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Applications The Bartec Auto ID Limited range of RTPMS readers are Approved by Schrader for use at many different stages from assembly of RTPMS in wheel assembly through to replacement of wheels at the dealership. These applications include: Application 1 - Tire and wheel assembly
Bartec Auto ID Limited and Dominion Technologies have partnered to provide a comprehensive TPMS Wheel & Tyre assembly system based on Test and verification tools from Bartec and Assembly Automation systems from Dominion. Also the FXR fixed reader system can be used to automatically verify the operability of the TPMS on the exit conveyor from the Wheel and Tire Assembly machine. Additionally every tire and wheel can be queried and the tire pressure recorded against the unique ID. Traceability is no longer an issue, since each and every tire/wheel assembly has a unique ID. This improves the process in two ways. First ia a direct feedback loop to the tire filling station. With this new data available filling accuracy can be improved by better control of the process. The second improvement will be the possible detection of slow leaks. If a second reader station is added, one just after the Tire & Wheel mounting system and one just before decking then (often a 3-4 hour bank of parts) then a comparison can be made of the two different pressures and slow leaking tires could be detected before the tire and wheel assembly is mounted to the vehicle. Application 2 - The vehicle production line
The FXR is deployed with an antenna on either side of the vehicle to read the RTPMS IDs and download them along with their positions to the plant computer. This computer then uploads the data to the vehicle ECU at a later stage of production. On low volume production lines the BXR-LFB can be used instead of the FXR to read the VIN barcode, thereby identifying the vehicle and to then move quickly around the vehicle capturing the RTPMS IDs. The procedure is similar to that set out for Rework. Application 3 - Other uses of the BXR
Backup to the FXR. In many plants, production line working space is at a premium and it is impractical to back up the primary production line readers with a full duplicate FXR arrangement. The BXR-LFB is suitable for this backup application along with an appropriate system of audible and visual warnings. At the given warning (No read by the FXR sends a warning signal) the BXR-LFB can be used by a production operative to scan the barcoded VIN number and read the RTPMS IDs. See the software procedure set out for Rework. Rework. Cars can go to the rework area for many tire-related reasons including flats, faulty RTPMS or other failure to read on the line. This may necessitate a change of wheel and the BXR-LFB was designed to attach this new RTPMS ID to the ECU. The software procedure for this is seen at Rework. The procedure allows the operator to capture the barcoded VIN number and then to go to each RTPMS in turn and capture its ID along with its position on the vehicle before downloading this data via either a cradle (CD-POD) or radio to the PCS-200 serial Controller and on to the plant network for subsequent update of the ECU. For software procedure see Rework. Yard flats. The BXR readers are designed with an interface to enable easy integration to portable diagnostic tools so that if, for example, vehicles are found to have punctures after the roll test or whilst they are parked in the production yard awaiting despatch, a procedure is available to replace a RTPMS ID on the ECU. This is done by software similar to the Rework procedure and the data is transmitted via the diagnostic tool to the plant computer system. Application 4 - Dealerships
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As the RTPMS is fitted into the tire and wheel assembly its operation can be checked to ensure that it is working properly before it enters the manufacturing line. This is achieved using either the BXR-LF or BXR-LHF test tools. The BXR-LF allows the operator to read the RTPMS at low frequency 125kHz and give a pass or fail signal. The BXR-LHF allows the high frequency output to be checked as well although due to the delay in the HF signal this is normally carried out on a sample batch basis.
The identities (IDs) of the RTPMS fitted to the vehicles need to be sent to the dashboard Electronic Computer Unit ECU along with their position (front left, front right etc) on the vehicle. This is achieved by using a high specification fixed reader FXR on the production line to read the RTPMS IDs after the tires have been fitted. RF noise in plant environments is significant and there is only one opportunity to get a 100% read so the FXR has been designed to activate the RTPMS at 125kHz and to read back its ID at both 125kHz and 433MHz or 315MHz thereby giving it two opportunities to compensate for extraneous plant noise.
Tire line. The BXR portable is suitable for reading RTPMS on the tire line before assembly to the vehicle. This can be helpful if spare tires are being fitted to a vehicle which are subsequently inaccessible to the FXR.
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