Wheel data detection system

• US 7,741,963 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chin-Ying Tsai
• Original Assignee: Chin-Ying Tsai
• Inventors: Tsai, Chin-Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US11/535,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/447, 340/448, 340/438, 731/46
• US Class Current: 340/442
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0483 Wireless routers between wheel mounted transmitters and chassis mounted receivers
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber

Abstract

A wheel data detection system includes a wireless data detection device and a data receiver. The wireless data detection device includes: a body adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of a rim, and having a closed end, an open end disposed to be in spatial communication with a chamber of a wheel, and a cavity defined between the closed and open ends; a radio frequency unit for receiving and transmitting radio signals; a detector for detecting pressure in the cavity and for generating a pressure signal according to the pressure detected thereby; and a control unit for processing the pressure signal into a data output. The radio frequency unit converts the data output received from the control unit into the radio signal to be transmitted thereby. The data receiver receives the radio signals transmitted by the radio frequency unit.

Claims

1. A wheel data detection system for a wheel that includes a rim having inner and outer surfaces and formed with a through hole, a tire mounted to the outer surface of the rim and cooperating with the rim to define a chamber therebetween, and a tire valve provided on the inner surface of the rim, and separate and spaced apart from the through hole, said wheel data detection system comprising:

a wireless data detection device including;

a main body adapted to be secured to the inner surface of the rim at the through hole, and having a closed end, an open end opposite to said closed end and disposed to be in spatial communication with the chamber of the wheel, and a cavity defined between said closed and open ends;

a first radio frequency unit mounted to said main body for receiving and transmitting radio signals;

a detection unit mounted to said main body for detecting pressure in said cavity and for generating a pressure signal according to the pressure detected thereby; and

a control unit mounted to said main body, and operably connected to said first radio frequency unit and said detection unit for processing the pressure signal received from said detection unit into a data output, and for transmitting the data output to said first radio frequency unit, said first radio frequency unit converting the data output received from said control unit into the radio signal to be transmitted thereby;

wherein said main body of said wireless data detection device includes a tubular member adapted to be secured to the inner surface of the rim at the through hole, and having first and second openings, said first opening serving as said open end of said main body, said main body further including a sealing member connected to said tubular member at said second opening to form said closed end of said main body;

said sealing member being a rubber plug;

wherein said first radio frequency unit is disposed in said tubular member, and includes an antenna, and a first radio frequency circuit connected electrically to said antenna and said control unit.

2. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular member is made from a dielectric material.

3. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless data detection device further includes an amplifying unit connected electrically between said detection unit and said control unit for amplifying the pressure signal generated by said detection unit, said control unit receiving amplified pressure signals from said amplifying unit.

4. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless data detection device is provided with a distinct identification code, said control unit processing the pressure signal and the identification code into the data output.

5. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detection unit further detects temperature in said cavity, and generates a temperature signal according to the temperature detected thereby, said control unit receiving and processing the pressure and temperature signals into the data output.

6. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a data receiver device for receiving the radio signals transmitted by said first radio frequency unit of said wireless data detection device.

7. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said data receiver device includes a second radio frequency unit for receiving the radio signals transmitted by said first radio frequency unit, a monitor, and a controller connected electrically between said second radio frequency unit and said monitor for displaying information related to the radio signals received by said second radio frequency unit on said monitor.

8. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 6, one of the rim and the tire including a radio frequency identification tag loaded with identification information, wherein said first radio frequency unit of said wireless data detection device further receives the identification information from the radio frequency identification tag, said control unit further controlling said first radio frequency unit to send the identification information to said data receiver device.

9. The wheel data detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body is formed with a screw thread for threaded engagement with the rim at the through hole.

10. A rim assembly for a wheel that includes a tire, said rim assembly comprising:

a rim having an inner surface, and an outer surface that is adapted for mounting of the tire and that cooperates with the tire to define a chamber therebetween, said inner surface being provided with a tire valve in spatial communication with the chamber, said rim being formed with a through hole separate and spaced apart from said tire valve;

a wheel data detection system including

wireless data detection device that includes

a main body secured to said inner surface of said rim at said through hole, and having a closed end, an open end opposite to said closed end and disposed to be in spatial communication with the chamber of the wheel, and a cavity defined between said closed and open ends,

a first radio frequency unit mounted to said main body for receiving and transmitting radio signals,

a detection unit mounted to said main body for detecting pressure in said cavity and for generating a pressure signal according to the pressure detected thereby, and

a control unit mounted to said main body, and operably connected to said first radio frequency unit and said detection unit for processing the pressure signal received from said detection unit into a data output, and for transmitting the data output to said first radio frequency unit, said first radio frequency unit converting the data output received from said control unit into the radio signal to be transmitted thereby;

wherein said main body of said wireless data detection device includes a tubular member adapted to be secured to the inner surface of the rim at the through hole, and having first and second openings, said first opening serving as said open end of said main body, said main body further including a sealing member connected to said tubular member at said second opening to form said closed end of said main body;

said sealing member being a rubber plug;

wherein said first radio frequency unit is disposed in said tubular member, and includes an antenna, and a first radio frequency circuit connected electrically to said antenna and said control unit.

11. The rim assembly as according to claim 10, wherein said wireless data detection device further includes an amplifying unit connected electrically between said detection unit and said control unit for amplifying the pressure signal generated by said detection unit, said control unit receiving amplified pressure signals from said amplifying unit.

12. The rim assembly as according to claim 10, wherein said wireless data detection device is provided with a distinct identification code, said control unit processing the pressure signal and the identification code into the data output.

13. The rim assembly as according to claim 10, wherein said detection unit further detects temperature in said cavity, and generates a temperature signal according to the temperature detected thereby, said control unit receiving and processing the pressure and temperature signals into the data output.