Transmission and/or reception device which is intended to be mounted to a vehicle wheel and a housing for one such device

• US 7,679,570 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Hart, Michael A., Leymin, Frederic
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; HoangAnh T
• Application Number:
  US10/598,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20080088516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,853 Days
• Field of Search: 343/711, 343/713, 343/787, 343/788, 343/872
• US Class Current: 343/713
• 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: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

The invention provides a transmission and/or reception device for mounting on a wheel of a vehicle and a housing for such a device. The device includes a tire information device configured to provide information relating to a tire. A transmitter/receiver is electrically connected to the tire information device. An antenna is electrically connected to the transmitter/receiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals. A housing is configured to house the tire information device and the transmitter/receiver. The antenna is formed by winding a cable on an outside face of the housing.

Claims

1. A transmission and/or reception device for mounting on a wheel of a vehicle, the device comprising:

a tire information device configured to provide information relating to a tire;

a transmitter/receiver electrically connected to the tire information device;

an antenna electrically connected to the transmitter/receiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals; and

a housing configured to house the tire information device and the transmitter/receiver,

wherein the antenna is formed by a cable wound around an outside face of the housing.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outside face of the housing is shaped to protect the antenna.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped to be positioned on the wheel in such a manner that the wound cable forms a solenoid that is oriented along an ortho-radial axis of the wheel.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outside face of the housing includes grooves configured to receive the cable.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the grooves is shaped to receive the cable fully, in such a manner that the cable is protected by the ridges between the grooves against possible contact.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the grooves are formed by spaces between ribs formed on the outside face of the housing.

7. A device according to claim 1, including an outer protective film covering the antenna formed on the outside face of the housing.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the film comprises a heat-shrink plastic material.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the film comprises at least one of polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein the film comprises at least one of polypropylene, polyphenylene sulphide (PPS), and polyamide.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein an outside protecting layer is molded onto the antenna formed on the outside face of the housing.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the molded outside protective layer comprises the same material as the housing.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein the molded outside protective layer is obtained by injection molding a thermosetting material.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the thermosetting material comprises at least one of epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyamide, vinyl ester, and polyester.

15. A device according to claim 11, wherein the molded outside protective layer comprises polyphthalamide (PPA).

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tire information device comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside a tire mounted on the wheel.

17. A housing for a transmission and/or reception device configured to be mounted to a vehicle wheel, the transmission and/or reception device including an antenna, the housing comprising:

an interior portion for housing the transmission and/or reception device; and

an outside face shaped to support a cable forming the antenna, wherein the outside face is shaped to support the cable wrapped around the housing in a solenoidal arrangement,

wherein the housing is shaped to be positioned on the wheel in such a manner that the wound cable forms a solenoid oriented along an ortho-radial axis of the wheel.

18. A housing according to claim 17, wherein the outside face of the housing comprises grooves suitable for receiving the cable.

19. A housing according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the grooves is shaped to receive the cable fully, in such a manner that the cable is protected by the ridges between the grooves against possible contact.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the grooves are formed by spaces between ribs formed on the outside face of the housing.