Vehicle wheel and tire pressure monitor

• US 4,723,445 A
• Filed: 05/19/1986
• Issued: 02/09/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neotech Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neotech Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Morgan, Gary B., Watkins, G. Thomas IV, Ripley, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woodiel, Donald O.
• Application Number:
  US06/864,800
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.2, 73/146.3, 73/146.5, 73/146.8, 73/714, 340/58, 374/143
• US Class Current: 73/146.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/02 Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure hand-held tyre pressure gauges G01L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0406 Alarms noticeable from outside the vehicle, e.g. indication in side mirror, front light or audible alarms B60C23/0403, B60C23/0405 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals

Abstract

A tire pressure monitor arranged on a conventional wheel with a visual display viewable from the exterior of the wheel when it is stationary. The display typically presents a numerical indication of tire pressure. The electronic components for the display are housed within an enclosure mounted to the disk of the wheel. An air duct leads through the rim of the wheel to the enclosure for sampling interior tire pressure.

Claims

1. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

air pressure sensing means mounted to the wheel for monitoring air pressure within a tire supported on the rim;

display means located on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

the wheel having a stylized appearance wherein the disk includes a plurality of spokes;

the display means being mounted within one spoke.

2. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

air pressure sensing means mounted to the wheel for monitoring air pressure within a tire supported on the rim;

display means located on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

temperature sensing means for monitoring air temperature within a tire supported on the rim;

and electronic control means operably connected between the pressure sensing means, the temperature sensing means and the display means for causing the display means to present a visual indication of monitored air pressure as a function of monitored air temperature.

3. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

air pressure sensing means mounted to the wheel for monitoring air pressure within a tire supported on the rim;

display means located on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

motion sensing means for sensing rotational wheel movement about the wheel axis;

and electronic control means operably connected between the pressure sensing means, the motion sensing means and the display means for disabling the display means during rotational wheel movement and for enabling the display means to cause it to prevent a visual indication of air pressure when such movement terminates.

4. The vehicle wheel of claim 3, wherein the electronic means includes timer means that also disables the display means following a predetermined time after rotational wheel movement has terminated.

5. The vehicle wheel of claim 3, wherein the electronic means includes timer means that periodically enables the display means for predetermined time periods after rotational wheel movement has terminated.

6. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

air pressure sensing means mounted to the wheel for monitoring air pressure within a tire supported on the rim;

display means located on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure; and

manually actuated switch means on the wheel, the manually actuated switch means being operably connected to the pressure sensing means and display means for selectively enabling the display means when a visual check of monitored air pressure is desired.

7. A tire pressure monitoring device for use on a vehicle wheel having an annular rim with a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire and a radial disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, wherein the disk includes an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

the tire pressure monitoring device comprising;

an enclosure adapted to be fixed to the disk of a wheel;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

air supply means on the enclosure adapted to be connected in pneumatic communication with the interior of a tire;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

temperature sensing means located within the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the air supply means for monitoring instantaneous air temperature within the air supply means; and

electronic control means within the enclosure operably connected between the air pressure sensing means, the temperature sensing means and the display means for causing the display means to present a visual indication of the monitored air pressure as a function of the monitored air temperature.

8. A tire pressure monitoring device for use on a vehicle wheel having an annular rim with a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire and a radial disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, wherein the disk includes an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

the tire pressure monitoring device comprising;

an enclosure adapted to be fixed to the disk of a wheel;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

air supply means on the enclosure adapted to be connected in pneumatic communication with the interior of a tire;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

motion sensing means located within the enclosure adapted to sense rotational movement of the enclosure about a wheel axis; and

electronic means operably connected between the air pressure sensing means, the motion sensing means and the display means for disabling the display means during rotational movement of the enclosure about a wheel axis and for enabling the display means to cause it to present a visual indication of air pressure when such movement terminates.

9. The tire pressure monitoring device of claim 8 wherein the electronic means includes a timer circuit that also disables the display means following a predetermined time after rotational wheel movement has terminated.

10. The tire pressure monitoring device of claim 8 wherein the electronic means includes a timer circuit that periodically enables the display means for predetermined time periods after rotational movement of the enclosure about a wheel axis has terminated.

11. A tire pressure monitoring device for use on a vehicle wheel having an annular rim with a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire and a radial disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, wherein the disk includes an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

the tire pressure monitoring device comprising;

an enclosure adapted to be fixed to the disk of a wheel;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

air supply means on the enclosure adapted to be connected in pneumatic communication with the interior of a tire;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure; and

manually actuated switch means at the exterior of the enclosure, the manually actuated switch means being operably connected to the pressure sensing means and display means for selectively enabling the display means when a visual check of monitored air pressure is desired.

12. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

an enclosure adapted to be fitted within a complementary recess formed in the disk;

duct means leading between the outer surface of the rim and the recess formed in the disk, the duct means being adapted to establish pneumatic communication between the interior of a tire supported on the rim and the recess;

aperture means formed through the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the duct means;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, viewable on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

the vehicle wheel having a stylized appearance wherein the disk includes a plurality of spokes; and

the recess being formed in one spoke with the display means being viewable on its outwardly facing surface.

13. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

an enclosure adapted to be fitted within a complementary recess formed in the disk;

duct means leading between the outer surface of the rim and the recess formed in the disk, the duct means being adapted to establish pneumatuc communication between the interior of a tire supported on the rim and the recess;

aperture means formed through the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the duct means;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, viewable on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

normally closed valve means within the duct means for sealing the duct means to prevent passage of air through it when the enclosure is not in place within the recess; and

means on the enclosure for opening said valve means when the enclosure is in place within the recess.

14. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

an enclosure adapted to be fitted within a complementary recess formed in the disk;

duct means leading between the outer surface of the rim and the recess formed in the disk, the duct means being adapted to establish pneumatic communication between the interior of a tire supported on the rim and the recess;

aperture means formed through the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the duct means;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, viewable on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

temperature sensing means located within the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the duct means for monitoring instantaneous air temperature within the duct means; and

electronic control means within the enclosure operably connected between the air pressure sensing means, the temperature sensing means and the display means for causing the display means to present a visual indication of the monitored air pressure as a function of the monitored air temperature.

15. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

an enclosure adapted to be fitted within a complementary recess formed in the disk;

duct means leading between the outer surface of the rim and the recess formed in the disk, the duct means being adapted to establish pneumatic communication between the interior of a tire supported on the rim and the recess;

aperture means formed through the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the duct means;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, viewable on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure;

motion sensing means located within the enclosure adapted to sense rotational movement of the enclosure about a wheel axis; and

electronic means operably connected between the air pressure sensing means, the motion sensing means and the display means for disabling the display means during rotational movement of the enclosure about a wheel axis and for enabling the display means to cause it to present a visual indication of air pressure when such movement terminates.

16. The vehicle wheel of claim 15 wherein the electronic means includes a timer circuit that also disables the display means following a predetermined time after rotational wheel movement has terminated.

17. The vehicle wheel of claim 15 wherein the electronic means includes a timer circuit that periodically enables the display means for predetermined time periods after rotational movement of the enclosure about a wheel axis has terminated.

18. A vehicle wheel including an integral tire pressure monitor, comprising:

an annular rim having a circumferential outer surface adapted to support an inflated tire;

a disk supporting the rim and adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central wheel axis, the disk including an outwardly facing surface extending radially to the rim;

an enclosure adapted to be fitted within a complementary recess formed in the disk;

duct means leading between the outer surface of the rim and the recess formed in the disk, the duct means being adapted to establish pneumatic communication between the interior of a tire supported on the rim and the recess;

aperture means formed through the enclosure in pneumatic communication with the duct means;

air pressure sensing means located within the enclosure;

display means on the exterior of the enclosure, viewable on the outwardly facing surface of the disk, the display means being operably connected to the air pressure sensing means for selectively presenting a visual indication of the monitored air pressure; and

manually actuated switch means at the exterior of the enclosure, the manually actuated switch means being operably connected to the pressure sensing means and display means for selectively enabling the display means when a visual check of monitored air pressure is desired.