Push in tire valve stem

• US 7,810,390 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Hettle, Michael, Deniau, Jean-Christophe
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J
• Application Number:
  US12/035,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20080202659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 731/465
• US Class Current: 73/146.8
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/02 Connection to rims
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/207 and combined with other valves, e.g. safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring assembly includes a sensor secured to a valve stem secured within a wheel rim. The sensor is secured to the valve stem with a push on clip. The valve stem includes two pieces that provide for installation from one side of the wheel rim. The valve stem is separable to provide for the elongation of the rubber housing. Elongation of the housing causes a reduction in an outer diameter that provides for insertion into the opening of the wheel rim.

Claims

1. A tire pressure monitoring sensor assembly comprising:

an elastic housing including a bore;

a valve stem disposed within the bore including a first end extending from the bore, wherein the first end includes a chamfered end and a groove on an outer circumferential surface of the valve stem and spaced apart from the first end;

a sensor housing including a chamber including an opening for receiving the first end of the valve stem; and

a clip held within the chamber and engageable to the groove on the outer circumference of the valve stem for securing the sensor housing to the valve stem.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, including a securing feature for retaining the clip within the chamber of the sensor housing prior to the clip engaging the valve stem.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a split clip expandable responsive to engaging the chamfered end of the valve stem.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the groove is disposed about an entire circumference of the valve stem.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber includes an alignment features that corresponds to a feature on the valve stem to set a relative radial position between the valve stem and the sensor housing.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening in the chamber is a round opening providing a clearance fit for the outer circumference of the valve stem.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber defines a space substantially the same size as the clip to reduce relative movement between the sensor housing and the valve stem.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor housing is supported only on the valve stem once the clip is engaged to the groove.