TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSOR PATCH

• US 20090058667A1
• Filed: 11/10/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Transense Technologies Plc
• Original Assignee: Transense Technologies Plc
• Inventors: Vickery, Paul, Dixon, Bryn James
• Application Number:
  US12/268,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20090058667A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/626
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0452 Antenna structure, control or arrangement vehicle tyre mounted antennas H01Q1/2241
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

Abstract

A sensor mounting assembly for securing a sensor within a pressurized chamber defined between a wheel and a tire, comprises a patch 2 having a fastening surface 2a by a device in which it is securable, in use, to an inner surface of a tire or wheel. A plate 5 having a threaded aperture 4 is embedded in the patch 2. A sensor housing 1 has a threaded shaft 3 extending from it which complements the thread formed in the plate 5, so that the shaft 3 may be screwed into the aperture 4 in order to secure said housing to the exterior of the patch.

Claims

1. A sensor mounting assembly for securing a sensor within a pressurized chamber defined between a wheel and a tire, comprising:

a patch having a fastening surface by means in which it is securable, in use, to an inner surface of a tire or wheel; and

a first part of a two part complementary fixing system embedded in the patch, and a sensor housing having a second part of the two part complement fixing system provided thereon, said first and second parts of the complementary fixing system being engageable together in order to secure said housing to the exterior of the patch.

2. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two part fixing system comprises a threaded shaft which mates with a complementary threaded recess.

3. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein a plate is embedded in the patch, the plate having a threaded aperture formed therein which formed the threaded recess is in the form of plate.

4. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plate is molded as a integral part of the patch.

5. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the threaded shaft is formed by a projection on the sensor housing and screws into the threaded recess from the side of the patch opposite to the fastening surface.

6. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the threaded recess if formed in the sensor housing and a threaded shaft stands substantially upright from a plate molded into the patch onto which the sensor housing screws.

7. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plate has a polygonal periphery so as to help prevent it rotating relative to the patch.

8. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly includes an RFID tag or similar by means of which is can be remotely detected and identified.

9. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the RFID tag is integrated into the patch.

10. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the RFID tag is mounted within the housing.

11. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one antenna which extends therefrom parallel to but space apart from the plane of the patch.

12. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 11, wherein the patch includes an antenna restraint associated with at least one antenna, the at least one antenna constraint standing substantially upright from the plane of the patch in a direction opposite to said attachment surface and received a part of the antenna in an opening therein so as to maintain its spaced apart relation to the patch.

13. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing includes a dipole antenna in the form of two oppositely extending antennas which extend longitudinally along the patch.

14. A sensor mounting assembly according to claim 13, wherein the end of each antenna which is remote from the housing is supported by an associated antenna constrained which is integrally formed with the patch.