Device for fixing a tire monitoring system module to a wheel

• US 20030151503A1
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie générale des établissements Michelin, Wabco France
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Poret, Philippe, Francois, Jean-Pierre, Altaber, Gerard, Lonquety, Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 7,098,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A device for fixing to a wheel a module intended to measure and transmit to a receiver, in particular by radio link, at least one quantity characteristic of the state of a tire mounted on the wheel, in particular its inflation pressure, comprising connecting means rigidly connected to the module and means of attaching the connecting means to the wheel, such that the module is fixed radially internally relative to a seat and a hook on the rim of the wheel, and such that the attachment means are fitted to apply the connecting means against the radially inner surface of the rim hook with an adaptable clamping stress of intensity greater than a given value.

Claims

1. A device for fixing to a vehicle wheel a module intended to measure and transmit to a receiver, in particular by radio link, at least one quantity characteristic of the state of a tire mounted on said wheel, said device comprising

connecting means rigidly connected to said module, and

attachment means for attaching said connecting means to said wheel, such that the module is capable of being fixed radially internally relative to a hook and seat of the rim of said wheel,

and wherein said attachment means are adapted to apply said connecting means against the radially inner surface of said rim hook with an adaptable clamping stress of intensity greater than a given value.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping stress is greater than 2500 N.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a plate rigidly connected to said module and a connecting piece rigidly connected to said plate and adapted to be arranged against the radially inner face of said rim hook.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a single connecting piece rigidly connected to the module and adapted to be arranged against the radially inner face of said rim hook.

5. The device according to claim 3, in which said connecting piece is adapted to come into contact with the radially inner face of said rim hook and at least two bearing areas located on either side of the hollow of said rim hook.

6. The device according to claim 3, in which the attachment means comprises a fixation clip having a first end, which is intended to come to bear against the radially outer face of said rim hook, and a second end, which is intended to come to bear against the said connecting piece.

7. The device according to claim 6, in which said first end of the said fixation clip is tapered.

8. The device according to claims 6, in which the geometry of said fixation clip is adapted to develop clamping stresses due to the elastic deformation of said clip when placed around the connecting piece and the radially upper face of the rim hook.

9. The device according to claim 6, in which the second end of the said fixation clip comprises a means of applying a given clamping stress between said clip and said connecting piece.

10. The device according to claim 9, in which the direction of application of said clamping stress intersects the opposed branch of the U of the fixation clip.

11. The device according to claim 3, in which, when said connecting piece has a first face intended to be applied against the radially inner face of the rim hook and a second face opposed to the first, the said second face is adapted so that the plane P tangent to said second face at the point of application C of the clamping stress is substantially perpendicular to the direction of application I of said clamping stress.

12. The device according to claim 11, in which said means of applying a given stress is a setscrew arranged through said second end of the said fixation clip.

13. The device according to claim 12, in which said setscrew is a setscrew 5 mm in diameter emplaced with a tightening torque greater than 2 N.m.

14. The device according to claim 1, in which the wheel in question is a wheel of sheet steel for a commercial vehicle.

15. The device according to claim 1, in which, while the wheel comprises a disk with openings, the module is fixed facing an opening of the disk.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the quantity characteristic of the state of the tire is the inflation pressure of the tire.

17. The device according to claim 1 wherein the quantity characteristic of the state of the tire is the temperature of the tire.

18. The device of claim 6 wherein said fixation clip is generally U-shaped.