Device for fixing a tire monitoring system module to a wheel

• US 7,098,780 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie générale des établissements Michelin, Wabco France
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), Wabco France
• Inventors: Poret, Philippe, Altaber, Gerard, Lonquety, Bernard, Francois, Jean-Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US10/366,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20030151503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/447, 340/572.8, 152/152.1, 152/375
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A device for fixing to a wheel a module intended to measure and transmit to a receiver, in particular by radio link, at least one quantity characteristic of the state of a tire mounted on the wheel, in particular its inflation pressure, comprising connecting means rigidly connected to the module and means of attaching the connecting means to the wheel, such that the module is fixed radially internally relative to a seat and a hook on the rim of the wheel, and such that the attachment means are fitted to apply the connecting means against the radially inner surface of the rim hook with an adaptable clamping stress of intensity greater than a given value.

Claims

1. A device for fixing, to a vehicle wheel, a module intended to measure and transmit to a receiver, at least one quantity characteristic of the state of a tire mounted on the wheel, the device comprising:

connecting means rigidly connected to the module, and

attachment means for attaching the connecting means to the wheel, such that the module is capable of being fixed radially internally relative to a hook and seat of the rim of the wheel,

and wherein the attachment means are adapted to apply the connecting means against the radially inner surface of the rim hook with an adjustable clamping stress of intensity greater than a given value.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping stress is greater than 2500 N.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprises a plate rigidly connected to the module and a connecting piece rigidly connected to the plate and adapted to be arranged against the radially inner face of the rim hook.

4. The device according to claim 3, in which the connecting piece is adapted to come into contact with the radially inner face of the rim hook and at least two bearing areas located on either side of the hollow of the rim hook.

5. The device according to claim 3, in which the attachment means comprises a fixation clip having a first end, which is intended to come to bear against the radially outer face of the rim hook, and a second end, which is intended to come to bear against the connecting piece.

6. The device according to claim 5, in which the first end of the fixation clip is tapered.

7. The device according to claim 5, in which the geometry of the fixation clip is adapted to develop clamping stresses due to the elastic deformation of the clip when placed around the connecting piece and the radially upper face of the rim hook.

8. The device according to claim 6, in which the second end of the fixation clip comprises a means of applying a given clamping stress between the clip and the connecting piece.

9. The device according to claim 8, in which the direction of application of the clamping stress intersects the opposed branch of the U of the fixation clip.

10. The device of claim 5 wherein the fixation clip is generally U-shaped.

11. The device according to claim 3, in which, when the connecting piece has a first face intended to be applied against the radially inner face of the rim hook and a second face opposed to the first, the second face is adapted so that the plane P tangent to the second face at the point of application C of the clamping stress is substantially perpendicular to the direction of application I of the clamping stress.

12. The device according to claim 11, in which the means of applying a given stress is a setscrew arranged through the second end of the fixation clip.

13. The device according to claim 12, in which the setscrew is a setscrew 5 mm in diameter emplaced with a tightening torque greater than 2 N·

m.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprises a single connecting piece rigidly connected to the module and adapted to be arranged against the radially inner face of the rim hook.

15. The device according to claim 1, in which the wheel in question is a wheel of sheet steel for a commercial vehicle.

16. The device according to claim 1, in which, while the wheel comprises a disk with openings, the module is fixed facing an opening of the disk.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the quantity characteristic of the state of the tire is the inflation pressure of the tire.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the quantity characteristic of the state of the tire is the temperature of the tire.