Measuring and testing – Tire – tread or roadway
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-24
2003-05-27
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Tire, tread or roadway
C073S146200, C073S146300, C073S146800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06568259
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to transmitters for tire condition monitoring apparatuses, and, more particularly, to structures for attaching valve stems to main bodies of transmitters.
Generally, a wireless type tire condition monitoring apparatus is employed for monitoring tire conditions of a vehicle. More specifically, a transmitter is installed in each wheel, to which a tire is attached, and monitors the condition of the tire. The transmitter measures the pressure in the tire, the temperature in the tire, and the like. The transmitter wirelessly transmits data that indicate the measurements. A receiver is installed in a body frame of the vehicle for receiving the data from the transmitter.
FIG. 4
shows a prior art transmitter by way of example. The transmitter is attached to a wheel rim
110
. The transmitter includes a main body
100
and a valve stem
101
. The main body
100
is accommodated in a tire (not shown). The valve stem
101
projects from the main body
100
to the exterior of the tire through the wheel rim
110
. The main body
100
includes a casing
102
for accommodating a pressure sensor, a signal-processing unit, and a battery (none is shown). The casing
102
has an attachment wall
103
to which the valve stem
101
is attached. The attachment wall
103
is formed integrally with the casing
102
. A bolt hole
103
a
extends through the attachment wall
103
.
An air inlet hole
104
axially extends through the valve stem
101
. The air inlet hole
104
includes a threaded hole
104
a
. The threaded hole
104
a
is located at a position corresponding to the base of the valve stem
101
. A bolt
105
is passed through the bolt hole
103
a
and is engaged with the threaded hole
104
a
. When the bolt
105
is fastened, the valve stem
101
is secured to the main body
100
. The bolt
105
has a through hole
105
a
through which air flows.
A through hole
110
a
extends through the wheel rim
110
, and the valve stem
101
is passed through the through hole
110
a
. A rubber grommet
106
is attached to the base of the valve stem
101
to seal the through hole
110
a
. The valve stem
101
is passed through the through hole
110
a
from the inner side of the wheel rim
110
, thus projecting from the outer side of the wheel rim
110
. A nut
107
is engaged with the projecting end of the valve stem
101
through a washer
108
. The nut
107
is fastened to secure the valve stem
101
to the wheel rim
110
. A cap
109
is engaged with the distal end of the valve stem
101
.
The casing
102
accommodates a transmitter antenna for wirelessly transmitting data. The casing
102
is formed of resin such that radio wave, which is wirelessly transmitted, is not shielded by the casing
102
. This structure also reduces the weight of the transmitter. However, when the bolt
105
is fastened to secure the valve stem
101
to the main body
100
, a relatively great force acts on the attachment wall
103
, which is also formed of resin. This may damage the casing
102
.
When the vehicle is traveling, centrifugal force acts on the transmitter attached to the wheel rim
110
, thus vibrating the transmitter. This may loosen the bolt
105
. However, as described, if the bolt
105
is fastened with excessive force, the casing
102
may be damaged. Accordingly, the fastening force of the bolt
105
must be limited.
The fastening force of the bolt
105
, which acts on the attachment wall
103
, gradually distorts the casing
102
(hereinafter, the distortion of the casing
102
will be referred to as “creeping”). The creeping of the casing
102
also loosens the bolt
105
.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a transmitter of a tire condition monitoring apparatus in which a valve stem is reliably attached to a main body in a stable manner.
To achieve the foregoing and other objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, the invention provides a transmitter used in a tire condition monitoring apparatus for wirelessly transmitting data indicating a condition of a tire attached to a wheel of a vehicle. The transmitter includes a main body, a cylindrical collar, a valve stem, and a fastener. The main body is located in the tire and has an attachment portion through which an attachment hole extends. The cylindrical collar is received in the attachment hole, and the strength of the collar is larger than the strength of the main body. The valve stem projects from the main body to pass through the wheel. The fastener is fastened to the valve stem to attach the valve stem to the attachment portion of the main body. When the nut is fastened, the attachment portion and the collar are clamped between the valve stem and the fastener. The fastening force of the fastener is applied mainly to the collar.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6055855 (2000-05-01), Straub
patent: 6101870 (2000-08-01), Kato et al.
patent: 6163255 (2000-12-01), Banzhof et al.
patent: 19610376 (1997-09-01), None
patent: 19613936 (1997-10-01), None
patent: 751017 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 816136 (1998-01-01), None
patent: 2000-025430 (2000-01-01), None
Saheki Setsuhiro
Sawafuji Kazunori
Jenkins Jermaine
Pacific Industrial Co. Ltd.
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