Tire pressure alarm system with centrifugal force-controlled power switch

• US 6,031,450 A
• Filed: 02/03/1999
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tien-Tsai Huang
• Original Assignee: Tien-Tsai Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Tien-Tsai
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/243,434
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/438, 340/444, 340/445, 340/447, 73/146.2, 73/146.8, 116/34 R
• US Class Current: 340/442
• 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 23/0488 Movement sensor, e.g. for sensing angular speed, acceleration or centripetal force

Abstract

A tire pressure alarm system includes a tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit, that detects the air pressure of a tire and sends the detected tire pressure value to a radio receiver and alarm circuit by radio transmission communication. A radio receiver and alarm circuit receives the radio signal from a tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit having a tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit that has a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit includes a power source and a power switch, and the power switch has first and second metal contacts respectively connected to the positive and negative terminals of the power source. A metal spring member has a fixed end connected to a first metal contact and a free end mounted with a metal weight and is spaced from a second metal contact. When the tire is rotated at a speed over a predetermined level, a centrifugal force is produced forcing the metal weight at the free end of the metal spring member to contact with the second metal contact. The power switch is switched on automatically and enables the tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit to detect the tire pressure of the tire and sends the detected tire pressure value to the radio receiver and alarm circuit by radio transmission signals.

Claims

1. A tire pressure alarm system comprising a tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit mounted on a circuit board and installed in a tire to detect the pressure of the tire, and to send the detected tire pressure value to a radio receiver and alarm circuit by radio, and a radio receiver and alarm circuit adapted to receive the detected tire pressure value, wherein:

said tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit comprises a power supply circuit, said power supply circuit comprising a power source, and a power switch, said power switch comprising a first metal contact and a second metal contact respectively connected to positive and negative terminals of said power source, a metal spring member having a fixed end connected to said first metal contact and a free end spaced from said second metal contact at a distance, and a weight connected to the free end of said metal spring member;

when said tire is rotated at a speed over a predetermined level, a centrifugal force is produced and acted at said weight, and the free end of said metal spring member is forced by said centrifugal force to turn with said weight in one direction and to contact said second metal contact, causing said power switch to be switched on for enabling said tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit to detect the tire pressure of said tire and to send the detected tire pressure value to said radio receiver and alarm circuit by radio.

2. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 further comprising a shell connected to the air valve of said tire to guide the tire pressure of said tire to said tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit.

3. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said tire pressure sensor and radio transmitter circuit is installed in a rim at an inner side of the tire.

4. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said weight is an electrically conductive metal member.

5. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive metal member is shaped like a ball.

6. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive metal member is a metal nut.

7. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said power switch further comprises adjustment means controlled to adjust the tilting angle of said metal spring member.

8. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 7 wherein said adjustment means comprising a shield having a screw hole, and an adjustment screw threaded in the screw hole on said shield and pressed on said metal spring member at a top side.

9. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said power switch further comprising a compression spring connected between the free end of said metal spring member and said circuit board to keep the free end of said metal spring member away from said second metal contact, and to let the free end of said metal spring member contact said second metal contact when the centrifugal force which is produced upon rotary motion of the tire conquers the spring force of said compression spring.

10. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said first metal contact is a hollow unit, and said metal spring member suspended inside said hollow unit.

11. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said weight is a hollow unit, and said second metal contact extends inside said hollow unit.

12. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 wherein said second metal contact is suspended by a spring member.

13. The tire pressure alarm system of claim 1 further comprising a cover mounted outside said first and second metal contact.