U.S. patent application number 11/046785 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for wireless tire-pressure monitor.
Invention is credited to Hung-Sen Chang.
Application Number | 20060173648 11/046785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36757725 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060173648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Hung-Sen |
August 3, 2006 |
WIRELESS TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR
Abstract
A wireless tire-pressure monitor mainly has a cylindrical body,
a seal assembly, a screw and a sensor. The cylindrical body is
mounted through a hole in a wheel rim wall and has an air passage,
an interior thread defined in the air passage and a flange formed
around the body. The seal assembly is mounted around the body on
opposite sides of the wheel rim wall and abuts the flange on the
body. The screw is screwed into the air passage and squeezes the
seal assembly against the wheel rim wall. The sensor is mounted on
the body. Therefore, the wireless tire-pressure monitor is easily
and securely attached to the wheel rim to detect pressure and
temperature of the wheel. Further, the sensor is positioned outside
of the wheel rim to prevent the wireless detecting signals from
being interfered by the wheel rim or wheel.
Inventors: |
Chang; Hung-Sen; (Feng Shan
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HERSHKOVITZ & ASSOCIATES
1725 I STREET NW, SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
36757725 |
Appl. No.: |
11/046785 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/138 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C 23/0408 20130101;
B60C 23/0496 20130101; B60C 23/0498 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/138 |
International
Class: |
G01L 19/00 20060101
G01L019/00; G01L 15/00 20060101 G01L015/00 |
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. A wireless tire-pressure monitor, comprising: a body being
cylindrical and having an outside surface, an inside end, an
outside end, a flange formed on the outside surface, an exterior
thread formed on the outside surface at the outside end, an air
passage defined coaxially through the body and a side opening
defined through the outside surface and communicating with the air
passage, wherein the air passage comprises: an inside end
corresponding to the inside end of the body; an interior thread is
defined at the inside end of the air passage; and an outer interior
thread defined in the outside end of the air passage; a sleeve
mounted around the outside surface of the body and having a flat
seat; a seal assembly mounted around the outside surface of the
body and having an outer washer mounted around the outside surface
of the body against the flange, a seal mounted around the outside
surface of the body against the outer washer and has a longitudinal
neck, an inner washer slipped around the outside surface of the
body, and a backing ring mounted to the inner washer; a screw
screwed into the inside end of the body and having a threaded shaft
screwed into the interior thread in the air passage in the body, a
head pressing against the inner washer and compressing the seal,
and a through hole defined coaxially through the head and the
threaded shaft and communicating with the air passage; a sensor
mounted on the sleeve and the outside surface of the body and
having a casing mounted on the flat seat of the sleeve and the
outside surface of the body around and communicating with the side
opening in the body, and at least one circuit board mounted in the
casing; and a valve core screwed into the interior thread at the
outside end of the air passage.
7. The wireless tire-pressure monitor as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the at least one circuit board comprises: a microprocessor
having multiple inputs and outputs; a pressure detector connected
to the input of the microprocessor and faced to the opening of the
casing to detect, wherein the opening communicates to the air
passage, so the pressure detector detects the tire pressure of a
wheel; a temperature sensor connected to the input of the
microprocessor and faced to the opening of the casing to detect,
wherein the opening communicates to the air passage, so the
temperature sensor detects the tire temperature of a wheel; a
transmitter connected to the output of the microprocessor; an
antenna connected to the transmitter; and a battery connected to
the microprocessor, the pressure detector, the temperature sensor
and the transmitter.
8. The wireless tire-pressure monitor as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the sensor casing has encapsulant encapsulating the at
least one circuit board.
9. The wireless tire-pressure monitor as clamed in claim 6, wherein
the body is L-shaped.
10. A wireless tire-pressure monitor, comprising: a body being an
L-shaped cylinder and having an outside surface, an inside end, an
outside end, a nut formed on the inside end of the body and having
a top, an L-shaped air passage defined coaxially through the body,
an exterior thread defined on the outside surface at the outside
end, an outer interior thread defined in the outside end of the
body, and a side opening defined through the outside surface and
communicating with the air passage; a sleeve mounted around the
outside surface of the body and having a flat seat; a screw screwed
into the nut on the inside end of the body and having a threaded
shaft screwed into the nut, a head and a through hole defined
coaxially through the head and the threaded shaft and communicating
with the air passage; a seal assembly having an outer washer
mounted on the top of the nut, a seal attached to the outer washer
and having a longitudinal neck, and a backing ring mounted on the
head of the screw; a sensor having a casing mounted on the flat
seat of the sleeve and communicating with the side opening in the
body and at least one circuit board mounted in the casing; and a
valve core screwed into the outer interior thread at the outside
end of the air passage.
11. The wireless tire-pressure monitor as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the at least one circuit board comprises: a microprocessor
having multiple inputs and outputs; a pressure detector connected
to the input of the microprocessor and faced to the opening of the
casing to detect, wherein the opening communicates to the air
passage, so the pressure detector detects the tire pressure of a
wheel; a temperature sensor connected to the input of the
microprocessor and faced to the opening of the casing to detect,
wherein the opening communicates to the air passage, so the
temperature sensor detects the tire temperature of a wheel; a
transmitter connected to the input of the microprocessor; an
antenna connected to the transmitter; and a battery connected to
the microprocessor, the pressure detector, the temperature sensor
and the transmitter.
12. The wireless tire-pressure monitor as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the sensor casing has encapsulant encapsulating the at
least one circuit board.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a wireless tire-pressure
monitor, and more particularly to a wireless tire-pressure monitor
that is easily and securely attached to a wheel rim and a sensor
for detecting tire pressure and temperature positioned outside of
the wheel rim to prevent the wireless detecting signals from being
interfered by the wheel rim and the wheel.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A tire-pressure detector or monitor is mounted on each wheel
to detect the wheel's pressure or temperature. Therefore, the
driver can monitor the status of each wheel to increase driving
safety.
[0005] With reference to FIG. 12, a conventional tire valve capable
of sensing and transmitting tire pressure includes a body (80), a
valve core (81), a detector (82) and a resilient outer cover (83).
The body (80) has two opposite ends. The detector (82) is screwed
onto one end of the body (80). The resilient outer cover (83)
covers the body (80) and the detector (82), holds the tire valve in
an opening (901) in a wheel rim (90) and has a tapered outer
surface (831). A tool (91) inserted into the free end of the
detector (82) pushes the tapered outer surface of the resilient
cover (83) into a hole in the wheel rim (90) until the resilient
cover (83) attaches to the wheel rim (90). The valve core (80) is
positioned outside of the wheel rim (90) and the detector (82) is
positioned inside of the wheel rim (90).
[0006] However, the conventional tire valve deteriorates from heat
and the environment and eventually breaks off the wheel rim or must
be replaced. When the tire valve must be replaced, the device to
sense tire pressure must also be replaced. Again, since the
detector (82) of the tire valve positioned inside of the wheel rim
(90), the intensity of the wireless detecting signals from the
detector (82) will be decreased or interfered by the wheel rim (90)
and the wheel (not shown).
[0007] With reference to FIG. 13, another tire valve (80a) is
attached to a wheel rim (90) with a wheel (92). A detector (82a) is
positioned inside of the wheel rim (90) and the valve core (81a) is
positioned outside of the wheel rim (90). Before the wheel (92)
attached to the wheel rim (90), the tire valve (80a) is first setup
on the wheel rim (90). Since the wheel (92) is attached to or
detached from the wheel rim (90) along the periphery (901) of the
wheel rim (901) by a specific machine (not shown), the detector
(82a) of the tire valve could be damaged.
[0008] Therefore, the conventional tire valve shown in FIG. 12
could be damaged by attaching or detaching the wheel (92).
Therefore, the present invention provides a wireless tire-pressure
monitor that is easily and securely to a wheel rim and is not easy
damaged during attaching or detaching a wheel procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
wireless tire-pressure monitor that is easily and securely attached
to a wheel rim to monitor tire pressure or temperature, is
positioned outside of a wheel rim to prevent wireless detecting
signals from being interfered by the wheel rim and the wheel, and
is not easy damaged during attaching or detaching wheel
procedure.
[0010] A wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the
present invention mainly has a cylindrical body, a seal assembly, a
screw and a sensor. The cylindrical body is mounted through a hole
in a wheel rim wall and has an air passage, an interior thread
defined in the air passage and a flange formed around the body. The
seal assembly is mounted around the body on opposite sides of the
wheel rim wall and abuts the flange on the body. The screw is
screwed into the air passage and squeezes the seal assembly against
the wheel rim wall. The sensor is mounted on the body. Therefore,
the wireless tire-pressure monitor is easily and securely attached
the wheel rim to detect pressure and temperature of the wheel and
the sensor is positioned outside of the wheel rim.
[0011] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the wireless
tire-pressure monitor in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the wireless
tire-pressure monitor in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the wireless
tire-pressure monitor in FIG. 1 attached to a wheel rim;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of a second embodiment
of the wireless tire-pressure monitor attached to a wheel rim;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of a third embodiment
of a wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of a fourth embodiment
of a wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a
wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the wire less
tire-pressure monitor in FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional side view of the wireless
tire-pressure monitor in FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 11 is an operational cross sectional side view of the
wireless tire-pressure monitor in FIG. 8 attached to a wheel rim
with an inner tube of a tire;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional side view of a conventional
tire valve in accordance with the prior art; and
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional side view of another
conventional tire valve attached on a wheel rim with a wheel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a
wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention includes a body (10), a seal assembly, a screw (20), and
a sensor (40).
[0026] The body (10) is cylindrical and made of metal material. The
body (10) has an outside surface (11), an inside end (111), an
outside end (112), exterior ribs (14), a flange (12) and an air
passage (13). The exterior ribs (14) are formed on the outside
surface (11) at the outside end (112). The flange (12) is formed
around the outside surface (11). The air passage (13) is defined
coaxially through the body (10) and has an inside end and an
interior thread (131). The inside end of the air passage (13)
corresponds to the inside end (111) of the body (10). The interior
thread (131) is defined at the inside end of the air passage
(13).
[0027] The seal assembly is positioned around the outside surface
(11) of the body (10) and has an outer washer (30), a seal (31), a
backing ring (33) and an inner washer (32). The outer washer (30)
is mounted around the outside surface (11) of the body (10) against
the flange (12). The seal (31) is mounted around the outside
surface (11) of the body (10) against the outer washer (30) and has
a longitudinal neck (311). The inner washer (32) is slipped around
the outside surface (11) of the body (10). The backing ring (33) is
mounted to the inner washer (32).
[0028] The screw (20) is screwed into the inside end (111) of the
body (10) and has a threaded shaft (21), a head (22) and a through
hole (23). The threaded shaft (21) is screwed into the interior
thread (131) in the air passage (13) in the body (10). The head
(22) presses against the inner washer (32) and compresses the seal
(31). Alternately, the inner washer (32) may be attached to or
formed with the head (22). The through hole (23) is defined
coaxially through the head (22) and the threaded shaft (21) and
communicates with the air passage (13).
[0029] With further reference to FIG. 3, the sensor (40) is mounted
on the outside end (112) of the body (10) and has a casing (41), at
least one circuit board (42, 43) and optional encapsulant (44). The
casing (41) communicates with the air passage (13), has an opening
(411) and interior ribs (412) defined in the opening (411) and
secured onto the exterior ribs (14) on the outside surface (11) of
the body (10) to securely seal the outside end (112) of the body
(10). The casing (41) is made of plastic material. The at least one
circuit board (42, 43) is mounted in the casing (41) and has a
pressure detector (421), a temperature sensor (422), a
microprocessor (431), a transmitter (434), an antenna (432) and a
battery (433). The microprocessor (431) has multiple inputs and
outputs, and the pressure detector (421) and the temperature sensor
(422) are connected to the inputs of the microprocessor (431) and
the transmitter (434) is connected to the outputs of the
microprocessor (431). The antenna (432) is connected to the
transmitter (434). The battery (433) is connected to the
microprocessor (431), the pressure detector (421), the temperature
sensor (422) and the transmitter (434). The first embodiment of the
sensor (40) has a first circuit board (42) and a second circuit
board (43). The second circuit board (43) mainly has the
microprocessor (431), the transmitter (434), the antenna (432) and
the battery (433), and the first circuit board (42) has a pressure
detector (421) and a temperature sensor (422). The pressure
detector (421) and the temperature sensor (422) are electrically
connected to the microprocessor (431) of the other circuit board
(43), and faced to the opening (411) and air passage (13) of the
body (10). The encapsulant (44) encapsulates the at least one
circuit board (42, 43).
[0030] With reference to FIG. 4, the first embodiment of the
wireless tire-pressure monitor is mounted through a hole (501) in a
wheel rim (50) having an inside surface and an outside surface. The
screw (20), the inner washer (32) and the backing ring (33) are
mounted against the inside surface of the wheel rim (50). The seal
(31) and the backing ring (33) are mounted on opposite sides of the
wheel rim (50). When the air passage (13) of the body (10) screws
onto the threaded shaft (21) of the screw (20), the wheel rim (50)
is squeezed between the seal (31) and the backing (33).
[0031] The sensor (40) will transmit detected signals from the
pressure detector (421) and temperature sensor (422) to a receiver
mounted inside the vehicle. The receiver will show information
related to the pressure and temperature of the wheel to a
driver.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the
wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention further includes a tubular gasket (45) and an exterior
thread (14a) formed on the outside surface (11) at the outside end
(112) of a body (10). The tubular gasket (45) has an opening (451),
an interior thread (452) and exterior ribs (453). The tubular
gasket (45) is secured into the opening (411) in the casing (41)
and screwed onto the outside surface (11) of the body (10). Since
the tubular gasket (45) is screwed onto the body (10), the sensor
(40) can be directly separated from the body (10) without detaching
the wheel (not shown) from the wheel rim (50). The opening (451) in
the tubular gasket (45) allows that the air passage (13) of the
body (10) to communicate with the casing (41). Therefore, the
pressure detector (421) and the temperature sensor (422) detect the
tire pressure and temperature inside the wheel.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 6, a third embodiment of the wireless
tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present invention
modifies the body (10) described in the first embodiment,
incorporates a sleeve (60), rearranges the sensor (40) described in
the first embodiment and incorporates a tire valve.
[0034] The body (10) is extended at the outside end (112) and a
side opening (101) and an outer interior thread (132) are added.
The side opening (101) is defined through the outside surface (11)
and communicates with the air passage (13). The outer interior
thread (132) is defined in the air passage (13).
[0035] The sleeve (60) is mounted around outside surface (11) the
body (10) and has a flat seat (61).
[0036] The sensor (40) is mounted on the flat seat (61) of the
sleeve (60) and on the outside surface (11) of the body (10) around
the side opening (101) and has a casing (41), one circuit board
(42) and optional encapsulant (44). The casing (41) communicates
with the side opening (101). The pressure detector (421) and the
temperature sensor (422) are mounted in the casing (41) and face to
and communicate with the side opening (101) in the body (10). The
valve core (70) is screwed into the air passage (13) of the body
(10) to seal the outside end (112) of the body (10).
[0037] With reference to FIG. 7, a fourth embodiment of a wireless
tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present invention is
essentially the same as the third embodiment, but the body (10) is
L-shaped.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a fifth embodiment of a
wireless tire-pressure monitor in accordance with the present
invention allows for installation on a wheel rim for a wheel having
an inner tube. The wireless tire-pressure monitor has most elements
of the fourth embodiment and does not have an inner washer (32).
With further reference to FIG. 10, the body (10) further has a nut
(15). The nut (15) is formed on the inside end (111) of the body
(10) and has a top. The backing ring (33) is mounted on the head
(22) of the screw (20), and the outer washer (30) is mounted on the
top of the nut (15). The seal (31) is attached to the outer washer
(30).
[0039] With reference to FIG. 11, since this embodiment is adapted
to attach to the wheel rim (50) for the wheel (not shown) having an
inner tube (51), the screw (20) and the backing ring (33) are
mounted to the inner tube (51) and the through hole (23) of the
screw (20) communicates with inner space of the inner tube (51).
When the inner tube (51) is attached into the wheel rim (50), the
threaded shaft (21) is inserted into the hole (501) on the wall of
wheel rim (50) and a front potion of the threaded shaft (21) is
positioned outside of the wheel rim (50). The nut (15) further
screws onto the threaded plug (21) to attach to the wheel rim (50).
Therefore, the sensor (40) is mounted on outside of the wheel rim
(50).
[0040] According to the forgoing embodiments of the present
invention, during attaching the wheel on the wheel rim procedure,
the sensor (40) is not damaged. Further, since the sensor (40) is
positioned outside of the wheel rim (50) and the wireless detecting
signals are not interfered by the wheel rim (50) or the intensity
of the wireless detecting signals is decreased by the wheel rim
(50) and wheel. Again, the wireless tire-pressure monitor in
accordance with the present invention is easily and securely
attached to the wheel rims to detect tire-pressure and temperature
of the wheel. The sensor will detect and process the data inside
the wheel and then convert and transmit the detected data as
wireless signals. The receiver in the vehicle will receive the
wireless signals and display the pressure and temperature
information related to the wheel. Furthermore, the present
invention can be configured to incorporate a tire valve without
jeopardizing the structural integrity of the wireless tire-pressure
monitor.
[0041] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of
parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent
indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the
appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *