Device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels

• US 20030192373A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Luce, Dominique
• Granted Patent: US 6,840,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

The device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels comprises a housing (13) containing an electronic circuit (18) and capable of pressing against a rim (21) of said wheel during fitting of a valve (10) to said rim.

The housing comprises at least one tooth (16, 17) connected electrically to said electronic circuit and capable of scratching the surface of the valve during fitting of the valve to said rim.

Claims

1. A device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels, comprising a housing (13) containing an electronic circuit (18) and capable of pressing against a rim (21) of said wheel during fitting of a valve (10) to said rim, which device is characterized in that said housing comprises at least one tooth (16, 17) connected electrically to said electronic circuit and capable of scratching the surface of the valve during fitting of the valve to said rim.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said housing (13) comprises a pair of teeth (16, 17) positioned one on each side of the valve (10) during fitting of the valve (10) to the rim (21).

3. The device as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that provision is made for a relative rotation of the valve (10) and of the housing (13) and, when the valve is fully screwed home, each tooth (16, 17) is near or on the axis of rotation (A) of said relative rotation.

4. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that at least one tooth (16, 17) is made of stainless steel.

5. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that at least one tooth (16, 17) possesses an opening (34) capable of receiving a chip (23) produced by the scratching of the valve by said tooth.

6. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that at least one tooth (16, 17) has a larger dimension parallel to the direction of relative displacement of the valve.

7. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least one tooth (16, 17) is basically pyramid-shaped.

8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that at least one tooth (16, 17) is made up of two half-pyramids (32, 33) having triangular bases, with different heights so that an opening (34) is left between them.

9. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that at least one tooth (16, 17) is formed by stamping, the stamping action producing a tear (34) in part of the said tooth.

10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the housing (13) is of a shape suitable for surrounding each tooth (16, 17) in such a way as to substantially prevent the circulation of air.