Device for monitoring the tires of a vehicle with electromagnetically coupled antennas

• US 5,969,239 A
• Filed: 08/01/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
• Inventors: Meunier, Andre, Tromeur, Xavier
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US08/902,605
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.2, 73/146.3, 73/146.5, 73/146.8, 340/442, 340/443, 340/444, 340/445, 340/448
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/043 using transformer type signal transducers, e.g. rotary transformers

Abstract

Device for monitoring the tires of a vehicle, comprised of a central unit d for each wheel a measurement sensor, a rotating antenna, a stationary antenna, and metallic parts of electromagnetic coupling placed in the environment of the wheel, the hub, and the spindle.

Claims

1. Device for monitoring the tires of a vehicle, comprising a central unit and for each wheel:

a measurement sensor attached mechanically to the wheel;

a rotating antenna connected galvanically to the measurement sensor, firmly attached to the wheel, and integrated with the measurement sensor in a single small box;

a stationary antenna firmly attached to a spindle of said wheel, and connected electrically to the central unit; and

a closed circular strip-iron coupling ring coaxial with the wheel and placed opposite said stationary antenna and said rotating antenna such that any variation of magnetic flow produced by one of said antennas leads to the appearance of an electrical current in said coupling ring, and vice versa;

the central unit supplying energy to said sensors and analyzing measurement signals of said sensors.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which, said wheel having a metallic rim, the coupling ring is placed along the radially interior surface of said metallic rim.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein, the rotating antenna including a coil, the coupling ring is placed radially interior relative to this coil of the rotating antenna.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein, the rotating antenna including a coil, the coupling ring is placed radially exterior relative to this coil of the rotating antenna.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling ring is placed against the radially exterior surface of the rim, the latter being comprised of an insulating material.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein, the rim being comprised of an insulating material, the coupling ring is placed on the very interior of the thickness of the rim.

7. Device according to claim 1, in which the frequency of transmissions between the antennas is from 30 to 100 kilohertz.