Tire pressure monitoring apparatus

• US 20070295076A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Blossfeld, Mike, Scales, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,803,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146.8
• 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 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring apparatus (10) includes a pressure transducer (14) and a valve stem (12). A support bracket (50) connects the valve stem (12) to the pressure transducer (14) and facilitates pivotal movement between the valve stem and the pressure transducer. The support bracket (50) includes a valve stem biasing member (80) that exerts a spring bias on the valve stem (12) to help maintain a selected angular position of the valve stem relative to the pressure transducer (14).

Claims

1. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus comprising:

a pressure transducer;

a valve stem; and

a support bracket that connects the valve stem to the pressure transducer, the support bracket facilitating pivotal movement between the valve stem and the pressure transducer and comprising a valve stem biasing member that exerts a spring bias on the valve stem to help maintain a selected angular position of the valve stem relative to the pressure transducer.

2. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the spring bias helps maintain the selected angular position of the valve stem relative to the pressure transducer via friction.

3. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the valve stem is adapted for insertion in an opening in a vehicle wheel, the pressure transducer comprising portions that engage the vehicle wheel and help support the pressure transducer, the spring bias exerted on the valve stem by the valve stem biasing member helping to maintain the portions of the pressure transducer engaging the vehicle wheel while the apparatus is assembled to the vehicle wheel.

4. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a threaded fastener for securing the apparatus to a vehicle wheel, the threaded fastener when installed causing the support bracket to become clamped between portions of the valve stem to help block relative angular movement between the valve stem and the pressure transducer.

5. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the pressure transducer comprises:

a printed circuit board;

sensor electronics mounted on the circuit board;

a battery power source for supplying electrical power to the sensor electronics; and

battery terminals for establishing an electrical connection between the battery power source and the printed circuit board, the battery terminals comprising compliant pin connectors.

6. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the support bracket is insert molded with a housing of the pressure transducer.

7. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the pressure transducer comprises a housing for supporting sensor electronics, the housing comprising first and second housing parts laser welded together to form a seal that helps isolate the senor electronics from ambient conditions outside the housing.

8. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the support bracket comprises at least a portion that serves as an antenna and a portion for providing an electrical connection between the support bracket and a printed circuit board of the pressure transducer, the portion for providing an electrical connection comprising a compliant pin.

9. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the support bracket comprises at least a portion that serves as an antenna and a portion for providing an electrical connection between the support bracket and a printed circuit board of the pressure transducer.

10. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the portion for providing an electrical connection comprises a compliant pin.

11. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus comprising:

a pressure transducer;

a valve stem; and

a support bracket that connects the valve stem to the pressure transducer, the support bracket includes at least a portion that serves as an antenna for the pressure transducer and a portion for providing an electrical connection between the support bracket and a printed circuit board of the pressure transducer.