SENSOR OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20090151442A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: KIM, Juho
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146.500
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring system sensor includes a body provided with an air inlet that provides fluid communication between the interior of the body and the interior of a tire. A pressure plate slides within the interior of the body by pressure in the tire, in a direction away from the air inlet. A spring biases the pressure plate toward the air inlet. Several sensors are attached to the body, each configured to generate a signal indicative of proximity of the pressure plate. The sensor may further include an air supply valve to supply air to the tire, connected to the body. The body may define an air supply passage through which the air supplied from the air supply valve is supplied to the tire through the air inlet. Three sensors may be provided: one indicative of excessive pressure, one indicative of appropriate pressure, and one indicative of insufficient pressure.

Claims

1. A tire pressure monitoring system sensor comprising:

a body provided with an air inlet configured to provide fluid communication between an interior of the body and an interior of a tire;

a pressure plate, configured to be slid within the interior of the body by pressure in the interior of the tire, in a direction away from the air inlet;

a spring biasing the pressure plate toward the air inlet; and

a plurality of sensors attached to the body, each configured to generate a signal indicative of proximity of the pressure plate.

2. The sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the pressure plate comprises a permanent magnet, and the sensors comprise electrode plates.

3. The sensor as defined in claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit to transmit information regarding which of the sensors is closest to the pressure plate.

4. The sensor as defined in claim 3, further comprising a battery to power the transmitting unit.

5. The sensor as defined in claim 1, further comprising an air supply valve to supply air to the tire, connected to the body, wherein the body further comprises an air supply passage through which the air supplied from the air supply valve is supplied to the interior of the tire through the air inlet.

6. The sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein plurality of sensors comprise a first sensor indicative of excessive pressure, a second sensor indicative of appropriate pressure, and a third sensor indicative of insufficient pressure.