Tire condition sensing apparatus and mounting method thereof

• US 7,021,133 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lite-On Automotive Corp. (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Hsu, Shao-Chun
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US11/153,506
• Time in Patent Office: 292 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/463, 731/468, 340442-448, 301/37.25, 301/37.26, 301/37.32, 301/37.33, 301/37.101
• 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 tire condition sensing apparatus and a mounting method thereof are disclosed for adjusting the angle and length of a valve stem to be mounted on various types of rims. The tire condition sensing apparatus comprises a housing and a valve assembly, wherein the housing comprises a pair of wing plates having first contact surfaces, and an open end is formed between the wing plates, and the valve assembly is pivotally connected in the open end of the wing plates, and the valve assembly includes a ring pad having second contact surfaces corresponding to the first contact surfaces, thereby providing a connection mechanism for greatly adjusting the angle between the valve assembly and the housing, and firmly securing the tire condition sensing apparatus on a rim.

Claims

1. A tire condition sensing apparatus, comprising:

a housing receiving a tire condition sensor, wherein said housing comprises;

a pair of wing plates disposed on said housing, wherein said wing plates have at least one first contact surface, and an open end is formed between said wing plates; and

a valve assembly pivotally disposed in said open end of said wing plates, wherein said valve assembly comprises a ring pad having at least one second contact surface corresponding said first contact surface of said wing plates, and said first contact surface is complementarily matched with said second contact surface in shape.

2. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly comprises:

a jointing member having a jointing portion and a connecting portion, wherein said jointing portion has a jointing through hole;

a fixing pin penetrating through said jointing through hole; and

a valve stem, wherein one end of said valve stem is fixed on said connecting portion of said jointing member.

3. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wing plates protrude above a first surface of said housing, and a pair of supporting holes are formed on said wing plates corresponding to said open end.

4. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 3, wherein a recession portion lower than said first surface is formed on said housing corresponding to said open end between said wing plates.

5. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottom side of said recession portion is completely hollowed out.

6. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottom side of said recession portion is partially hollowed out.

7. A tire condition sensing apparatus, comprising:

a housing receiving a tire condition sensor, wherein said housing comprises;

a pair of wing plates disposed on said housing, wherein said wing plates have at least one first contact surface, and an open end is formed between said wing plates, and a pair of openings are formed on the sides of said wing plates opposite to said open end; and

a valve assembly pivotally disposed and engaged in said openings of said wing plates, wherein said valve assembly comprises a ring pad having at least one second contact surface corresponding said first contact surface of said wing plates, and said first contact surface is complementarily matched with said second contact surface in shape.

8. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said valve assembly comprises:

a jointing member;

a fixing pin penetrating through said jointing member, wherein both ends of said fixing pin are engaged in said openings; and

a valve stem, wherein one end of said valve stem is fixed on said jointing member.

9. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said wing plates protrude above a first surface of said housing.

10. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein a recession portion lower than said first surface is formed on said housing corresponding to said open end between said wing plates.

11. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bottom side of said recession portion is completely hollowed out.

12. The tire condition sensing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bottom side of said recession portion is partially hollowed out.

13. A method for mounting a tire condition sensing apparatus on a rim, comprising:

providing a housing receiving a tire condition sensor, said housing comprising a pair of wing plates protruding above a first surface of said housing, said wing plates having at least one first contact surface, wherein an open end is formed between said wing plates, both sides of said open end of said wing plates having a pair of supporting holes corresponding and opposite to each other;

providing a valve assembly pivotally disposed in said supporting holes, said valve assembly comprising a ring pad having at least one second contact surface complementarily matched with said first contact surface in shape, wherein said ring pad is mounted on said valve assembly and contacts said housing;

providing a fastening element disposed between one end of said valve assembly and said ring pad for firmly fastening said valve assembly on said rim.