PATCH FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE OF A TIRE

Abstract

A patch is provided for an electronic device of a tire. The patch includes first and second compartments. The first compartment, which does not include an opening, is structured to house therein an electronic identification module. The second compartment, which includes a reclosable opening, is structured to house therein an electronic module having a complementary function to a function of the electronic identification module. The electronic module is adapted to receive identification data from the electronic identification module.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A patch for an electronic device of a tire, the patch comprising: a first compartment, which does not include an opening, the first compartment being structured to house an electronic identification module; a second comparting, which includes a reclosable opening, the second compartment being structured to house an electronic module with a complementary function to a function of the electronic identification module, wherein the electronic module is adapted to receive identification data from the electronic identification module.

14. The patch according to claim 13, wherein the identification data supplied from the electronic identification module to the electronic module is data corresponding to a tire on which the patch is attached.

15. The patch according to claim 13, wherein the electronic module provides complementary functions to functions of the electronic identification module.

16. The patch according to claim 15, wherein the complementary functions of the electronic module include one or more of: a temperature measurement function, a pressure measurement function, and a cycle measurement function.

17. The patch according to claim 13, further comprising a plurality of sheets of two-way stretch fabric.

18. The patch according to claim 17, wherein the sheets are overlapped to form the first and second compartments.

19. The patch according to claim 17, wherein one of the sheets is a contact sheet designed to be in contact with a wall of a tire on which the patch is mounted, the contact sheet being structured to adhere to a wall surface formed of an elastomeric mixture.

20. The patch according to claim 17, wherein one of the sheets is a separating sheet placed between the first and second compartments.

21. The patch according to claim 20, wherein the second compartment is formed on one side by the separating sheet and on another side by one or more of the sheets, the one of more of the sheets forming the reclosable opening.

22. The patch according to claim 21, wherein the separating sheet is formed of a two-way stretch fabric that is treated so as not to adhere to an adjacent face of the contact sheet and not to adhere to an adjacent face or adjacent faces of the one or more of the sheets forming the reclosable opening.

23. The patch according to claim 21, wherein the one or more of the sheets forming the reclosable opening is or are treated so as not to adhere to an adjacent face of the separating sheet.

24. A tire, comprising: an inner wall; and a patch for an electronic device, wherein the patch is fastened against the inner wall, and wherein the patch includes: a first compartment, which does not include an opening, the first compartment being structured to house an electronic identification module, and a second comparting, which includes a reclosable opening, the second compartment being structured to house an electronic module with a complementary function to a function of the electronic identification module, the electronic module being adapted to receive identification data from the electronic identification module.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] All the details of application are given in the following description, supplemented by FIGS. 1 and 2, provided solely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the component sheets of the patch for electronic modules of tires; and

[0040] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of all the elements composing the patch according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The present invention, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, consists of a patch 1 for an electronic module of a tire.

[0042] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the configuration of a patch 1 for an electronic module of a tire, consisting of different sheets 5, 6, 7 and 8. These sheets are positioned so as to delimit at least two distinct compartments having specific characteristics.

Arrangement of the Compartments of the Patch

[0043] First of all, the sheets 5 and 6 are fastened together, in alignment with each other, to form a compartment 2 without an opening. This compartment 2 may be used to house an electronic identification data module 11. This electronic identification data module 11 is inserted during the manufacture of the patch 1 and is housed permanently therein. This electronic identification data module 11 is preferably an electronic identification module.

[0044] According to the invention, the patch 1 has a second compartment 3. The latter is placed against the compartment without an opening, on the side opposite the face for fastening to the tire 10. To form this compartment 3, the outer sheet 6 of the compartment 2 without an opening is used to form a first wall. The other wall of the compartment is formed by two sheets 7 and 8 laid against the sheet 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this compartment 3 has a reclosable opening 4, enabling a module 12 to be housed removably in the compartment 3. In the illustrated example, the compartment 3 with an opening has an opening 4 formed by a specific arrangement of the sheets 7 and 8: each sheet has a semicircular profile, the two half-circles being arranged in opposition, with an overlap area 9 substantially in the centre of the circle. The opening 4 created by this overlap is clearly visible in FIG. 2.

[0045] This opening 4 may also be completed by the addition of securing means such as a slide closure, strips with hooks and loops (“Velcro”, registered trademark) or other means of closure.

[0046] The patch 1 is mechanically fixed to the tire 10. The electronic modules 11 are 12 are inserted in the respective compartments of the patch 1 so as to be movable in these compartments. The fact that the electronic modules are movable makes it possible to avoid subjecting them to the mechanical stresses which the patch 1 undergoes. In fact, if the tire is subjected to a stress, the modules are shifted towards an area subjected to less mechanical stress, as a result of the deformation of the tire 10 and the patch 1. Thus, because of this arrangement in compartments, they are better protected and less liable to suffer damage.

Contents of the Compartments

[0047] According to the invention, a first embodiment consists of a patch 1 for electronic modules of tires, comprising at least two compartments 2 and 3, each of the compartments isolating electronic modules 11 and 12 with different functions.

[0048] According to this first embodiment, the electronic identification data module 11 installed in the compartment 2 without an opening is adapted to store identifier data of the corresponding tire. Also according to this first embodiment, the electronic module 12 with complementary functions installed in the compartment 3 with an opening is preferably a functional electronic module, the functions of which are complementary to the functions of the electronic identification data module 11. This electronic module 12 with complementary functions may, for example, form part of a tire pressure monitoring system, and may include a pressure sensor and possibly a temperature sensor. The module with complementary functions advantageously comprises a data exchange sub-module, adapted to transmit the acquired data to a data receiving and management module located on the vehicle or on a device outside the vehicle. This sub-module may also be used to receive or read the tire identification data from the identification data module 11. Since the two modules 11 and 12 are always very close together, communication errors are prevented.

[0049] If the electronic identification data module 11 contains a tire identifier, the fact that the module is permanently fastened to a given tire ensures that the identification data are completely reliable. The electronic module 12 with complementary functions may thus be removed, or exchanged, without any risk. Any new module receives the identification data from the identification data module 11, which for its part remains unchanged.

[0050] According to another embodiment, there may be a greater number of compartments, so that a plurality of electronic modules having different functions may be inserted.

[0051] Without departure from the scope of the invention, the patch 1 for an electronic module of a tire, and therefore the compartments 2 and 3 and the inserted electronic modules 11 and 12, may have different respective shapes and arrangements from those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Characteristics of the Sheets Forming the Patch

[0052] The sheets 5, 6, 7 and 8 forming the patch 1 for an electronic module of a tire are fixed together by gluing, welding, stitching or any other suitable means.

[0053] The surface of the sheet 5 designed to interact with the wall 13 of the tire is made from a compatible material for creating a fastening to this wall 13 by co-vulcanization. By using an elastomeric composition to form the sheet, a permanent, reliable and durable fastening may be obtained. The opposite surface of the sheet 5 and the surfaces of the other sheets are non-adhesive. Additionally, the sheets 6, 7 and 8 are made of stretchable material. This type of material enables the patch to withstand the deformation stresses of the fastening wall in a satisfactory manner, and to be adapted to different types of contents.

[0054] The drawings and their descriptions given above illustrate, but do not limit, the invention.

[0055] Reference symbols in the claims are entirely non-limiting. The verbs “comprise” and “contain” do not exclude the presence of elements other than those listed in the claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS EMPLOYED IN THE FIGURES

[0056] 1 Patch [0057] 2 Compartment without an opening [0058] 3 Compartment with an opening [0059] 4 Reclosable opening [0060] 5 Contact sheet [0061] 6 Separating sheet [0062] 7 Sheet forming the reclosable opening [0063] 8 Sheet forming the reclosable opening [0064] 10 Tire [0065] 11 Electronic identification data module [0066] 12 Electronic module with complementary functions [0067] 13 Inner wall of the tire