PUSH IN TIRE VALVE STEM

• US 20080202659A1
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Deniau, Jean-Christophe, Hettle, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/415
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/02 Connection to rims
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/207 and combined with other valves, e.g. safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring assembly includes a sensor secured to a valve stem secured within a wheel rim. The sensor is secured to the valve stem with a push on clip. The valve stem includes two pieces that provide for installation from one side of the wheel rim. The valve stem is separable to provide for the elongation of the rubber housing. Elongation of the housing causes a reduction in an outer diameter that provides for insertion into the opening of the wheel rim.

Claims

1. A valve stem assembly comprising:

an elastic housing defining an internal cavity;

a first valve stem disposed within the internal cavity, the first valve stem including an internal shoulder; and

a second valve stem disposed within the internal cavity and separable from the first valve stem, wherein the second valve stem seats on the internal shoulder of the first valve stem for preventing relative deflection between the first valve stem and the second valve stem.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first valve stem includes a first bore and the internal shoulder comprises a first stepped diameter within the first bore.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the internal shoulder is spaced apart from an interface end of the first valve stem.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the internal shoulder is perpendicular to the first bore.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the second valve stem includes an outer diameter corresponding with the first stepped diameter within the first bore and a ledge perpendicular to the first stepped diameter that seats on the internal shoulder.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 5, including an extension on the second valve stem that extends past the internal shoulder of the first valve stem and engages inner walls of the first valve stem axially past the internal shoulder.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first valve stem includes a second end distal from the end including the internal shoulder that extends from the internal cavity and includes an interface for supporting a sensor.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the end includes a groove for receiving a clip secured to the sensor.

9. A method of installing a valve stem assembly to an opening within a wheel rim comprising:

assembling a first valve stem and a second valve stem within an elastic housing;

seating the second valve stem on an internal shoulder within a first bore of the first valve stem;

pushing with an insertion tool extending through the first valve stem the second valve stem;

separating the second valve stem from the first valve stem to elongate the elastic housing and concurrently reducing an outer diameter of the elastic housing to accommodate insertion through the opening in the wheel rim; and

releasing the second valve stem to allow the elastic housing to return to a substantially original length and outer diameter to provide an interference fit within the opening.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the second valve stem seats within the first valve stem when the elastic housing is released and returns to the substantially original length and outer diameter.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the insertion tool extends through the first valves stem and engages a face on the second valve stem.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the second valve stem includes an extension extending axially past the internal shoulder for substantially preventing relative non-axial movement between the first valve stem and the second valve stem.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, including the step of attaching a sensor for measuring conditions within a tire to the first valve stem.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, including the step of receiving a clip within a groove on the first valve stem for securing the sensor to the first valve stem.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, including the step of securing the clip within a cavity of the sensor and pushing the sensor onto the valve stem until the clip is received within the groove on the first valve stem.

16. A tire pressure monitoring sensor assembly comprising:

an elastic housing including a bore;

a valve stem disposed within the bore including a first end extending from the bore, wherein the first end includes a chamfered end and a groove spaced apart form the first end;

a sensor housing including a chamber including an opening for receiving the first end of the valve stem; and

a clip within the chamber engageable to the valve stem and the groove for securing the sensor housing to the valve stem.

17. The assembly as recited in claim 16, including a securing feature for retaining the clip within the chamber of the sensor housing prior to the clip engaging the valve stem.

18. The assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein the clip comprises a split clip expandable responsive to engaging the chamfered end of the valve stem.

19. The assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein the groove is disposed about a circumference of the valve stem.