Principle of operation of the tire pressure sensor: overview, features and device

A modern car is a whole complex of interconnected systems. Wheels - this is the part of the car, on the condition of which depends the safety of both the driver and passengers. Therefore, experts recommend regularly to check the tire pressure. To simplify this procedure, there is a TPMS system. What is this tire pressure monitoring system and how does it work? About all this and not only - later in our article.

What is it?

This system performs the function of preventing a car with a low level of swap. It is offered as an option. On some cars (in particular, the premium segment), it is already in the "base". If your machine is not equipped with TPMS, it can be installed separately. Now these sensors can be purchased at a price of 3-4 thousand rubles per set (per wheel). This equipment can be found on many cars under the year 2000. Moreover, the presence of this option is mandatory in some countries of Europe and Asia, as well as in the United States.

Design

Such equipment operates due to the sensor, which is mounted on the disk, inside the tire. The system includes several components:

• Control block;
• LCD display;
• Receiving antenna;
• tire pressure sensor.

The principle of operation ("Tucson Handai" is not an exception) consists in the perception by the unit of signals emanating from each sensor. The last element is a complex device that includes:

• temperature sensor;
• Air pressure sensor;
• Electronic control and measurement mechanisms;
• battery;
• An antenna that transmits the received signal further to the control unit.

How does the tire pressure sensor work? Principle of operation and installation location

Often it is mounted in place of a regular valve. Information about the pressure in the wheel is transmitted to the unit every 60 seconds. And as for the batteries that are located there, the manufacturer has taken care of this for a long time. The battery maintains the performance of the wheel sensor for 7-10 years. However, it is not necessary to change it - after the expiration of this period, a new part is installed in place. Therefore, if you buy sensors, then only not used - even the seller will not be able to say how many they left before the removal and lay on the shelf.
As an antenna that will receive a signal from each of the four wheels, the central locking element can be used. On some machines, a separate element is installed, which receives pulses from each sensor. It is located in the wheel arch. This solution allows you to monitor the pressure in each wheel and output all data to the LCD in the car. The control unit receives a signal from the antenna and compares this data with the factory parameters. If the wheel pressure is below normal, the control lamp on the panel lights up. In some cases, this is accompanied by a beep. He indicates that the pressure in one of the tires is below normal. Which wheel is unknown. The driver must determine by himself with the help of the tester which one of the wheels is lowered.

Expensive systems

In more expensive systems, monitoring is much easier. If the car has 4 individual antennas, a separate panel will display a signal which one of the tires is currently lowering. The principle of operation of the tire pressure sensor is based on the receipt and transmission of information through the antenna to the on-board computer unit. Also, the driver is available information about the level of pumping in each of the wheels in real time.

Varieties

The first type is the most primitive. They are special caps with a color indicator. They are installed instead of the usual wheel swap valves. The principle of operation of the tire pressure sensor is very simple. If the wheel pressure is below 2 atmospheres, the cap color changes to yellow. If below 1 atmosphere - red. Green it will burn when the pressure level is 2 or more atmospheres, that is, it will be normal. If you make a brief review of the tire pressure sensor, its malfunctions to consider, there are several factors to note. Among the positive - low cost and easy installation: no need to mount the antenna, purchase an additional control unit. Among the minuses we note low informativeness. After all, to determine whether the wheel is lowered or not, you can only manually by placing the car in the parking lot. During the movement this thing is simply useless. But still it's much easier to look at the colors of the caps than to twist them and measure the pressure by the tester on each wheel. It is worth noting the X-Pressure wheel pressure monitoring system from Pirelli. The basic Optic model includes 4 caps that are installed on the valves. On the breakdown in the wheel, they signal a change in color, which is very convenient. But this will not save you from the slow descending tire on the go.

Radio sensors

This is a more progressive type of products. They are mounted on discs with clamps or immediately instead of a regular valve. In addition to these sensors, you need to purchase a set of electronic components. This antenna, control unit and display. This option is much more expensive than the first. But also about reliability it is not necessary to forget. The system will always work, and even being in the car at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour, you will know the current pressure in a particular wheel with an accuracy of 0.01 atm. But if you forget, the system will automatically warn you that the wheel started to lower. As is known, to determine the breakdown on the move (especially if it's a rear, not a driving wheel) is quite difficult, especially on rubber with a low profile. The principle of operation of the tire pressure sensor is based on radio communication. Today, there are many devices that support the system "Bluetooth", they can transfer information not only to the on-board computer, but also to your smartphone or tablet. It is very convenient. So, we found out the principle of the tire pressure sensor and examined its varieties.