Tubeless tire valve with integrated pressure sensor

Abstract

A pressure sensing assembly for use in a bicycle tire comprises a sensor assembly for sensing a pressure within the bicycle tire, and a valve assembly for securing the sensor assembly to the bicycle tire. In an embodiment, the sensor assembly further comprises a pressure sensor, and a housing for enclosing the pressure sensor and other electronic components, wherein the housing defines an opening adapted to accept a valve stem therein and extend therethrough, and an aperture adapted to allow the pressure sensor to be in fluid communication with the bicycle tire for measuring the pressure within the bicycle tire.

Description

[0001] TUBELESS TIRE VALVE WITH INTEGRATED PRESSURE SENSOR

[0002] Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pressure sensor for tires, and more particularly relate to a tire pressure sensor embedded within a tire of a bicycle.

[0004] Background

[0005] Accurate internal pressure is integral to the performance of bicycle tires. A rider should be checking and adjusting tire pressures before every ride. This is typically accomplished using some form of external pressure gauge, which is briefly connected to the valve stem to sample a pressure inside the tire chamber. This process can sometimes be inconvenient or neglected, adversely affecting performance.

[0006] Furthermore, the rider does not always carry such a pressure gauge with them, and when unavailable, must resort to squeezing or pinching the tire to estimate pressure. Mountain bikers, in particular, will often inflate their tires to a higher pressure for climbing, then release some pressure for added grip on the descent. Without a pressure sensing device at hand, accuracy and repeatability, when releasing air, are compromised, and can result in damage to the tire, the rim, or both. Bicycle users are more likely to carry a smart device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or bike computer, none of which have a means of checking tire pressure without additional peripheral hardware.

[0007] Additionally, after repairing a flat tire while on a ride, a rider will typically use a portable pump or compressed carbon dioxide to reinflate the tire, then continue with unknown pressure, again compromising performance.

[0008] Existing attempts to integrate a pressure sensor into the valve assembly have used a device external to the pressure vessel of the tire. This approach results in the device being susceptible to impact or theft, and is less aesthetically pleasing to some riders than a traditional valve. Summary

[0009] Embodiments of the invention relate to a pressure sensing assembly for use in a tubeless tire is disclosed. The pressure sensing assembly can comprise a sensor assembly and a valve assembly, wherein the valve assembly can have a dual functionality of serving as a valve and being used to secure the sensor assembly to the wheel.

[0010] In a broad aspect of the invention, a pressure sensing assembly for use in a bicycle wheel can comprise a sensor assembly secured to the bicycle wheel by a valve assembly.

[0011] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a pressure sensing assembly placed within a wheel;

[0013] Figure 1 B is a perspective view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 1 A, from a different point of view;

[0014] Figure 2A is a perspective view of he pressure sensing assembly in accordance to Fig. 1A;

[0015] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 2A, from a different point of view;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a valve assembly;

[0017] Figure 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a sensor assembly;

[0018] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 4A, from a different point of view; and

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the sensor assembly of Figs. 4A and 4B without a top enclosure. Description

[0020] With reference to Figs. 1Ato 2B, embodiments of the present invention is a pressure sensing assembly (PSA) 10 that is adapted top be secured to a bicycle wheel 20. As shown the PSA 10 can comprise a sensor assembly 30, and a valve assembly 40 for securing the sensor assembly 30 to the wheel 20. As shown, the sensor assembly 30 is sealingly secured to an inner surface 50 of the wheel.

[0021] The PSA 10 can be sealingly installed onto the wheel 20. In embodiments, the PSA 10 can be installed onto the wheel 20 after the wheel 20 has been prepared for tubeless setup. Those skilled in the art would understand that the PSA 10 has to be installed before the final assembly of the wheel 20 with a tubeless tire (not shown), and a tire insert 60, if desired. After installation of the PSA 10 onto the wheel 20, the PSA 10, and specifically, the sensor assembly 30 is sealed against the inner surface 50 of the wheel 20.

[0022] With reference to Fig. 3, and in embodiments, the sealing engagement of the sensor assembly 30 against the inner surface 50 can be accomplished by threadably securing the sensor assembly 30 using the valve assembly 40. As shown, the valve assembly 40 can comprise a valve stem 70, having threads 80, a nut 90, a first elastomeric seal 100, such as a rubber washer, and a second elastomeric seal 110, such as a cone gasket. In embodiments, and as shown, the second elastomeric seal 110 can have a conical profile which can be adapted to engage the inner surface 50 of the wheel and compress thereagainst.

[0023] The user can simply threadably tighten the nut 90 to cause the sensor assembly 30 and the second elastomeric seal 110 to sealingly engage the inner surface 50 of the wheel. The tighter the nut 90 is threaded, the tighter the seal between the elastomeric seal 110 and the inner surface 50 of the wheel 20 becomes. In embodiments, a sufficient torque force can be applied to the nut 90 to secure the PSA 10 to the wheel 20. In embodiments, the nut 90 can simply be hand-tightened.

[0024] In embodiments, the nut 90 can be frictionally fit to the threads of the valve stem 70.

[0025] With reference to Figs. 4A and 4B, the sensor assembly 30 is shown. In embodiments, the sensor assembly 30 can comprise a housing 130 having a top enclosure 140 and a bottom enclosure 150. As shown, the housing 130 defines an opening 160, adapted to accept the valve assembly 40 therein and extend through the entirety of the housing 130. Further, the top enclosure 140 defines an aperture 170 adapted to allow a pressure sensor 180 to be in fluid communication with an interior of the tire. Those skilled in the art would understand that the sensor 180 should be in fluid communication with the interior of the tire to allow proper function of the pressure sensor 180. That is, the pressure sensor 180 should be in fluid communication with the interior of the tire to measure a pressure of the tire.

[0026] Referring to Fig. 5, the sensor assembly 30 is shown without the top enclosure 140. As shown, the sensor assembly 30 can further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) 190 supporting the pressure sensor 180, a processor 200, an antenna 210 for transmitting tire pressure information to an external device, and a power source 220. In embodiments, the sensor assembly 30 can further comprise an o-ring 230 placed between the top enclosure 140 and the sensor 180. The o-ring 230 can function to seal the sensor assembly against any possible ingress of environmental contaminants, such as foreign particles, sealant, water or moisture and the like. As shown, the sensor assembly 30 can further comprise other electronic components, such as capacitors, resistors, wiring, etc.

[0027] To install the pressure sensing assembly 10, a user can insert the PSA 10 through a pre-existing valve hole in the wheel. Once insert therethrough, the user can threadably tighten the PSA 10 to the wheel by placing the first elastomeric seal 110 about the valve stem 70 and then tightening the nut 90. In embodiments, and if the user so desires, the tire insert 60 can be installed. Thereafter, a compatible tubeless tire can be affixed about the wheel 20. The user can inflate the tire to a desired tire pressure. As the pressure increases within the tire, an interior pressure exerts a force onto the sensor 180. The processor 200 can convert the force exerted onto the sensor 180 into an electrical signal, which can then be transmitted by the antenna 210 to an external monitoring device, such as a phone, watch or bike computer.

Claims

Claims:1 . A pressure sensing assembly for use in a bicycle tire comprising: a sensor assembly for sensing a pressure within the bicycle tire; and a valve assembly for securing the sensor assembly to the bicycle tire.

2. The pressure sensing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bicycle tire further comprises a wheel having an inner and an outer surface, and wherein the valve assembly further comprises: a valve stem having threads; a threadable nut adapted to frictionally fit about the valve stem; and an elastomeric seal for sealing between the valve stem and the inner surface of the bicycle wheel.

3. The pressure sensing assembly of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric seal is a cone gasket.

4. The pressure sensing assembly of claim 2 or 3, further comprising an elastomeric seal for sealing between the threadable nut and the outer surface of the wheel.

5. The pressure sensing assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises: a pressure sensor; and a housing for enclosing the pressure sensor, the housing defining an opening adapted to accept the valve stem therein and extend therethrough, and an aperture adapted to allow the pressure sensor to be in fluid communication with the bicycle tire for measuring the pressure within the bicycle tire.

6. The pressure sensing assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises: a processor for converting the pressure exerted on the pressure sensor into electrical signals; a power source for providing power to the processor; an antenna for transmitting the electrical signals to an external monitoring device; and a printed circuit board for supporting the power source, the processor, the antenna, and the pressure sensor thereon.

7. The pressure sensing assembly of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the housing further comprises a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure, and wherein the top enclosure defines the aperture adapted to allow the pressure sensor to be in fluid communication with the pressure.

8. A pressure sensing valve assembly comprising: a printed circuit board with wireless protocols, antenna, and pressure sensor, powered by one or more button cell batteries; an enclosure which seals the body of the printed circuit board and batteries against ingress, with a port to expose the pressure sensor to the environment surrounding the assembly; and a Presta valve which is mated to the enclosure, and is used to securely fix the entire assembly to a bicycle wheel.

9. The pressure sensing valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the enclosure contains reliefs in order to ensure compatibility with tubeless tire inserts.