Motor Vehicle Wheel Arch Comprising an Electrical Circuit and Assembly Comprisng a Wheel Arch and Power Supply Means

• US 20070222567A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Jeandey, Christian, Tupinier, Mathieu
• Granted Patent: US 7,777,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0483 Wireless routers between wheel mounted transmitters and chassis mounted receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

A vehicle wheel arch having an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of the vehicle. The wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch. The electrical circuit includes an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire.

Claims

1. A wheel arch of a motor vehicle, comprising an electrical circuit fully contained within a 3 mm proximity of the wheel arch, characterised in that the circuit is closed.

2. A wheel arch according to claim 1, in which the electrical circuit comprises an electrical wire forming at least one flat closed loop on a tuning capacitor.

3. A wheel arch according to claim 2, in which the electrical circuit comprises a coaxial wire comprising an electrically conductive central conductor, an insulating sheath and an outer shielding sheath interrupted at a tuning capacitor.

4. A wheel arch according to claim 3, in which the outer shielding sheath is grounded.

5. A wheel arch according to claim 1, comprising an electrically insulating material.

6. A wheel arch according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is embedded in a composition of the wheel arch.

7. A wheel arch according to claim 6, wherein a surface of the wheel arch comprises at least one reference mark configure to reveal a position of the electrical circuit embedded in the wheel arch.

8. A wheel arch according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is adhesively bonded to a surface of the wheel arch.

9. An assembly comprising a wheel arch according to claim 1 and a power supply means for the electrical circuit of the wheel arch.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, in which power is supplied to the electrical circuit by magnetic coupling.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, in which the power supply means comprises a coupling circuit disposed facing the electrical circuit of the wheel arch to ensure magnetic coupling.

12. An assembly according to claim 11, in which the coupling coefficient between the electrical circuit of the wheel arch and the coupling circuit is between 0.4 and 0.6.

13. A wheel arch according to claim 2, wherein the electrical wire of the electrical circuit forms more than one loop.

14. A system for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of a wheel arch of the vehicle, the electrical circuit comprising an antenna configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire; and

a coupling circuit comprising an antenna and being positioned near the wheel arch, so as to be coupled to the electrical circuit to communicate at least one of power and data to the electrical circuit.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a computer/power supply installed in the vehicle and electrically connected to the coupling circuit.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the antenna of the electrical circuit is formed by a flat, coaxial wire arranged in one or more loops.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein all of the components of the electrical circuit are passive components.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to communicate only via electromagnetic coupling.

19. A vehicle wheel arch having an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of the vehicle, the wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch, the electrical circuit comprising an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire,

wherein all of the components of the electrical circuit are passive components.

20. A vehicle wheel arch having an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of the vehicle, the wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch, the electrical circuit comprising an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire,

wherein the electrical circuit is configured to communicate only via electromagnetic coupling.