Device for detecting pressure of tire, tire tube having such device, and rim having such device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10, 11, 12) for detecting tire pressure, the device (10, 11, 12) comprising a cylindrical valve housing (20), a valve cartridge (30), a sensor unit (40) having a pressure sensor element, a wireless module (50) and an energy storage element (60), the sensor unit (40) and the energy storage element (60) being arranged entirely inside the valve housing (20), and the valve core (30) is at least partially arranged inside the valve housing (20). The invention also relates to a tire inner tube (101, 102) or a rim having a device (10, 11, 12) according to the invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting tire pressure, an inner tube having the device, and a rim having the device. Background Technology

[0002] Tire pressure sensors are essential components in modern vehicles, used to measure and monitor tire pressure. Proper tire pressure is crucial for improving vehicle safety, efficiency, and driving comfort, while also extending tire life. Tire pressure sensors are used not only in passenger cars or trucks but also in bicycles or bicycle trailers. Data transmission from the tire pressure sensor to an external receiver or external device is typically wireless.

[0003] Depending on whether the tire is a tubeless tire (referred to as a "Tubeless-tire") or a tubed tire (referred to as a "Schlauchreifen" or "Tube-tire"), the typical mounting location and installation structure of the corresponding tire pressure sensor may differ.

[0004] For tubeless tires, the tire pressure sensor is typically mounted inside the rim and fixed to the valve stem. The sensor itself consists of a housing containing a circuit board with a wireless interface, the pressure sensor, and a battery, and its shape conforms to the rim. The sensor housing is not visible from the outside; only the valve stem protrudes from the rim.

[0005] For tubed tires, the tire pressure sensor is typically not mounted in the rim, but rather screwed onto the valve stem extending from the rim. The sensor housing also contains a circuit board with a wireless interface, the pressure sensor, and a battery. Furthermore, the device must have a medium channel to the tire air pressure in order to take measurements. The advantage of this mounting method is that it can be easily installed even after installation (retrofit options).

[0006] However, especially in tubed tires, existing technology presents several problems as a retrofit solution. For example, the sensor can be easily removed and stolen because it is clearly visible from the outside. Furthermore, it is typically bulky and, due to its visibility, is often perceived as an aesthetic flaw by the user. Additionally, this type of tire pressure sensor can cause tire imbalance. Another drawback is that the sensor is only protected by its housing from external influences such as mechanical shocks.

[0007] In contrast, for tubeless tires, especially bicycle tires, the inner width of the rim is sometimes very narrow (e.g., 13 mm), which makes it difficult to easily install tire pressure sensors in the rim in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to solve or at least reduce or optimize the problems in the prior art described above.

[0009] The present invention relates to a device for detecting tire pressure, the device comprising a cylindrical valve housing, a valve core, a sensor unit having a pressure sensor element, a wireless module, and an energy storage element, wherein the sensor unit and the energy storage element are completely arranged inside the valve housing, and the valve core is at least partially arranged inside the valve housing.

[0010] Advantageously, the anti-theft protection is significantly improved compared to existing devices because the sensor unit is invisible or at least difficult to see inside the valve housing.

[0011] Another advantage is the significant reduction in installation space for the tire pressure sensor by integrating the sensor structure within the valve housing. This is achieved by eliminating the need for an external sensor housing. With this solution, an external sensor housing is no longer required, as the sensor is protected by the valve housing itself. Furthermore, this positively impacts manufacturing costs, as less material (housing and seals) is needed and installation steps are reduced. Additionally, the length of the valve housing is also reduced. Compared to retrofitting with inner tube tires, the extended valve stem length according to this embodiment can be significantly reduced because the entire length from the inner tube connection point can be used for the sensor unit. This also offers aesthetic advantages, as there is no longer an externally visible sensor housing, which could be considered an aesthetic distraction. Therefore, for the user, there is virtually no visual difference whether or not a tire pressure sensor is integrated.

[0012] Furthermore, the design of this invention can reduce the imbalance that tire pressure sensors may cause, because on the one hand, the total weight is reduced, and on the other hand, there is no additional sensor housing mounted on the valve, which could cause a corresponding imbalance.

[0013] Furthermore, the orientation of the tire pressure sensor is no longer relevant because, unlike existing devices, there is no longer an external housing with a battery compartment that requires corresponding orientation. Therefore, the sensor can maintain any orientation.

[0014] Because the sensor unit is arranged inside the valve housing in this invention, tire pressure sensors can be installed even on rims with very narrow inner widths, such as tubeless tires used in racing bicycles. In particular, the outer diameter of the valve housing does not need to be increased compared to standard valves of the prior art, so the valve can still be adapted to common rim drilling.

[0015] With its protected sensor structure and arrangement within the valve housing, the sensor unit or pressure sensor element is better protected from external influences, such as water, dirt, or external mechanical shocks, compared to existing technology solutions.

[0016] Tire pressure refers to the pressure inside a tire filled with a medium (especially air). Tires can be any vehicle with wheels containing a corresponding medium, such as passenger cars, trucks, bicycles, or airplanes.

[0017] A valve body refers to the housing used to at least partially enclose and protect the actual valve (designed as a valve core). It can be made of various materials such as metal or plastic. Compared to prior art valve bodies, the outer diameter of the valve body remains almost unchanged, thus allowing it to be fitted with existing rim bores. The interior of the valve body is adjusted accordingly below the valve core so that other components can be housed within the valve body, while still allowing sufficient space for the medium to pass through the valve body from one end to the other. In particular, the components within the valve body should be designed and arranged such that a medium passage is formed within the valve body from one end to the other (typically where the valve core is located).

[0018] Here, the valve core is a standard valve core, which is the same as and remains unchanged from the valve core in existing valves.

[0019] To secure the sensor unit and energy storage element inside the valve housing, a mechanical sealing element is provided on the side of the valve housing opposite the valve core. This mechanical sealing element is designed as a plug with holes and is glued or screwed into the valve housing to ensure that the corresponding components do not fall out of the device. Alternatively, the components themselves can be glued into the valve housing.

[0020] In addition to the actual pressure sensor element, the sensor unit specifically includes a processing unit, such as an ASIC or microcontroller, which can process data (e.g., measurement data from the pressure sensor element) and control other electrical components when needed.

[0021] The pressure sensor element can be designed as a piezoelectric or capacitive sensor, which, for example, converts the vibration of the membrane into an electrical signal. However, sensors based on other sensor principles can also be considered. The pressure sensor element is designed and arranged in such a way that tire pressure can be detected. In particular, the pressure sensor element is designed as a MEMS component.

[0022] A wireless module is an electronic component that enables wireless communication between devices, and typically includes at least a control unit and an antenna element. Here, the wireless module usually acts as a transmitter or receiver and exchanges signals via radio waves. Wireless modules can operate in different frequency bands, such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 433 MHz band, or the 315 MHz band, and can support different communication protocols, such as Bluetooth (especially Bluetooth Low Energy), Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or LoRa. The control unit can also be formed, for example, from a corresponding processing unit of the sensor unit.

[0023] Energy storage elements are designed as electrical energy storage elements. An electrical energy storage element is a component that stores electrical energy and releases it when needed. The released energy can be used to operate sensor units and wireless modules. Examples of electrical energy storage elements include batteries, capacitors, and superconducting magnetic field storage devices. For example, lithium-ion batteries can be used as batteries. However, any other battery can be considered, provided it is narrow enough and has the necessary supply voltage. Furthermore, both secondary and primary batteries can be used as energy storage elements.

[0024] According to one configuration of the invention, the sensor unit additionally includes an acceleration sensor element.

[0025] One related advantage is that additional measurements can be detected by the accelerometer, processed accordingly, and used for further functions of the device. For example, motion can be detected by the accelerometer. In this case, the device can, for example, remain in sleep mode until motion is detected before measuring tire pressure, thereby saving energy and thus extending the life of the device.

[0026] Accelerometer elements can be designed as piezoelectric or capacitive sensors, which, for example, monitor the motion of a mass block to infer acceleration.

[0027] In particular, the accelerometer sensor element is designed as a MEMS component.

[0028] According to one configuration of the present invention, the wireless module is arranged inside the valve housing.

[0029] One related advantage is that the wireless module is protected by the valve housing from negative external influences. Furthermore, the wireless module can be integrated with other components (such as sensor units) into a single unit, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Additionally, such a combined unit may require less installation space and is easier to install.

[0030] According to another configuration of the invention, the wireless module, or at least the antenna element of the wireless module, is arranged outside the valve housing and connected to the sensor unit via a wired connection.

[0031] One related advantage is that this can improve communication with external devices or users, because the wireless module or antenna element can be arranged in such a way that it is not shielded by the valve housing, which is usually metal.

[0032] Antenna elements are fundamental components of wireless modules and are responsible for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves. Antenna elements can appear in different forms and configurations depending on requirements and applications.

[0033] In this configuration, the antenna element can be positioned outside the valve housing, while the rest of the wireless module is positioned inside the valve housing. The antenna element can then be electrically connected to the rest of the wireless module.

[0034] According to another configuration of the invention, the device includes a circuit board disposed inside the valve housing, and at least the sensor unit and the wireless module are disposed on the circuit board.

[0035] One related advantage is that the corresponding electronic components can be pre-assembled on the circuit board and then placed together into the valve housing in a single step. This simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs.

[0036] A circuit board, also known as a printed circuit board (PCB), is a flat plate made of insulating material with conductive paths and connection points for electronic components. Circuit boards serve as mechanical supports and electrical connections for electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, integrated circuits, and other electronic assemblies. All electronic components, such as sensor units and wireless modules, or other necessary components like crystals, voltage regulators, and capacitors, can be mounted on the circuit board. In this case, the antenna element can be arranged outside the valve housing, while the rest of the wireless module is arranged on the circuit board inside the valve housing. The antenna element can then be electrically connected to the rest of the wireless module.

[0037] According to another configuration of the invention, the valve core is arranged in a region at a first end of the valve housing, and the valve housing has a connecting element in a region at a second end opposite to the first end for connection with a mating connecting element of the inner tube of the tire or a mating element of the rim.

[0038] One related advantage is that a mechanical connection can be easily established between the device and the inner tube or rim using connecting elements.

[0039] Connecting elements are used to mechanically connect two or more parts to each other. These mechanical connecting elements can come in various forms and sizes. Examples of connecting elements include screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, pins, clips, welds, and adhesives. A portion of a snap-fit ​​or plug-in connection can also be understood as a connecting element. Each element has specific properties and applications. For example, screws and nuts are used to detachably fasten two or more parts, while rivets and pins are used to permanently connect parts. Welds and adhesives are used to join materials together without requiring a visible connecting element.

[0040] Connecting elements are essential for the manufacture of products and structures because they ensure mechanical integrity and stability. They enable components to be assembled into larger structures and play a vital role in the safety and reliability of products and structures.

[0041] According to another configuration of the invention, the connecting element is designed as a thread, which is arranged radially around the region at the second end of the valve body.

[0042] One related advantage is that this is a simple way to implement the connecting element so that the valve housing can be reversibly removed when needed and subsequently installed, for example, on another tire inner tube or rim. This makes the device particularly reusable. Furthermore, this allows for easy replacement of the energy storage element, for example.

[0043] The threads can be designed, in particular, to be external threads, so as to achieve a mechanical connection between the device and the inner tube or rim with a corresponding mating part having internal threads. In this case, a sealing element, such as an O-ring, may also be required to seal the device and the inner tube or rim. Alternatively, the connecting element can have a correspondingly designed internal thread so as to be screwed onto existing valves in the prior art as a retrofit solution.

[0044] The present invention also relates to a tire inner tube comprising a receiving unit having mating connecting elements for connection with a connecting element, wherein the tire inner tube has a means for detecting tire pressure according to the present invention, wherein the means is connected to the receiving unit by means of the connecting element and the mating connecting elements.

[0045] Tire inner tubes are flexible, hollow rubber- or plastic hoses or tubes used in tires to hold a medium (usually air) and thus maintain the tire's shape. The inner tube is inserted into the tire and inflated to allow the tire to expand and achieve the desired shape and strength. Tire inner tubes come in different sizes and designs to meet the needs of different types of tires and vehicle applications.

[0046] The receiving unit receives the device by having a mating connecting element that matches the connecting element of the device. Here, the receiving unit has a corresponding through-hole to allow a medium passage (particularly an air passage) between the inside of the tire inner tube and the device for detecting tire pressure, thereby enabling the determination of tire pressure by means of the device.

[0047] According to one configuration of the invention, the mating connecting element is designed with a radially surrounding internal thread and the connecting element of the valve housing is designed with a radially surrounding external thread, wherein the connecting element of the valve housing is screwed into the mating connecting element of the receiving unit.

[0048] One related advantage is that this is a simple way to implement connecting elements and mating connecting elements so that the valve housing can be reversibly removed when needed, and can then be installed, for example, onto other tire inner tubes with corresponding mating connecting elements.

[0049] According to one configuration of the present invention, a sealing element is provided between the receiving unit and the valve housing.

[0050] One related advantage is that the tire is sealed, and there are no leak points at the transition between the individual components of the device and the inner tube.

[0051] Sealing elements can be designed as O-rings, for example. This is specifically used to ensure that the medium inside the tire can only flow from the inside of the tire inner tube to the outside through the valve housing, and vice versa.

[0052] The invention also relates to a rim having a through hole and a device for detecting tire pressure according to the invention, wherein a valve housing is arranged to extend through the through hole and connected by a connecting element to a mating element, particularly arranged inside the rim.

[0053] The through-hole serves two purposes: firstly, it enables a medium passage (particularly an air passage) between the interior of the rim and the device used to detect tire pressure, thereby allowing the tire pressure to be determined accordingly; secondly, it allows external access to the device.

[0054] According to one configuration of the invention, the connecting element of the valve housing is designed with a radially surrounding external thread and the mating element has a radially surrounding internal thread, wherein the connecting element and the mating element are screwed together.

[0055] One related advantage is that this is a simple way to implement connecting and mating elements so that the valve housing can be reversibly removed when needed and can be subsequently mounted, for example, to other rims with corresponding mating elements.

[0056] In this case, the mating element can be designed, for example, as a simple nut that matches the threaded connection element.

[0057] According to another configuration of the invention, a sealing element is provided between the rim and the mating element and / or between the mating element and the valve body.

[0058] One related advantage is that the tire is sealed and there are no leak points at the transition between the individual components of the device and the rim.

[0059] Sealing elements can be designed as O-rings, for example. This is specifically used to ensure that the medium inside the tire can only flow from the inside of the rim to the outside through the valve housing, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0060] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the device for detecting tire pressure according to the present invention is shown in a side sectional view.

[0061] Figure 2A second embodiment of the device for detecting tire pressure according to the present invention is shown in a side sectional view.

[0062] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the device for detecting tire pressure according to the present invention is shown in a side sectional view. Specific Implementation

[0063] Figure 1 An embodiment of the sensor device according to the present invention is shown in a side sectional view.

[0064] A device 10 for detecting tire pressure is shown. The device 10 includes a cylindrical valve housing 20, a valve core 30, a sensor unit 40 with a pressure sensor element, a wireless module 50, and an energy storage element 60.

[0065] In this context, the sensor unit 40 may include an acceleration sensor element in addition to the pressure sensor element.

[0066] Here, the sensor unit 40 and the energy storage element 60 are completely arranged inside the valve housing 20, and the valve core 30 is at least partially arranged inside the valve housing 20. Furthermore, the valve core 30 is arranged in the region of the first end 21 of the valve housing 20. Additionally, the valve housing 20 has a connecting element 25 in the region of the second end 22 opposite to the first end 21 for connection with a mating connecting element or a mating element. Here, the connecting element 25 is designed with an internal thread, which is arranged radially around the region of the second end 22 of the valve housing 20.

[0067] Here, the mating connection element can be provided, for example, by a valve in the prior art. Alternatively, the inner tube or rim can have a corresponding mating connection element or mating element.

[0068] Furthermore, the wireless module 50 is disposed inside the valve housing 20. Additionally, the device 10 includes a circuit board 70, which is also disposed inside the valve housing 20, and at least the sensor unit 40 and the wireless module 50 are disposed on the circuit board 70.

[0069] Conversely, in an alternative, unillustrated embodiment, the wireless module 50, or at least the antenna element of the wireless module 50, may be arranged outside the valve housing 20 and electrically connected, directly or indirectly, in a wired manner to the sensor unit 40 or the rest of the wireless module 50.

[0070] Furthermore, a sealing element 80, designed as an O-ring, can be arranged in the area of ​​the connecting element 25. This sealing element 80 serves to provide a seal when the device 10 is connected to other components (e.g., valves, inner tubes, or rims) to prevent tire leakage.

[0071] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the device for detecting tire pressure according to the present invention is shown in a side sectional view.

[0072] A device 11 for detecting tire pressure is shown. The device 11 is related to... Figure 1 The difference in the device 10 is that the connecting element 26 of the valve housing 20 is not designed as threaded as the connecting element 25, but as a sheet.

[0073] Furthermore, an inner tube 101 is shown, which includes a receiving unit 121 with mating connecting elements 126 for connection to a sheet-like connecting element 26. The device 11 is connected to the receiving unit 121 via the connecting element 26 and the mating connecting element 126.

[0074] In particular, the device 11 can also be directly vulcanized into and fixed to the inner tube 101 via the connecting element 26, wherein the receiving unit 121 is formed by the inner tube 101 itself. The receiving unit 121 has a corresponding through hole to realize a medium passage from the inside of the inner tube 101 to the pressure sensor element arranged inside the valve housing 20.

[0075] Alternatively, but not illustrated, the device 11 may be attached to the inner tube 101, for example, only from the inside or outside. In this case, the inner tube 101 has corresponding holes.

[0076] Of course, but not shown here, it is also possible to consider replacing the inner tube 101 with a rim having a receiving unit with a corresponding design, thereby forming a tubeless tire.

[0077] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the device for detecting tire pressure according to the present invention is shown in a side sectional view.

[0078] A device 12 for detecting tire pressure is shown. The device 12 is related to... Figure 1 The difference in the device 10 is that the connecting element 27 of the valve housing 20 is designed with an external thread instead of an internal thread, like the connecting element 25.

[0079] Furthermore, an inner tube 102 is shown, which includes a receiving unit 122 having a mating connecting element 127 for connection with a connecting element 27. The device 12 is connected to the receiving unit 122 via the connecting element 27 and the mating connecting element 127.

[0080] Here, the mating connecting element 127 is designed with a radially surrounding internal thread, and the connecting element 27 of the valve housing 20 is designed with a radially surrounding external thread, wherein the connecting element 27 of the valve housing 20 is screwed into the mating connecting element 127 of the receiving unit 122. Here, a sealing element 130 (designed here as an O-ring) is arranged between the receiving unit 122 and the valve housing 20 (specifically the connecting element 27). Here, the receiving unit 122 also has a corresponding through hole to realize a medium passage from the inside of the inner tube 102 to the pressure sensor element arranged inside the valve housing 20.

[0081] Of course, but not shown here, it is also possible to consider replacing the inner tube 102 with a rim having a corresponding receiving unit, thereby forming a tubeless tire. Here, the rim, for example, has a through hole.

[0082] In an alternative, not shown, embodiment, the valve housing 20 may be arranged as a through-hole extending through the rim and connected to correspondingly designed mating elements (particularly arranged inside the rim) via connecting elements 25, 26, 27. Specifically, the connecting element 27 of the valve housing 20 may be designed with radially surrounding external threads, and the mating element has radially surrounding internal threads, wherein the connecting element 27 is screwed onto the mating element. Here, sealing elements should be arranged between the rim and the mating element and / or between the mating element and the valve housing 20.

Claims

1. A device (10, 11, 12) for detecting tire pressure, wherein the device (10, 11, 12) comprises a cylindrical valve housing (20), a valve core (30), a sensor unit (40) having a pressure sensor element, a wireless module (50), and an energy storage element (60), wherein the sensor unit (40) and the energy storage element (60) are completely disposed inside the valve housing (20), and the valve core (30) is at least partially disposed inside the valve housing (20).

2. The apparatus (10, 11, 12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor unit (40) also includes an acceleration sensor element.

3. The apparatus (10, 11, 12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The wireless module (50) is arranged inside the valve body (20).

4. The apparatus (10, 11, 12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wireless module (50) or at least the antenna element of the wireless module (50) is arranged outside the valve housing (20) and connected to the sensor unit (40) by wire.

5. The apparatus (10, 11, 12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The device (10, 11, 12) has a circuit board (70) arranged inside the valve housing (20), and at least the sensor unit (40) and the wireless module (50) are arranged on the circuit board (70).

6. The apparatus (10, 11, 12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The valve core (30) is arranged in the region of the first end (21) of the valve housing (20), and the valve housing (20) has connecting elements (25, 26, 27) in the region of the second end (22) of the valve housing (20) opposite to the first end (21) for connection with mating connecting elements (126, 127) or mating elements.

7. The apparatus (10, 12) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connecting elements (25, 27) are designed to be threaded, which is arranged radially around the region of the second end (22) of the valve housing (20).

8. A tire inner tube (101, 102) comprising receiving units (121, 122) having mating connecting elements (126, 127) for connection with connecting elements (26, 27), wherein, The inner tube (101, 102) has a device (11, 12) for detecting tire pressure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the device (11, 12) is connected to the receiving unit (121, 122) by means of the connecting element (26, 27) and the mating connecting element (126, 127).

9. The inner tube (102) according to claim 8, wherein, The mating connecting element (127) is designed with a radially encircling internal thread and the connecting element (27) of the valve housing (20) is designed with a radially encircling external thread, wherein the connecting element (27) of the valve housing (20) is screwed into the mating connecting element (127) of the receiving unit (122).

10. The inner tube (102) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, A sealing element (130) is arranged between the receiving unit (122) and the valve housing (20).

11. A wheel rim having a through hole and a device (10, 11, 12) for detecting tire pressure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The valve housing (20) is arranged to extend through the through hole and connect with a mating element by means of a connecting element (25, 26, 27), which is specifically arranged inside the rim.

12. The wheel rim according to claim 11, characterized in that, The connecting element (27) of the valve housing (20) is designed with a radially surrounding external thread and the mating element has a radially surrounding internal thread, wherein the connecting element (27) is screwed to the mating element.

13. The rim according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, A sealing element is arranged between the rim and the mating element and / or between the mating element and the valve housing (20).

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