Transmitter of tire condition monitoring apparatus

• US 20030112137A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Pacific Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Saheki, Setsuhiro
• Application Number:
  US10/154,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112137A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

A transmitter of a tire condition monitoring apparatus transmits data indicating the condition of a tire of a vehicle. The transmitter is located in the tire. The transmitter includes a casing, which accommodates an electronic unit for measuring a parameter representing the condition of the tire, and a valve stem. The valve stem is formed independently from the casing. The valve stem is attached to a wheel to which the tire is attached. An elastic connecting member connects the casing to the valve stem.

Claims

1. A transmitter of a tire condition monitoring apparatus for transmitting data indicating the condition of a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

a casing, which is located in the tire, wherein the casing accommodates an electronic unit for measuring a parameter representing the condition of the tire;

a valve stem, which is formed independently from the casing, wherein the valve stem is attached to a wheel to which the tire is attached; and

an elastic connecting member, wherein the connecting member connects the casing to the valve stem.

2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the casing is attached to the connecting member such that the casing is located between the wheel and the connecting member.

3. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a proximal portion secured to the valve stem and a distal portion pressed against the wheel.

4. The transmitter according to claim 3, wherein:

the connecting member includes an intermediate portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

the casing is attached to the intermediate portion; and

the distal portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to the intermediate portion.

5. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein:

the casing is formed of thermoplastic resin and includes a projection;

the connecting member includes an engaging hole with which the projection of the casing is engaged; and

the projection of the casing is passed through the engaging hole and then deformed to a rivet-like shape.

6. The transmitter according to claim 5, wherein:

the connecting member includes a projection that projects from a side of the connecting member opposite to a side to which the casing is attached; and

the projection of the connecting member projects with respect to a distal end of the projection of the casing.

7. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a projection that projects from a side of the connecting member opposite to a side to which the casing is attached.

8. The transmitter according to claim 7, wherein the projection of the connecting member projects in a direction in which a bead portion of the tire moves when the tire is attached to or detached from the wheel.

9. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a leaf spring.

10. A transmitter of a tire condition monitoring apparatus for transmitting data indicating the condition of a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

a casing, which is located in the tire, wherein the casing accommodates an electronic unit for measuring a parameter representing the condition of the tire;

a valve stem, which is formed independently from the casing, wherein the valve stem is attached to a wheel to which the tire is attached; and

a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring connects the casing to the valve stem, and the leaf spring includes;

a proximal portion, which is attached to the valve stem;

a distal portion, which is pressed against the wheel; and

an intermediate portion, which is located between the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the casing is attached to the intermediate portion.

11. The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein the casing is attached to the leaf spring such that the casing is located between the wheel and the leaf spring.

12. The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein the distal portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to the intermediate portion.

13. The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein:

the casing is formed of thermoplastic resin and includes a projection;

the leaf spring includes an engaging hole with which the projection of the casing is engaged; and

the projection of the casing is passed through the engaging hole and then deformed to a rivet-like shape.

14. The transmitter according to claim 13, wherein:

the leaf spring includes a projection that projects from a side of the connecting member opposite to a side to which the casing is attached; and

the projection of the leaf spring projects with respect to a distal end of the projection of the casing.

15. The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein the leaf spring includes a projection that projects from a side opposite of the connecting member to a side to which the casing is attached.

16. The transmitter according to claim 15, wherein the projection of the leaf spring projects in a direction in which a bead portion of the tire moves when the tire is attached to or detached from the wheel.