Saw based tire pressure sensor valve adaptor

• US 7,779,681 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2005
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transense Technologies Plc
• Original Assignee: Transense Technologies Plc
• Inventors: Vickery, Paul Edward, Howse, Paul Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J
• Application Number:
  US11/630,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20090007648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/146.8
• 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

Abstract

A SAW based tire pressure sensor assembly comprising a body having a tubular stud 1 formed on an end thereof which is engageable in an inflation tube formed in a tire inflation valve 3 so as to fasten the body to the valve 3. A through passage extends through the stud 1 into said body and is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the assembly by means of apertures 2 in the sides of the body, thereby providing a fluid coupling between an inflation duct of the inflation valve 3 and the atmosphere surrounding the body. A SAW based pressure sensor is mounted within said body so as to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the body, and an antenna 4 is connected to the sensor to enable remote interaction therewith. A grounding plate 5 connected to the antenna is sandwiched between the assembly and has arms which engage against the inner surface of the wheel so as to enhance the sensor antenna earth.

Claims

1. A sensor housing for mounting on an inflation valve of a tire having an inflation duct, comprising:

a sensor housing having (i) a tube with a fastening end adapted to fasten the housing onto the inflation valve, and (ii) a through passage extending from the fastening end through said sensor housing, the through passage capable of providing a fluid coupling between the inflation duct and the atmosphere surrounding said housing;

a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based pressure sensor mounted within said sensor housing, wherein the SAW based pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding said housing; and

a fastening element with threads formed on said fastening end, adapted to engage an inner surface of said inflation duct, wherein the threads are self tapping and are configured to cut a complementary thread at the mating end of the inflation valve as the sensor housing is screwed in to the valve.

2. The sensor housing according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further comprises an antenna connected to the SAW sensor and is configured to enable remote interfacing with a sensor.

3. The sensor housing according to claim 2, further comprising a grounding plate disposed on the sensor housing, configured to engage an inner surface of a wheel on which the tire is mounted, and configured to enhance the antenna earth.

4. The sensor housing according to claim 3, wherein the ground plate is clamped between the housing and the inflation valve, the grounding plate further comprising:

at least one arm extending laterally from the housing and which is biased towards the inflation valve and is configured to press firmly against the inner surface of the wheel.

5. The sensor housing according to claim 4, wherein the grounding plate is a leaf spring.

6. The sensor housing according to claim 4, wherein the grounding plate is a spring loaded plate.

7. The sensor housing according to claim 3, wherein the grounding plate further comprises a central opening configured to accept the fastening element and configured to locate the grounding plate between the sensor housing and the inflation valve.

8. The sensor housing according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further comprises a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the through passage.

9. A sensor housing for mounting on an inflation valve of a tire having an inflation duct, comprising:

a sensor housing, having (i) a tube having a fastening end adapted to fasten the housing onto said inflation valve, and (ii) a through passage extending from the fastening end through said sensor housing, the through passage capable of providing a fluid coupling between the inflation duct and the atmosphere surrounding said housing;

a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based pressure sensor mounted within the sensor housing, wherein the SAW based pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the sensor housing;

a fastening element formed on said fastening end, adapted to engage an inner surface of said inflation duct, the fastening element comprising at least one circumferentially extending ridge;

an antenna connected to the SAW sensor and is configured to enable remote interfacing with a sensor; and

a grounding plate disposed on the sensor housing, configured to engage an inner surface of a wheel on which the tire is mounted, and configured to enhance antenna earth.

10. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the at least one circumferentially extending ridges are one of barbs or threads.

11. The sensor housing according to claim 10, wherein the fastening element is configured to achieve a push fit into the inflation duct at a bulb end of the inflation valve.

12. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the at least one circumferentially extending ridge comprises threads that are self tapping and configured to cut a complementary thread at the mating end of the inflation valve as the sensor housing is screwed in to the valve.

13. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the grounding plate comprising a central opening configured to accept the fastening element and configured to locate the grounding plate between the sensor housing and the inflation valve.

14. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the ground plate is clamped between the housing and the inflation valve, the grounding plate further comprising:

at least one arm extending laterally from the sensor housing and which is biased towards the inflation valve and is configured to press firmly against the inner surface of the wheel.

15. The sensor housing according to claim 14, wherein the grounding plate is a leaf spring.

16. The sensor housing according to claim 14, wherein the grounding plate is a spring loaded plate.