Vehicle wheel and a method for controlling a vehicle
A wheel for a vehicle includes a tyre and a rim for supporting the tyre. A chamber is defined between the tyre and the rim for receiving pressurized air. The wheel further includes a detecting device located inside the chamber for detecting presence of water in the wheel.
1. A method for controlling tyre pressure in a wheel, the method comprising the following steps:
detecting whether water is present inside a chamber defined between a tyre and a rim of the wheel;
measuring pressure inside said chamber;
if no water is present inside the chamber and if pressure (Pw) measured inside the chamber is different from a target pressure value (PwT), activating a tyre inflation system for inflating or deflating the tyre in order to bring pressure inside the chamber at the target pressure value (PwT); and
setting a limit to vehicle speed if water is detected inside the chamber.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tyre inflation system is disabled if water is detected inside the chamber.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein presence of water inside the chamber is determined by means of a detecting device located in the chamber, the detecting device comprising a humidity sensor.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the detecting device further comprises a pressure sensor for measuring pressure inside the chamber in order to monitor said pressure and activate the tyre inflation system, if needed.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the detecting device further comprises a temperature sensor for detecting temperature inside the chamber.
6. A method for controlling tyre pressure in a wheel, the method comprising the following steps:
detecting whether water is present inside a chamber defined between a tyre and a rim of the wheel;
measuring pressure inside said chamber;
if no water is present inside the chamber and if pressure (Pw) measured inside the chamber is different from a target pressure value (PwT), activating a tyre inflation system for inflating or deflating the tyre in order to bring pressure inside the chamber at the target pressure value (PwT),
wherein a warning signal is generated if water is detected inside the chamber.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the tyre inflation system is disabled if water is detected inside the chamber.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising setting a limit to vehicle speed if water is detected inside the chamber.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein presence of water inside the chamber is determined by means of a detecting device located in the chamber, the detecting device comprising a humidity sensor.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detecting device further comprises a pressure sensor for measuring pressure inside the chamber in order to monitor said pressure and activate the tyre inflation system, if needed.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detecting device further comprises a temperature sensor for detecting temperature inside the chamber.