Mounting structure

• US 9,016,118 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2011
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Townsend, Gene A., Becker, Dan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEST, PAUL M
• Application Number:
  US13/332,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20120160409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

Abstract

A mounting structure for an electrical device includes a mounting portion and a containing portion. The mounting portion has a mounting surface and an outer surface. The containing portion has an inner surface with protrusions forming an indent, an outer surface, an insertion aperture, and a flow aperture.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for an electrical device, comprising:

a mounting portion having a mounting surface and an outer surface,

a containing portion including a plurality of sides defining a pocket and having an inner surface with protrusions forming an indent, an outer surface, and an insertion aperture,

and a flow aperture formed in at least one of the plurality of side walls of the containing portion,

wherein the containing portion is configured to receive an electrical device inserted into the pocket through the insertion aperture, the insertion aperture being smaller than a cross-sectional area of the electrical device, and the electrical device being substantially the same size as the pocket.

2. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein;

the containing portion includes a first half and a second half,

the protrusions forming at least one indent on the first half and the second half, and,

the at least one indent on the first half is a mirror of the at least one indent on the second half.

3. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein;

the containing portion includes a first half and a second half, and

the first half includes the insertion aperture.

4. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein;

the containing portion includes a first half and a second half, and

the insertion aperture is substantially symmetrical with respect to the first half and the second half.

5. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the containing portion includes a first side having a flow aperture and a second side having a flow aperture.

6. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein;

the containing portion includes a first half having a flow aperture and a second half having a flow aperture, and

the flow aperture on the first half is a mirror of the flow aperture on the second half.

7. The mounting structure of claim 1, further comprising a flexible material.

8. The mounting structure of claim 1, further comprising butyl rubber or isoprene rubber.

9. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is formed through a molding process, and cutting process to form the insertion aperture and the flow aperture.

10. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein:

the inner surface of the containing portion defines a perimeter of the pocket, and

a perimeter of the insertion aperture is at least partially within the perimeter of the pocket.

11. A mounting assembly for mounting an electrical device to the inside of a tire, comprising:

a patch including an adhesive surface, and an outer surface having a mounting area and a containing area,

a mounting structure including,

a mounting portion having a mounting surface fixedly attached to the mounting area, and an outer surface, and

a containing portion having an inner surface with protrusions forming an indent, an outer surface, an insertion aperture, and a flow aperture in a side wall of the containing portion, and

an electrical device at least partially enclosed by the containing portion and containing area, the electrical device having a protection protrusion in the indent,

wherein the electrical device having the protection protrusion is insertable into the containing portion through the insertion aperture, and

wherein the electrical device, when positioned in the containing portion, includes a cross-sectional area in a plane parallel to the insertion aperture that is larger than the insertion aperture.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 11, wherein the electrical device includes a temperature sensor.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 11, wherein the electrical device includes an air pressure sensor.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 11 wherein the electrical device includes a housing with an air vent substantially impervious to liquids.

15. The mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein the protection protrusion is configured to prevent damage to the air vent.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein the electrical device is configured for wireless communication.