Support intended to mount on the rim an element used for monitoring tires

• US 4,843,872 A
• Filed: 05/04/1988
• Issued: 07/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
• Inventors: Pauc, M. Gilbert, Hebert, M. Jacques
• Primary Examiner(s): Woodiel, Donald O.
• Application Number:
  US07/190,466
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.5, 73/146.8, 73/146.4, 73/146.2, 340/58
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/04 mounted on the wheel or tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/00 Flexible or turnable line connectors , i.e. the rotation angle being limited rotary current collectors, distributors H01R39/00

Abstract

Support intended to receive an electric element made of one or more sensorsntended to monitor the condition of a tire, and to keep the element on a rim while assuring electrical and thermal insulation relative to said rim. The support has at least two electric lines for connection to a coupling located on the outside of the pneumatic enclosure. Each electric line is formed of a length of electric wire sufficient in length to make a connection between the electric wire and terminal of the electric element, even when the electric element and support are separated. The support has a recess in which the excess length of electric wire is spontaneously housed when the element is brought into mounting position on the support.

Claims

1. A support for receiving an electric element comprising at least one sensor for monitoring a condition of a tire, said support comprising:

means for holding an electric element in communication with a pneumatic enclosure defined by a tire and a wheel and for sealingly connecting said support to a rim of the wheel;

means for supporting coupling means outside of the enclosure;

at least one wire connected between the electric element and the coupling means; and

means for maintaining the connection between the electric element and the at least one wire when the electric element is moved aside from said holding means, said maintaining means comprising an excess length of said at least one wire sufficient to maintain connection between said electric element and the at least one wire when the electric element is moved aside from said holding means, and a recess in said holding means for each said at least one wire, whereby each said at least one wire is housed in one said recess when said electric element is held in said holding means.

2. The support of claim 1, wherein said excess length of each said at least one wire comprises a spring positioned in said recess when in an unstressed state.

3. The support of claim 2, including a female connector on each said spring for connecting to a male terminal of the electric element.

4. The support of claim 1, including two of said wires.