Adapter, tyre parameter monitoring system and method for mounting a tyre parameter monitoring system onto a wheel rim

Abstract

Adapter, tyre parameter monitoring system and method for mounting a tyre parameter monitoring system onto a wheel rim In an embodiment, a tyre parameter monitoring system (2) is provided that comprises an electronic module (4) with a fitting (6) for a snap-in valve, a ball stud (8) coupled to the fitting (6) and a valve stem (10) for a clamp-in valve. The valve stem (10) has a ball socket (12) that is coupled to the ball stud (8) for form a ball joint such that the valve stem (10) is positionable at different angles to the electronic module (4).

Claims

1. A tire parameter monitoring system comprising: an electronic module comprising a snap-in fitting configured to be coupled to a snap-in valve; a ball stud comprising a connection stem configured to be coupled to the snap-in fitting; a clamp-in valve stem comprising a ball socket disposed at a first distal end of the clamp-in valve stem and an outer thread at a second distal end of the clamp-in valve stem opposite of the first distal end of the clamp-in valve stem, the ball socket configured to be coupled to the ball stud to form an articulated ball joint, the articulated ball joint configured to position the clamp-in valve stem at different angles relative to the electronic module; a washer disposed on the second distal end of the clamp-in valve stem; a seal disposed on the washer at the second distal end of the clamp-in valve stem; and a nut disposed on the seal at the second distal end of the clamp-in valve stem, the nut configured to be tightened onto the outer thread to pull the ball stud into the ball socket and lock an angular position of the clamp-in valve stem with respect to the connection stem and the electronic module and secure the clamp-in valve stem onto an outer surface of a wheel rim.

2. The tire parameter monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the connection stem is coupled to the snap-in fitting of the electronic module and the ball socket is coupled to the ball stud.

3. The tire parameter monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the snap-in fitting comprises an aperture and the connection stem extends through the aperture.

4. The tire parameter monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the connection stem comprises an inner thread configured to be secured to the snap-in fitting by a screw engaging with the inner thread, the screw being positioned on an opposing side of the snap-in fitting to the connection stem.

5. The tire parameter monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the snap-in fitting comprises a mounting plate comprising the aperture and one or more lateral gusset plates.

6. The tire parameter monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the electronic module comprises a tire pressure sensor unit configured to monitor a tire pressure of a tire coupled to the wheel rim.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1a illustrates an exploded view of the parts of a tyre parameter monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 1b illustrates a further view of the valve stem of the tyre parameter monitoring system of FIG. 1a,

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the tyre parameter monitoring system,

(5) FIG. 3a illustrates the tyre pressure monitoring system equipped with a snap-in valve mounted on a wheel rim at a fixed angular position,

(6) FIG. 3b illustrates the tyre pressure monitoring system equipped with a clamp-in valve which permits an adjustable angle that is mounted on a wheel rim at a convenient angle for the best fitment,

(7) FIG. 4a illustrates a snap-in type valve mounted on the electronic module, and

(8) FIG. 4b illustrates a clamp-in valve mounted on the electronic module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1a illustrates an exploded view and FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the components of a tyre parameter monitoring system 2, in particular a tyre pressure monitoring system, according to an embodiment of the invention. The tyre parameter monitoring system 2 includes an electronic module 4 which includes a fitting 6 for a snap-in valve, a ball stud 8 coupled to the fitting 6 and, therefore, to the electronic module 4 and a valve stem 10 for a clamp-in valve.

(10) The valve stem 10 has a substantially elongate shape with a ball socket 12 formed in an inner surface at one end 14 of the valve stem 10. The ball socket 12 can be seen in FIG. 1b. The valve stem 10 may be outwardly flared at the end 14 to form the ball socket 12 such that the valve stem has a flange at the end 14.

(11) The ball socket 12 is coupled to the ball stud 8 such that the valve stem 10 is positionable at different angles to the electronic module 4. The ball stud 8 includes a connection stem 16 which extends from one side of the ball stud 8 and which is coupled to the fitting 6 of the electronic module 4. The ball stud 8 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter or width of the connection stem 16. The electronic module 4 includes a housing in which the electronics for the sensor(s) for the tyre parameter monitoring system are positioned.

(12) In some embodiments, the fitting 6 of the electronic module 4 includes an aperture 18. The connection stem 16 is aligned with, and may extend through, the aperture 18 at an outer side 20 of the fitting 6. The connection stem 16 may include an inner thread which is coupled to a screw 22 positioned on an opposing inner side 24 of the fitting 6. In some embodiments, the fitting 6 includes a mounting plate 26 which may be supported by one or more lateral gusset plates 28. The tyre parameter monitoring system 2 may also include a seal 30, a washer 32 and a nut 34 which are adapted to fit over the valve stem 10.

(13) FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the tyre parameter monitoring system 2 mounted on a wheel rim 36. FIG. 3a illustrates the tyre parameter monitoring system 2 equipped with a snap-in valve 50 mounted on a wheel rim 36 at a fixed angular position.

(14) FIG. 3b illustrates the tyre parameter monitoring system 2 equipped with a clamp-in valve. The clamp-in valve has the valve stem 10 that enables the system to be mounted at an adjustable angle on the wheel rim 36. The clamp-in valve is mounted on the wheel rim 36 at a convenient angle for the best fitment due to the valve stem 10. The angular position between the valve stem 10 and the electronic module 4 varies. The electronic module 4 and a base portion of the connection stem 16 are positioned on an inner surface 38 of the wheel rim 36 and, in operation, within the tyre. The valve stem 10, the ball stud 8, the seal 30, the washer 32 and the nut 34 are positioned on an outer surface 40 of the wheel rim 36.

(15) The tyre parameter monitoring system 2 is mounted on the wheel rim 36 by inserting the connection stem 16 into a hole 42 in the wheel rim 36 from the outer surface 40 of the wheel rim 36 and securing it to the fitting 6 of the electronic module 4 which is positioned on the inner surface 38 of the wheel rim 36. The connection stem 16 may be secured to the fitting 6 by use of the screw 22. The ball joint 8 is arranged on the outer surface 40 of the wheel rim 36. The ball stud 8 is engaged with the ball socket 12 of the valve stem 10 such that the connection stem 16 of the ball stud 8 protrudes from the axial end 14 of the valve stem 10. The valve stem 10 may be locked into position with respect to the electronic module 4 by placing the seal 30, the washer 22 and the nut 34 over the valve stem 10 and by tightening the nut 34 onto an outer thread 44 of the valve stem 10 so as to pull the ball stud 8 into the ball socket 12 to lock the angular position of the valve stem 10 with respect to the connection stem 16 and the electronic module 4 and to secure the valve stem 10 onto the outer surface 40 of the wheel rim 36.

(16) The articulated ball joint provided between the ball stud 8 and the ball socket 12 enables the angle between the valve stem 10 and the electronic unit 4 to vary, thus enabling the tyre parameter monitoring system 2 to be used on different types of wheel rim.

(17) FIG. 4a illustrates the electronic housing 4 coupled with a snap-in type valve 50 and FIG. 4b illustrates the electronic module 4 coupled with the valve stem 10. Both a snap-in valve and a clamp-in valve can be used with a snap-in type electronic module 4, thus reducing the number of parts which are required to produce both types of system. Additionally, the clamp-in valve can be mounted at different angular positions with respect to the electronic module 4 so that the system 2 can be used with different wheel rims.