Sensor assembly and wheel

Abstract

The application discloses a sensor assembly and a wheel, the sensor assembly comprises a mounting body and an air pressure rod, the air pressure rod is a hollow through structure, the mounting body is internally provided with an accommodating cavity for accommodating a tire pressure sensor, a gas guide hole is arranged on the mounting body at a position corresponding to the accommodating cavity, and the air pressure rod is arranged between the gas guide hole and an air valve to form an air channel, so that the tire pressure sensor detects wheel state parameters of the wheel through the air channel; the tire pressure sensor is placed in the accommodating cavity of the sensor assembly, so that impact external force is avoided from being directly conducted to the tire pressure sensor, the overall impact resistance of the tire pressure sensor is obviously improved, the damage of the impact external force to the tire pressure sensor is effectively avoided, the normal use of the tire pressure monitoring function is ensured, the continuous and stable operation of the tire pressure monitoring function is ensured, the user can master the wheel working condition in real time, and the safety of the user during driving is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, specifically to a sensor assembly and a wheel. Background Technology

[0002] To meet people's pursuit of a higher quality of life, vehicles that facilitate user travel have emerged. With the advancement of vehicle intelligence, vehicles are capable of more and more functions, and people's attention to vehicles is no longer limited to quality but also extends to safety. Currently, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor (TPMS) is one of the core components of automotive active safety systems. Its main function is to monitor key data such as tire pressure and temperature in real time and transmit this information to the vehicle's dashboard. When abnormal data occurs (such as excessively high or low tire pressure), an alarm is triggered, prompting the driver to take timely action and avoid accidents caused by tire problems.

[0003] In current technology, most TPMS sensors are installed in the vehicle's wheels using a direct connection between the valve stem and the sensor body. However, when the wheels are disassembled or repaired, the impact force generated during this process is directly transmitted to the TPMS sensor without buffering. TPMS sensors have poor impact resistance and are easily damaged by external impact forces, leading to failure. This results in the loss of the TPMS sensor's tire pressure monitoring function, preventing users from monitoring wheel conditions in real time and further compromising driving safety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this application provides a sensor assembly and a wheel to ensure the continuous and stable operation of the tire pressure monitoring function, enabling users to monitor the wheel's condition in real time and further enhancing driving safety.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a sensor assembly applied to a wheel. The sensor assembly includes a mounting body and a pneumatic rod. The pneumatic rod has a hollow, through-structure. The mounting body has a cavity for accommodating a tire pressure sensor. An air guide hole is provided on the mounting body at a position corresponding to the cavity. The pneumatic rod is disposed between the air guide hole and the valve stem to form an air passage, so that the tire pressure sensor can detect the wheel state parameters of the wheel through the air passage.

[0006] Optionally, the mounting body includes a receiving part and a protective part. The receiving part has a receiving cavity inside, and the protective part is disposed on the side of the receiving part near the pneumatic rod. The protective part is used to isolate the external force impact transmitted by the pneumatic rod.

[0007] Optionally, the receiving portion and the protective portion are integrally formed.

[0008] Optionally, the mounting body is provided with a positioning component on the side of the wheel hub near the wheel, and the wheel hub is provided with a slot on the side of the wheel tire near the wheel. The slot is used to form a snap-fit ​​connection with the positioning component so that the mounting body is fixedly mounted on the wheel hub.

[0009] Optionally, a first sealing component is provided in the receiving cavity. The first sealing component is used to isolate the internal space of the wheel tire from the external environment, so as to achieve an airtight seal of the tire and prevent external impurities from entering.

[0010] Optionally, the sensor assembly further includes a sealing assembly, which includes a second sealing component, a third sealing component, and a fastening component; The wheel hub is provided with an assembly through hole. The valve stem passes through the assembly through hole from the inside of the wheel hub to the outside of the wheel hub. The third sealing component and the fastening component are sequentially sleeved on the surface of the valve stem that protrudes from the outside of the wheel hub. The second sealing component is sleeved on the inner surface of the wheel hub where the valve stem is located. When the fastening component is tightened, the fastening component presses against the third sealing component to cooperate with the second sealing component to achieve an airtight lock between the valve and the assembly through hole.

[0011] Optionally, the sensor assembly further includes a buffer isolation component disposed between the second sealing component and the air guide hole.

[0012] Optionally, the valve stem, the buffer isolation component, and the air guide hole are arranged coaxially so that the gas inside the tire of the wheel passes through the air pressure rod, the buffer isolation component, and the air guide hole in sequence to reach the tire pressure sensor.

[0013] Optionally, the buffer isolation component is disposed within the protective part so that the valve stem and the mounting body are connected through the buffer isolation component.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a wheel, the wheel including a tire and a hub, and a sensor assembly as described in the first aspect; The wheel hub is provided with a mounting through hole, and the valve of the sensor assembly passes through the mounting through hole from the inside of the wheel hub to the outside of the wheel hub. The mounting body of the sensor assembly is housed in a sealed cavity formed by the tire and the wheel hub.

[0015] The solution adopted in this application embodiment provides a sensor assembly including a mounting body and a pneumatic rod. The pneumatic rod has a hollow, through-structure. The mounting body has a cavity for accommodating the tire pressure sensor. An air guide hole is provided on the mounting body at a position corresponding to the cavity. The pneumatic rod is positioned between the air guide hole and the valve stem to form an air passage, allowing the tire pressure sensor to detect the wheel condition parameters through the air passage. Placing the tire pressure sensor within the cavity of the sensor assembly avoids direct transmission of impact forces to the tire pressure sensor, significantly improving the overall impact resistance of the tire pressure sensor. This effectively prevents damage and failure caused by impact forces, ensuring the normal operation of the tire pressure monitoring function and guaranteeing its continuous and stable operation. This allows users to monitor wheel conditions in real time, further enhancing driving safety. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a sensor assembly provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is another structural schematic diagram of the sensor assembly provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of the sensor component provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another application scenario of the sensor component provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another application scenario of the sensor component provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another application scenario of the sensor component provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another application scenario of the sensor component provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Sensor assembly; 11. Mounting body; 111. Receiving part; 112. Protective part; 12. Pneumatic rod; 13. Fastening parts; 14. Buffer isolation parts; 15. Valve. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. At the same time, in the description of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0020] The terms "module" or "unit" as used herein can be considered as software objects executing on the computing system. The various components, modules, engines, and services described herein can be considered as implementations on the computing system. While the apparatus and methods described herein are preferably implemented in software, they can also be implemented in hardware, both of which are within the scope of this invention.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when an element is “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wireless connections or wireless coupling. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all or any units and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0022] This application provides a sensor assembly for use on a wheel. The sensor assembly includes a mounting body and a pneumatic rod. The pneumatic rod has a hollow, through-structure. The mounting body has a cavity for accommodating a tire pressure sensor. An air guide hole is provided on the mounting body at a position corresponding to the cavity. The pneumatic rod is disposed between the air guide hole and the valve stem to form an air passage, so that the tire pressure sensor can detect the wheel condition parameters of the wheel through the air passage.

[0023] It should be noted that this sensor component can be applied to mobile devices, such as the wheels of vehicles, ships, or airplanes.

[0024] In one specific embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The sensor assembly 10 is mounted on the vehicle's wheel, which includes a hub (or rim) and a rubber tire fitted around the outside of the hub. The hub and tire together form a sealed tire cavity, and the mounting body 11 of the sensor assembly 10 is arranged inside the tire cavity. The mounting body 11 is an integrally injection-molded structure, including a receiving portion 111 and a protective portion 112. The receiving portion 111 and the protective portion 112 are integrally formed, and the receiving portion 111 encloses a cavity. The tire pressure sensor is embedded inside the receiving cavity, and the inner wall of the receiving cavity provides radial and axial restraint for the tire pressure sensor, preventing it from moving when the vehicle is bumpy. The protective portion 112 is formed on the side of the receiving portion 111 near the air pressure rod 12. An axial air duct is formed at the center of the protective portion 112, communicating with the receiving cavity to ensure that the tire pressure sensor's pressure sensing probe is aligned with the air duct.

[0025] The air spring 12 is designed as a hollow, through-hole structure, with an internal through-hole running through the axial direction of the spring body to form a complete air passage. The lower end of the air spring 12 (inner end of the wheel hub) is inserted into the protective part 112 of the mounting body 11. The internal through-hole of the air spring 12 is coaxially aligned with and interconnected with the air guide hole of the mounting body 11 to form a through-hole between the tire pressure sensor, the air guide hole, and the through-hole of the air spring 12.

[0026] Optionally, in this embodiment, the cavity has an air vent on only one side, while the other sidewalls are closed. This can prevent lubricating oil and debris inside the tire from hitting the tire pressure sensor circuit, and will not interfere with the normal air pressure conduction in the air passage, thus meeting both protection and detection requirements.

[0027] In some embodiments, the mounting body 11 includes a receiving portion 111 and a protective portion 112. The receiving portion 111 has a receiving cavity inside, and the protective portion 112 is disposed on the side of the receiving portion 111 near the pneumatic rod 12. The protective portion 112 is used to isolate the external force impact transmitted by the pneumatic rod 12.

[0028] Optionally, the mounting body 11 is divided into a receiving part 111 and a protective part 112, wherein the receiving part 111 and the protective part 112 are connected as a detachable structure or an integral component that cannot be separated.

[0029] In some embodiments, the receiving portion 111 and the protective portion 112 are integrally formed.

[0030] Specifically, this application embodiment can provide an integrated injection molding installation body 11, which is divided into a receiving part 111 and a protective part 112, which are connected as an inseparable integral component. The receiving part 111 forms a receiving cavity, in which the tire pressure sensor is embedded. The cavity wall of the receiving cavity provides circumferential restraint for the tire pressure sensor, reducing the sensor's movement and impact within the tire cavity. The protective part 112 is integrally formed on the side of the receiving part 111 facing the air pressure rod 12, and the protective part 112 is arranged opposite to the end of the air pressure rod 12.

[0031] In this embodiment, the mounting body 11 is divided into a receiving portion 111 and a protective portion 112, arranged in separate zones. The receiving portion 111 is specifically for accommodating and limiting the tire pressure sensor, while the protective portion 112 is dedicated to bearing the impact of the air pressure rod 12. The functional zones are clearly defined, and the structural layout is reasonable. When the tire is removed or the tire bead is pulled, the protective edge (i.e., the protective portion 112) bears all the external force, and the tire pressure sensor is never subjected to external force. By placing the protective portion 112 on the side of the receiving portion 111 close to the air pressure rod 12, the impact force transmitted by the air pressure rod 12 during tire removal and repair can be directly blocked, preventing the impact from directly acting on the tire pressure sensor, thereby ensuring the functional effectiveness of the tire pressure sensor. In addition, since the receiving portion 111 and the protective portion 112 are integrally formed, the overall structural strength is higher, the assembly process is reduced, and the structure is simple and compact.

[0032] In some embodiments, the mounting body 11 is provided with a positioning component on the side of the wheel hub near the wheel, and the wheel hub is provided with a slot on the side of the wheel tire near the wheel. The slot is used to form a snap-fit ​​connection with the positioning component so that the mounting body 11 is fixedly mounted on the wheel hub.

[0033] In this embodiment, the positioning component can be a wedge-shaped positioning foot, and the slot can be a slot that matches the shape of the wedge-shaped positioning foot. Specifically, the outer side of the mounting body 11 can be provided with two symmetrically formed wedge-shaped positioning feet, and the inner side of the wheel hub is pre-opened with slots that match the shape and number of the wedge-shaped positioning feet. During assembly, the two wedge-shaped positioning feet of the mounting body 11 are inserted into the slots on the inner side of the wheel hub. The circumferential anti-rotation positioning of the mounting body 11 is achieved by the engagement and cooperation of the wedge structure and the slots, which can restrict the circumferential rotation of the mounting body 11 around the air pressure rod 12. During the tire removal and installation operation, it can effectively prevent the mounting body 11 and the tire pressure sensor from rotating and misaligning, and prevent the sensor from being scratched or squeezed and damaged by the wheel hub or tire prying tools.

[0034] Optionally, the outer wall of the mounting body 11 on the side opposite to the air pressure rod 12 can be set as an arc-shaped surface. The curvature of the arc-shaped surface matches the contour of the inner wall of the wheel hub. After the mounting body 11 is assembled in place, the arc-shaped surface fits tightly against the inner wall of the wheel hub, resulting in a larger contact area and significantly improved friction. This can form a radial limit on the mounting body 11, preventing it from radially shifting along the axis of the air pressure rod 12. This further locks the installation position of the tire pressure sensor, constraining the displacement of the mounting body 11 in both circumferential and radial dimensions, and comprehensively avoiding the problem of bump damage caused by sensor displacement or misalignment during tire installation and removal.

[0035] In some embodiments, a first sealing component is provided in the receiving cavity. The first sealing component is used to isolate the internal space of the wheel tire from the external environment, so as to achieve an airtight seal of the tire and prevent external impurities from entering.

[0036] The first sealing component can be a waterproof gasket. An annular waterproof gasket can be fitted into the opening of the receiving cavity. This gasket is made of oil-resistant and rubber-aging-resistant fluororubber, possessing excellent deformation resilience and suitable for the harsh conditions of the tire cavity, including high temperature, high humidity, and rubber dust. After the tire pressure sensor is assembled, the waterproof gasket is sandwiched between the inner wall of the receiving cavity and the outer wall of the tire pressure sensor. It relies on its own elastic deformation to tightly adhere to the side wall of the cavity and the sensor housing, filling the assembly gap between them. During vehicle operation, fine mud and sand generated by tire rubber wear, as well as debris from the anti-rust coating of the wheel rim, accumulate inside the tire cavity. At the same time, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the tire will generate condensation. These impurities and moisture can easily seep into the cavity through the assembly gaps. By sealing the surface of the waterproof gasket, mud and condensation can be completely blocked from entering the cavity, preventing moisture from corroding the internal circuit board and wiring solder joints of the tire pressure sensor. It also prevents hard mud and sand from scratching the sensor's sensing end face, ensuring that the internal electronic components of the tire pressure sensor are kept in a dry, clean, and sealed space for a long time.

[0037] It should be noted that the waterproof sealing gasket only seals the gaps in the side walls of the receiving cavity and does not block the air vent in the center of the protective part 112. The air in the tire cavity can still be normally transmitted to the tire pressure sensor sensing end through the air vent, and will not interfere with the normal detection of tire pressure, temperature and other wheel condition parameters.

[0038] In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 10 further includes a sealing assembly, which includes a second sealing component, a third sealing component, and a fastening component 13; The wheel hub is provided with an assembly through hole. The valve stem 15 passes through the assembly through hole from the inside of the wheel hub to the outside of the wheel hub. The third sealing component and the fastening component 13 are sequentially sleeved on the surface of the valve stem 15 that protrudes from the outside of the wheel hub. The second sealing component is sleeved on the inner surface of the valve stem 15. When the fastening component 13 is tightened, the fastening component 13 presses against the third sealing component to cooperate with the second sealing component to achieve an airtight lock between the valve 15 and the assembly through hole.

[0039] The second sealing component can be an O-ring, which is also pre-installed on the outer wall of the air spring 12 and on the side of the buffer isolation component 14 near the wheel hub. During assembly, the air spring 12 is inserted from the inside of the wheel hub into the pre-set assembly through hole of the wheel hub. At this time, the second sealing component fits against the inner end face of the wheel hub, sealing the radial gap between the air spring 12 and the assembly through hole, which is used to isolate the inner cavity of the tire from the external environment outside the wheel hub, and at the same time prevents radial leakage of high-pressure gas inside the tire.

[0040] The third sealing component can be a sealing gasket, and the fastening component 13 can be a locking nut. The third sealing component and the fastening component 13 are sequentially sleeved on the rod body that passes through the outer side of the wheel hub. The fastening component 13 is rotated and fed axially along the external thread of the pneumatic rod 12, pushing the third sealing component to press against the outer end face of the wheel hub, forming a double-sided airtight sealing structure with the inner second sealing component, thereby realizing the axial locking and fixing of the pneumatic rod 12 and the wheel hub.

[0041] In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 10 further includes a buffer isolation component 14 disposed between the second sealing component and the air guide hole.

[0042] Among them, the buffer isolation component 14 can be a flexible buffer component made of rubber, specifically a slotted silicone flexible buffer component. The buffer isolation component 14 is pre-coaxially sleeved on the outer wall of the pneumatic rod 12, and the buffer isolation component 14 is limited and clamped between the outer wall of the pneumatic rod 12 and the end face of the protective part 112 of the mounting body 11.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the fastening component 13 is tightened, the valve stem 15 bears a large tightening force, and the force on the tire pressure sensor approaches zero. The flexible buffer isolation component 14 absorbs all the torque, effectively avoiding the problem of tire pressure sensor housing deformation and internal component damage caused by pressure squeezing during assembly and tightening. During vehicle vibration, the vibration is completely filtered by the flexible buffer isolation component 14, and the force on the tire pressure sensor remains stable without fluctuation. The continuous vibration generated during vehicle driving can be fully filtered and attenuated by the flexible buffer isolation component 14, and the force transmitted to the tire pressure sensor remains stable without violent fluctuation, reducing the risk of sensor fatigue damage caused by long-term vibration, ensuring that the tire pressure sensor can stably collect air pressure and temperature parameters for a long time, and improving the accuracy and reliability of tire pressure monitoring data.

[0044] This application embodiment achieves layered force isolation through the flexible buffer isolation component 14, completely isolating the two types of external forces, assembly torque and driving vibration, from the tire pressure sensor. This reduces the stress on the sensor under all conditions of assembly and driving, significantly extending the overall service life of the tire pressure sensor and reducing the probability of tire pressure sensor failure during tire removal and installation and daily driving conditions.

[0045] In some embodiments, the valve stem 15, the buffer isolation component 14, and the air guide hole are coaxially arranged so that the gas inside the tire of the wheel passes through the air pressure rod 12, the buffer isolation component 14, and the air guide hole in sequence to reach the tire pressure sensor.

[0046] In this embodiment, the air pressure rod 12, the buffer isolation component 14, and the air guide holes on the protective part 112 are coaxially assembled along the same central axis. The buffer isolation component 14 is fitted onto the outside of the air pressure rod 12, and a through hole is pre-reserved in the center of the buffer isolation component 14. This through hole coincides with and is aligned with the center of the hollow inner hole of the air pressure rod 12 and the air guide hole, forming an unobstructed straight airflow path. The gas inside the tire can pass through the central through hole of the buffer isolation component 14 through the hollow inner cavity of the air pressure rod 12, and then directly reach the tire pressure sensor sensing end inside the cavity through the air guide hole of the protective part 112. The gas flow path is smooth and unobstructed, which does not affect the real-time acquisition of tire pressure and temperature parameters. At the same time, the coaxial layout ensures that the buffer isolation component 14 evenly bears the external force impact from the air pressure rod 12, and the buffer force distribution is balanced.

[0047] In some embodiments, the buffer isolation component 14 is disposed within the protective portion 112 so that the valve 15 is connected to the mounting body 11 via the buffer isolation component 14.

[0048] In this embodiment, the buffer isolation component 14 is disposed inside the protective part 112, and the valve stem 15 and the mounting body 11 are non-rigidly connected by the slot-type silicone flexible buffer isolation component 14 to reduce the external impact force on the tire pressure sensor.

[0049] In one embodiment, during tire inflation / deflation, an external air gun connects to the inflation port of the valve 15 at the upper end of the air pressure rod 12. High-pressure gas flows into the tire cavity through the internal air passage of the air pressure rod 12 and the air guide hole of the protective part 112, thus adjusting the tire pressure. During normal driving, tire cavity air pressure, temperature, and other wheel status parameters are transmitted to the sensing end face of the tire pressure sensor through the through air passage. The tire pressure sensor collects the tire cavity gas parameters in real time through the air passage to complete wheel status detection, specifically detecting the tire pressure and temperature. During tire removal, installation, and repair operations, the impact load generated by the tire changer and pry bar is transmitted from the wheel hub to the air pressure rod 12. The flexible buffer isolation component 14 and the protective part 112 of the mounting body 11 can absorb axial and radial impact stress, preventing the impact force from being directly and rigidly transmitted to the mounting body 11 and the internal tire pressure sensor, thus preventing the tire pressure sensor from failing.

[0050] Based on the above description, the sensor component of this application will be further illustrated with examples below. Specific embodiments of the sensor component are described below.

[0051] This application provides a sensor assembly including a valve stem, a tire pressure sensor, a buffer connection mechanism (i.e., a buffer isolation component), a disassembly and assembly protection guide assembly (i.e., an installation body), and a damage-resistant fastening assembly (i.e., a sealing assembly). The valve stem assembly passes through a wheel hub mounting hole (assembly through hole), and the buffer connection mechanism, tire pressure sensor, and damage-resistant fastening assembly are sequentially arranged on its inner side. The disassembly and assembly protection guide assembly covers the outer side of the tire pressure sensor and mates with the inner side of the wheel hub. The buffer connection mechanism is used to absorb the impact of disassembly and assembly, preventing damage to the sensor; the disassembly and assembly protection guide assembly is used to guide the disassembly and assembly tools to avoid direct collision; the damage-resistant fastening assembly is used to limit the fastening torque and prevent thread jamming, achieving non-destructive disassembly and assembly; thus, it can effectively protect the tire pressure sensor during tire disassembly and assembly, ensure sealing and installation stability, and extend the service life of the sensor. This application embodiment reduces impact transmission by setting a buffer energy-absorbing structure between the tire pressure sensor and the valve stem, prevents disassembly tools from directly impacting the sensor by setting a guide protection structure, avoids assembly damage by using a torque-limiting anti-over-torsion fastening structure, improves disassembly and assembly smoothness by using an anti-jamming structure, and improves sealing reliability by optimizing the sealing structure. As a result, it significantly reduces the probability of sensor damage during disassembly, assembly and use, and improves overall reliability and service life.

[0052] For example, please see Figure 3 and Figure 4The embodiments of this application include a mechanical protection structure module and an electrical control module, and each module works together through force transmission, air pressure transmission and electrical signal transmission.

[0053] Specifically, the impact of disassembly and assembly, locking torque, and tire bead tension all act on the locking and sealing components on the outer side of the wheel hub and the outer ring of the fully enclosed protective mounting seat on the inner side of the wheel hub. These forces are absorbed by the deformation of the slot-type flexible stress isolation component, completely blocking the transmission of external forces to the internal encapsulation cavity of the TPMS sensor (i.e., tire pressure sensor). The sensor body itself experiences no external force. The tire's internal air pressure passes sequentially through the hollow metal valve stem, the hollow channel of the flexible stress isolation component, and the air guide hole of the protective mounting seat, directly reaching the pressure sensing end of the TPMS sensor. There is no obstruction or pressure loss, ensuring monitoring accuracy. The outer wheel hub seal, the inner wheel hub seal, and the sensor cavity seal form a three-layer closed loop, preventing air leakage and moisture intrusion.

[0054] In this embodiment, the pressure sensing IC (i.e., integrated sensing chip) collects the analog tire pressure signal, converts it into a digital signal via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and then sends it to the MCU (i.e., microcontroller unit) main control unit. After the MCU completes data processing, it transmits the tire pressure data to the vehicle terminal via the RF (i.e., radio frequency wireless communication module) radio frequency transmission module. The LF (i.e., low-frequency vehicle environment module) module receives the vehicle wake-up signal, the BMS (battery management system) module provides power to the entire circuit, and the protective mounting bracket also has electromagnetic shielding function to ensure the stability of electrical signals. The pressure sensing IC collects the analog tire pressure signal and transmits it to the ADC analog-to-digital converter circuit, which converts the analog signal into a digital signal and then uploads it to the MCU main control unit. The MCU main control unit outputs control signals to the LF wake-up receiving module, the BMS power supply module, and the RF radio frequency transmitting module respectively: the LF wake-up receiving module receives external wake-up commands and feeds them back to the MCU main control unit to realize system start-stop wake-up; the BMS power supply module completes the power supply management and power monitoring of the whole machine according to the MCU instructions; the MCU sends the processed tire pressure data and working commands to the RF radio frequency transmitting module, which then wirelessly transmits them to the vehicle tire pressure receiving terminal.

[0055] For details, please refer to Figure 6 The electrical principle of the tire pressure sensor provided in this application for tire pressure detection is as follows: (1) Signal acquisition circuit: The pressure sensor IC collects the internal air pressure of the tire in real time, outputs an analog voltage signal, removes interference signals through the ADC sampling and filtering circuit, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and transmits it to the MCU main control chip.

[0056] (2) Control and wake-up circuit: The MCU main control chip is the core of the circuit, responsible for data operation, temperature compensation and abnormal judgment; the LF wake-up module receives the vehicle low frequency signal, wakes up the dormant sensor and reduces power consumption.

[0057] (3) Power supply circuit: The BMS power module is connected to the built-in lithium battery to provide stable power supply for the entire circuit, and at the same time realizes overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent and short circuit protection to extend the battery life.

[0058] (4) Signal transmission circuit: The MCU transmits the processed tire pressure and tire temperature data wirelessly to the vehicle receiving terminal at a frequency of 433MHz through the RF radio frequency transmission module, so as to realize real-time data upload.

[0059] (5) Shielding protection: The metal plating of the protective mounting base is connected to the ground terminal of the MCU to form an electromagnetic shielding layer, which isolates the electromagnetic interference generated by the wheels and ensures the stable operation of the circuit.

[0060] In this embodiment, after the vehicle is started, the LF module receives the vehicle wake-up signal and outputs a high level to wake up the MCU; the MCU then controls the ADC module to complete the air pressure signal acquisition and outputs a trapezoidal acquisition waveform; after the data acquisition is completed, the RF module instantly transmits the tire pressure and temperature data and outputs a spike pulse waveform, and then the circuit automatically enters a low-power sleep state and works in a cycle.

[0061] For example, please see Figure 5 The following is a complete process covering installation, use, and disassembly steps, as detailed below: (1) Pre-assembly steps: Complete the pre-assembly of seals, buffers and valves to simplify the subsequent installation process and ensure sealing and buffering effects.

[0062] (2) Valve positioning: Insert from the inside to avoid scratching the wheel hub, ensure the valve is installed vertically, and lay the foundation for subsequent sealing.

[0063] (3) Locking and sealing: Axial locking is achieved by using nuts and sealing gaskets, and the outer side of the wheel hub is sealed at the same time to prevent tire leakage.

[0064] (4) Sensor packaging: The sensor is completely embedded in the protective cavity to avoid exposure and achieve initial protection.

[0065] (5) Anti-rotation positioning: The positioning foot cooperates with the wheel hub slot to prevent the sensor from rotating circumferentially and avoid misalignment damage during disassembly and assembly.

[0066] (6) Non-destructive disassembly and assembly: When removing the tire, the external force is supported by the protective edge. There is no need to touch the sensor body during disassembly. There is no bumping, squeezing or pulling throughout the process.

[0067] For details, please refer to Figure 6The main body of the installation is a fully enclosed protective mounting base, which has a 12mm annular retaining edge (i.e., a protective section). The accommodating cavity of the housing part of the protective mounting base houses the TPMS sensor. The protective mounting base is a single, disc-shaped structure, with its bottom plane conforming to the inner side of the wheel hub. The center of the disc is recessed to form a closed cavity to accommodate the TPMS sensor. The outer edge of the disc extends upward to form a full-circle annular convex edge, with a vertical distance of 12mm from the top of the convex edge to the top surface of the sensor, completely enveloping the sensor and forming a three-dimensional protective barrier.

[0068] For example, please see Figure 7 The impact of disassembly and assembly, locking torque, and tire bead tension all act on the locking and sealing components on the outer side of the wheel hub and the outer ring of the fully enclosed protective mounting seat on the inner side of the wheel hub. These forces are absorbed by the deformation of the slot-type flexible stress isolation component, completely blocking the transmission of external forces to the internal encapsulation cavity of the TPMS sensor (i.e., tire pressure sensor). No external force acts on the sensor body. The tire's internal air pressure passes sequentially through the hollow metal valve stem, the hollow channel of the flexible stress isolation component, and the air guide hole of the protective mounting seat, directly reaching the pressure sensing end of the TPMS sensor. There is no obstruction or pressure loss, ensuring monitoring accuracy. The outer wheel hub seal (sealing gasket), the inner wheel hub seal (O-ring), and the sensor cavity seal form a three-layer closed loop, preventing air leakage and moisture intrusion.

[0069] In this embodiment, an integrated, fully enclosed protective mounting base is used, with an outer ring edge 12mm higher than the sensor body. Made of high-strength fiberglass nylon, it is impact- and compression-resistant. The sensor is completely embedded within the protective cavity, with no exposed parts. Tire changer pry bars and tire beads only contact the protective edge, completely eliminating the problems of sensor housing deformation, PCB breakage, and chip damage caused by bumps and compression. This achieves protection against bumps and compression damage during assembly and disassembly. In this embodiment, the valve stem and the protective mounting base are connected by a slotted silicone flexible buffer, without rigid contact. The buffer has axial and radial deformation capabilities, which can completely absorb the valve stem locking torque, tire bead pulling force, and vehicle vibration, cut off the external force transmission path, and avoid problems such as sensor base deformation, component desoldering, and valve stem breakage due to stress.

[0070] In this embodiment, a three-layer sealing structure is adopted, with a rubber sealing gasket on the outer side of the wheel hub and an O-ring on the inner side, achieving bidirectional sealing of the wheel hub mounting hole; a waterproof sealing gasket is installed inside the sensor cavity to prevent moisture and mud from entering the tire. The three layers of sealing form a closed loop, ensuring no slow air leakage or water ingress during long-term use, thus protecting the internal circuitry of the sensor.

[0071] In this embodiment, two wedge-shaped positioning feet are symmetrically arranged at the bottom of the protective mounting base, which engage with the preset slots on the inner side of the hub to achieve circumferential anti-rotation; the outer side of the protective mounting base adopts an arc-shaped curved surface that fits the inner wall of the hub to increase the contact friction, prevent radial displacement, ensure the sensor installation position is fixed, and avoid damage from misalignment during disassembly and assembly.

[0072] In this embodiment, the air inlet, flexible buffer, and air vent of the protective mounting base are coaxial and concentric to form a straight-through air pressure channel. This channel is unobstructed and without bends, allowing the tire's internal air pressure to reach the sensor's pressure sensing end without loss, thus ensuring accurate tire pressure data acquisition. The protective structure does not obstruct the RF antenna, ensuring stable wireless signal transmission and accurate monitoring data.

[0073] Specifically, the sensor assembly provided in this application includes a hollow metal valve stem, valve core, outer sealing gasket, inner O-ring, slot-type silicone flexible buffer, fully enclosed protective mounting base, annular anti-collision guard, wheel hub positioning foot, and lock nut. The electrical sensing device of the tire pressure sensor includes a TPMS sensor body, pressure sensing IC, PCB printed circuit board, MCU main control chip, ADC analog-to-digital converter module, LF low-frequency wake-up module, RF radio frequency transmission module, lithium battery, and BMS power management module.

[0074] This application embodiment adopts an integrated protective structure of an outer ring heightened annular guard edge and a fully enclosed internal cavity, which completely encloses the TPMS sensor in the protective cavity. The guard edge is higher than the sensor body, and the external force of the tire pry bar and tire bead only acts on the guard edge, realizing zero contact, zero bumps, and zero squeezing during the entire sensor disassembly and assembly process, thus structurally eliminating disassembly and assembly damage.

[0075] The valve stem and sensor protective seat are connected by a slotted flexible silicone buffer, eliminating rigid contact and completely cutting off the transmission path of valve stem locking torque, tire bead pulling force, and vehicle vibration to the sensor body, thus preventing sensor deformation and damage to internal components.

[0076] Furthermore, a three-layer closed-loop sealing structure is adopted, consisting of double-layer sealing inside and outside the wheel hub and sealing of the sensor cavity. This structure ensures both slow air leakage from the wheel hub mounting hole and protection against water vapor and dust intrusion into the sensor cavity, thereby improving sealing reliability and extending the sensor's lifespan.

[0077] Optionally, symmetrical wedge-shaped positioning feet are provided at the bottom of the protective base to engage with the inner groove of the wheel hub, thereby preventing the sensor from rotating circumferentially and shifting radially, ensuring precise fixing of the installation position and avoiding misalignment and collisions.

[0078] The embodiments of this application feature a coaxial, straight-through air path design for the valve stem, flexible buffer, and protective seat air guide hole, ensuring high-precision tire pressure acquisition without obstruction or pressure loss, and without interfering with RF signal transmission.

[0079] This application provides a fixed installation structure for a built-in tire pressure sensor (TPMS) that prevents damage during disassembly and assembly. The overall structure comprises a valve assembly, a flexible buffer, a fully enclosed protective seat, a raised anti-collision guard, positioning feet, and multi-layered seals. The flexible mechanical isolation connection structure uses a slot-type silicone flexible buffer to achieve a non-rigid connection and external force isolation between the valve and the TPMS sensor protective seat. The fully enclosed anti-disassembly and damage protection structure features a built-in sensor enclosure with a raised outer ring guard, achieving full sensor enclosure and isolation from external forces during disassembly and assembly. A hub-adaptive positioning and anti-rotation structure uses wedge-shaped positioning feet at the bottom of the protective seat to engage with the hub groove, achieving circumferential anti-displacement positioning. A three-layer closed-loop sealing structure combines an outer hub sealing gasket, an inner O-ring, and a sensor cavity sealing gasket. A coaxial direct-flow air pressure acquisition path ensures lossless air pressure transmission by coaxially aligning the valve, buffer, and air guide hole of the protective seat.

[0080] This embodiment isolates external forces during disassembly and assembly by using a raised protective enclosure, and cuts off the stress transmission path with a flexible buffer structure in the middle. This effectively blocks the impact force from tire removal and the tightening force during installation, preventing damage to the sensor housing, circuit board, and battery from the source, achieving damage-free protection during repeated disassembly and assembly, and significantly extending service life. Simultaneously, the multi-layer sealing structure inside and outside the wheel hub effectively solves the problems of slow tire leakage and moisture corrosion; combined with the wheel hub snap-on anti-rotation positioning structure, it ensures the sensor's stable installation position without displacement; the coaxial straight-through air passage enables lossless air pressure transmission, ensuring that tire pressure monitoring accuracy is not affected. The overall structure is reliable in installation, has strong sealing, and stable signal, effectively solving the defects of existing products such as easy leakage, easy displacement, and poor detection accuracy.

[0081] In summary, this application provides a sensor assembly comprising a mounting body and a pneumatic rod. The pneumatic rod is a hollow, through-structure. The mounting body has an internal cavity for accommodating a tire pressure sensor. An air guide hole is located on the mounting body corresponding to the cavity. The pneumatic rod is positioned between the air guide hole and the valve stem to form an air passage, allowing the tire pressure sensor to detect wheel condition parameters through this air passage. By placing the tire pressure sensor within the cavity of the sensor assembly, direct transmission of impact forces to the sensor is avoided, significantly improving the overall impact resistance of the tire pressure sensor. This effectively prevents damage and failure caused by impact forces, ensuring the normal operation of the tire pressure monitoring function and guaranteeing its continuous and stable operation. This allows users to monitor wheel conditions in real time, further enhancing driving safety.

[0082] This application embodiment also provides a wheel, the wheel including a tire and a hub, and a sensor assembly as described above; the hub is provided with a mounting through hole, the valve of the sensor assembly passes through the mounting through hole from the inside of the hub to the outside of the hub, and the mounting body of the sensor assembly is housed in a sealed cavity formed by the tire and the hub.

[0083] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0084] The above provides a detailed description of a sensor component and a wheel provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly (10), characterized in that, The sensor assembly (10) is used on a wheel and includes a mounting body (11) and a pneumatic rod (12). The pneumatic rod (12) is a hollow through structure. The mounting body (11) has a cavity for accommodating the tire pressure sensor. An air guide hole is provided on the mounting body (11) at a position corresponding to the cavity. The pneumatic rod (12) is positioned between the air guide hole and the valve (15) to form an air passage so that the tire pressure sensor can detect the wheel state parameters of the wheel through the air passage.

2. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting body (11) includes a receiving part (111) and a protective part (112). The receiving part (111) has a receiving cavity inside. The protective part (112) is located on the side of the receiving part (111) close to the pneumatic rod (12). The protective part (112) is used to isolate the external force impact transmitted by the pneumatic rod (12).

3. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The accommodating part (111) and the protective part (112) are integrally formed.

4. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting body (11) has a positioning component on the side of the wheel hub near the wheel, and a slot is provided on the side of the wheel hub near the tire of the wheel. The slot is used to form a snap-fit ​​connection with the positioning component so that the mounting body (11) is fixedly mounted on the wheel hub.

5. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity is provided with a first sealing component, which is used to isolate the internal space of the wheel tire from the external environment, so as to achieve an airtight seal of the tire and prevent external impurities from entering.

6. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor assembly (10) further includes a sealing assembly, which includes a second sealing component, a third sealing component, and a fastening component (13). The wheel hub is provided with an assembly through hole. The valve (15) passes through the assembly through hole from the inside of the wheel hub to the outside of the wheel hub. The third sealing component and the fastening component (13) are sequentially sleeved on the surface of the valve (15) that protrudes from the outside of the wheel hub. The second sealing component is sleeved on the inner surface of the valve (15). When the fastening component (13) is tightened, the fastening component (13) presses against the third sealing component to cooperate with the second sealing component to achieve airtight locking between the valve (15) and the assembly through hole.

7. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sensor assembly (10) further includes a buffer isolation component (14) disposed between the second sealing component and the air guide hole.

8. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The valve stem (15), the buffer isolation component (14), and the air guide hole are arranged coaxially so that the gas inside the tire of the wheel passes through the air pressure rod (12), the buffer isolation component (14), and the air guide hole in sequence to reach the tire pressure sensor.

9. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The buffer isolation component (14) is disposed inside the protective part (112) so that the valve (15) and the mounting body (11) are connected through the buffer isolation component (14).

10. A wheel, characterized in that, The wheel includes a tire and a hub, as well as a sensor assembly (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The wheel hub is provided with an assembly through hole, and the valve (15) of the sensor assembly (10) passes through the assembly through hole from the inside of the wheel hub to the outside of the wheel hub. The mounting body (11) of the sensor assembly (10) is housed in the sealed cavity formed by the tire and the wheel hub.

Images