TPMS SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD THEREFORE

• US 20060248947A1
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dougherty, Daniel P., Cross, Robert L., Veres, Robert E., Phalak, Vinod
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,452 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 23/04985 using straps surrounding the rims

Abstract

A device for removably attaching a TPMS sensor to a wheel is provided. The device has a structure having a first end section, a second end section and a base. The base separates the first end section from the second end section. A first connector is formed in the first end section and a second connector is formed in the second end section. The device may be selectively attached to a wheel. The device may selectively receive a sensor, the sensor being releasably connectable to the first connector and the second connector of the device. The device may be a cradle for connecting a sensor thereto. Also, a method of using a cradle in a first wheel for use with an automotive vehicle is provided.

Claims

1. A device for removably attaching a TPMS sensor to a wheel comprising:

a structure having a first end section, a second end section and a base, said base separating said first end section from said second end section;

a first connector formed in said first end section; and

a second connector formed in said second end section,

wherein said device is selectively attachable to the wheel and said device may selectively receive the sensor, the sensor being removably connectable to said first connector and said second connector of said device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the structure is a cradle.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said base of said structure compliably compliments the wheel contour to which it may be selectively attached.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said base of said structure has an arcuate surface.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive coupled to the base, whereby the device is selectively attachable to the wheel by said adhesive.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said adhesive is a double sided adhesive tape.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising an adhesive tape liner removeably coupled to said adhesive, said adhesive being coupled between said base and said adhesive tape liner.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said first end section and said second end section each extend substantially radially outward from said base.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said first end section is a clip end, and said first connector is a clip.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said clip comprises a first hole bounded within said clip end, wherein said first hole may selectively receive a tongue of a first sensor end of said sensor.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said second end section is a hook end, and said second connector is at least one hook, said hook formed in said hook end.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said device has two hooks inwardly formed in the outer edge of said hook end, wherein said hooks may each selectively receive one of two notches of a second sensor end of said sensor.

13. The device of claim 1 further comprises a first port and a second port, whereby a band may be inserted through said first port and out said second port thereby selectively retaining said base between said band and said wheel.

14. The device of claim 8 further comprises a first port and a second port, wherein said first port is bounded within said structure between said first end section and said base, and said second port is bounded within said structure between said second end section and said base, whereby a band may be inserted through said first port and out said second port thereby selectively retaining said base between said band and said wheel.

15. A TPMS sensor assembly comprising:

a device as recited in claim 1;

and

a sensor coupled to said device, the sensor comprises a sensor housing, the sensor housing having a first sensor end and a second sensor end, wherein said first sensor end is coupled to said first connector of said first end section and said second sensor end is coupled to said second connector of said second end section.

16. The TPMS sensor assembly of claim 15 further comprising a CPA coupled to said first sensor end, where said CPA may provide secondary assurance of proper engagement between said first connector and said first sensor end of said sensor housing.

17. The TPMS sensor assembly of claim 16 wherein said CPA is insertable into said first sensor end when said first connector is properly coupled to said first sensor end.

18. The TPMS sensor assembly of claim 15 further comprising a double sided adhesive tape, whereby the device is selectively attachable to the wheel by said adhesive.

19. The TPMS sensor assembly of claim 18 further comprising an adhesive tape liner removeably coupled to said adhesive, said adhesive being coupled between said base and said adhesive tape liner.

20. The TPMS sensor assembly of claim 18 further comprising a wheel, wherein the device is selectively attached to said wheel.

21. An assembly comprising:

a cradle, said cradle comprises a clip end, a hook end and a base, said base separating said clip end from said hook end, said clip end and said hook end each extend substantially radially outward from said base, a clip is formed in said clip end, and at least one hook is formed in said hook end; and

a sensor coupled to said cradle, the sensor comprises a sensor housing, the sensor housing having a first sensor end and a second sensor end, wherein said first sensor end is coupled to said clip of said clip end and said second sensor end is coupled to at least one hook of said hook end,

wherein said sensor may be replaceably detached from said cradle.

22. The assembly of claim 21 further comprising a first wheel coupled to said cradle, wherein said sensor may be replaceably detached from said cradle without uncoupling said cradle from said first wheel.

23. The assembly of claim 21 further comprising a CPA coupled to said first sensor end, where said CPA provides secondary assurance of proper engagement between said clip end of said cradle and said first sensor end of said sensor housing.

24. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said clip comprises a first hole bounded within said clip end, wherein said first hole releasably engages a tongue of said first sensor end of said sensor, and said hook end comprises two hooks inwardly formed in the outer edge of said hook end, wherein said hooks releasably engage two notches of said second sensor end of said sensor when said sensor is disengaged from said clip end.

25. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said TPMS sensor assembly is coupled to a wheel well of said first wheel and is positioned upon said wheel well at approximately 180 degrees from a valve stem port on said wheel.

26. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said base of said TPMS sensor assembly is coupled to said first wheel by a double sided adhesive tape.

27. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said cradle further comprises a first port and a second port, wherein said first port is bounded within said cradle between said clip end and said base, and said second port is bounded within said cradle between said hook end and said base, wherein said base of said TPMS sensor assembly is coupled to said first wheel by a band inserted through said first port and out said second port thereby selectively retaining said base between said band and said wheel.

28. The automotive vehicle of claim 27 wherein said sensor housing further comprises a band guide, said band guide providing a passage between said first port and said second port for said band.

29. The assembly of claim 22 further comprising a tire coupled to said first wheel.

30. A method of assembling a TPMS sensor assembly comprising:

receiving a cradle, said cradle comprises a clip end, a hook end and a base, said base separating said clip end from said hook end, said clip end and said hook end each extend substantially radially outward from said base, a clip is formed in said clip end, and at least one hook is formed in said hook end;

receiving a sensor, the sensor comprises a sensor housing, the sensor housing having a first sensor end and a second sensor end;

attaching said second sensor end of said sensor to said at least one hook in said hook end of said cradle; and

attaching said first sensor end of said sensor to said clip of said clip end of said cradle.

31. The method of assembling a TPMS sensor assembly of claim 30 further comprising attaching a CPA to said first sensor end, where said CPA is attachable only when said clip end of said cradle and said first sensor end of said sensor housing are securely attached.

32. The method of assembling a TPMS sensor assembly of claim 30 further comprising attaching a first tape side of a double sided adhesive tape to said base of said cradle, where the second tape side is coupled to a releasably attached adhesive tape liner.