TRW is now in mass production with its zero initiator Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
The technology includes four wheel-mounted sensors to directly
monitor the individual tire pressure levels, but eliminates
the need for the electronic initiators previously required to
locate the sensor positions.
The receiver is typically mounted under the rear of the
vehicle or in the rear bumper area; it can determine front and
rear sensor locations by comparing the received signal
strengths. Left and right side sensor locations are determined
by sensing and processing Earth’s gravitational and magnetic
fields. Thus, by combining the front/rear and left/right
information, the system can determine which tire is
underinflated without the need for any initiators.
“TRW seeks to bring cost competitive systems to market in our
effort to deliver the safety that everyone deserves, and
affirms its TPMS technological leadership with this innovative
new product launch,” says product director Laurent
Crosnier.
“The zero initiator system is an example of smart thinking
that reduces part count and complexity, and still delivers the
performance of a direct tire pressure monitoring system with
the capability to automatically identify which tire or tires
are under inflated and pose a potential safety risk,”
according to Crosnier.
It started mass production in late 2010 and is being evaluated
by a number of global manufacturers. Additional vehicles
equipped with the system will be launching later this
year.
For more information, visit www.trw.com.
