Motor vehicle wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit and assembly comprising a wheel arch and power supply means

• US 7,777,620 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Tupinier, Mathieu, Jeandey, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/571,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20070222567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/443, 340/444, 340/445, 340/447, 340/449, 340/572.1, 340/448, 116/34.A, 116/34.R, 343/700.MS, 343/713, 731/462, 731/465, 731/46
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0483 Wireless routers between wheel mounted transmitters and chassis mounted receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

A vehicle wheel arch having an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of the vehicle. The wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch. The electrical circuit includes an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire.

Claims

1. A wheel arch of a motor vehicle, comprising an electrical circuit fully contained within a 3 mm proximity of the wheel arch, wherein the electrical circuit is closed and is magnetically coupled to and receives power from a power source on the vehicle, and wherein the electrical circuit is not physically connected to the power source.

2. A wheel arch according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit includes an electrical wire forming at least one flat closed loop on a tuning capacitor.

3. A wheel arch according to claim 2, wherein the electrical circuit includes a coaxial wire with an electrically conductive central conductor, an insulating sheath, and an outer shielding sheath interrupted at a tuning capacitor.

4. A wheel arch according to claim 2, wherein the electrical wire of the electrical circuit forms more than one loop.

5. A wheel arch according to claim 3, wherein the outer shielding sheath is grounded.

6. A wheel arch according to claim 1, further comprising an electrically insulating material.

7. A wheel arch according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is embedded in a composition of the wheel arch.

8. A wheel arch according to claim 7, wherein a surface of the wheel arch includes at least one reference mark configure to reveal a position of the electrical circuit embedded in the wheel arch.

9. A wheel arch according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is adhesively bonded to a surface of the wheel arch.

10. A wheel arch according to claim 1, wherein the power source includes a coupling circuit disposed facing the electrical circuit of the wheel arch to ensure magnetic coupling.

11. A wheel arch according to claim 10, wherein the coupling coefficient between the electrical circuit of the wheel arch and the coupling circuit is between 0.4 and 0.6.

12. A system for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of a wheel arch of the vehicle, the electrical circuit including an antenna configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire, the electrical circuit being magnetically coupled to a power source on the vehicle to receive power from the power source, and the electrical circuit being physically disconnected from the power source; and

a coupling circuit including an antenna and being positioned near the wheel arch, so as to be coupled to the electrical circuit to communicate at least one of power and data to the electrical circuit.

13. The system of claim 12, further wherein the power source is electrically connected to the coupling circuit.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the antenna of the electrical circuit is formed by a flat, coaxial wire arranged in one or more loops.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein all components of the electrical circuit are passive components.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to communicate only via electromagnetic coupling.

17. A vehicle wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of a vehicle, the electrical circuit being embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch, the electrical circuit including an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire, the electrical circuit being magnetically coupled to a power source on the vehicle to receive power from the power source, and the electrical circuit being physically separate from the power source, wherein all components of the electrical circuit are passive components.

18. A vehicle wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of a vehicle, the electrical circuit being embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch, the electrical circuit including an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire, and the electrical circuit being magnetically coupled to a power source on the vehicle to receive power from the power source, and the electrical circuit being physically separate from the power source, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to communicate only via electromagnetic coupling.