GB2543851A

GB2543851A - Tyre inspection

Info

Publication number: GB2543851A
Application number: GB1519339.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beal Charles
Original assignee: Bartec Auto Id Ltd
Current assignee: Bartec Auto Id Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-02
Filing date: 2015-11-02
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Also published as: GB201519339D0

Abstract

Tyre inspection apparatus 10, (41 Fig.2) and a method of inspecting a tyre 34 using a tyre inspection apparatus. The apparatus 10 comprising a pressure measurement device 18 for connection to a tyre valve 32 of the tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement. A computer 12 communicates with a tyre pressure sensor 36 of the tyre to provide a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre 34, wherein the computer 12 displays the first and second measurements. The computer may compare first and second measurements and alert if they are substantially different. Connection to the tyre pressure sensor may be via a wireless transceiver or wired on-board diagnostic (OBD) to a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The apparatus may display a third pressure measurement received from the TPMS. The computer may compare the third and first or third and second tyre pressure measurements and alert if they differ substantially. Absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor may trigger computer to take first pressure measurement only and display the result. The apparatus may have a tread depth measurement device 44 and measurements may be used to determine uneven tyre wear and causes such as incorrect steering alignment, suspension setup, or over/under tyre inflation.

Description

Tyre Inspection

Technical Field

The invention relates to tyre inspection, and in particular to a tyre inspection apparatus, and a method of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus.

Background

It is known to provide a vehicle with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to monitor the tyres of the vehicle, and to provide an alert in the event of a low tyre pressure. The alert may be provided by a warning light on a dashboard of the vehicle. Such a TPMS has a computer device on the vehicle and pressure sensors in each wheel of the vehicle. Typically the pressure sensors are on the valve stem of each wheel, and the computer device wirelessly communicates with each pressure sensor. Each pressure sensor may have a specific pressure range over which it operates, and may be specified for use with a particular vehicle. There are more than two hundred different types of pressure sensor, and some pressure sensors have the same body shape as well as operating over the same Ultra High Frequency (UHF). Sometimes the only difference between different pressure sensors is the pressure range over which they operate, and this cannot be determined from the UHF signal alone.

In certain countries new vehicles may be required by law to have a TPMS. When the vehicle is new the pressure sensors are tested and function correctly, but over time they may degrade and require replacement. Furthermore, when a new tyre is fitted to a wheel the valve stem together with the pressure sensor may also be replaced. Typically the original equipment from the vehicle manufacturer has a specific pressure sensor identification code so that the correct pressure sensor can be fitted to each tyre, and so that the pressure sensor operates over the required pressure range.

When a vehicle enters a tyre replacement garage a mechanic may not know whether the vehicle is fitted with a TPMS or not. Determining whether a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle may waste time. In the event that the mechanic incorrectly determines that a TPMS is not fitted this can create further problems with programming the computer device of the TPMS on the vehicle, and may further waste time.

When the mechanic has determined that a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle further time may be wasted when selecting the required pressure sensor for the vehicle. If the mechanic fits an incorrect pressure sensor to a tyre the TPMS may not function correctly, leading to the TPMS recording an incorrect tyre pressure which may be a safety hazard. The TPMS of the vehicle may not be able to determine if the correct pressure sensor is fitted, and the warning light of the TPMS might not come on even if the pressure is dangerously low. A further problem may be encountered when aftermarket tyres are fitted to the vehicle that require a different tyre pressure to the original equipment tyres fitted when the vehicle was new. In such a situation the pressure sensors fitted to the wheels may not be suitable for the aftermarket tyres, and may indicate a correctly inflated tyre even though it is not. Alternatively, the warning light of the TPMS may come on even when the tyre is correctly inflated. Typically all vehicles have a placard in a readily visible place that shows the required pressures for each tyres. The driver of the vehicle may over inflate the tyres above the placard pressures so that the warning light is off. Furthermore, when uneven tyre wear occurs it may be problematic to diagnose to cause, which may be due to problems with the vehicle of the TPMS, or the tyre pressure sensor.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages or problems with the known TPMS and/or tyre pressure sensors, and ways of inspecting tyres.

Summary

What is required is a way of checking the operation of a TPMS and/or a tyre pressure sensor and/or inspecting tyres, which may reduce or minimise at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device for connection to a tyre valve of a tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, and a computer device which is operable to communicate with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre to provide a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre, wherein the computer device is operable to display the first and second tyre pressure measurements.

Such an apparatus provides the advantage of being able to check if the tyre pressure sensor is functioning correctly by obtaining and displaying the first and second tyre pressures. Accordingly the operation of the tyre pressure sensor fitted to the tyre and/or the TPMS fitted to the vehicle can be checked. Such an advantage is provided by the apparatus being able to obtain the second tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor and independently verify its accuracy with the first tyre pressure measurement of the same tyre. The apparatus may assists a tyre replacement garage to determine if a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle prior to replacement of tyres, which may reduce wasted time. Furthermore the apparatus may improve safety by assisting with maintaining tyres at the correct pressure.

Preferably the computer device is operable to compare the first and second tyre pressure measurements and to provide an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different. Such an alert signal provides a ready way of indicating that there is a problem relating to the tyre pressure sensor.

In one embodiment said communication with the tyre pressure sensor is provided via a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) associated with the tyre pressure sensor. Preferably the computer device is operable to display a third tyre pressure measurement of the tyre provided by the TPMS. Such an arrangement provides a ready way of indicating that there is a problem relating to the TPMS.

Preferably the computer device is operable to display the first, second and third tyre pressure measurements. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of being able to compare the tyre pressures from the tyre pressure sensor and the TPMS with the tyre pressure from the tyre pressure measurement device.

Preferably the computer device is operable to compare the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements, and to provide an alert signal if the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements are substantially different. Such an alert provides a ready way of indicating that there is a problem relating to the tyre pressure sensor and/or the TPMS.

In one embodiment the computer device has a wireless transceiver and said communication between the TPMS and the computer device is provided wirelessly. In another embodiment said communication between the TPMS and the computer device is provided by a wired connection with an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle.

Preferably the computer device has a wireless transceiver, and said communication between the tyre pressure sensor and the computer device is provided by direct wireless communication therebetween. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of being able to bypass communication with the TPMS.

In one embodiment in the absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor the computer device is operable to provide a command to measure tyre pressure only with the pressure measurement device, and the computer device is operable to display only the first tyre pressure measurement. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of being able to use the apparatus for conventional tyre pressure measurement in the absence of a TPMS being fitted to the vehicle.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a database relating to data items comprising one or more of a list of vehicles, a list of vehicle manufacturers, a list of vehicle manufacture years, a list of tyre data, and a list of tyre pressure sensors, and the computer device is operable to display at least one of said data items. In one embodiment the database is a remote database. Such a database assists with selection of the correct tyre pressure sensor that operates over the required pressure range for the tyre, which may reduce wasted time in selecting the correct tyre pressure sensor. Furthermore, such an arrangement may avoid problems caused by fitting an incorrect sensor.

Preferably the apparatus is operable to provide tyre pressure measurements for a plurality of tyres. Preferably the computer device is operable to display and/or store each tyre pressure measurement.

In one embodiment the apparatus further including a tyre tread depth measurement device which is operable to provide a tyre tread depth measurement of the tyre. Such an arrangement speeds up the data capture process for a tyre, and ensures that the data for each tyre is recorded with the correct pressure and tread depth reading.

Preferably the tyre tread depth measurement device is operable to provide a plurality of tyre tread depth measurements for the tyre, and the computer device is operable to determine uneven tyre wear of the tyre, and to compare the pressure measurement of the tyre with said uneven tyre wear. Such an arrangement may provide a standardised way of determining if there is uneven tyre wear, and determining the cause of such uneven wear.

Preferably the computer device is operable to determine a cause of said uneven tyre wear selected from one or more of an incorrect steering alignment, an incorrect wheel alignment, an incorrect suspension setup, an over inflation of the tyre, and an under inflation of the tyre.

Preferably the computer device is operable to determine the cause of said uneven tyre wear due to an over inflation of the tyre or an under inflation of the tyre by comparing the tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor or the tyre pressure measurement device with the plurality of tyre tread depth measurements. Such an arrangement provides a ready way to link uneven tyre wear with an incorrect tyre pressure.

Preferably the computer device is operable to display and/or store the tread depth measurement together with the tyre pressure measurement for each respective tyre.

In one embodiment the tyre tread depth measurement device and the pressure measurement device are provide on a combined device. Such an arrangement may be a convenient configuration for the tyre tread depth measurement device and the pressure measurement device.

Preferably the apparatus is configured as a portable device.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device and a computer device, the method including: connecting the pressure measurement device to a tyre valve of the tyre and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof; communicating with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre using the computer device to determine a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre; and displaying the first and second tyre pressure measurements using the computer device.

Such a method provides the advantage of being able to check if the tyre pressure sensor is functioning correctly by obtaining and displaying the first and second tyre pressures. Accordingly the operation of the tyre pressure sensor fitted to the tyre and/or the TPMS fitted to the vehicle can be checked. Such an advantage is provided by the apparatus being able to obtain the second tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor and independently verify its accuracy with the first tyre pressure measurement of the same tyre. The apparatus may assists a tyre replacement garage to determine if a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle prior to replacement of tyres, which may reduce wasted time. Furthermore the method may improve safety by assisting with maintaining tyres at the correct pressure.

Preferably the method further includes comparing the first and second tyre pressure measurements, and proving an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different. Such an alert signal provides a ready way of indicating that there is a problem relating to the tyre pressure sensor.

In one embodiment the method further includes communicating with the tyre pressure sensor using a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) associated with the tyre pressure sensor. Preferably the method further includes displaying a third tyre pressure measurement of the tyre provided by the TPMS using the computer device. Such an arrangement provides a ready way of indicating that there is a problem relating to the TPMS.

Preferably the method further includes displaying the first, second and third tyre pressure measurements using the computer device. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of being able to compare the tyre pressures from the tyre pressure sensor and the TPMS with the tyre pressure from the tyre pressure measurement device.

Preferably the method further includes comparing the first and third tyre pressure measurements or comparing the second and third tyre pressure measurements using the computer device, and providing an alert signal if the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements are substantially different. Such an alert provides a ready way of indicating that there is a problem relating to the tyre pressure sensor and/or the TPMS.

In one embodiment the method further includes wirelessly communicating between the TPMS and the computer device. In another embodiment the method further includes communicating between the TPMS and the computer device using a wired connection provided by an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle.

Preferably the method further includes providing said communication between the tyre pressure sensor and the computer device by direct wireless communication therebetween. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of being able to bypass communication with the TPMS.

In one embodiment the method further includes measuring tyre pressure only using the pressure measurement device in the absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor, and displaying only the first tyre pressure measurement using the computer device. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of being able to use the method for conventional tyre pressure measurement in the absence of a TPMS being fitted to the vehicle.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a database relating to data items comprising one or more of a list of vehicles, a list of vehicle manufacturers, a list of vehicle manufacture years, a list of tyre data, and a list of tyre pressure sensors, the method including selecting at least one of said data items and displaying the selected data items using the computer device. Such a database assists with selection of the correct tyre pressure sensor that operates over the required pressure range for the tyre, which may reduce wasted time in selecting the correct tyre pressure sensor. Furthermore, such an arrangement may avoid problems caused by fitting an incorrect sensor.

Preferably the method further includes providing tyre pressure measurements for a plurality of tyres. Preferably the method further includes displaying and/or storing each tyre pressure measurement using the computer device.

In one embodiment a tyre tread depth measurement device is provided, the method further including providing a tyre tread depth measurement of the tyre. Such an arrangement speeds up the data capture process for a tyre, and ensures that the data for each tyre is recorded with the correct pressure and tread depth reading.

Preferably the method further includes providing a plurality of tyre tread depth measurements for the tyre, determining uneven tyre wear of the tyre, and comparing the pressure measurement of the tyre with said uneven tyre wear. Such an arrangement may provide a standardised way of determining if there is uneven tyre wear, and determining the cause of such uneven wear.

Preferably the method further includes determining a cause of said uneven tyre wear selected from one or more of an incorrect steering alignment, an incorrect wheel alignment, an incorrect suspension setup, an over inflation of the tyre, and an under inflation of the tyre using the computer device.

Preferably the method further includes determining the cause of uneven tyre wear due to an over inflation of the tyre or an under inflation of the tyre by comparing the tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor or the tyre pressure measurement device using the computer device with the plurality of tyre tread depth measurements.

Such an arrangement provides a ready way to link uneven tyre wear with an incorrect tyre pressure.

Preferably the method further includes displaying and/or storing the tread depth measurement together with the tyre pressure measurement for each respective tyre.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device and a computer device, the method including: attempting communication with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre; determining whether the tyre pressure sensor is fitted to the tyre; and connecting the pressure measurement device to a tyre valve of the tyre and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof.

Such a method provides the advantage of being able to use the method for conventional tyre pressure measurement in the absence of a TPMS being fitted to the vehicle.

Preferably the method further including using the computer device to determine whether the tyre pressure sensor is fitted to the tyre. Preferably the method further includes providing an indication signal in the absence of the tyre pressure sensor being fitted to the tyre. Such an indication signal provides a ready way of alerting the user if a tyre pressure sensor is not fitted to the tyre.

According to alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a tyre inspection apparatus for inspecting a tyre, comprising a pressure measurement device for connection to a tyre valve of the tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, and a computer device which is operable for communication with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre, wherein in the absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor the computer device is operable to provide a command to measure tyre pressure only with the pressure measurement device, the computer device being operable to display only the first tyre pressure measurement.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a method of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device and a computer device, the method including: attempting communication with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre using the computer device; using the computer device to determine whether the tyre pressure sensor is fitted to the tyre, and to provide a command to measure tyre pressure only with the pressure measurement device in the absence of the tyre pressure sensor; and connecting the pressure measurement device to a tyre valve of the tyre and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof.

According to an alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a tyre inspection apparatus for checking an operation of a TPMS of a vehicle, the tyre inspection apparatus comprising a pressure measurement device for connection to a tyre valve of a tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, and a computer device which is operable to communicate with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre to provide a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre, wherein apparatus is operable to compare the first and second tyre pressure measurements and to provide an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different.

According to an alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a method of measuring or checking an operation of a TPMS of a vehicle using a tyre inspection apparatus, the tyre inspection apparatus comprising a pressure measurement device, and a computer device, the method including: connecting the pressure measurement device to a tyre valve of a tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement thereof; communicating with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre using the computer device to provide a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre; comparing the first and second tyre pressure measurements; and providing an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising: a tyre tread depth measurement device which is operable to provide a tyre tread depth measurement of the tyre, and to provide a determination of uneven tyre wear of the tyre; and a pressure measurement device for connection to a tyre valve of a tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, or a computer device which is operable to communicate with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre to provide a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre, wherein the computer device is operable to display the first or second tyre pressure measurements, to compare the pressure measurement of the tyre with said uneven tyre wear, and to determine a cause of said uneven tyre wear selected from one or more of an incorrect steering alignment, an incorrect wheel alignment, an incorrect suspension setup, an over inflation of the tyre, and an under inflation of the tyre.

Any preferred or optional features of one aspect or characterisation of the invention may be a preferred or optional feature of other aspects or characterisations of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a tyre inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a tyre inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows steps of a method according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a tyre inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a portable device 12 which has a visual display screen 14, a wireless transceiver 16, a tyre pressure measurement device 18, and a processor device 20. The tyre pressure measurement device 18 may be termed a pressure gauge or a pressure measurement device. The wireless transceiver 16 is for providing communication between the portable device 12 and a control device 22 of a vehicle 24, as shown by the double headed arrow 26. The control device 22 may be a control unit of the vehicle, e.g. an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and may be a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) of the vehicle 24. Alternatively the communication between the portable device 12 and the control unit 22 may be provided by a wired connection, for example, the control device 22 may have an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port and the portable device 12 may be connected with a cable to the OBD port. The control unit 22 of the vehicle 24 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the tyre pressure sensors 36 in each of the tyres 34 according to known arrangements. According to the embodiment the portable device 12 has a power source (not shown) for powering the various devices and functions thereof. It will be understood that the portable device 12 has the power source, visual display screen 14, the processor 20 which may be programmable, a memory (not shown), and software stored in the memory. Such a portable device 12 may be termed a computer device, and the processor 20 is programmable with the required software to provide the above functionality mentioned herein.

The pressure measurement device 18 has a tube 28 with a port 30 at an end thereof. The port 30 is for coupling to a tyre valve 32 of a tyre 34 so that the pressure measurement device 18 can measure a pressure of the tyre 34. It will be appreciated that Figure 1 is not to scale, and the port 30 would be appropriately sized to fit the tyre valve 32. The tyre valve 32 and the tyre pressure sensor 36 may comprise a combined tyre valve and pressure sensor device.

The portable device 12 is operable to communicate wirelessly with a remote database 38, as shown by the double headed arrow 40. The database 38 comprises a lookup table with a list of vehicles, a list of vehicle manufacturers, a list of years of manufacture, a list of tyres or data relating thereto, and a list of tyre pressure sensors 36 or data relating to the tyre pressure sensor 36. Alternatively the remote database 38 may be provided in software within the portable device 12.

In operation the portable device 12 is switched on, and the user enters the make, model and year of manufacture of the vehicle 24. The portable device 12 then attempts to communicate with the control device 22 of the vehicle 24 using the wireless transceiver 16. Alternatively the portable device 12 is connected by cable to the OBD of the control device 22. The portable device 12 then determines whether a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle 24. An indication of whether a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle 24 is provided on the screen 14. If a TPMS is not fitted to the vehicle 24, or if the TPMS is broken, or one or more of the tyre pressure sensors 36 is broken, the user can then measure the tyre pressure of each tyre 34 by coupling the port 30 to respective tyre pressure valves 32 and using the tyre pressure measuring device 18. Each tyre pressure measurement is then displayed on the screen 14 and/or stored in the memory.

If a TPMS is fitted to the vehicle 24, the portable device 12 communicates with the control unit 22 to receive the tyre pressure measurements of each tyre 34 as measured by the tyre pressure sensor of each tyre 34. Alternatively the portable device 12 communicates directly with each tyre pressure sensor 36 and interprets the pressure measurement reported by the pressure sensor 36 in the same way that the control unit 22 or TMPS of the vehicle 24 would do so. The user then measures the tyre pressure of each tyre 34 by coupling the port 30 to respective tyre pressure valves 32 and using the tyre pressure measuring device 18. Each tyre pressure measurement as recorded by the tyre pressure measuring device 18 and the pressure sensor 36 for each tyre 34 is then displayed on the screen 14 and/or stored in the memory. In other words there are two pressure measurements for each tyre 34 provided by the tyre pressure measuring device 18 and the tyre pressure sensor 36 of each tyre 34. The user may then visually compare the two tyre pressure measurements for each tyre 34 that are displayed on the screen 14. The device 12 may also compare the two tyre pressure measurements for each tyre 34, and may provide an alert signal if there is a significant discrepancy between them. Such a significant discrepancy may be up to 1 or 2 pound per square inch (PSI), i.e. up to 7000 or 14000 Pa, or a pressure difference between the two pressure reading that may represent a safety concern. Such an alert signal may be audible, visual or haptic, and may indicate that an incorrect tyre pressure valve 32 is fitted. The device 12 may have a comparator device embedded in software for providing said comparison. The comparator may provide the alert signal.

It will be appreciated that the portable device 12 provides a way of measuring the pressure reported by the tyre pressure sensors 36, as well as an air pressure gauge, i.e. tyre pressure measurement device 18, that independently measures the pressure of the tyres. By comparing the two pressure readings, an incorrectly fitted TPMS sensor can be identified.

The apparatus 10 is a compound tool with the tyre pressure measurement device 18 and provides a way of communicating with the tyre pressure sensor 36 and is operable to advise the user whether the vehicle 24 has a TPMS. The apparatus 10 can also be used to look up the correct tyre pressure sensor 36 from the database 38, which helps to avoids fitting the wrong tyre pressure sensor 36 for the tyre 36.

The tyre pressure recorded directly from the tyre pressure sensor 36 or from the control device 22 may be different, which may indicate that an incorrect tyre pressure sensor 36 is fitted to the vehicle 24. In such a situation the portable device 12 may be operable to record three tyre pressure measurements for each tyre 34, i.e. a first tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure measurement device 18, a second tyre pressure measurement directly from tyre pressure sensor 36, and a third tyre pressure measurements from the control device 22. The portable device 12 is operable to display and compare the three tyre pressure measurements and to determine various fault conditions.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a tyre inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, generally designated 41. In Figure 2 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 2 a tyre tread depth measurement device 42 is also shown, which is held in a user’s hand. The device 42 has a flat face for placing against a rolling surface 33 of a vehicle tyre 34. The device 42 has an elongate member or pin 44 that protrudes through a centre of the flat face such that it is substantially normal thereto. The pin 44 is linearly movable relative to the flat face and can be used for measuring tyre tread depth using a measurement device 46, which may be on the portable device 12 or on the tread depth measurement device 42. The portable device 12 is in communication with the tread depth measurement device 42 by a cable 48. Alternatively the portable device 12 may be in communication with the tread depth measurement device 42 via a wireless connection using the wireless transceiver 16.

In one embodiment the tread depth measurement device 42, and the pressure measurement device 18 having the port 30 may be provided in a single device, i.e. a combined device, which is connected to the portable device 12 with a cable 48. In such an arrangement the pipe 28 may not be required, and the pressure measurements made with the pressure measurement device 18 may be sent to the portable device 12 electronically.

The tyre tread of the tyres 34 may wear unevenly such that one portion of the circumference may be more worn than another portion, which may be caused by poor steering alignment, and/or poor wheel alignment, and/or suspension problems, and/or over inflation of the tyre 34, and/or under inflation of the tyre 34. The apparatus 41 may operate to diagnose the cause of such uneven tyre wear by permitting the measurement of tyre tread depth to be captured by the tread depth measurement device 42 alongside the measurement of the tyre pressure. Such an arrangement thereby speeds up the data capture process and ensures that the data for each tyre 34 is recorded with the correct pressure and tread depth reading. Each tyre pressure measurement as recorded by the tyre pressure measuring device 18 and the pressure sensor 36 for each tyre 34 together with the tread depth measurement for each tyre 34 is then displayed on the screen 14 and/or stored in the memory.

If the wear pattern of each tyre 34 is consistent with under inflated tyres (i.e. worn at the edges and not in the centre) or over inflated tyres (i.e. worn in the centre but not at the edges), and this matches the actual pressures (i.e. as determined by either the tyre pressure sensor 36 or the tyre pressure measurement device 18), then the apparatus 41 is able to determine that the vehicle 24 is being driven with consistently incorrect tyre pressures. The apparatus 41 may then provide an alert signal if such a determination is made.

Accordingly, by comparing the wear pattern of each tyre 34 together with the pressure measurement for that tyre 34, as measured by either the tyre pressure sensors 36 or the tyre pressure measurement device 18, the apparatus 41 can make an intelligent diagnoses of problems with tyres. For example, the apparatus 41 is operable to differentiate a tyre wear problem caused by an incorrect pressure from incorrect wheel alignment, and to distinguish this from an incorrect pressure measurement from an incorrect tyre pressure sensor 36.

Figure 3 shows steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 50. It will be appreciated that the steps may be performed in a different order, and may not necessarily be performed in the order shown in Figure 3.

The method 50 is a way of inspecting a tyre 34 using a tyre inspection apparatus 10, comprising a pressure measurement device 18 and a computer device 12. The method including connecting the pressure measurement device 18 to a tyre valve 32 of the tyre 34 and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, communicating with a tyre pressure sensor 36 of the tyre 34 using the computer device 12 to determine a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre 34, and displaying the first and second tyre pressure measurements using the computer device 12, as shown at 52.

The method further including comparing the first and second tyre pressure measurements, and proving an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different, as shown at 54. The method further including communicating with the tyre pressure sensor 36 using a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 22 associated with the tyre pressure sensor 36, as shown at 56. The method further including displaying a third tyre pressure measurement of the tyre 34 provided by the TPMS 22 using the computer device 12, as shown at 58. The method further including displaying the first, second and third tyre pressure measurements using the computer device 12, as shown at 60.

The method further including comparing the first and third tyre pressure measurements or comparing the second and third tyre pressure measurements using the computer device 12, and providing an alert signal if the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements are substantially different, as shown at 54.

The method further including wirelessly communicating between the TPMS 22 and the computer device 12. The method further including communicating between the TPMS 22 and the computer device 12 using a wired connection provided by an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle 24. The method further including providing said communication between the tyre pressure sensor 36 and the computer device 12 by direct wireless communication therebetween.

The method further including measuring tyre pressure only with the pressure measurement device 18 in the absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor 36, and displaying only the first tyre pressure measurement using the computer device 12.

The apparatus 10, 41 including a database 38 relating to data items comprising one or more of a list of vehicles, a list of vehicle manufacturers, a list of vehicle manufacture years, a list of tyre data, and a list of tyre pressure sensors, the method including selecting at least one of said data items and displaying the selected data items using the computer device 12, as shown at 62.

The method further including providing tyre pressure measurements for a plurality of tyres 34. The method further including displaying and/or storing each tyre pressure measurement using the computer device 12.

The method further including a tyre tread depth measurement device 42, the method including providing a tyre tread depth measurement of the tyre 34, as shown at 64. The method further including providing a plurality of tyre tread depth measurements, determining uneven tyre wear of the tyre 34, and comparing the pressure measurement of the tyre with said uneven tyre wear, as shown at 66. The method further including determining a cause of said uneven tyre wear selected from one or more of an incorrect steering alignment, an incorrect wheel alignment, an incorrect suspension setup, an over inflation of the tyre, and an under inflation of the tyre using the computer device 12, as shown at 68. The method further including determining the cause of uneven tyre wear due to an over inflation of the tyre or an under inflation of the tyre by comparing the tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor 36 or the tyre pressure measurement device 22 using the computer device 12 with the plurality of tyre tread depth measurements. The method further including displaying and/or storing the tread depth measurement together with the tyre pressure measurement for each respective tyre 34.

Figure 4 shows steps of a method according to another embodiment of the invention, generally designated 70. It will be appreciated that the steps may be performed in a different order, and may not necessarily be performed in the order shown in Figure 4. The method 70 is a way of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus 41, comprising a pressure measurement device 18 and a computer device 12. The method including attempting communication with a tyre pressure sensor 36 of the tyre 34, determining whether the tyre pressure sensor 36 is fitted to the tyre 34, and connecting the pressure measurement device 18 to a tyre valve 32 of the tyre 34 and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, as shown at 72.

The method further including using the computer device 12 to determine whether the tyre pressure sensor 36 is fitted to the tyre 34, as shown at 74. The method further including providing an indication signal in the absence of the tyre pressure sensor 36 being fitted to the tyre 34, as shown at 76.

Typically all vehicles 24 are fitted with a placard in a readily visible place that shows the required pressures for each tyre 34. The apparatus 10, 41 permits a mechanic to determine the correct tyre pressure for the tyres 34 fitted to the vehicle 24, and to compare them with the placard. If the incorrect tyre pressures are shown on the placard the placard can be changed. The apparatus 10, 41 may be alternatively termed a tyre pressure apparatus.

In the above embodiments the tread depth measurements and the pressure measurements are described as being displayed on the screen 14. In an alternative arrangement the measurements may be sent to another computer device (not shown) for display and/or storage. In another arrangement the portable device 12 or the other computer device may display the measurements by printing them.

Claims

1. A tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device for connection to a tyre valve of a tyre to provide a first tyre pressure measurement thereof, and a computer device which is operable to communicate with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre to provide a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre, wherein the computer device is operable to display the first and second tyre pressure measurements.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer device is operable to compare the first and second tyre pressure measurements and to provide an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said communication with the tyre pressure sensor is provided via a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) associated with the tyre pressure sensor.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the computer device is operable to display a third tyre pressure measurement of the tyre provided by the TPMS.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the computer device is operable to display the first, second and third tyre pressure measurements.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the computer device is operable to compare the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements, and to provide an alert signal if the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements are substantially different.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the computer device has a wireless transceiver and said communication between the TPMS and the computer device is provided wirelessly.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 3-6, wherein said communication between the TPMS and the computer device is provided by a wired connection with an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the computer device has a wireless transceiver, and said communication between the tyre pressure sensor and the computer device is provided by direct wireless communication therebetween.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein in the absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor the computer device is operable to provide a command to measure tyre pressure only with the pressure measurement device, and the computer device is operable to display only the first tyre pressure measurement.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further including a database relating to data items comprising one or more of a list of vehicles, a list of vehicle manufacturers, a list of vehicle manufacture years, a list of tyre data, and a list of tyre pressure sensors, and the computer device is operable to display at least one of said data items.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the database is a remote database.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is operable to provide tyre pressure measurements for a plurality of tyres.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the computer device is operable to display and/or store each tyre pressure measurement.

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further including a tyre tread depth measurement device which is operable to provide a tyre tread depth measurement of the tyre.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tyre tread depth measurement device is operable to provide a plurality of tyre tread depth measurements for the tyre, and the computer device is operable to determine uneven tyre wear of the tyre, and to compare the pressure measurement of the tyre with said uneven tyre wear.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the computer device is operable to determine a cause of said uneven tyre wear selected from one or more of an incorrect steering alignment, an incorrect wheel alignment, an incorrect suspension setup, an over inflation of the tyre, and an under inflation of the tyre.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the computer device is operable to determine the cause of said uneven tyre wear due to an over inflation of the tyre or an under inflation of the tyre by comparing the tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor or the tyre pressure measurement device with the plurality of tyre tread depth measurements.

19. An apparatus according to any of claims 15 - 18, wherein the computer device is operable to display and/or store the tread depth measurement together with the tyre pressure measurement for each respective tyre.

20. An apparatus according to any of claims 15 - 19, wherein the tyre tread depth measurement device and the pressure measurement device are provide on a combined device.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, configured as a portable device.

22. An apparatus as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device and a computer device, the method including: connecting the pressure measurement device to a tyre valve of the tyre and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof; communicating with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre using the computer device to determine a second tyre pressure measurement of the tyre; and displaying the first and second tyre pressure measurements using the computer device.

24. A method according to claim 23, and further including comparing the first and second tyre pressure measurements, and proving an alert signal if the first and second tyre pressure measurements are substantially different.

25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, and further including communicating with the tyre pressure sensor using a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) associated with the tyre pressure sensor.

26. A method according to claim 25, and further including displaying a third tyre pressure measurement of the tyre provided by the TPMS using the computer device.

27. A method according to claim 26, and further including displaying the first, second and third tyre pressure measurements using the computer device.

28. A method according to claim 26 or 27, and further including comparing the first and third tyre pressure measurements or comparing the second and third tyre pressure measurements using the computer device, and providing an alert signal if the first and third tyre pressure measurements or the second and third tyre pressure measurements are substantially different.

29. A method according to any of claims 25 to 28, and further including wirelessly communicating between the TPMS and the computer device.

30. A method according to any of claims 25 to 28, and further including communicating between the TPMS and the computer device using a wired connection provided by an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle.

31. A method according to any of claims 23 to 30, and further including providing said communication between the tyre pressure sensor and the computer device by direct wireless communication therebetween.

32. A method according to any of claims 23 to 31, and further including measuring tyre pressure only using the pressure measurement device in the absence of communication with the tyre pressure sensor, and displaying only the first tyre pressure measurement using the computer device.

33. A method according to any of claims 23 to 32, and further including a database relating to data items comprising one or more of a list of vehicles, a list of vehicle manufacturers, a list of vehicle manufacture years, a list of tyre data, and a list of tyre pressure sensors, the method including selecting at least one of said data items and displaying the selected data items using the computer device.

34. A method according to any of claims 23 to 33, and further including providing tyre pressure measurements for a plurality of tyres.

35. A method according to claim 34, and further including displaying and/or storing each tyre pressure measurement using the computer device.

36. A method according to any of claims 23 to 35, and further including a tyre tread depth measurement device, the method including providing a tyre tread depth measurement of the tyre.

37. A method according to claim 36, and further including providing a plurality of tyre tread depth measurements for the tyre, determining uneven tyre wear of the tyre, and comparing the pressure measurement of the tyre with said uneven tyre wear.

38. A method according to claim 37, and further including determining a cause of said uneven tyre wear selected from one or more of an incorrect steering alignment, an incorrect wheel alignment, an incorrect suspension setup, an over inflation of the tyre, and an under inflation of the tyre using the computer device.

39. A method according to claim 38, and further including determining the cause of uneven tyre wear due to an over inflation of the tyre or an under inflation of the tyre by comparing the tyre pressure measurement from the tyre pressure sensor or the tyre pressure measurement device using the computer device with the plurality of tyre tread depth measurements.

40. A method according to any of claims 23 to 39, and further including displaying and/or storing the tread depth measurement together with the tyre pressure measurement for each respective tyre.

41. A method of inspecting a tyre using a tyre inspection apparatus, comprising a pressure measurement device and a computer device, the method including: attempting communication with a tyre pressure sensor of the tyre; determining whether the tyre pressure sensor is fitted to the tyre; and connecting the pressure measurement device to a tyre valve of the tyre and determining a first tyre pressure measurement thereof.

42. A method according to claim 41, and further including using the computer device to determine whether the tyre pressure sensor is fitted to the tyre.

43. A method according to claim 41 or 42, and further including providing an indication signal in the absence of the tyre pressure sensor being fitted to the tyre.

44. A method as substantially described herein with reference to Figure 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.