Tire pressure monitoring sensor installation tool and method of using the same

Abstract

Mounting tool (100, 200, 402) designed for attaching a tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) to a wheel rim (244) of a vehicle tire, the mounting tool (100, 200, 402) comprising: a lever (102, 202) having a rotational movement about a rotation axis (104, 204); a cam (205) selectively coupled to the lever (102, 202); a pressure bolt (114, 214, 404) which is selectively coupled to the cam (205); so that the cam (205) translates the rotary movement of the lever (102, 202) into a linear or translational movement of the pressure bolt (114, 214, 404), the linear or translational movement being expressed as acting on one or Movement of a clamping pin (410) of a tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) arranged on the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) so that partial areas of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) are pressed through an opening (242) in a wheel rim (244), wherein the cam (205) is directly coupled to a spring (207).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates to tire pressure monitoring sensors, in particular to the mounting of these devices using a tire pressure monitoring sensor mounting tool. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors are used to measure the pressure (and possibly other parameters such as temperature) of a vehicle's tires. The sensors transmit the tire pressure data (and possibly other data) to a receiver (e.g., an electronic control unit) in the vehicle. The receiver can compare the measured pressure to a threshold value and, if the measured pressure is below a threshold value, issue a warning to the driver.

[0003] Tire pressure monitoring sensors can be mounted on the rim of a tire using a mounting tool. However, many tire pressure monitoring sensor mounting tools used by different rim fitters and in different original equipment manufacturer (OEM) plants are complicated, delicate, and require high maintenance. The time spent maintaining these mounting tools automatically increases production line downtime and thus leads to increased costs. Various parts of these mounting tools frequently break, particularly those parts related to inserting the tire pressure monitoring sensor's rubber valve stem into the rim hole. The problems associated with breakage cause considerable frustration for users of these earlier approaches.

[0004] From document US 3 398 445 A a mechanical bolt insertion tool for inserting a bolt is known, the tool comprising a first lever having a first fixed portion on a first side and a movable portion on a second side opposite the first side such that a bolt can be inserted into a bore of a plate by means of a second lever pivotally connected to the first lever.

[0005] The document DE 29 03 252 A1 discloses a crimping pliers for the non-cutting deformation of workpieces, comprising a housing, a lever hinged thereto, a release device and a crimping device consisting of an anvil and a roller punch for machining the workpieces, wherein a bracket for receiving the anvil is provided on the housing and the lever is pivotally hinged by means of a pivot pin, and wherein a piston which is displaceable by the pivoting movement of the lever is arranged in the housing in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0006] Document AT 110 216 B discloses a stroke control device for machines and tools, in which a reciprocating working member is actuated by a pivotable member performing a reciprocating angular movement.

[0007] Document US 2008 / 0 163 471 A1 discloses a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) installation tool suitable for use by an operator and for installing a push-in TPM into a valve stem opening defined by a wheel. The tool includes an elongated member configured to receive a force applied by the operator, a device configured to hold the TPM in a fixed position, and a wheel-engaging member configured to secure the tool during installation.

[0008] The document DE 10 42 405 A1 discloses a tool for pulling rubber valves into rims of tubeless tires, wherein the tool has a frame which can be supported on the rim on both sides of a valve tube and which has a pull-in bolt which can be moved therein, is non-rotatably mounted in the tool frame and can be connected to the rubber valve and can be retracted into the frame by pivoting a hand lever.

[0009] Furthermore, documents US 2 947 073 A and GB 794 844 A disclose tools for mounting a rubber valve stem in a rim, the tools comprising an elongated rod with a grip portion at a first end of the rod and a structure with a pin portion arranged closely adjacent to the other end of the rod. In these tools, the pin portion is insertable into the rim by moving the grip portion by means of a hook element arranged between the grip portion and the pin portion.

[0010] All of the above problems result in user dissatisfaction with these previous approaches.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mounting tool designed for attaching a tire pressure monitoring sensor to a wheel rim of a vehicle tire, and a method for attaching a tire pressure monitoring sensor to a wheel rim using a mounting tool that facilitates easy attachment of the tire pressure monitoring sensor to the wheel rim by a user's movement with a lever of the mounting tool.

[0012] This object is achieved by an assembly tool according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 7. The dependent claims are directed to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an assembly tool is provided which is designed for fastening a tire pressure monitoring sensor to a wheel rim of a vehicle tire. The assembly tool has a lever with a rotational movement about a rotational axis, a cam which is selectively coupled to the lever, and a pressure bolt which is selectively coupled to the cam such that the cam translates the rotational movement of the lever into a linear or translational movement of the pressure bolt, wherein the linear or translational movement acts as an action on or movement of a clamping pin of a tire pressure monitoring sensor arranged on the assembly tool, so that partial regions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor are pressed through an opening in a wheel rim, wherein the cam is directly coupled to a spring.

[0014] The installation tool according to the first aspect of the present invention facilitates simple attachment of the tire pressure monitoring sensor to the wheel rim by a user's movement of a lever of the installation tool. With a minimum of movement of the installation tool, the tire pressure monitoring sensor is easily and quickly inserted into the wheel rim. Advantageously, the installation tool according to the first aspect of the present invention increases the stability of the insertion process, reduces the required maintenance for the installation tool, and reduces the requirement for and downtime associated with installation tools for tire pressure monitoring sensors. Other advantages associated with the installation tool according to the first aspect of the present invention minimize stress on the internal components of the installation tool, including the pressure bolt.In addition, the assembly tool is designed with a significantly smaller number of components compared to previous assembly tools, resulting in cost savings.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the mounting tool is designed so that after the tire pressure monitoring sensor passes through the opening, the pressure bolt can return to an original position.

[0016] The assembly tool can also have a holding device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the receiving device is designed to temporarily receive partial areas of the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the mounting tool is designed so that the receiving device remains stationary while the tire pressure monitoring sensor moves.

[0019] The portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor that extends through the opening is preferably a valve stem portion.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for attaching a tire pressure monitoring sensor to a wheel rim using a mounting tool is provided. The method comprises attaching the mounting tool at least temporarily to a wheel rim, arranging at least a portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor on the mounting tool, and rotating a lever of the mounting tool in a rotational movement such that a cam of the mounting tool translates the rotational movement of the lever into a linear or translational movement of the pressure bolt of the mounting tool, wherein the linear or translational movement takes the form of pressing or acting on a clamping pin of the tire pressure monitoring sensor, such that portions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor are moved through an opening in the wheel rim, wherein the cam is directly coupled to a spring.

[0021] The method according to the further aspect of the present invention also facilitates easy attachment of the tire pressure monitoring sensor to the wheel rim by a user's movement with a lever of the mounting tool.

[0022] In a further embodiment, after the tire pressure monitoring sensor is pushed through the opening, the pressure pin returns to an original position.

[0023] The method may further comprise detaching the assembly tool from the wheel rim.

[0024] The method may further comprise using the mounting tool to attach another tire pressure monitoring sensor without returning the lever to an original position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the mounting tool further comprises a receiving device, wherein the receiving device remains stationary while the tire pressure monitoring sensor moves.

[0026] The portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor that extends through the opening is preferably a valve stem portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference is now made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is an illustration of an assembly tool according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 1B a representation of the assembly tool of the Fig. 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 1C a representation of the assembly tool of the Fig. 1A and the Fig. 1B along line AA according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 1D a representation of the assembly tool of the Fig. 1 AC along line BB according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1E a representation of the assembly tool of the Fig. 1 AD and Fig. 1B along line CC according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2A is an illustration of inserting a tire pressure monitoring sensor into a wheel rim according to various embodiments of the present invention, in which the sensor is not inserted through the hole in the wheel rim; Fig. 2B is an illustration of insertion of a tire pressure monitoring sensor into a wheel rim according to various embodiments of the present invention, in which the sensor is partially inserted through the hole in the wheel rim; Fig. 2C is an illustration of insertion of a tire pressure monitoring sensor according to various embodiments of the present invention, in which the sensor is in the final insertion position in a wheel rim; Fig. 3A is a perspective drawing of a tire pressure monitoring sensor according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a sensor portion of the sensor of the Fig. 3A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3C is a representation of the valve section of the sensor of the Fig. 3A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3D another perspective view of the valve section of the sensor of the Fig. 3A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3E is a perspective view of a portion of the clamping pin, the grooves of the sensor of the Fig. 3A shows various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3F shows a further perspective view of the sensor portion of the sensor, showing the bracket of the Fig. 3A shows various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3G shows another perspective view of the sensor section of the sensor of the Fig. 3A showing the bracket according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the tool head of an assembly tool according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the sensor head of the Fig. 4A shows the assembly tool and the sensor according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are depicted simply and clearly. It will also be understood that certain actions and / or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a particular sequence is not actually required. Furthermore, it will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meanings such terms and expressions have with respect to their respective fields of investigation and study, unless specific meanings are set forth herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present approaches provide a tire pressure monitoring sensor installation tool that facilitates easy attachment of a tire pressure monitoring sensor to the wheel rim of a tire through user movement of a handle of the installation tool. In these approaches, the tire pressure monitoring sensor typically includes a valve stem portion and a sensor portion that are integrally formed or separately formed and coupled together. The installation tool includes a push pin or other pressure mechanism that pushes or moves a roll pin of the tire pressure monitoring sensor. In particular, and in one example, the push pin of the installation tool pushes the roll pin of the sensor, thereby moving, transporting, or pushing the sensor (valve stem portion and sensor portion) such that at least some portions of the sensor (e.g.,Portions of the valve stem section pass through an opening in the wheel rim. The valve stem section may have a smaller diameter portion that snaps into place when this portion enters the wheel rim hole, thereby securing the tire pressure monitoring sensor to the wheel rim.

[0030] The installation tool may have wheels that contact the wheel rim at some points during the installation process. However, the present approaches decorrelate the rotational movement of the wheels and the translational movement of the tire pressure monitoring sensor into the wheel rim hole. At the end of the tire pressure monitoring sensor installation stroke, the wheels of the installation tool begin to move upward and are not in contact with the wheel rim. In one aspect, this approach helps avoid problems with the tire pressure monitoring sensor's pushpin breakage.

[0031] With reference now to Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C, an installation tool 100 includes a handle or lever 102. The handle 102 moves or rotates about a pivot axis 104. Wheels 106 are disposed at the end of the handle 102 and rotate about a pivot axis 108. The wheels 106 may be at least temporarily pressed against the wheel rim during insertion; however, during the insertion stroke of the handle, the wheels 106 may lose contact with or not touch the wheel rim, thereby decoupling their movement from the translational movement of the sensor into the wheel rim. Extension portion 110 extends from the portion of the installation tool in which the wheels 106 are mounted and includes a spring 112 for retaining portions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor.Pressure element or pressure bolt 114 presses on a roll pin of a tire pressure monitoring sensor, and this movement of the roll pin (or loading force on the roll pin) pushes, moves, or displaces portions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (e.g., the valve stem portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor body) through the opening or hole in the wheel rim. A gripping portion 118 grips the outside of the wheel rim to facilitate attachment of portions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor through the opening in the wheel rim.

[0032] A tire pressure monitoring sensor may include a valve stem portion and a sensor portion. The extension portion 110 of the installation tool forms a receptacle 120 that, in one example, holds all or portions of the sensor portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor. In some aspects, a guillotine-like clamp on the tire pressure monitoring sensor may secure the roll pin of the tire pressure monitoring sensor from movement. The pusher or push bolt 114 moves the roll pin and may also release the clamp. As the roll pin moves (due to the load from the movement of the push bolt 114 of the installation tool), the roll pin moves, pulls, or otherwise displaces the sensor body through an opening or hole in the wheel rim. As the valve stem portion of the sensor moves through the opening, the valve stem portion expands longitudinally.For example, the valve stem portion of the sensor may pass through the wheel rim hole and expand horizontally as it passes through the hole. Then, after the valve stem portion of the sensor body passes through the hole in the wheel rim, the valve stem portion of the body retracts back to its original shape.

[0033] In some examples, and as described elsewhere herein, the pusher or plunger 114 is nested and includes a nipple portion and a shoulder portion. The nipple portion is located at the outermost end of the plunger 114 and extends into the roll pin during the insertion process to guide the roll pin movement. The shoulder portion engages or presses against the roll pin and moves the roll pin as the plunger moves.

[0034] The lever 102 rotates the wheels 106, whereby a cam (in Fig. 1 not shown), which translates the rotational movement of the lever 102 into a movement that pushes the pusher or pushpin 114. The pushpin 114 pushes the sensor's roll pin, causing the sensor to move through an opening in the wheel rim. As the lever 102 continues to rotate, the pushpin 114 retracts, allowing the pushpin to return to its original position. The pushpin 114 moves relative to the receiving device 120, which is stationary.

[0035] With reference now to Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C shows an example of how an assembly tool 200 (such as the assembly tool of Fig. 1A-1E) for inserting a tire pressure monitoring sensor 201. As shown in these figures, the installation tool 200 includes a handle or lever 202. The handle 202 rotates about a pivot axis 204 to rotate a cam 205. Wheels (not shown) are located on the end of the handle 202. As the cam 205 rotates, the cam 205 moves a spring 207 in a direction indicated by the arrow labeled 219, and this movement 219 moves a pusher or push pin 214. In this regard, the cam 205 translates a rotational movement of the lever 202 into a translational (horizontal) movement 219. The push pin 214 presses on a roll pin (not shown) of the sensor 201 to push, move, or the like the sensor (or portions of the sensor such as the valve stem portion of the sensor) through the opening 242 in the wheel rim 244.

[0036] Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C show a sequence of operations in which sections of the sensor are installed through the opening in the wheel rim. With particular reference now to Fig. 2A, the lever 202 is in an upright position. The sensor 201 has not yet been inserted through the hole or opening 242 in the wheel rim 244.

[0037] With reference to Fig. 2B, the user rotates the lever 202 in the direction indicated by the arrow labeled 252. The cam 205 translates the lever movement into a lateral movement, indicated by the arrow labeled 219, to move the push pin 214 via the spring 207. As the push pin 214 is moved, the push pin 214 extends from a receptacle 209 (in one aspect, in a nested manner) and presses on the sensor's roll pin. By pressing on the roll pin, the entire sensor 201 or portions thereof are moved, pushed, or displaced through the hole or opening 242 in the wheel rim 244. A set screw 211 can serve as a stop when the push pin 214 returns to its original position, but also serves as an outboard shoulder of the current push pin 214.

[0038] With reference to Fig. In Figure 2C, sensor 201 is shown inserted through hole or opening 244. Lever 202 has rotated further and is now in a downward position. The movement of cam 205 withdraws or retracts pushpin 214, causing it to return to its original position. Set screw 211 acts as a stop as pushpin 214 returns to its original position.

[0039] It is understood that the receiving device 209 could be a mirror image, meaning that the imprint of the tire pressure monitoring sensor 201 to be mounted on the wheel rim 244 is located on both the top and bottom of the receiving device 209. Since the handle 202 has already passed the loading position, the operator can simply rotate the mounting tool 180 degrees when attaching another tire pressure monitoring sensor instead of leaving the handle in its original position (in Fig. 2A) to be positioned.

[0040] With reference now to Fig. 3A-3G, an example of a sensor 300 is described that has portions that are pushed through an opening in the wheel rim of a tire. The Fig. 3A-3G is, in one aspect, the sensor described in each of the examples of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 is used.

[0041] The sensor 300 includes a valve stem portion 302 (e.g., made of rubber), a clip 304, and a sensor portion 306. When installed through an opening in the wheel rim of a tire, the valve stem portion 302 extends outward from the wheel rim, while the sensor portion 306 measures the pressure (and possibly other parameters such as temperature) of the tire. The valve stem portion 302 includes a roll pin 310 that is free to move laterally along the longitudinal axis 319 of the sensor 300 when not locked by the clip 304. The clip 304 locks into notches 312 of the roll pin 310 when in a locked position and is removed from the notches 312 when in an unlocked position.If the sensor 300 is equipped with a clamp, the mounting tool has a mechanism for releasing the clamp, for example by pressing down on the clamp to alternately release or lock the clamp.

[0042] The valve stem portion 302 has a notched portion 317 that snaps into place as the valve stem portion 302 passes through the opening in the wheel rim. In other words, the notched portion 317 is the portion of the valve stem portion 302 that is disposed within the opening in the wheel rim. Additionally, and as shown here, the valve stem portion 302 and the sensor portion 306 are separate elements that are couplable together. However, in other examples, the valve stem portion 302 and the sensor portion 306 may be integrally formed.

[0043] With reference now to Fig.4, an example of how the pressure bolt presses the roll pin is described. An assembly tool 402 includes a pressure bolt 404 with a tool head 406. The tool head 406 is nested in one aspect and extends longitudinally as the pressure bolt 404 moves. The tool head 406 includes a nipple portion 408 and a shoulder portion 412.

[0044] The nipple portion 408 is inserted into / within a roll pin(s) 410 of a tire pressure monitoring sensor 416. The shoulder portion 412 abuts or presses against the roll pin 410 such that as the push pin 404 moves, the roll pin 410 moves. Moving the push pin 410 also moves a bracket (not shown) that allows the push pin 404 to move. As the roll pin 410 moves, the sensor 416 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow labeled 414. As the roll pin 410 moves, portions (e.g., the valve stem portion) of the sensor 416 are pushed through an opening in the wheel rim of the tire, as described elsewhere herein.In other words, movement of the lever or handle of the installation tool moves the pushrod 404, which pushes the roll pin 410, thereby moving the valve stem portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor through an opening in the wheel rim, allowing the sensor (e.g., portions of the valve stem portion) to snap into place within the wheel rim opening. All of this is accomplished with a simple installation tool in which a rotational movement of the lever is translated into a translational movement of the roll pin of the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

[0045] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only and should not be considered limiting as to the scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Mounting tool (100, 200, 402) designed for attaching a tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) to a wheel rim (244) of a vehicle tire, the mounting tool (100, 200, 402) comprising: a lever (102, 202) having a rotational movement about a rotation axis (104, 204); a cam (205) selectively coupled to the lever (102, 202); a pressure bolt (114, 214, 404) which is selectively coupled to the cam (205); so that the cam (205) translates the rotary movement of the lever (102, 202) into a linear or translational movement of the pressure bolt (114, 214, 404), the linear or translational movement being effective as an action on one or Movement of a clamping pin (410) of a tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) arranged on the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) so that partial areas of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) are pressed through an opening (242) in a wheel rim (244), wherein the cam (205) is directly coupled to a spring (207). [2] Mounting tool (100, 200, 402) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting tool (100, 200, 402) is designed such that after the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) passes through the opening (242), the pressure bolt (114, 214, 404) can return to an original position. [3] Assembly tool (100, 200, 402) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) further comprises a receiving device (209). [4] Assembly tool (100, 200, 402) according to claim 3, wherein the receiving device (209) is designed to temporarily receive partial regions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416). [5] Mounting tool (100, 200, 402) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the mounting tool (100, 200, 402) is configured such that the receiving device (209) remains stationary while the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) moves. [6] Mounting tool (100, 200, 402) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) extending through the opening (242) is a valve stem portion (302). [7] A method for attaching a tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) to a wheel rim (244) using an assembly tool (100, 200, 402), the method comprising: Attaching the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) at least temporarily to a wheel rim (244); Arranging at least a portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) on the assembly tool (100, 200, 402); Rotating a lever (102, 202) of the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) in a rotary motion; such that a cam (205) of the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) transmits the rotary movement of the lever (102, 202) into a linear or translational movement of a pressure bolt (114, 214, 404) of the assembly tool (100, 200, 402), wherein the linear or translational movement acts as a pressing of or acting on a clamping pin (410) of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416), so that partial areas of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) are moved through an opening (242) in the wheel rim (244), wherein the cam (205) is directly coupled to a spring (207). [8] The method of claim 7, wherein after the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) is pushed through the opening (242), the push pin (114, 214, 404) returns to an original position. [9] The method of claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising releasing the assembly tool (100, 200, 402) from the wheel rim (244). [10] The method of any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising using the mounting tool (100, 200, 402) to attach another tire pressure monitoring sensor without returning the lever (102, 202) to an original position. [11] Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the mounting tool (100, 200, 402) further comprises a receiving device (209) and wherein the receiving device (209) remains stationary while the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) moves. [12] The method of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the portion of the tire pressure monitoring sensor (201, 416) extending through the opening (242) is a valve stem portion (302).

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