Double mold shot pull to seat universal TPMS sensor
First Claim
1. A tire pressure sensor assembly for use with a wheel rim including a valve hole, the tire pressure sensor assembly comprising:
- a metal valve stem element comprising a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap end, and an inner stem chamber;
a lower sensor housing over-molded onto said stem base, said lower sensor housing forming a sensor storage chamber;
a tire pressure sensor element mounted within said sensor storage chamber;
an outer rubber seal over-molded onto said stem body, said outer rubber seal including an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove, said outer retention portion configured to allow said metal valve stem element to be press-fit into the valve hole and retained by said retention groove;
a plurality of vent holes in communication with said inner valve chamber, said plurality of vent holes configured to allow universal orientation of said metal valve stem element within the valve hole.
17 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tire pressure sensor assembly is provided for use with a wheel rim including a valve hole. The sensor assembly including a metal valve stem element having a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap end, and an inner stem chamber. A lower sensor housing is rigidly over-molded onto the stem base and forms a sensor storage chamber. A tire pressure sensor element is mounted therein. An outer rubber seal is over-molded onto the stem body and includes an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove configured to allow the metal valve stem element to be press-fit and retained into the valve hole. A plurality of vent holes are formed spaced around an outer perimeter of the stem base to allow universal orientation within the valve hole.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tire pressure sensor assembly for use with a wheel rim including a valve hole, the tire pressure sensor assembly comprising:
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a metal valve stem element comprising a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap end, and an inner stem chamber; a lower sensor housing over-molded onto said stem base, said lower sensor housing forming a sensor storage chamber; a tire pressure sensor element mounted within said sensor storage chamber; an outer rubber seal over-molded onto said stem body, said outer rubber seal including an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove, said outer retention portion configured to allow said metal valve stem element to be press-fit into the valve hole and retained by said retention groove; a plurality of vent holes in communication with said inner valve chamber, said plurality of vent holes configured to allow universal orientation of said metal valve stem element within the valve hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tire pressure sensor assembly for use with a wheel rim including a valve hole, the tire pressure sensor assembly comprising:
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a metal valve stem element comprising a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap end, and an inner stem chamber; a lower sensor housing rigidly over-molded onto said stem base, said lower sensor housing forming a sensor storage chamber; a tire pressure sensor element mounted within said sensor storage chamber; an outer rubber seal over-molded onto said stem body, said outer rubber seal including an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove, said outer retention portion configured to allow said metal valve stem element to be press-fit into the valve hole and retained by said retention groove; a plurality of vent holes in communication with said inner valve chamber, said plurality of vent holes formed spaced around an outer perimeter of said stem base to allow universal orientation of said metal valve stem elements within the valve hole. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing a tire pressure sensor assembly for installation in a wheel rim including a valve hole, the method comprising:
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forming a metal valve stem element comprising a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap, and an inner stem chamber, said metal valve stem element including a plurality of vent holes formed spaced around an outer perimeter of said stem base to allow universal orientation of said metal valve stem element within the valve hole after installation; overmolding a lower sensor housing onto said metal valve stem element, said lower sensor housing forming a sensor storage chamber; overmolding an outer rubber seal onto said stem body, said outer rubber seal including an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove, said outer retention portion configured to allow said metal valve stem element to be press-fit into the valve hole and retained by said retention groove; mounting a tire pressure sensor element within said sensor storage chamber. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification