Transmitter in tire condition monitoring apparatus

• US 6,952,957 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Kayukawa, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/680,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/462, 731/463, 731/464, 731/465, 731/468, 701/1
• 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 transmitter has a valve stem, an electronic element, a casing and a coupler. The valve stem permits flow of air into the tire. The electronic element transmits a data representing the condition of the tire. The casing accommodates the electronic element. The coupler couples the valve stem to the casing such that an angle of the casing relative to the valve stem is adjustable be controlled. This can be attached to wheels having different cross-sectional shape.

Claims

1. A transmitter of an apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire, the transmitter comprising:

a valve stem for permitting flow of air into the tire, wherein a pair of grooves are formed in a proximal portion of the valve stem;

an electronic element for transmitting a data representing the condition of the tire;

a casing for accommodating the electronic element; and

a coupler for coupling the valve stem to the casing such that an angle of the casing relative to the valve stem is adjustably controlled, wherein the coupler has a pair of projections, and the projections fit into the grooves.

2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein each projection is movable along the corresponding groove.

3. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the projections are arcuate.

4. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the projections extend from the casing, wherein the projections extend parallel to each other to define a space between the adjacent projections, and wherein a part of the valve stem between the grooves is fitted into the space.

5. The transmitter according to claim 1, further comprising a valve nut threaded to the valve stem to attach the valve stem to a wheel, wherein the angle of the casing is fixed by fastening the valve nut.

6. A transmitter of an apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire, the transmitter comprising:

a valve stem for permitting flow of air into the tire, wherein a pair of grooves are formed in a proximal portion of the valve stem;

an electronic element for transmitting a data representing the condition of the tire;

a casing for accommodating the electronic element; and

a coupler for coupling the valve stem to the casing such that an angle of an attachment of the casing relative to the valve stem is adjustably controlled, wherein the coupler is fixed to the casing, wherein the coupler has a pair of arcuate projections, and wherein the projections are fitted into the grooves such that each projection is movable along the corresponding groove.

7. The transmitter according to claim 6, wherein the projections extend from the casing, wherein the projections extend parallel to each other to define a space between the adjacent projections, and wherein a part of the valve stem between the grooves is fitted into the space.

8. The transmitter according to claim 6, further comprising a valve nut threaded to the valve stem to attach the valve stem to a wheel, wherein the angle of the casing is fixed by fastening the valve nut.

9. The transmitter according to claim 8, wherein, when the valve nut is loosened, the casing and the coupler is movable relative to the valve stem.