Device for measuring a tire pressure

• US 20030066343A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Fischer, Martin, Luce, Dominique, Hillenmayer, Franz
• Granted Patent: US 7,059,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• 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

The invention relates to a device for measuring a tire pressure of a tire arranged on a rim (10), having a tire valve (14) arranged in a bore (12) in the rim (10), and a tire pressure sensor unit (16) arranged inside the tire and fastened on the tire valve (14), it being possible to fasten the tire pressure sensor unit (16) in various angular positions with reference to the tire valve (14).

It is provided according to the invention that an electric connection (18) exists between the tire pressure sensor unit (16) and the tire valve (14), and that the tire valve (14) is provided as an antenna for communicating with a receiver and/or transmitter arranged outside the tire.

Claims

1. A device for measuring a tire pressure of a tire arranged on a rim, having a tire valve arranged in a bore in the rim, and a tire pressure sensor unit arranged inside the tire and fastened on the valve, it being possible to fasten the sensor unit in various angular positions with reference to the valve, wherein an electric connection exists between the sensor unit and the valve, and the valve is provided as an antenna for communicating with a receiver and/or transmitter arranged outside the tire.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric connection is designed as a metal plate, and a screw connection exists between the sensor unit and the valve, the metal plate being pressed by said screw connection.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metal plate has a contact lug via which an electric connection exists with a printed circuit board of the sensor unit.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metal plate is sharp-edged in order to improve the electric connection to the valve.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric connection is designed as a wire, and a screw connection exists between the sensor unit and the valve, the wire being pressed by said screw connection.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the various angular positions of the sensor unit with reference to the valve can be implemented via a cylindrical joint.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the various angular positions of the sensor unit with reference to the valve can be implemented via a ball-and-socket joint.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is fastened on the valve with the aid of a screw that has an axial through-bore for bleeding the tire.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bypass bore running obliquely with reference to an axis of the valve in the valve for bleeding the tire.

10. A device for measuring a pressure of a tire arranged on a rim, said rim having a bore therein and a tire valve arranged in the bore, said device comprising:

a tire pressure sensor unit arranged inside the tire in electrical communication with the valve, wherein said valve functions as an antenna for communicating to a location outside the tire.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein a metal plate is positioned between the unit and the valve.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein a screw connection exists between the unit and the valve such that when the screw connection is tightened the metal plate is pressed.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said plate has a contact lug for electrical connection to a printed circuit board of the unit.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the edges of said plate are sharp for improving an electrical connection with the valve.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein the unit and the valve are in electrical communication via a wire.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein a screw connection exists between the unit and the valve, said wire being pressed by said screw connection when said connection is tightened.

17. The device of claim 10 wherein the unit is adjustable with reference to the valve via a cylindrical joint.

18. The device of claim 10 wherein the unit is adjustable with reference to the valve via a ball-socket or cylindrical joint.

19. The device of claim 10 wherein the unit is fastened to the valve with the aid of a screw having an axial bore therethrough.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the bore allows for bleeding of the tire.

21. The device of claim 10 further comprising a bypass bore in the valve running obliquely with reference to the axis of the valve.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the bore may be used to bleed the tire.

23. A device for measuring the pressure of a tire arranged on a rim, said rim having a bore with a tire valve arranged therein, said device comprising:

a tire pressure sensor unit in electrical communication with the valve, said unit capable of being fastened in various angular positions relative the valve, said valve functioning as an antenna for communicating with a receiver and/or transmitter outside the tire.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein a metal plate is positioned between the unit and the valve.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein a screw connection exists between the unit and the valve such that when the screw connection is tightened the metal plate is pressed.

26. The device of claim 24 wherein the edges of said plate are sharp in order to improve the electrical connection with the valve.

27. The device of claim 23 wherein the unit and the valve are in electrical communication via a wire.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein a screw connection exists between the unit and the valve, said wire being pressed by said screw connection when said connection is tightened.

29. The device of claim 23 wherein the unit is adjustable with reference to the valve via a cylindrical joint.

30. The device of claim 23 wherein the unit is adjustable with reference to the valve via a ball-socket or cylindrical joint.

31. The device of claim 23 wherein the unit is fastened to the valve with the aid of a screw having an axial bore therethrough.

32. The device of claim 23 further comprising a bypass bore in the valve running obliquely with reference to the axis of the valve.