnets put beside ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) of rectangular form, bend with the same curving ray so it could be positioned close to the surface ( 5 ) of the circle ( 2 ) of the wheel of the vehicle. The electromagnet ( 4 ) activates the compressor ( 5 ) to increase the pressure of the tyre, while the electromagnet ( 3 ) activates the valve to magnetic attraction that realizes the decrease of the pressure of the tyre. On the superior surface ( 6 ) of the circle ( 2 ) of each wheels is positioned, concentricly to this with the bearings interposition ( 7 ), a metal body, of a material that doesn't interfere with the magnetic field, and especially conformed (8), constituted by two elements seeds profiled to C form, ( 9 ) and ( 10 ), endowed each of a toothed edge ( 11 ) and united to it by the hookings (12 ). This body ( 8 ) acts like center for a parallelepiped block with the same curving ray of the body (8), to face rectangular (13) of a material magnetic attraction subject centrally fixed to it, and like gear with the toothed edge (11) that engages the cogwheel (14) connected to a compressor (5) which to his time is in communication to a valve (16) that supplies the air from the outside. Interposed between each compressor ( 5 ) is positioned a special valve constituted by a first bended element (17) with the same curving ray of the body (8), of lengthened rectangular form and constituted by magnetized material and connected in fixed and spaced mode from the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) by the support (18), and a second element (19) of analogous form that is maintained suspended and adherent to the first from the exercised magnetic attraction on it by the element (17). At the extremity of this second element (19) there is present a small bar form extension (20) handled to the other free extremity of a closing element, essentially a conformed plug (21) that goes to enter in a practised opening in the surface (6). The said small bar] (20) is fulcrate on a support (22). In another realization favourite form, this valve is constituted by only a curved element (23) of lengthened rectangular form and constituted by magnetized material and connected concentricly spaced from the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) by the support (18) supplied of spring (24). To an extremity of this element (23) there is present the small bar form extension (20) provision to the other free extremity of a closing element, essentially a conformed plug (21) that goes to enter in a practised opening in the surface (6). The said small bar (20) is fulcrate on a support (22). In another realization form the small bar (20) activates a closing device and opening placed directly in the surface ( 6 ). In any contingency of the motion of the vehicle, for example when the vehicle is to full load and is travelled to elevated speed, it is necessary a pressure increase in the tyres; the sensors of pressure (a), sensor of speed ( b ) and sensor of load (e) together to other sensors and device eventually present between that marked by the letter (c), (d), (f), f (e), ( 1 ), (m) send the signals to the processor A that elaborate and change them in command signals for the B module that activates the circuit that sends electric current to the electromagnet (4) of each wheel or of some of them. The electromagnet (4) produces a magnetic field that attracts the block (13) fixed on the metal body (8) in united rotation with the wheel and then held to brake and arrest the rotation of the metal body (8), with the block of the motion of the gear (11) in comparison with the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) in movement and it determines the entry in movement of the cogwheel (14) in that climbed on the surface (6) of the circle (2). This movement comes transmitted by the gear (14) to the compressors (5) that so begin to supply through the valve (16) air in the wheel and then they increase the pressure.

In the motion contingencies of the vehicle for which the tyres have a lower pressure for example in the case are travelled to low speed with a fund road rich in asperity, the sensors of pressure (a), sensor of speed ( b ), sensor of load (e) and what surveies the frequency of the oscillations of the suspensions (f), together to other sensors and eventually present devices between those marked by the letter (c), (d), (e), (1), (m) send the signals to the processor A that elaborate and change them in command signals for the B module that activates the circuit that sends electric current to the electromagnet ( 3 ) of each wheels or of some of them.

The electromagnet (3) produces a magnetic field that activates the attraction magnetic valve to interpose between each compressor (5). Specifically the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet (3) wins the produced magnetic attraction by the element (17) on the element (19) and it attracts this last to itself, on the surface ( 6 ) of the circle ( 2 ), running within the support (18). The extremity to pretty form (20), fulcrates on the support (22), provided of a conformed plug (21), is raised by the practised opening in the surface (6) allowing to go out the air, with that a lowering of pressure of the tyre is made. In another realization form the electromagnet (3) must win the resistance of the soft part (24) to attract to itself, on the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) running on the support (18), the element (23 ).

It is important to underline that the vehicle and then the wheels must be in movement . so that the device object of the present invention works for increasing or to lower the tyres pressure. The B module will perform the order informing the processor A that the operation is happening. The processor A stops dispatching the signals of command when the values of coming pressure from the sensor (a) will correspond to the pressure value calculated and definite.

The device object of the present invention acts automatically and in real-time; it is possible to be managed also manually with a mounted device in the driver's cab of the vehicle and equipped with a display for the visualization of the data.

The device is highly reliable as the electromagnetic impulse, and it cannot be upset from any extraneus body that must interpose, as encrustations, mud, residual oily, paper, etc. doesn't it be able to change the magnetic field. One of the advantages of the present device is that in the puncture case it prevents or limits the deflation outfit of the tyre and allows, to the driver, to reach a repair workshop or of ending the trip avoiding all the troubles and the dangers that they are possible to spring from the substitution of the wheel. The device if connected with an satellite antitheft that is able behind command of the operative plant of the antitheft to deflate completely the tyres preventing the escape of the thief with the vehicle. There is besides the possibility of mounting less specific tyres that doesn't favour the sporting guide and the possibility for the builder of realizing tyres with rubbers that succeed to fully exploit the variation potentiality of the pressure of the present device.

The device according to the invention presents results that have the necessary readiness characteristic and resistance to front of the solicitations which the element is submitted and therefore it is possible to offer the more wide reliability of guarantee and safety in the use, result easily feasible with the maximum accuracy construction using element and common materials used in the present technique of the gumed vehicles. From when previously described and illustrated is possible to see that the invention reaches all the provost reasons.

All the details will be possible to be replaced by other technically equivalent element, in practice the materials used , let alone the dimensions and the contingent form, there will be possible any demands.

Claims

1) Control system and management of the tyres pressure for road vehicles with an electronics plant, constituted by a processor A which goes the produced signals by the various sensors and installed plant on the vehicle and a B module that receives the elaborated signals by the processor A and converts them in commands, manage a series of the electromagnets characterized by the fact that these electromagnets ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) are to fix to couple in the circle (2) of each wheel of the vehicle; when the vehicle is in movement, the electromagnet (4) activates the compressor ( 5 ) to increase the pressure of the tyre, while the electromagnet (3) activates the valve to magnetic attraction that realizes the decrease of the pressure of the tyre. ) Control system and management of the tyres pressure for road vehicles as to claim 1) characterized by the fact that the B module real- time signal to the processor A the execution of the produced commands by A that interrupts the dispatch of the signals of command when the values of coming pressure from the sensor ( a) will correspond to the pressure value calculated and definite.

3) Control system and management of the pressure of tyres for road vehicles as to claim 1 ) and 2 ) characterized by the fact that to the processor A go all or part of the produced signals from the installed devices on the vehicle: of the pressure sensor (a) mounted on each tyre (1 ) that supplies informations on pressure state of the tyre same; of the speed sensor ( b) ; of the sensor that surveies the lateral acceleration ( c ) ; of the sensor that surveies the operation speed of steering and the swerve diameter ( d) ; of the sensor that surveies the load condition on the vehicle (e) ; of the sensor that reads the frequency of the oscillations of the suspensions (f); from the blocking shutter purview brakes ( g); from the control device of the traction ( h); from the control device of the stability (i); from the automatic gearbox ( 1); from the intelligent suspensions ( m); from the aηtitheft satellite (n).

4) Control system and management of the tyres pressure for road vehicles as to claim 1) characterized by the fact that the' two electromagnets put beside (3) and ( 4 ) have parallelepiped form to make rectangular, bend with the same curving ray in mode from is possible to be positioned close to the surface (5) of the circle ( 2 ) of each wheel oi the vehicle.

5) Control system and management of the tyres pressure for road vehicles as to claims 1) and 4 ) characterized by the fact that on the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) of each wheel is positioned, concentricly to this with the small bearing interposition (7), a metal body especially conformed ( 8 ) constituted by two element seeds profiled to C form, ( 9 ) and ( 10 ), endowed each of a toothed edge ( 11 ) and united by to it hookings ( 12 ). 6) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to claims 1) and 5 ) characterized by the fact that the body (8) acts like center for a parallelepiped block with a rectangular faces (13) constituted from a material subject to magnetic attraction fixed centrally to the body (8), and like gear with the toothed edge ( 11 ) that engages the cogwheel ( 14 ) connected to a compressor ( 5 ) which to his time is in communication a valve ( 16 ) that supplies the air from the outside. 7) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to claims 1), 4) and 5) characterized by the fact that interposed between each compressor ( 5 ) is positioned a valve special constituted by a first element ( 17 ), of lengthened rectangular form and bended, constituted from material magnetized and connected concentricly in fixed and spaced mode from the superior surface ( 6 ) of the circle (2) by the support ( 18 ), and a second element ( 19 ) of analogous form that is maintained suspended and adherent to the first from the exercised magnetic attraction on of it from the element ( 17 ).

8) Control system and management of the pressure of tyres for roads vehicles as to claims 1 ), 4 ), 5 ), and 7 ) characterized by the fact that to an extremity of this second element ( 19 ) is present a process to form of small bar (20 ) handled to the other free extremity of a closing element, essentially a conformed plug ( 21 ) that goes to enter in a practised opening in the surface (6) ; called small bar ( 20 ) is fulcrate on a support (22).

9) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to claims 1) and 8 ) characterized by the fact that the valve is constituted by an only curved element (23) of lengthened rectangular form, constituted from material magnetized and connected concentricly spaced from the superior surface ( 6 ) of the circle ( 2 ) by the supports ( 18 ) supplied of spring ( 24 ). 10) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to claims 1), 8 ) and 9 ) characterized by the fact that the saying small bar (20) activates a closing device and opening placed directly in the surface (6). 11) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to preceding claims characterized by the fact that in an any contingency of the motion of the vehicle, for example when the vehicle is to full load and is travelled to elevated speed, the sensors of pressure (a), sensor of speed (b) and sensor of load (e) together to other sensors and devices eventually present between that marked by the letter (c), (d), (e), (f), ( 1 ), (m) send the signals to the processor A that them elaborates and changes in command signals for the B module that activates the circuit that sends electric current to the electromagnet (4) of each wheel or of some of they, producing a magnetic field that attracts the block (13) fixed on the metal body (8) in united rotation with the wheel and then held to brake and arrest the rotation of the metal body (8), with the block of the motion of the gear (11) in comparison with the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) in movement and it determines the entry in movement of the cogwheel (14) in when climbed on the surface (6) of the circle (2), and with this the compressors (5) that so begin to supply, through the valve (16), air in the wheel and then they increase the pressure of the tyre.

12) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to preceding claims characterized by the fact that in the motion contingencies of the vehicle for which the tyres have a lower pressure, the activated sensors send the signals to the processor A that them elaborates and changes in command signals for the B module that activates the circuit that sends electric current to the electromagnet ( 3 ) of each wheel or of some of they producing a magnetic field that activates the attraction magnetic valve to interposed between each compressor (5), that wins the produced magnetic attraction by the element (17) on the element (19) and it attracts this last to itself, on the surface ( 6 ) of the circle ( 2 ), running within the support (18) and the extremity to pretty rod (20), fulcrate on the support (22), provided of a conformed plug (21), is raised by the practised opening in the surface (6) allowing to go out the air, with that a lowering of pressure of the tyre is had.

13) Control system and management of the pressure of the tyres for road vehicles as to claim 11) characterized by the fact that the electromagnet (3) must win the resistance of the soft part (24) to attract to itself, on the superior surface (6) of the circle (2) running on the support (18), the element (23 ).

14) Control system and management of the pressure of tyres for road vehicles as to preceding claims characterized by the fact that can be managed also manually with a mounted device on in the driver's cab of the vehicle and equipped with a display for the visualization of the data.