Apparatus for monitoring rotation of an object about an axis
First Claim
1. A sensor for monitoring a direction of rotation of an object about an axis, the sensor comprising:
- a switch member being urged into a neutral position relative to the object and being movable relative to the object away from the neutral position, a direction of relative movement between the switch member and the object being indicative of the direction of rotation of the object, inertia of the switch member during initial rotation of the object resulting in relative movement of the switch member away from the neutral position, centrifugal force during object rotation further acting on the switch member to enhance the relative movement of the switch member away from the neutral position; and
a device for monitoring the direction of relative movement between the switch member and the object and for providing a signal indicative thereof.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor (36) for monitoring rotation of an object (16) about an axis (20) comprises a switch member (40) that is urged into a neutral position and is movable relative to the object (16). A direction of movement of the switch member (40) relative to the object (16) is indicative of a direction of rotation of the object (16). Inertia of the switch member (40) during initial rotation of the object (16) results in relative movement of the switch member (4) away from the neutral position. Centrifugal force during object (16) rotation further enhances the relative movement of the switch member (40). The sensor (36) also comprises a device (56) for monitoring a direction of movement of the switch member (40) and for providing a signal indicative thereof.
4 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A sensor for monitoring a direction of rotation of an object about an axis, the sensor comprising:
-
a switch member being urged into a neutral position relative to the object and being movable relative to the object away from the neutral position, a direction of relative movement between the switch member and the object being indicative of the direction of rotation of the object, inertia of the switch member during initial rotation of the object resulting in relative movement of the switch member away from the neutral position, centrifugal force during object rotation further acting on the switch member to enhance the relative movement of the switch member away from the neutral position; and
a device for monitoring the direction of relative movement between the switch member and the object and for providing a signal indicative thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A sensor for monitoring rotation of an object about an axis, the sensor comprising:
-
a movable switch member being urged into a neutral position and being adapted so as to move relative to switch contacts in response to rotational acceleration of the object, the switch member being further responsive to centrifugal force resulting from object rotation so as to enhance movement of the switch member and thereby close the switch contacts, closure of the switch contacts being indicative of a direction of rotation of the object; and
a device for monitoring switch closure and for providing a signal indicative thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus for sensing a condition of a vehicle tire, the apparatus comprising:
-
a tire rotation sensor for monitoring rotation of the vehicle tire about its mounting axis, the tire rotation sensor including a movable switch member and a monitoring device, the switch member being urged into a neutral position relative to the tire and being movable relative to the tire away from the neutral position, a direction of relative movement between the switch member and the tire being indicative of the direction of rotation of the tire, inertia of the switch member during initial rotation of the tire resulting in relative movement of the switch member away from the neutral position, centrifugal force during tire rotation further acting on the switch member to enhance the relative movement of the switch member away from the neutral position, the monitoring device monitoring the direction of movement of the switch member and providing a rotation direction signal indicative thereof;
a controller for receiving the rotation direction signal from the monitoring device and for providing a transmission signal indicative of the rotation direction signal; and
a transmitter for transmitting the transmission signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification