Tire pressure sensor assembly

• US 20060272402A1
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Chiou, Jen-Huang A., Yin, Jeffrey, Meagher, John T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,284,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146.800
• 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 23/0452 Antenna structure, control or arrangement vehicle tyre mounted antennas H01Q1/2241
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

The disclosure provides a tire pressure sensor assembly that includes a battery and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured with electronics to measure tire pressure and to transmit an electromagnetic signal related to the measured tire pressure. The PCB and battery are contained in a housing that allows the PCB and the battery to be angularly oriented with respect to each other. Such orientation permits the sensor to conform to the curved surface of the rim. An embodiment of the disclosed tire pressure sensor assembly is adapted to fasten to a valve stem via a metal terminal. The attachment configuration permits the valve stem assembly to deform as the valve stem is installed in a rim and also allows the valve stem to function as a portion of the antenna structure to facilitate transmitting the RF signal to a receiver.

Claims

1. A tire pressure sensor assembly, comprising:

a printed circuit board comprising electronics for measuring tire pressure and for transmitting an electromagnetic signal related to tire pressure;

a valve stem for introducing air through a rim of a tire; and

a terminal for coupling the printed circuit board to the valve stem, wherein the terminal is generally perpendicular to an plane of the printed circuit board and generally perpendicular to an axis of the valve stem.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve stem comprises a housing capable of being press fit through an opening in the rim to affix the assembly in the rim.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a battery for the printed circuit board that does not overlap with the printed circuit board.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the battery and the printed circuit board are housed in a housing, and wherein the battery and the printed circuit board are angled with respect to each other so as to cause the housing to generally conform with the rim of the tire.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the housing is an overmolded housing.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprising an opening, and wherein the terminal couples to the valve stem by positioning the valve stem through the opening.

7. A tire pressure sensor assembly, comprising:

a printed circuit board comprising electronics for measuring tire pressure and for transmitting an electromagnetic signal related to tire pressure;

a valve stem for introducing air through a rim of a tire; and

a terminal for coupling the printed circuit board to the valve stem, wherein the terminal extends outwardly from a plane of the printed circuit board.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the valve stem comprises a housing capable of being press fit through an opening in the rim to affix the assembly in the rim.

9. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a battery for the printed circuit board that does not overlap with the printed circuit board.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the battery and the printed circuit board are housed in a housing, and wherein the battery and the printed circuit board are angled with respect to each other so as to cause the housing to generally conform with the rim of the tire.

11. A tire pressure sensor assembly, comprising:

circuitry for measuring tire pressure and for transmitting an electromagnetic signal related to tire pressure;

a valve stem for introducing air through a rim of a tire; and

a terminal for coupling the circuitry to the valve stem,

wherein the circuitry is housed, and wherein the circuitry housing is angled so as to generally conform with the rim of the tire.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the valve stem is capable of being press fit through an opening in the rim to affix the assembly in the rim.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the terminal is electrically or mechanically coupled to the valve stem.

14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the circuitry comprises a printed circuit board with electronics and a battery, and wherein the angled portion of the housing is proximate to a point at which the printed circuit board and battery meet.

15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the housing is an overmolded housing.

16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the terminal comprising an opening, and wherein the terminal couples to the valve stem by positioning the valve stem through the opening.

17. A tire pressure sensor, comprising:

a printed circuit board configured with electronics for measuring tire pressure and for transmitting an electromagnetic signal related to tire pressure;

a battery; and

a molded housing containing the printed circuit board and the battery,

wherein the printed circuit board comprises a rigid terminal configured for attaching the printed circuit board to a valve stem.

18. The tire pressure sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the housing is a conformal housing.

19. The tire pressure sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the battery does not overlap with the printed circuit board.

20. The tire pressure sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the battery and the printed circuit board are oriented at an angle with respect to one another.