Yokohama Designs New ‘Intelligent’ TPMS System

Yokohama is claiming that the days of stability control systems could be numbered, due to a new programme developed by the company. Yokohama explains that the system uses a direct measuring sensor fitted to the wheel rim. The thinking behind the product is that it will only function when a driver really needs it, for example when a tyre loses grip. This contrasts with other designs, which have been criticised for ‘nannying’ drivers.

According to executive chief engineer, Yutaka Hattori, the new system is both cheap and safe, consisting of a small circuit board containing a 2.4 square millimetre pressure sensor a 3D G-sensor, a Philips microprocessor, a transmitter and an antenna. The whole unit, weighing only 10 grams including packaging, is mounted on each wheel rim and as the wheel rotates, data from sensors is processed and transmitted back to the ABS/ESP where it is able to determine dry, wet or icy conditions. This direct link eliminates the conventional signal path that travels through tyre, suspension, bush body yaw/G sensors. Such a design means real-time data is fed to the ECU instead of the 100 milliseconds delay which occurs in current systems.

Yokohama says Intelligent TPMS could be commercially available within three years. The device would not be supplied by Yokohama itself, whose development engineer says he hopes to see the system deployed universally. “It doesn’t matter if the tyres are different, or if it’s a cheap or expensive car – it’s the same data,” he says.

Mr Hattori, will be revealing how his TPMS device can be used as a stability control at Tire Technology Expo 2005 in Cologne, Germany.