Method and apparatus for installing tire pressure monitor assembly onto wheels

• US 20040011445A1
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dominion Technologies Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dominion Technologies Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Harm, Glen
• Granted Patent: US 6,801,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/152.1
• 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 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/00 Apparatus or tools adapted for mounting, removing or inspecting tyres testing of tyres G01M17/02

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for installing tire pressure monitor sensors onto wheels and for assembling tires onto wheels having tire pressure monitor sensors. The method includes orienting a wheel to place a tire pressure monitor sensor in a predetermined location using an automated orientation system in order to prevent damage to the tire pressure monitor sensor during assembly of a tire onto the wheel. The orientation of the wheel is detected using signals emitted from the tire pressure monitor sensor in order to ensure that the tire pressure monitor sensor is in its proper predetermined location prior to assembling the tire onto the wheel. After the tire is assembled onto the wheel and is inflated, a signal from the tire pressure monitor sensor is then read in order to determine if the tire pressure monitor sensor is functioning and if the tire is properly inflated.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a tire onto a wheel having a tire pressure monitor sensor, comprising:

mounting a tire pressure monitor sensor onto the wheel;

orienting said wheel to place said tire pressure monitor sensor in a predetermined location using an automated orientation system; and

assembling the tire onto the wheel using an automated tire and wheel assembly machine.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of orienting said wheel includes the step of rotating the wheel until a location of said tire pressure monitor sensor is sensed at a predetermined position.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of orienting said wheel includes lifting said wheel on a rotatable spindle.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of rotating the wheel until a location of said tire pressure monitor sensor is sensed at a predetermined position includes providing a switch device in contact with said wheel such that the tire pressure monitor sensor engages said switch device as the tire pressure monitor sensor is rotated to said predetermined position.

5. A method of assembling a tire onto a wheel having a tire pressure monitor sensor, comprising:

placing a wheel onto a conveyor system;

mounting a tire pressure monitor sensor onto the wheel;

orienting said wheel to place said tire pressure monitor sensor in a predetermined location using an automated orientation system;

assembling the tire onto the wheel using an automated tire and wheel assembly machine; and

inflating said tire.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of orienting said wheel includes the step of rotating the wheel until a location of said tire pressure monitor sensor is sensed at a predetermined position.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of orienting said wheel includes lifting said wheel on a rotatable spindle.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of rotating the wheel until a location of said tire pressure monitor sensor is sensed at a predetermined position includes providing a switch device in contact with said wheel such that the tire pressure monitor sensor engages said switch device as the tire pressure monitor sensor is rotated to said predetermined position.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein said automated orientation station is disposed along said conveyor system.

10. A method of assembling a tire onto a wheel having a tire pressure monitor sensor, comprising:

mounting a tire pressure monitor sensor onto the wheel;

orienting said wheel to place said tire pressure monitor sensor in a predetermined location;

detecting an orientation of said wheel to determine if the tire pressure monitor sensor is in said predetermined location using signals emitted from said tire pressure monitor; and

assembling the tire onto the wheel using an automated tire and wheel assembly machine.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of detecting an orientation of said wheel includes the step of utilizing a series of antennas located at predetermined locations in an orientation detecting station, said antennas being oriented in predetermined logical positions such that an orientation of said wheel can be logically determined based upon which of the series of antennas detect a signal emitted by said tire pressure monitor sensor.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of utilizing an antenna to detect a presence of a tire pressure monitor sensor on a wheel.

13. A method of assembling a tire onto a wheel having a tire pressure monitor sensor, comprising:

placing the wheel on a conveyor system;

mounting a tire pressure monitor sensor onto the wheel;

detecting an orientation of said wheel on said conveyor system to determine if the tire pressure monitor sensor is in said predetermined location using signals emitted from said tire pressure monitor; and

assembling the tire onto the wheel using an automated tire and wheel assembly machine.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of detecting an orientation of said wheel includes the step of utilizing a series of antennas located at predetermined locations in an orientation detecting station of said conveyor system, said antennas being oriented in predetermined logical positions such that an orientation of said wheel can be logically determined based upon which of the series of antennas detect a signal emitted by said tire pressure monitor sensor.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of utilizing an antenna to detect a presence of a tire pressure monitor sensor on a wheel.

16. A method of assembling a tire onto a wheel having a tire pressure monitor sensor, comprising:

mounting a tire pressure monitor sensor onto the wheel;

assembling the tire onto the wheel using an automated tire and wheel assembly machine;

inflating said tire; and

reading a tire pressure from said tire pressure monitor sensor.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said step of reading a tire pressure from said tire pressure monitor sensor includes the step of confirming that the tire pressure monitor sensor is functioning.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said step of reading a tire pressure from said tire pressure monitor sensor includes the step of confirming that the tire is properly inflated.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein said step of reading a tire pressure from said tire pressure monitor sensor further includes reading an identification signed for said tire pressure monitor sensor.

20. A method of installing a tire pressure monitor sensor onto a wheel, comprising:

inserting a stem of a tire pressure monitor sensor into a hole in a wheel;

applying a nut to a threaded portion of said stem;

tightening said nut to a first torque level beyond a required torque level;

loosening said nut; and

tightening said nut to a second torque level below said first torque level.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said step of tightening said nut to a second torque level includes the step of holding said nut at said second torque level for a predetermined amount of time.