Device and method for extending the lifetime of a battery in a tire pressure sensor

• US 7,259,684 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Manakkal, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie
• Application Number:
  US10/780,210
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/447, 340/636.1, 731/468
• US Class Current: 340/636.2
• 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 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel

Abstract

A device and method for extending the lifetime of a battery of a tire pressure sensor disposed in a tire are described, in which the battery can be recharged through the valve stem of the tire. The device includes an electrical power source and an electrode adapted to be coupled to the valve stem and supply power from the electrical power source to the valve stem.

Claims

1. A method for replacing a valve stem, comprising:

disconnecting a first wire lead from a first terminal of a battery, wherein the first wire lead couples a valve pin disposed within the valve stem to the first terminal, and a thread connector of the valve stem is coupled to a second terminal of the battery via a second wire lead; and

disconnecting the second wire lead from the second terminal.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the battery is coupled to a tire pressure sensor.

3. A valve stem apparatus comprising:

a valve pin coupled to a first terminal of a battery via a first wire lead; and

a threaded connector coupled to a second terminal of the battery via a second wire lead, wherein the valve stem apparatus is replaced by disconnecting the first wire lead from the first terminal and the second wire lead from the second terminal.

4. A valve stem assembly according to claim 3, wherein the battery is coupled to a tire pressure sensor.

5. A valve stem assembly according to claim 3, further comprising:

a first removable connector coupled to the first wire lead and to either the valve pin or the first terminal.

6. A valve stem assembly according to claim 5, further comprising:

a second removable connector coupled to the second wire lead and either to the threaded connector or the second terminal.

7. A valve stem assembly according to claim 3, wherein the battery is disposed between a wheel rim and a mounted tire such that the valve stem assembly is replaceable by disconnecting the first lead from the first terminal and the second lead from the second terminal.

8. A method for replacing a valve stem assembly according to claim 3, wherein the valve stem is replaced without removing the battery.