Mounting structure of tire pressure sensing system

• US 7,228,731 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2004
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Orita, Masayoshi, Harada, Tomoyuki, Yamagiwa, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Bellinger; Jason R.
• Application Number:
  US10/774,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 152/418, 152/415, 152/152.1, 152/427, 152/382, 152/379.5, 340/427, 340/445, 340/531, 340/447, 731/46, 731/463, 731/465, 731/468, 731/464, 301/65, 301/64.1
• US Class Current: 73/146
• 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: B60C 23/0498 for rim attachments B60C23/0494, B60C23/0496 take precedence

Abstract

A mounting structure for a tire pressure sensing system. The tire pressure sensing system includes a pressure sensor placed on a wheel to sense pressure of a tire which is mounted on the wheel. The wheel is a cast wheel for a vehicle including a rim portion where the tire is mounted, a hub portion provided at the center of the rim portion, and spoke portions connecting the rim portion and the hub portion. The pressure sensor is placed in a boundary portion between the rim portion and the spoke portions. Since the pressure sensor is placed in the boundary portion between the rim portion and the spoke portions, a portion protruding into the tire when replacing a tire can be reduced. Consequently, workability for tire replacement can be improved.

Claims

1. A mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system in which a pressure sensor is placed on a wheel to sense pressure of a tire which is mounted on the wheel,

wherein the wheel is a cast wheel for a vehicle including a rim portion where the tire is mounted, a hub portion provided at a center of the rim portion, and spoke portions connecting the rim portion and the hub portion, and

the air pressure sensor is placed in a boundary portion between the rim portion and the spoke portions,

wherein a central part of an outer surface of the air pressure sensor is exposed and faces radially outward toward an interior of the tire, and

wherein a central part of an inner surface of the air pressure sensor is separated by a space from the wheel in a radially inward direction.

2. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 1, wherein a recessed portion having a shape depressed inwardly toward the hub portion is provided, the recessed portion extending into a radially outward end of one of the spoke portions, and the air pressure sensor is placed in the recessed portion.

3. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure sensor is placed on an opposite side of the wheel with respect to an air valve which fills air to the tire.

4. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 2, wherein the air pressure sensor is placed on an opposite side of the wheel with respect to an air valve which fills air to the tire.

5. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure sensor is placed on a side of the wheel which is 180 degrees (+/−

20 degrees) with respect to a location of an air valve which fills air to the tire.

6. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 2, wherein collars are formed in the boundary portion, the tire pressure system being mounted on the collars with fastening members.

7. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 2, wherein an insertion hole is formed in the boundary portion between the rim portion and the spoke portion, through which a detecting and transmitting unit is inserted into the recessed portion.

8. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 2, wherein the air pressure sensor does not protrude into the tire and extends into the spoke portions.

9. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure sensor is mounted on a stay with a rivet, the stay having bent portions which are formed on ends thereof, the bent portions being welded to the rim portion.

10. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 9, wherein an escape hole is provided allowing a body portion of the air pressure sensor to escape.

11. A mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system in which a pressure sensor is placed on a wheel to sense pressure of a tire which is mounted on the wheel,

wherein the wheel is a cast wheel for a vehicle including a rim portion where the tire is mounted, a hub portion provided at a center of the rim portion, and spoke portions connecting the rim portion and the hub portion,

the air pressure sensor is placed in a boundary portion between the rim portion and the spoke portions,

wherein an air valve which fills the tire being positioned separately from the air pressure sensor,

wherein a central part of an outer surface of the air pressure sensor is exposed and faces radially outward toward an interior of the tire, and

wherein a central part of an inner surface of the air pressure sensor is separated by a space from the wheel in a radially inward direction.

12. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 11, wherein a recessed portion having a shape depressed inwardly toward the hub portion is provided, the recessed portion extending into a radially outward end of one of the spoke portions, and the air pressure sensor is placed in the recessed portion.

13. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 11, wherein the air pressure sensor is placed on an opposite side of the wheel with respect to the air valve which fills the air to the tire.

14. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 12, wherein the air pressure sensor is placed on an opposite side of the wheel with respect to the air valve which fills air to the tire.

15. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 11, wherein the air pressure sensor is placed on a side of the wheel which is 180 degrees (+/−

20 degrees) with respect to a location of the air valve which fills air to the tire.

16. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 12, wherein collars are formed in the boundary portion, the tire pressure sensing system being mounted on the collars with fastening members.

17. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 12, wherein an insertion hole is formed in the boundary portion between the rim portion and the spoke portion, through which a detecting and transmitting unit is inserted into the recessed portion.

18. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 12, wherein the air pressure sensor does not protrude into the tire and extends into the spoke portions.

19. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 11, wherein the air pressure sensor is mounted on a stay with a rivet, the stay having bent portions which are formed on ends thereof, the bent portions being welded to the rim portion.

20. The mounting structure of a tire pressure sensing system according to claim 19, wherein an escape hole is provided allowing a body portion of the air pressure sensor to escape.