Device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels

• US 6,840,099 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Luce, Dominique
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/395,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20030192373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/468
• US Class Current: 73/146
• 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 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

A device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels comprises a housing (13) containing an electronic circuit (18) and capable of pressing against a rim (21) of the wheel during fitting of a valve (10) to said rim. The housing comprises at least one tooth (16, 17) connected electrically to the electronic circuit and capable of scratching the surface of the valve during fitting of the valve to the rim.

Claims

1. A device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels, comprising:

a housing (13) containing an electronic circuit (18) and capable of pressing against a rim (21) of said wheel during fitting of a valve (10) to said rim,

said housing having at least one tooth (16, 17) connected electrically to said electronic circuit and that scratches a surface of the valve during fitting of the valve to said rim.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing (13) comprises a pair of said teeth (16, 17) positioned one on each side of the valve (10) during fitting of the valve (10) to the rim (21).

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve (10) is rotatable relative to the housing (13) and, when the valve is fully screwed home, each said tooth (16, 17) is near or on the axis of rotation (A) of said relative rotation.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one tooth (16, 17) is made of stainless steel.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one tooth (16, 17) has a larger dimension parallel to the direction of relative displacement of the valve.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one tooth (16, 17) is basically pyramid-shaped.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one tooth (16, 17) is made up of two half-pyramids (32, 33) having triangular bases, with different heights so that an opening (34) is left between them.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one tooth (16, 17) is formed by stamping, the stamping action producing a tear (34) in part of the said at least one tooth.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing (13) is of a shape suitable for surrounding each tooth (16, 17) in such a way as to substantially prevent the circulation of air.

5. A device for communication between a vehicle and one of its wheels, comprising:

a housing (13) containing an electronic circuit (18), the housing abutting a rim (21) of a wheel during fitting of a valve (10) to the rim,

said housing having at least one tooth (16, 17) connected electrically to said electronic circuit and that scratches a surface of the valve during fitting of the valve to the rim,

wherein said at least one tooth (16, 17) possesses an opening (34) that receives a chip (23) produced by the scratching of the valve by said at least one tooth.

11. A device for transmitting a signal from a wheel of a vehicle, the device comprising:

an air valve for a wheel;

a fitting that is attached to said valve;

an electronic circuit attached to said fitting that senses a wheel parameter and transmits a signal that communicates the sensed wheel parameter; and

an electrically conductive tooth attached to said fitting and that is electrically connected to said electronic circuit, said tooth extending beneath a surface of said valve so that said valve is a transmitting antenna for said electronic circuit.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said tooth comprises an opening that receives a portion of said valve removed by extension of said tooth beneath the surface of said valve.