Wheel loss detection
AssigneeWheely-Safe Ltd.
InventorGary Broadfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for detecting wheel loss from a vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The device (1) is provided with a housing (11) configured for, in use, mounting the device to a wheel (3) such that the device (1) abuts a wheel hub (5) of an axle to which the wheel is attached. A detector (6) is provided for detecting a proximity of the device (1) to the wheel hub (5), and a transmitter (8) is provided for sending an alarm signal in the event that the detector (6) detects that the device (1) is no longer in proximity to the wheel hub (5). In this way, if the wheel starts to become detached from the wheel hub, the detector (1) detects this and can send an alarm to, for example, a receiver unit in the drivers cabin, allowing the driver to take appropriate steps.
Claims10
A device for detecting wheel loss from a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, the device comprising:
- a housing configured for, in use, mounting the device to a wheel rim of a wheel, such that the device indirectly abuts a wheel hub of an axle to which the wheel is attached, such that the wheel is disposed between the device and the wheel hub, said housing includes a mounting plate comprising an aperture arranged to fit over a wheel hub stud;
- a detector for detecting a proximity of the device to the wheel rim, and hence indirectly detecting a proximity of the device to the wheel hub;
- a transmitter for sending an alarm signal in the event that the detector indirectly detects that the device is no longer in proximity to the wheel hub;
- wherein the device is coupled to a mounting plate comprising an aperture arranged to fit over a wheel hub stud, such that, in use, the device abuts the wheel rim.
A wheel loss detection system for detecting wheel loss while the vehicle is in motion, the system comprising:
- a mounting plate comprising an aperture arranged to fit over a wheel hub stud;
- a detection device coupled to the mounting plate such that, in use, the device abuts a wheel rim of a wheel, adjacent to a wheel hub to which the wheel is attached, the wheel being disposed between the wheel hub and the detection device, the detection device comprising a detector for detecting a proximity of the device to the wheel rim, and hence indirectly detecting a proximity of the device to the wheel hub, and a transmitter for sending an alarm signal in the event that the detector indirectly detects that the device is no longer in proximity to the wheel hub;
- a receiving unit comprising a receiver for receiving from the detection device the alarm signal, and means for alerting a driver of a vehicle in the event that an alarm signal is received.
A method of fitting a wheel loss detection device, the method comprising:
- mounting a wheel loss detection device to a wheel rim, the wheel loss detection device being coupled to a mounting plate such that, in use, the device abuts the wheel rim, and wherein the mounting plate is attached to a wheel hub by means of an aperture arranged to fit over a wheel hub stud;
- the wheel loss detection device comprising a detector for detecting a proximity of the device to the wheel rim, and hence indirectly detecting a proximity of the device to the wheel hub, and a transmitter for sending an alarm signal in the event that the detector indirectly detects that the device is no longer in proximity to the wheel hub;
- fitting the wheel to the wheel hub such that the wheel is disposed between the wheel hub and the detection device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.