Monitoring device and tire combination

• US 20040189455A1
• Filed: 02/26/2001
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Koch, Russell W., Wilson, Paul B., Trew, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,919,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0077 Directly attaching monitoring devices to tyres before or after vulcanization, e.g. microchips
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

The invention provides a monitoring device and tire combination wherein an antenna is mounted to the tire in a location spaced from the monitoring device. In one embodiment, the antenna may be mounted to the tire sidewall outside the body cords of the tire. The antenna may be mounted on the outer surface of the sidewall or embedded within the body of the sidewall. The antenna is connected to the monitoring device with a connector. The connector may be electrically coupled to the monitoring device or may be connected to the monitoring device with a plug and socket connection. When the antenna is outside the body cord, the connector may extend from the antenna through the bead filler, over the top of the turn up, or under the bead ring.

Claims

1. In combination, a tire, a monitoring device, and an antenna;

the tire having a sidewall with at least one body cord, a bead ring, a bead filler, and a body cord turn up disposed in the sidewall;

the sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

the monitoring device being mounted to the inner surface of the sidewall;

the monitoring device having at least one sensing element;

the antenna being mounted to the tire sidewall in a location spaced from the monitoring device; and

a connector providing an electrical connection between the antenna and the monitoring device.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the antenna is mounted to the tire sidewall outside the body cord.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the connector is electrically coupled to the monitoring device to provide electrical communication between the antenna and the monitoring device.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the connector is connected to the monitoring device with a detachable plug and socket connection to provide electrical communication between the antenna and the monitoring device.

5. The combination of claim 2, wherein the connector passes under the bead ring.

6. The combination of claim 2, wherein the connector passes over the body cord turn up.

7. The combination of claim 2, wherein the connector extends through the bead filler.

8. The combination of claim 2, wherein the antenna is embedded within the sidewall of the tire.

9. The combination of claim 2, wherein the antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the sidewall of the tire.

10. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a patch mounted to the inner surface of the sidewall;

the monitoring device being mounted to the patch.

11. In combination, a tire, a monitoring device, and an antenna;

the tire having a sidewall with at least one body cord, a bead ring, a bead filler, and a body cord turn up disposed in the sidewall;

the sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

the monitoring device being mounted to the inner surface of the sidewall;

the monitoring device having at least one sensing element;

the antenna being mounted to the tire sidewall in a location spaced from the monitoring device;

the body cord being disposed intermediate the antenna and the monitoring device; and

a connector providing an electrical connection between the antenna and the monitoring device.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the connector passes over the body cord turn up.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the connector extends through the bead filler.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the connector passes under the bead ring.

15. The combination of claim 11, wherein the antenna is embedded within the sidewall.

16. The combination of claim 11, wherein the antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the sidewall.

17. In combination, a tire, a monitoring device, and an antenna;

the tire having a sidewall with at least one body cord, a bead ring, a bead filler, and a body cord turn up disposed in the sidewall;

the sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a patch mounted to the inner surface of the sidewall;

the monitoring device being mounted to the patch;

the monitoring device having at least one sensing element;

the antenna being mounted to the tire sidewall in a location spaced from the monitoring device;

the body cord being disposed intermediate the antenna and the monitoring device; and

a connector providing an electrical connection between the antenna and the monitoring device.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the connector passes over the body cord turn up.

19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the connector extends through the bead filler.

20. The combination of claim 17, wherein the connector passes under the bead ring.