Trigger device for tire condition monitoring apparatus

• US 7,212,106 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Katou, Michiya
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu; Shirley
• Application Number:
  US10/971,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20050093687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/447
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/007 having multiple wheels arranged side by side
• 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 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations

Abstract

A tire condition monitoring apparatus includes a transmitter located in a tire of a vehicle. A trigger device includes a transmission antenna, a reception antenna, and an antenna unit. The transmission antenna wirelessly transmits a trigger signal. The transmitter wirelessly transmits data indicating the tire condition in response to the trigger signal. The reception antenna receives the data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter. The antenna unit incorporates the transmission antenna and the reception antenna. Therefore, the trigger device reliably receives data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter.

Claims

1. A trigger device for a tire condition monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitoring apparatus includes a transmitter located in a tire of a vehicle, the trigger device comprising:

a transmission antenna for wirelessly transmitting a trigger signal, the transmitter wirelessly transmits data indicating the tire condition in response to the trigger signal;

a reception antenna for receiving the data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter;

an antenna unit, which incorporates the transmission antenna and the reception antenna;

a support portion, which rotatably supports the antenna unit; and

a mirror located at a portion of the outer surface of the antenna unit that changes the direction in accordance with the rotation of the antenna unit.

2. The trigger device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a main body, which is connected to the antenna unit, wherein the main body includes a circuit for generating the trigger signal and processing the data received from the transmitter; and

a rod-like support portion, which can be held by an operator, the antenna unit is rotatably supported at the distal end of the support portion.

3. The trigger device according to claim 2, wherein a cable extends between the antenna unit and the main body, and the antenna unit and the support portion can be moved apart from the main body.

4. The trigger device according to claim 2, wherein the main body includes a connector to be connected to an external device.

6. The trigger device according to claim 1, further comprising an informing device, which performs an informing operation when the tire condition is determined to be abnormal based on the data received by the reception antenna.

7. The trigger device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes an informing device, which performs an informing operation when the reception antenna does not receive data from the transmitter within a predetermined time after a trigger signal is wirelessly transmitted from the transmission antenna.

8. The trigger device according to claim 1, wherein the trigger device is portable.

9. The trigger device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission antenna transmits a long wave and the reception antenna receives a short wave.

5. A trigger device for a tire condition monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitoring apparatus includes a transmitter located in a tire of a vehicle, the trigger device comprising:

a transmission antenna for wirelessly transmitting a trigger signal, the transmitter wirelessly transmits data indicating the tire condition in response to the trigger signal;

a reception antenna for receiving the data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter;

an antenna unit, which incorporates the transmission antenna and the reception antenna;

a support portion, which rotatably supports the antenna unit; and

a mirror having a reflective surface that is parallel to the rotational axis of the antenna unit, wherein the mirror is located on the outer surface of the antenna unit.

10. A trigger device for a tire condition monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitoring apparatus includes a transmitter located in a tire of a vehicle, the trigger device comprising:

a transmission antenna for wirelessly transmitting a trigger signal, the transmitter wirelessly transmits data indicating the tire condition in response to the trigger signal;

a reception antenna for receiving data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter;

an antenna unit, which incorporates the transmission antenna and the reception antenna;

a main body, which is connected to the antenna unit, the main body includes a circuit for generating the trigger signal and processing the data received from the transmitter; and

a rod-like support portion, which can be held by an operator, the antenna unit is rotatably supported at the distal end of the support portion;

a mirror located at a portion of the outer surface of the antenna unit that changes the direction in accordance with the rotation of the antenna unit.

11. The trigger device according to claim 10, wherein a cable extends between the antenna unit and the main body, and the antenna unit and the support portion can be moved from the main body.

12. The trigger device according to claim 10, wherein the main body includes a connector to be connected to an external device.

13. A trigger device for a tire condition monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitoring apparatus includes a transmitter located in a tire of a vehicle, the trigger device comprising:

a transmission antenna for wirelessly transmitting a trigger signal, the transmitter wirelessly transmits data indicating the tire condition in response to the trigger signal;

a reception antenna for receiving data wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter;

an antenna unit, which incorporates the transmission antenna and the reception antenna;

a main body, which is connected to the antenna unit, the main body includes a circuit for generating the trigger signal and processing the data received from the transmitter; and

a rod-like support portion, which can be held by an operator, the antenna unit is rotatably supported at the distal end of the support portion;

a mirror having a reflective surface that is parallel to the rotational axis of the antenna unit, wherein the mirror is located on the outer surface of the antenna unit.