Embodiments included herein are directed towards an automatic tire inflation monitoring system and method. The method may include confirming, using a battery powered electronic sensor, that there is no active tire re-inflation in progress. The method may further include monitoring, using the battery powered electronic sensor, the status of all tire pressures over a period of time and determining, using the battery powered electronic sensor, whether a rate of tire pressure reduction exceeds a first value. The method may include reporting, using the battery powered electronic sensor, a fault if the rate exceeds the first value.

A system for powering an electronic device within a tire is provided, the system comprising: a generator; an electrically conductive wheel coated in a non-conductive coating, the wheel including rim lips, wherein one of the rim lips includes a conductive area; the tire including bead portions, sidewalls, shoulders, a tread oriented in a tread region, and an inner surface; a conductive element extending from a bead portion, and in contact with the inner surface; an electronic device within the vehicle tire; and a ground path extending through a thickness of the vehicle tire from the inner surface to an exterior surface in a contact patch of the tread; wherein the generator is electrically connected to the electrically conductive wheel; wherein the electronic device is electrically connected to the conductive element and the ground path; and wherein the conducive element contacts the conductive area.

A tire information acquisition device includes: a sensor unit mountable on a tire inner surface and including a sensor configured to acquire tire information; and a power supply unit mountable on a wheel. The power supply unit includes a power supply mechanism configured to supply power to the sensor unit in a non-contact manner. The sensor unit includes: a power reception mechanism configured to receive power from the power supply unit in a non-contact manner; and an information transmission unit configured to wirelessly transmit acquired tire information.

Provided is a tire information acquisition device that includes a sensor unit including a sensor that acquires tire information, a first band that is for fixing the sensor unit (1) to a rim (R) and has an adjustable band circumferential length by fastening another end reversibly with a fastening portion provided to one end, and at least one second band that fastens the sensor unit and the first band integrally.

An in-wheel tire pressure system for use with a rim of a wheel of a vehicle that includes a fluid storage area formed in the rim for holding a quantity of compressible fluid suitable for inflating a tire mounted on the rim, and a micro-compressor mounted on the rim for pressurizing the fluid storage area with the compressible fluid. A wireless electrical charging subsystem may also be included for powering the micro-compressor. The wireless electrical charging system may incorporate a first component associated with the rim and rotatable with the rim, and a second component fixedly mounted to a portion of the vehicle closely adjacent the first component. The system may also include a control for enabling user control over the micro-compressor.

A valve stem structure disposed at a rim of a tire of a vehicle for connecting to an electronic tire pressure monitoring device in the tire is provided. The valve stem structure includes a tube, an air core, and a conducting wire. The tube has a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with an inner space of the tire, and a second outlet. The air core is switchably disposed at the first inlet, and a compressed air is injected into the tire via the first inlet and the first outlet by switching the air core. The conducting wire is disposed in the tube, and an end of the conducting wire extends out of the tube via the second outlet to be electrically connected to the electronic tire pressure monitoring device. A power source charges the electronic tire pressure monitoring device via the conducting wire.

A tire monitoring system may include first and second sensor elements, a circuit board, and a housing. The circuit board includes control circuitry coupled with at least one of the first and second sensor elements, wherein the control circuitry is configured to generate tire tread information based on an electrical response of at least one of the first and second sensor elements. The housing includes a housing material that surrounds the circuit board in a direction parallel with respect to a surface of the circuit board. Related methods are also discussed.

A wheel hub bearing for motor vehicles, comprising a hub and a bearing unit in turn comprising a radially outer ring, at least one radially inner ring, at least one crown of rolling bodies between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring, whereas the hub has a radial stiffening. The radial stiffening of the hub has a misalignment (d) respect to a seat, i.e. a distance between a centerline axis (Y) of the seat of the radially inner ring on the hub and a centerline (Z) of the radial stiffening less than or equal to 25% of a length (l) of the seat.

A custom valve stem is adapted to fit in a conventional valve stem opening in a tire rim. The valve stem has a primary air channel for a conventional Schrader-type valve. The valve stem also has a secondary air channel extending within the valve stem between a base of the valve stem and an outlet through the material of the valve stem to atmosphere outside of the valve stem. The outlet can have a screen as a debris air filter. An optional tire pressure monitoring system TPMS sensor couples to the primary air channel independent of the secondary air channel. The secondary air channel comprises an atmospheric hose coupled to an electric air compressor and rechargeable battery disposed within a pressure cavity of the tire for maintaining tire pressure. A motion activated power generator disposed within the pressure cavity recharges the rechargeable electric storage.

A wheel pressure adjustment assembly includes a valve unit that is fluidly coupled to a vehicle wheel. The valve unit is actuatable in an open condition for passing air therethrough to deflate the vehicle wheel. The valve unit is actuatable in a closed condition for inhibiting air from passing therethrough to retain air pressure in the vehicle wheel at a selected pressure. The valve unit is actuatable into an inflating condition for passing air into the vehicle wheel. A compressor is coupled to the valve unit and the compressor is turned on when the valve unit is actuated into the inflating condition. In this way the compressor inflates the vehicle wheel.