Casing structure of transmitter for use in tire condition monitoring apparatus

• US 7,145,443 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Ito, Yoshitaka, Saheki, Setsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/697,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20040178898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/445, 731/46, 731/462, 731/468, 116/34.R, 116/34.A, 116/34.B, 137/223, 137/227, 292/215, 141/38, 152/427, 152/429
• US Class Current: 340/442
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3584 Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53591 to or from wheel rim of resilient tire or tube

Abstract

A transmitter is mounted on a wheel of a vehicle by a jig of an automatic mounting machine. The transmitter has a measuring-transmitting portion, a valve stem, and a casing. The measuring-transmitting portion measures data representing the conditions of the tire and transmits data. The valve stem is inserted into the wheel and allows air to flow into the tire. The casing accommodates the measuring-transmitting portion, and has a recessed portion. The jig of the automatic mounting machine is engaged with the recessed portion when the automatic mounting machine holds the valve stem. Therefore, even a valve stem with the casing is easily attached to a valve hole of the wheel by using the automatic mounting machine.

Claims

1. A transmitter for use in a tire condition monitoring apparatus in which the transmitter is mounted in a wheel of a vehicle by an automatic mounting machine, wherein the automatic mounting machine has a jig, the transmitter comprising:

a measuring-transmitting portion, which measures data representing the conditions of a tire mounted on the wheel, and transmits data indicating the condition of the tire;

a valve stem, which is inserted into the wheel for allowing air to flow into the tire, the valve stem having a base end; and

a casing for accommodating the measuring-transmitting portion, the casing being fixed to the base end of the valve stem, the casing having a recessed engagement portion, wherein the jig of the automatic mounting machine engages with the recessed engagement portion during mounting;

wherein the recessed engagement portion has a shape such that rotation of the casing relative to the jig is limited when held by the jig.

2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the recessed engagement portion is located on an extension of a center axis line of the valve stem.

3. The transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the casing has an air hole that allows air to flow into the tire through the valve stem.

4. The transmitter according to claim 3, wherein the air hole serves as the engagement recessed portion.

5. A transmitter for use in a tire condition monitoring apparatus in which the transmitter is mounted in a wheel of a vehicle by an automatic mounting machine, wherein the automatic mounting machine has a jig, the transmitter comprising:

a measuring-transmitting portion, which measures data representing the conditions of a tire mounted on the wheel, and transmits data indicating condition of the tire;

a valve stem, which is inserted into the wheel and allows air to flow into the tire, the valve stem having a base end and

a casing for accommodating the measuring-transmitting portion, the casing being fixed to the base end of the valve stem, wherein the casing has a recessed portion, wherein the jig of the automatic mounting machine engages with the recessed portion during mounting, wherein the recessed portion is located on an extension of a center axis line of the valve stem so tat a center axis line of the jig coincides with the center axis line of the valve stem when the jig engages with the recessed portion, and wherein the recessed portion has a shape such that rotation of the casing relative to the jig is limited when held by the jig.

6. The transmitter according to claim 5, wherein the recessed portion has an air hole that allows air to flow into the tire through the valve stem.

7. The transmitter according to claim 5, wherein, when the jig engages with the engagement portion, the casing is prevented from being rotated.

8. The transmitter according to claim 5, wherein the air hole serves as the recessed portion.