Packaging for RF signal sensor with battery changing capabilities and method of using

• US 6,729,180 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Newman, Robert A., Torres, Juan C, Sanchez, Manuel S, Sanchez, Ramon A
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/254,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/462, 731/463, 731/465, 731/468, 340/442, 340/447
• US Class Current: 73/146.3
• 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 23/0452 Antenna structure, control or arrangement vehicle tyre mounted antennas H01Q1/2241
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

A pressure transducer assembly mountable in an interior of a tire for sensing a pressure of a fluid in the tire comprising: a sensor housing having a first compartment in fluid communication with the fluid; a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a divider slideably engaged with and removable from the sensor housing; the divider having disposed thereon a circuitry; the circuitry including a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the first compartment, and a transmission circuit coupled to the pressure transducer for transmitting a signal responsive to the internal pressure to a remote location; a removable power source coupled to the circuitry contained entirely within the second compartment; and a cover sealingly engaged with the housing and the divider such that the second compartment is not in fluid communication with the first compartment. A method of sensing the tire pressure and communicating a signal responsive to the tire pressure to an external receiver located in a remote location is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A pressure transducer assembly mountable in an interior of a tire for sensing a pressure of a fluid in said tire comprising:

a sensor housing having a first compartment in fluid communication with said fluid;

a second compartment separated from said first compartment by a divider slideably engaged with and removable from said sensor housing;

said divider having disposed thereon a circuitry;

said circuitry including a pressure transducer in fluid communication with said first compartment, and a transmission circuit coupled to said pressure transducer for transmitting a signal responsive to said pressure to a remote location;

a removable power source coupled to said circuitry contained entirely within said second compartment; and

a cover sealing engaged with said housing and said divider such that said second compartment is not in fluid communication with said first compartment.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a wheel valve stem having a conduit therethrough is attached to said sensor housing;

said wheel valve stem having a sealing member disposed within said conduit;

said sealing member being selectively movable between a closed position in which said sealing member prevents a fluid flow within said conduit; and

an open position in which said scaling member allows said fluid flow through said conduit.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said valve stem is disposed at an angle such that a major axis of said removable power source is essentially parallel to a rotational axis of a tire wherein said assembly is disposed.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said removable power source is a battery.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor housing is formed thorough injection molding.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said divider is slideably engaged within a grove disposed within said sensor housing.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said transmission circuit includes an antenna in an essentially spiral orientation disposed on said divider.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said transmitting of said signal responsive to said pressure to a remote location is via RF, optical, infrared or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

9. A method of sensing a pressure of a fluid within a tire and communicating said pressure to an external receiver located in a remote location, comprising:

disposing a pressure transducer assembly within said tire in communication with said fluid;

sensing said pressure of said fluid; and

transmitting a signal responsive to said pressure to said external receiver located in said remote location;

said pressure transducer assembly comprising;

a sensor housing having a first compartment in fluid communication with said fluid;

a second compartment separated from said first compartment by a divider slideably engaged with and removable from said sensor housing;

said divider having disposed thereon a circuitry;

said circuitry including a pressure transducer in fluid communication with said first compartment, and a transmission circuit coupled to said pressure transducer for transmitting said signal responsive to said pressure to said external receiver located in said remote location;

a removable power source coupled to said circuitry contained entirely within said second compartment; and

a cover sealing engaged with said housing and said divider such that said second compartment is not in fluid communication with said first compartment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a wheel valve stem having a conduit therethrough is attached to said sensor housing;

said wheel valve stem having a sealing member disposed within said conduit;

said sealing member being selectively movable between a closed position in which said sealing member prevents a fluid flow within said conduit; and

an open position in which said sealing member allows said fluid flow through said conduit.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said wheel valve stem is disposed at an angle such that a major axis of said removable power source is essentially parallel to a rotational axis of said tire wherein said assembly is disposed.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said removable power source is a battery.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said sensor housing is formed thorough low pressure injection molding.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said divider is slideably engaged within a grove disposed within said sensor housing.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said transmission circuit includes an antenna in an essentially spiral orientation disposed on said divider.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said transmitting of said signal responsive to said pressure to a remote location is via RF, magnetic, ultrasonic, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.