Electronic wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus

• US 6,993,962 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yueh-Ying Ko
• Original Assignee: Yueh-Ying Ko
• Inventors: Ko, Yueh-Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US11/076,907
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 340442-449, 731/46, 731/462, 731/463, 731/464, 731/465, 731/468, 737/54, 737/56
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber

Abstract

An electronic wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus is provided to install on an inflation valve on a tire for a direct signal transmission and a reliable detection. A pressure sensor is configured as a chip type semiconductor sensor and directly wire-bonded to a circuit board. Meanwhile, the pressure sensor is fixed by the pinch pin and the pinch pin holder in place, thereby defining an airtight chamber to allow for an accurate detection of the tire pressure with the pressure sensor. Moreover, the pinch pin and the pinch pin holder are used as electrically conducting means for power supply when the tire pressure detector is screwed on the tire valve. A disconnection is easily achieved when unscrewed. Therefore, the power-saving effect is achieved and no signals are falsely transmitted.

Claims

1. An electronic wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus having a tire pressure detector completely installed on an inflation valve of a tire, comprising:

a) a first housing including a threaded male connector with a contour corresponding to an inflation valve, a lower part of the first housing being hollowed out to form a cavity with an opening directed downwards;

b) a monitoring circuit board received within the cavity, an electrically conductive pinch pin holder being positioned in the center of the monitoring circuit board;

c) a pressure sensor positioned within the pinch pin holder and configured as a chip type semiconductor sensor, the pressure sensor being wire-bonded to the monitoring circuit board to allow for an electric connection;

d) a pinch pin made of electrically conducting material, the pinch pin includes a lower section configured as a hollow with an opening directed downwards, a middle section formed as a flange, and an upper section with at least one through hole at one side thereof to communicate with the hollow, an insulation ring being attached to a bottom end of the middle section, an airtight chamber being defined by the hollow and the pinch pin holder;

e) an antenna plate electrically coupled to the circuit board for transmitting signals;

f) a battery mounted on a top surface of the antenna plate, the battery having a first type terminal on a top surface thereof in contact with a first type power contact of the monitoring circuit board as well as a second type terminal on a bottom surface thereof that is electrically coupled through a conducting element to a second type power contact of the circuit board; and

g) a second housing having an opening directed upwards, the second housing being joined to the bottom of the first housing for covering the above-mentioned components.

2. The electronic wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a leak-tight ring is mounted on a bottom surface of the pinch pin holder.

3. The electronic wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a leak-tight ring is mounted on a top surface of the middle section of the electrically conducting pinch pin.

4. The electronic wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein, when a tire pressure detector is screwed into a tire valve, the pinch pin is pressed against the inflation valve to feed the air within the tire into the airtight chamber such that the current of the first type terminal of the battery passes through the circuit board, the pinch pin holder and the pinch pin to arrive at the tire valve whereupon the current starting from the tire valve returns to the connector of the first housing, and passes through the bottom surface of the first housing to arrive at the circuit board, thereby creating a power supply loop in on state;

and

wherein, when the tire pressure detector is unscrewed from the tire valve, an automatic disconnection in off state is achieved.