Casing structure of transmitter of tire condition monitoring apparatus

• US 7,187,272 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Katou, Michiya
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/926,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20050046557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/445, 340/447, 340/449, 340/426.33, 340/539.26, 340/539.22, 731/46, 731/468, 731/462, 731/465
• 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

Abstract

A transmitter in an apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire attached to a wheel of a vehicle is fixed to the wheel such that the transmitter faces an outer circumferential surface of a wheel rim. The transmitter includes a circuit portion that detects the condition of the tire. The transmitter includes a casing that accommodates the circuit portion, and a leg that extends from the casing toward the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim. The extended amount of the leg is adjustable such that the leg contacts the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim when the transmitter is fixed to the wheel. Therefore, the transmitter is mounted to the wheel such that legs of the casing abut against the wheel rim regardless of the size of the wheel.

Claims

1. A transmitter in an apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire attached to a wheel of a vehicle, wherein the transmitter is fixed to the wheel such that the transmitter faces an outer circumferential surface of a wheel rim, the transmitter comprising:

a circuit portion that detects the condition of the tire and generates a transmission signal that contains data representing the detected condition of the tire;

a casing that accommodates the circuit portion; and

a leg that extends from the casing toward the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim, wherein the extended amount of the leg is adjustable such that the leg contacts the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim when the transmitter is fixed to the wheel,

wherein the leg includes an attachment that is detachably attached to the casing, and wherein the attachment is selected from a plurality of attachments that are prepared in advance according to variations in the size and the shape of the wheel,

wherein an engagement mechanism for engaging the attachment with the casing is located between the casing and the attachment.

2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the engaging mechanism includes an engaging opening formed in one of the casing and the attachment, and an engaging hook fanned in the other one of the casing and the attachment, and wherein the engaging hook can be engaged with the engaging opening.

3. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the engaging mechanism permits the attachment to be engaged with an detached from the casing by means of elastic deformation of the attachment.

4. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the leg is one of a pair of legs, and wherein the legs contact the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim at least at sections that face the ends of the casing with respect to the circumferential direction of the wheel.

5. A transmitter in an apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire attached to a wheel of a vehicle, wherein the transmitter is fixed to the wheel such that the transmitter faces an outer circumferential surface of a wheel rim, the transmitter comprising:

a circuit portion that detects the condition of the tire and generates a transmission signal that contains data representing the detected condition of the tire;

a casing that accommodates the circuit portion; and

an attachment that is detachably attached to the casing, wherein the attachment has a pair of legs that extend from the casing toward the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim, wherein the extended amount of the legs is adjustable such that the legs contact the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim when the transmitter is fixed to the wheel, and wherein the legs contact the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim at least at sections that face the ends of the casing with respect to the circumferential direction of the wheel;

wherein the attachment is selected from a plurality of attachments that are prepared in advance according to variations in the size and the shape of the wheel;

wherein an engagement mechanism for engaging the attachment with the casing is located between the casing and the attachment;

wherein the engaging mechanism includes an engaging opening formed in one of the casing and the attachment, and an engaging hook formed in the other one of the casing and the attachment, and wherein the engaging hook can be engaged with the engaging opening; and

wherein each engaging mechanism permits the attachment to be engaged with and detached from the casing by means of elastic deformation of the attachment.