Method and apparatus for monitoring tire pressure with a color indicator
First Claim
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1. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus, comprising:
- a housing of an electrically non-conducting material;
a diaphragm configured within said housing to deform in response to at least an air pressure differential thereacross;
a color indicating piston of an electrical non-conductor, the piston disposed in contact with the diaphragm for being moved longitudinally within the housing;
a spring of an electrically conducting material positioned for urging the piston against the diaphragm in a first deformed direction of the diaphragm;
an inlet to the housing providing a tire air pressure against the diaphragm for urging the diaphragm in a second deformed direction, in opposition to the first deformed direction, wherein forces of the spring and the tire air pressure, together, determine the deformation position of the diaphragm and thus the position of the color indicating piston in the housing;
portions of said color indicating piston positionable visibly through a transparent window in the housing for indicating status of the tire air pressure;
an electrical circuit within the housing, the electrical circuit providing means for illuminating, the circuit made with the diaphragm fully deformed in the first deformed direction thereby indicating under-inflation of the tire.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for monitoring the air pressure of a tire. Various colors are displayed by the apparatus to denote an inflation level of the tire, and the apparatus may remain coupled to the air nozzle of a tire indefinitely. The apparatus includes a diaphragm that deforms in response to an air pressure differential on opposing sides thereof. Deformation of the diaphragm may alter the position of a color indicating cup, such that a color is displayed through an observation window, informing a user as to the inflation state of the tire. An LED circuit is provided for indicating a low tire pressure condition.
30 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus, comprising:
- a housing of an electrically non-conducting material;
a diaphragm configured within said housing to deform in response to at least an air pressure differential thereacross;
a color indicating piston of an electrical non-conductor, the piston disposed in contact with the diaphragm for being moved longitudinally within the housing;
a spring of an electrically conducting material positioned for urging the piston against the diaphragm in a first deformed direction of the diaphragm;
an inlet to the housing providing a tire air pressure against the diaphragm for urging the diaphragm in a second deformed direction, in opposition to the first deformed direction, wherein forces of the spring and the tire air pressure, together, determine the deformation position of the diaphragm and thus the position of the color indicating piston in the housing;
portions of said color indicating piston positionable visibly through a transparent window in the housing for indicating status of the tire air pressure;
an electrical circuit within the housing, the electrical circuit providing means for illuminating, the circuit made with the diaphragm fully deformed in the first deformed direction thereby indicating under-inflation of the tire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a housing of an electrically non-conducting material;
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11. A tire pressure monitoring method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a housing of an electrical non-conductor;
configuring a diaphragm within said housing to deform in response to at least an air pressure differential thereacross;
disposing a color indicating piston of an electrical non-conductor, in contact with the diaphragm for being moved longitudinally within the housing;
positioning a spring of an electrically conducting material for urging the piston against the diaphragm in a first deformed direction of the diaphragm;
providing tire air pressure in an inlet to the housing, the air pressure providing a force against the diaphragm in a second deformed direction, in opposition to the first deformed direction within said housing;
placing the color indicating piston so as to be visible through a transparent window in the housing for indicating status of the tire air pressure;
providing an electrical circuit within the housing;
lighting a means for illumination when the diaphragm is fully deformed in the first deformed direction thereby indicating under-inflation of the tire. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- providing a housing of an electrical non-conductor;
Specification