A modern car is a whole complex of interconnected systems. Wheels - this is the part of the car, the state of which depends on the safety of both the driver and passengers. Therefore, experts recommend regularly checking 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 - further in our article.
What is it?
This system has the function of preventing a vehicle with a low swap level from driving. 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 (on each wheel). This equipment can be found on many machines younger than 2000 release. Moreover, the presence of this option is mandatory in some countries in Europe and Asia, as well as in the United States.
Design
Such equipment works due to a sensor that is installed 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 Hyundai is no exception) is 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 a tire pressure sensor work? Principle of operation and installation location
Often it is mounted in place of a regular valve. Wheel pressure information is transmitted to the unit every 60 seconds. 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 does not have to be changed - after this period a new part is replaced. Therefore, if you purchase sensors, it’s just not used - even the seller will not be able to say how much they left before removal and lay on the shelf.
As an antenna that will receive a signal from each of the four wheels, a central locking element can be used. On some machines, a separate element is installed that accepts pulses from each sensor. It is located in a wheel arch. This solution allows you to control the pressure in each wheel and display all the data on the LCD in the passenger compartment. The control unit receives a signal from the antenna and compares this data with the factory parameters. If the wheel pressure level is below normal, the indicator 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. In which particular wheel is unknown. The driver himself must determine with the help of the tester which of the
wheels is lowering.
Expensive systems
In more expensive systems, monitoring is much easier. If 4 individual antennas are installed in the car, a signal will be displayed on a separate panel 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. Installed instead of the usual wheel swap valve. 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. It will burn green when the pressure level is 2 or more atmospheres, that is, it will be normal. If you make a brief overview of the tire pressure sensor, consider its malfunctions, several factors can be noted. Among the positive ones are low cost and ease of installation: no need to mount antennas, purchase an additional control unit. Among the minuses, we note low information content. After all, to determine whether the wheel is flat or not, you can only manually by putting the car in the parking lot. While driving, this thing is simply useless. But still, looking at the colors of the caps is much easier than twisting them and measuring the pressure with a tester on each wheel.
It is worth noting the X-Pressure wheel pressure monitoring system from the Pirelli company. The basic Optic model includes 4 caps that are installed on the valves. They signal a breakdown in the wheel by a color change, which is very convenient. But this will not save you from a slowly lowering tire on the go.
Radio sensors
This is a more progressive type of product. They are mounted on discs using clamps or immediately instead of a regular valve. In addition to these sensors, you must purchase a set of electronic elements. This is an antenna, control unit and display. This option is much more expensive than the first. But do not forget about reliability. The system will always work, and even if you are in a 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 has started to lower. As you know, to determine the breakdown on the go (especially if it is the rear, non-drive wheel) is quite difficult, especially on rubber with a low profile.
The principle of operation of the tire pressure sensor is based on radio communications. Today there are many devices that support the Bluetooth system, they can transmit 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 operation of the tire pressure sensor and examined its varieties.