CN-115803599-B - Ball-and-socket joint type TPM sensor

Abstract

A tire monitoring apparatus includes a sensor housing having a connection member integral with the sensor housing, the connection member having an elongated opening, and a corresponding mounting feature in the rim, wherein a threaded member extends through the elongated opening and connects with the corresponding mounting feature in the rim, whereby the sensor housing is rotatable relative to the corresponding mounting feature in the rim when the threaded member is not fully tightened, and the sensor housing is fixed in position and does not rotate relative to the corresponding mounting feature in the rim when the threaded member is fully tightened.

Inventors

• Michael D. Weston
• THOMAS J. O'BRIEN

Assignees

• 森萨塔科技公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20210623

Priority Date

20200715

Claims (12)

1. 1. A tire pressure monitoring device comprising: a sensor housing (202) comprising a shell defining an interior space, wherein the sensor housing comprises a top surface (301) and a bottom surface (302); -at least two feet (303) extending from and beyond the bottom surface, the at least two feet (303) being adjacent to a first edge (304) of the sensor housing (202); A pressure sensor (305) located at least partially within the interior space and communicatively connected to a region external to the sensor housing (202) to measure pressure in the region external to the sensor housing; -a signal transmitter (306) which is interactively connected with the pressure sensor (305) and which delivers an electromagnetic signal representing a detected pressure outside the sensor housing (202), which signal can be detected by a receiver remote from the sensor housing (202); -a connection member (210) integral with the sensor housing (202), the connection member (210) being positioned adjacent to a second edge (308) of the sensor housing (202), the second edge being opposite the first edge (304) and the second edge being remote from the at least two feet (303); The connecting member (210) comprises a concave surface (214) facing inwardly towards the recess (307) of the sensor housing (202), the concave surface (214) having an elongated opening (212) defined therein, the elongated opening extending at least partially in a direction perpendicular to the second edge (308); The connection member (210) has a male valve mating surface (216) that is externally, outwardly facing away from the sensor housing (202) and forms a male shape; A valve seat (108) formed by a tubular body extending in a direction and having an inner annular member (313) extending therethrough defining an at least partially threaded inner passage to form an internally threaded portion (112), and a head (312) at an end of the valve seat (108) and forming a flat circular top surface (311), wherein the annular member (313) extends therethrough; A ball screw (204) comprising an elongate tubular body (314) and a threaded portion (315) on an outer surface of the elongate tubular body (314), the elongate tubular body having an annular member (208) defined therethrough, the threaded portion (315) extending from a position proximate one end of the elongate tubular body (314) towards a head (222) of the ball screw (204), the head (222) comprising a curved convex surface (206) facing the threaded portion (315); Wherein the threaded portion (315) is adapted to mate with an internal threaded portion (112) of the valve seat (108) and the curved convex surface (206) of the ball screw (204) is adapted to mate with a concave surface (214) of the connecting component (210) such that the head (222) of the ball screw (204) is held against the concave surface (214) of the connecting component; wherein, when the ball screw (204) is mated with the internal screw (112) of the valve seat (108), the male valve mating surface (216) is held against a flat circular top surface (311) of the valve seat (108), thereby preventing rotation of the sensor housing (202) relative to the valve seat (108).
2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection member further comprises opposing edge walls, each edge wall comprising a notch portion configured to provide a mechanical lock between the connection member and the sensor housing.
3. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection member and the sensor housing are continuous pieces of material.
4. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection member is formed by Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
5. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is high strength stainless steel.
6. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the internal threaded portion of the valve seat is M6 x 1mm.
7. 7. A tire monitoring apparatus comprising: a sensor housing (202) in which a pressure sensor (305) is arranged, and -A connection member (210) integral with the sensor housing (202), the connection member (210) comprising an outer convex valve mating surface (216) being convex in shape and an inner concave surface (214) facing a recess (307) of the sensor housing (202), the outer convex valve mating surface (216) being configured to mate with a tire valve (100); An elongated slot is defined in the connection member (210), the elongated slot extending from the concave surface (214) through the connection member (210) to the external male valve mating surface (216), and the elongated slot is elongated such that a screw member (204) having a head portion (222) and a threaded portion (315) can extend through the elongated slot such that the head portion (222) of the screw member is greater than a narrowest width of the elongated slot and is retained on the concave surface (214) of the connection member (210) while the threaded portion (315) extends through the elongated slot and protrudes beyond the external male valve mating surface (216) of the connection member (210), Wherein the elongated slot is adapted to allow the screw (204) to travel in a longitudinal direction of the elongated slot while the screw (204) remains substantially perpendicular to the concave surface (214) and while the head (222) of the screw (204) remains in contact with the concave surface (214), thereby allowing the sensor housing (202) to rotate relative to the screw (204) while maintaining contact between the head (222) of the screw and the concave surface (214), Wherein the screw (204) is configured to be coupled to the tire valve (100) such that the sensor housing (202) is maintained at an angle relative to the tire valve (100) by tightening the screw (204) into a threaded connection with the tire valve (100).
8. 8. The tire monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the connection member further comprises opposing edge walls, each edge wall comprising a notch portion configured to provide a mechanical lock between the connection member and the sensor housing.
9. 9. The tire monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the screw is a ball screw and the first opening of the elongated slot forms a curved socket for coupling to a head of the ball screw and preventing further insertion of the ball screw into the elongated slot.
10. 10. The tire monitoring apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: The ball screw is configured to be inserted into an opening of the elongated slot to couple the connection member to the tire valve and to maintain the sensor housing at an angle within a predetermined range of angles relative to the tire valve.
11. 11. The tire monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the threaded member has at least two portions connected to one another via a detachable connection.
12. 12. The tire monitoring apparatus of claim 7, wherein the screw comprises a curved washer adapted to mate with a concave surface of the connection member.

Description

Ball-and-socket joint type TPM sensor RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/051,968, filed on 7/15/2010, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field The present disclosure relates to tire pressure monitoring devices and/or systems, and more particularly, to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) modules with adjustable angular positioning. Background Various tire pressure monitoring systems (Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)) include electronic modules for housing pressure measurement/sensing devices and transmission devices (e.g., signal transmitters). The housing is attached to the tire valve and mounted within the tire to monitor the air (gas) pressure inside the tire. The housing is shaped to abut (i.e., rest on) the inner well (rimwell). It is important that the angle between the housing and the inner well is correct for reliability purposes and that the pressure measurement housing is securely resting on the inner well and properly conforming to the inner well. It is also important that the housing is shaped to advantageously contact and mate with the rim well. However, a problem arises with respect to the difference in the cross-sectional shape of the rim. The cross-sectional shape of the rim defines the desired angle between the valve stem and the sensor housing. Thus, unless the TPMS is able to adjust its angular configuration and has the appropriate corresponding shape, the geometry of the valve and wheel may be combined to prevent the sensor housing from properly seating on the inner rim well. Without proper seating, the pressure measurement housing will not rest sufficiently firmly or conform sufficiently well to the shape of the inner rim well, and applying a load to the sensor during use and service may result in less accurate sensor measurements. The various embodiments disclosed herein solve many of the problems noted herein. Disclosure of Invention The following summary is intended to aid one skilled in the art in understanding the various feature combinations of the present disclosure. It is not meant to unduly limit the scope of any pending or future claims directed to this disclosure. The various embodiments provide a wide range of angles and secure mounting between the valve stem and the sensor body, and are suitable for use on a variety of rim geometries. According to an embodiment, a tire pressure monitoring device includes a sensor housing including a housing defining an interior space, wherein the sensor housing includes a top surface and a bottom surface; the valve seat comprises a housing, at least two feet extending from and beyond a bottom surface, the feet being adjacent to a first edge of the housing, a pressure sensor device located at least partially within the interior space and communicatively connected to a region external to the housing to measure pressure in the region external to the housing, a signal transmitter interactively connected (interface) to the pressure sensor and transmitting an electromagnetic signal detectable by a receiver remote from the housing and wirelessly representing a detected pressure external to the housing, a connection member formed with the housing and positioned adjacent to a second edge of the housing opposite the first edge of the housing, the connection member comprising a recess facing inwardly toward the recess of the housing, the recess having an elongated opening defined therein, the elongated opening extending at least partially in a direction perpendicular to the second edge, the connection member having a male valve mating surface external and facing outwardly away from the housing and forming a tubular head portion extending through the interior of the valve seat, the annular head portion defining a circular channel, the head portion defining a circular channel extending through the interior of the valve seat, the annular head portion defining a circular channel extending through the interior of the annular valve seat, the ball screw comprises an elongate tubular body having an annular member defined therethrough and a threaded portion on an outer surface, the threaded portion extending from a location proximate one end of the elongate tubular body to a head of the ball screw, the head including a curved convex surface facing the threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion is adapted to mate with an internal threaded portion within the valve seat and the curved convex surface of the ball screw is adapted to mate with a concave surface of the connecting member, wherein the convex valve mating surface is held against a flat circular surface of the valve seat when the ball screw is mated with the threaded portion of the valve seat, preventing rotation of the sensor housing relative to the valve seat. According to another embodiment, a tire monitoring apparatus includes a sensor housing having a pressure sensor and a connection member