Tire pressure sensor array
First Claim
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1. A tire pressure sensor array, comprising:
- a control module;
at least one receiver electrically connected to the control module; and
at least four tire pressure sensors in communication with the control module via the receiver, each tire pressure sensor including a pressure switch generating a digital pressure signal at a predetermined pressure level, a digital state machine electrically connected to the pressure switch for receiving said digital pressure signal and providing a digital signal representing pressure information, and a transmitter connected to the digital state machine for receiving the pressure information and wirelessly transmitting said pressure information to the receivers;
wherein each pressure switch comprises a plate;
a rib extending from the plate to establish at least one cavity on the plate;
at least two lower contacts disposed on the plate within the cavity;
at least one diaphragm disposed on the rib and enclosing the cavity; and
at least two upper contacts disposed on the diaphragm above the second lower contact, the pressure switch movable between an open position wherein the upper contacts do not engage the lower contacts, a first closed position wherein one upper contact engages one lower contact, and a second closed position wherein each upper contact engages a respective lower contact.
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Abstract
A tire pressure sensor array includes a control module to which a receiver is connected. Four tire pressure sensors communicate with the control module via the receiver. Each tire pressure sensor includes a pressure switch that is electrically connected to a digital state machine. The digital state machine is connected to a transmitter and communicates pressure information to the transmitter. In turn, the transmitter communicates the pressure information to the receiver which communicates the pressure information to the control module.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A tire pressure sensor array, comprising:
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a control module;
at least one receiver electrically connected to the control module; and
at least four tire pressure sensors in communication with the control module via the receiver, each tire pressure sensor including a pressure switch generating a digital pressure signal at a predetermined pressure level, a digital state machine electrically connected to the pressure switch for receiving said digital pressure signal and providing a digital signal representing pressure information, and a transmitter connected to the digital state machine for receiving the pressure information and wirelessly transmitting said pressure information to the receivers;
wherein each pressure switch comprises a plate;
a rib extending from the plate to establish at least one cavity on the plate;
at least two lower contacts disposed on the plate within the cavity;
at least one diaphragm disposed on the rib and enclosing the cavity; and
at least two upper contacts disposed on the diaphragm above the second lower contact, the pressure switch movable between an open position wherein the upper contacts do not engage the lower contacts, a first closed position wherein one upper contact engages one lower contact, and a second closed position wherein each upper contact engages a respective lower contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A tire pressure sensor array, comprising:
a control module;
at least one receiver electrically connected to the control module; and
at least four tire pressure sensors in communication with the control module via the receiver, each tire pressure sensor including at least one pressure switch that includes at least one cavity, at least one lower contact disposed within e cavity, at least one diaphragm enclosing the cavity, and at least one upper contact disposed on the diaphragm above the lower contactwherein each pressure switch includes at least one cavity, at least two lower contacts disposed within the cavity, at least one diaphragm enclosing the cavity, and at least two upper contacts disposed on the diaphragm above the lower contacts; and
wherein each pressure switch is movable between an open position wherein the upper contacts do not engage the lower contacts, a first closed position wherein one upper contact engages a respective lower contact, and a second closed position wherein each upper contact engages a respective lower contact. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Specification