초록 ▼

A rotational sensor for use with an in-vehicle navigation system , a navigation system that uses the sensor, and a vehicle with the sensor installed. The rotational sensor is created by placing two gravitational accelerometers configured at 90 degrees with respect to one another and mounted at the c

A rotational sensor for use with an in-vehicle navigation system , a navigation system that uses the sensor, and a vehicle with the sensor installed. The rotational sensor is created by placing two gravitational accelerometers configured at 90 degrees with respect to one another and mounted at the center of a vehicle wheel. As this resulting sensor is rotated, sine and cosine signals with a quadrature relationship are generated with respect to the earth's gravity vector, from which both rotation and direction of rotation can be determined. These signals may then allow the counting of the turns of the wheel, thus estimating the distance and the rate at which the vehicle has moved. A self-contained version of this device including a transmitter can relay this information to a receiving unit located within the vehicle. When one of these devices is located on each of the steerable wheels of the vehicle, the relative heading-direction of the vehicle may also be estimated.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A gravimetric rotational wheel sensor for use on a mobile vehicle, the mobile vehicle having a body, and front axle engaged to the body, and at least one wheel engaged to the axle, comprising:a first accelerometer for engagement to the wheel; a second accelerometer for engagement to the wheel and

1. A gravimetric rotational wheel sensor for use on a mobile vehicle, the mobile vehicle having a body, and front axle engaged to the body, and at least one wheel engaged to the axle, comprising:a first accelerometer for engagement to the wheel; a second accelerometer for engagement to the wheel and aligned relatively to sense gravitational force 90 degrees out of synch from said first accelerometer; a transmitter for engagement to the wheel and for receiving electrical accelerometer output signals representing wheel rotation from said first and said second accelerometers and said transmitter for transmitting said accelerometer output signals; said first accelerometer and said second accelerometer are within a container and said container may be mounted to the wheel; a transmitter for allowing remote reporting of wheel position from said first and second accelerometers without the need for hard wiring; a microprocessor-based electronic circuit for signal processing and data correlation; said container configured to ensure said first accelerometer and said second accelerometer are located near the center of the wheel when said container is engaged to the wheel; and said microprocessor-based electronic circuit for signal processing and data correlation has a generator that may convert sensed rotational motion of the wheels to electric power.