Device for mounting a detector on a wheel rim and corresponding process

• US 6,912,897 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2002
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Luce, Dominique
• Primary Examiner(s): BRAGDON, REGINALD GLENWOOD
• Application Number:
  US10/328,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20030121317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 137/223, 137/227, 731/46, 731/463, 731/468, 340/442
• US Class Current: 73/146.8
• 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 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

A detector is mounted on a wheel rim of an automotive vehicle. The provided device comprises a housing receiving the detector, a traction member having an axis, the traction member being adapted to be mounted on the rim, to pull the housing toward this rim along its axis, the housing being articulated relative to this traction member, elements for blocking the traction member relative to the rim, once the housing has been drawn toward the rim, and a sealing joint surrounding the traction member in the region in which it passes through the rim. The housing has a convex bearing surface to bear toward the joint substantially along the axis of the traction member.

Claims

1. Device for mounting a detector on a wheel rim of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a housing (10) receiving the detector (1),

a traction member (11) having an axis (11a), said member being adapted to be mounted on the rim (3), to pull the housing toward this rim along its axis, the housing being articulated relative to this traction member,

means (17) for blocking the traction member relative to the rim once the housing has been drawn toward the rim, and

a sealing joint (15) surrounding the traction member in the region where it passes through the rim,

characterized in that the housing (10), respectively the joint (15), has a convex bearing surface (25) to bear against the joint (15), respectively the housing, substantially along the axis (11a) of the traction member.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) is adapted to turn relative to the traction member (11) about an articulation (27) located spaced from the convex bearing surface (25) of the housing and whose axis is offset relative to that of the traction member.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that between the convex bearing surface (25) and the joint (15) is interposed a flexible or deformable washer (33) having surfaces (35, 37) which distribute homogeneously over an extended surface of the joint the force exerted on this joint by the housing.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the flexible or deformable washer (35) has a peripheral skirt (39) surrounding at least locally the periphery of the joint, to prevent or limit its crushing transversely to the direction of the bearing force exerted by the housing and thus to circumscribe the flow of the joint beyond the washer by confining it to its sealing function.

9. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that between the convex bearing surface (25) and the joint (15) is interposed a washer (33) having surfaces (35, 37) which distribute homogeneously over an extended surface of the joint the force exerted on this joint by the housing.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the flexible or deformable washer (35) has a peripheral skirt (39) surrounding at least locally the periphery of the joint, to prevent or limit its crushing transversely to the direction of the bearing force exerted by the housing and thus to circumscribe the flow of the joint beyond the washer by confining it to its sealing function.

5. Process for mounting a detector on a wheel rim of an automotive vehicle, according to the following steps:

a) there is used a housing (10) provided to receive the detector (1), said housing being connected articulatedly to a traction member (11) having an axis,

b) the traction member is mounted on the rim (3) through an opening (13),

c) there is interposed between the housing and the rim, about the traction member, a joint (15) substantially at the location at which this traction member passes through said rim, and

d) one pulls on the housing along said axis (11a), by axial displacement of the traction member whose position is blocked by axial blocking means (17), after which the housing has been pulled toward the rim,

characterized in that during step (d), the housing is brought toward the rim, substantially along the axis (11a) of the traction member, under the swinging coupling force created by this traction and a convex bearing surface (25) is provided so that the housing will bear, substantially along the axis of said traction member, in the direction of the joint (15) when it is axially pulled toward it.

6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that there is interposed a washer (33) with substantially flat bearing surface or surfaces (35, 37) between the joint and the convex bearing surface (25) of the housing.

7. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that there is interposed a washer (33) with substantially convex bearing surface or surfaces (35, 37) between the joint and the flat bearing surface (25) of the housing.

8. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the swinging couple is created at a region located spaced from the axis (11a) of the traction member (11).

11. Process according to claim 6, characterized in that the swinging couple is created at a region located spaced from the axis (11a) of the traction member (11).

12. Device for mounting a detector on a wheel rim of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a housing (10) receiving a detector (1);

a traction member (11) having an axis (11a), said member being adapted to be mounted on a wheel rim (3), to pull the housing toward the rim along the rim'"'"'s axis, the housing being articulated relative to the traction member;

blocking means (17) to block the traction member relative to the rim once the housing has been drawn toward the rim; and

a sealing joint (15) surrounding the traction member in the region where the traction member passes through the rim, wherein,

the joint (15) has a convex bearing surface (25) bearing against the housing, substantially along the axis (11a) of the traction member.