Tire monitor system having tire valve antenna
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tire monitor sensor unit, comprising:
- a tire pressure detector that detects tire pressure and generates tire data including pressure in the tire;
a tire valve operable to receive the tire data form the tire pressure detector and transmit the tire data as an antenna; and
a coupler removably coupling the tire pressure detector and the tire valve, the coupler comprising two metal layers disposed adjacent to one another, the coupler providing direct connection between the two metal layers that becomes a capacitive coupling over time;
the two metal layers are provided respectively by the tire valve and a conductive connection tube between the tire valve and the tire pressure detector.
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Abstract
A tire monitor system includes a tire monitor sensor unit that has a tire pressure detector, a coupler and a tire valve. The tire valve operates as an antenna to transmit tire data from the tire pressure detector. The coupler provides a capacitive coupling that removably couples the tire pressure detector and the tire valve. The coupler includes two metal layers separated by a dielectric layer. The two metal layers may be formed by the tire valve and a connection tube.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tire monitor sensor unit, comprising:
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a tire pressure detector that detects tire pressure and generates tire data including pressure in the tire; a tire valve operable to receive the tire data form the tire pressure detector and transmit the tire data as an antenna; and a coupler removably coupling the tire pressure detector and the tire valve, the coupler comprising two metal layers disposed adjacent to one another, the coupler providing direct connection between the two metal layers that becomes a capacitive coupling over time;
the two metal layers are provided respectively by the tire valve and a conductive connection tube between the tire valve and the tire pressure detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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providing a conductive connection tube; inserting the connection tube into an opening defined by a housing of a tire pressure detector; electrically connecting the conductive tube to circuitry of the tire pressure detector, inserting a stem of a tire valve into the opening so that the connection tube surrounds the tire valve stem, thereby coupling the tire pressure detector circuitry and the stem of the tire valve; and transmitting the tire data using the tire valve stem as an antenna. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification