A tire inflator having an air compressor to inflate a tire to a predetermined pressure threshold. A central OBD module plugged into in a vehicle uses a short-range radio to transmit to the inflator the predetermined pressure threshold fit for a vehicle. An OBD vehicle bus reader can obtain a VIN of an associated vehicle model. A predetermined tire pressure threshold memory contains a predetermined look-up table of tire pressure thresholds for models. A processor uses the VIN to identify the vehicle model in the look-up table to select the one of the predetermined tire pressure thresholds including a spare tire pressure threshold. A short-range radio wirelessly transmits the looked-up tire pressure threshold including a spare tire pressure threshold to each inflator. The tire inflator has an optical moisture sensor on air inlet or air outlet. The air compressor is disabled when moisture is detected.

The present invention discloses an online inflating valve insertion device. The online inflating valve insertion device has a frame, a chassis, a lift cylinder, a support A, bearing seats, linear bearings, a mounting plate, guide shafts, a lift shaft, a servomotor A, a synchronous pulley A, a connecting plate, a synchronous belt, a synchronous pulley B, a base, a connecting shaft A, a servomotor B, a shaft sleeve A, a lower end cover, a connecting shaft B, a shaft sleeve B and the like. The online inflating valve insertion device provided by the present invention can meet the requirement of automatically inserting an inflating valve into a wheel, also has the characteristics of simple structure, convenience in manufacturing, stable performance, and capability of meeting the precision machining requirement, and can fit to the requirement of automatic production.

A stemming system includes a computing device and a stemming device. The computing device includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The data processing hardware includes a transmitter and a receiver. The stemming device is communicatively-coupled to the computing device. The stemming device includes a base portion and a valve-engaging portion. The valve-engaging portion includes a transducer that obtains a measurement communicated to the receiver of the computing device. The measurement includes at least one physical parameter associated with installing a tire-wheel assembly valve to a wheel throughout a process of disposing the valve within a valve hole of the wheel. The processor analyzes a data signature associated with the measurement for determining if the valve has been adequately or inadequately installed by the stemming device.

Systems and methods for smart wheel implementations are disclosed. In some embodiments, a smart wheel system includes: a first plurality of modules attached to a circumferential surface of a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first plurality of modules includes: at least one energy harvesting (EH) module comprising at least one EH component configured to convert a force acting on the at least one EH device into at least one electrical signals; and at least one electronic module, wherein the at least one EH module and the at least one electronic module are each electrically coupled to an electrical interface coupled to the wheel.

A direct tire data collection and communication device is adapted for use in a pneumatic vehicle tire. The device incorporates a tire-mounted electronics module comprising a microcontroller, and at least one tire property sensor in electronic communication with the microcontroller and capable of measuring at least one operational property of the vehicle tire. The threshold operational property value defines a positive tire safety condition and a negative tire safety condition. The electronics module calculates accumulated travel data of the vehicle tire while in the negative tire safety condition. A transmitter transmits the travel data to an electronic remote terminal.

A valve stem to be mounted to a valve mounting hole of a tire wheel includes a stem body that is pipe-shaped, contains a valve core inside, and has a proximal end to which an electrical circuit unit is fixed, and a cover member made of elastomer and covering an outer side of the stem body. The valve stem includes an engagement groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of a proximal end of the cover member to engage with an opening edge of the valve mounting hole, and a weight adjustment member having a higher specific gravity than the cover member and made of a material different from that of the stem body. The weight adjustment member is embedded in the cover member and positioned closer to a distal end of the cover member than the engagement groove.

A tire valve includes a grommet fitted on an outside of a valve stem on a proximal end side, the tire valve being inserted into a valve attachment hole from a distal end side, the grommet having a proximal end portion engaging with the valve attachment hole, a stem step portion provided on an outer surface of the valve stem and increasing in diameter at the proximal end side and facing toward the distal end side, a ring provided on the grommet in a portion on the distal end side of the stem step portion and restricting axial movements of the ring relative to the grommet, and a pressed portion provided on the grommet between the stem step portion and the ring to be pressed between the stem step portion and the ring wherein the grommet receives a load applied toward the proximal end side of the valve stem.

A heat protection device for a wheel electronics unit on a rim of a wheel of a vehicle, having a main body with a fastening portion for fastening to the wheel electronics unit, and at least one heat protection portion for thermally insulating the wheel electronics unit in the fastened position.

A tire inflation valve associable with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor includes a stem ending in a head equipped with a head body and an adjustable insert associable with the TPMS sensor by a connection element and hinged to the head body to rotate about a transverse axis and allow position adjustment of the TPMS sensor. The adjustable insert allows modifying inclination of the TPMS sensor according to different use conditions.

A stemming system includes a computing device and a stemming device. The computing device includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The data processing hardware includes a transmitter and a receiver. The stemming device is communicatively-coupled to the computing device. The stemming device includes a base portion and a valve-engaging portion. The valve-engaging portion includes a transducer that obtains a measurement communicated to the receiver of the computing device. The measurement includes at least one physical parameter associated with installing a tire-wheel assembly valve to a wheel throughout a process of disposing the valve within a valve hole of the wheel. The processor analyzes a data signature associated with the measurement for determining if the valve has been adequately or inadequately installed by the stemming device.