Pneumatic system equipped with an electronic system

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement of a tire (100) equipped with a fastening device (10) comprising a base (11) and a retaining wall (12) defining an open volume (20), and an electronic component (1) comprising: an adapter piece (60) between the electronic component (1) and the fastening device (10) comprising a lower surface (61) in contact with the base (11) of the fastening device (10); the adapter piece (60) having an internal cavity (70) housing the electronic component (1), delimited by an internal surface (65); the internal surface (65) comprising a translational retaining element (66) for the electronic component (1); the adapter piece (60) having a lateral external surface (64) which is circumscribed by the retaining wall (12); and the adapter piece (60) comprising on its upper surface (68) an orifice (69) passing through the material to the internal cavity. (70). Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Pneumatics equipped with an electronic system. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic systems embedded on a mounted assembly having as its purpose either the measurement of the parameters of the pressurized fluidic cavity of a mounted assembly delimited by at least one tire and one wheel, or the measurement of the deformation parameters of the tire, and particularly the field of electronic systems positioned on the tire. Technological background

[0002] In the transportation sector, vehicles are often required to monitor the inflation pressure of tire assemblies when these are pressurized by a fluid at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. This is necessary to ensure proper tire performance and, consequently, vehicle performance, thus guaranteeing the safety of vehicle passengers and other road users. Electronic systems mounted on the wheel rim are often subjected to temperature fluctuations due to their proximity to potentially hot components such as the braking system, including brake discs, shoes, and drums. These thermal changes also affect the accuracy of measurements of the physical parameters of the fluidic cavity within the assembly. Therefore, the electronic system must be positioned at a distance from these hot components.Once positioned on the tire, the electronic system can record tire deformations, allowing for the analysis of other tire usage parameters such as the number of rotations or the applied static load. It is possible that some electronic systems may not be sufficiently powered to operate throughout the tire's lifespan, or that a more efficient electronic system, in terms of functionality or precision, may need to be installed to replace the old one. In this case, the original electronic system must be removed from its mounting bracket to make room for the new one. Often, the geometry of this new electronic system will differ from the original electronic system's geometry.Generally, due to the miniaturization of electronic components, the new electronic system is smaller. On the one hand, this avoids the need to attach a new mounting device to the inner wall of the tire that would be adapted to the geometry of the new electronic system. On the other hand, it avoids having to remove part of the old device. of the mounting system, at the risk of damaging the tire during this operation. Furthermore, while replacing one electronic system with another is undoubtedly straightforward by installing a new, suitable mounting device, positioning an electronic system within an existing mounting device is not trivial. Moreover, an angular orientation of the electronic system is necessary, firstly, for measuring tire deformation in a non-radial direction, and secondly, the orientation of the radio frequency antenna must also be optimized if the antenna is not omnidirectional, which is the case for most antennas.

[0003] The object of the following invention is to provide an economical technical solution for replacing the electronic system of a tire with a component of a different, generally smaller, geometry, while ensuring simple and efficient positioning of this component within the tire. Description of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to an arrangement of a tire equipped with a fastening device and an electronic tire control unit in which: • The tire having an axis of rotation, being delimited by an external surface radially external to the tire with respect to the axis of rotation and an internal surface located radially internal to the tire, and comprising a top suitable for contact with the ground, two sidewalls located on either side of the top and two beads located at each other end of each sidewall suitable for contact with a wheel rim; • The tire being equipped with a fastening device, located on the inner surface of the tire, capable of deforming, comprising a tread whose outer surface is in contact with the tire, a closed retaining wall extending from the tread to a free edge and defining with the tread an open volume, the volume being defined by an inner surface of the tread and by an inner surface of cylindrical and convex shape of the retaining wall whose axis is oriented along the radial direction of the tire, having an opening delimited by the free edge of the retaining wall; and • An electronic component comprising an electronic board including a printed circuit board on which are fixed a power source, a microcontroller, a radio frequency antenna, at least one sensor for measuring a physical parameter of the fluid having an active part sensitive to the physical parameter, preferably at least one sensor for measuring a physical parameter of the displacement of the electronic component, the board electronic being inserted in an encapsulation device having the shape of a straight cylinder around an axis perpendicular to the printed circuit board, the encapsulation device having an orifice on its external surface extending to the active part of at least one sensor for measuring a physical parameter of the fluid. The arrangement is characterized in that the arrangement includes an adapter piece with constant geometry between the electronic element and the fixing device comprising a lower surface in contact with the internal surface of the base of the fixing device, in that the adapter piece has an internal cavity accommodating the electronic element, delimited by an internal surface, in that the internal surface includes at least one element for retaining the electronic element in translation, in that the adapter piece has an external lateral surface which is circumscribed by a convex surface bearing on the entire internal surface of the retaining wall of the fixing device and in that the adapter piece includes on the upper surface an orifice passing through the material of the adapter piece to the internal cavity.

[0005] The technical problem is solved primarily through the adapter piece. This piece has a constant geometry, meaning that the elastic deformation of the piece under external stress does not cause any change in its geometry; in other words, the dimensions remain within manufacturing tolerances. This allows, on the one hand, the adapter piece to be held securely in the mounting device by a fixed volume of the piece. Furthermore, the external surface of the adapter piece is in contact with the internal surface of the mounting device's base, which ensures a radial position of the adapter piece within the tire mounting device. And, no significant parasitic movement of the adapter piece will interfere with the signals measured by the electronic device.

[0006] This adapter piece includes an internal cavity to house the electronic component. To retain the electronic component within the adapter piece during its use in the tire, the adapter piece has a material on its external surface, i.e., the surface located radially inward with respect to the tire's axis of rotation, in contact with the fluidic cavity of the assembled unit. This necessitates the provision of an orifice through the material of the adapter piece, from its external surface to its internal cavity. This orifice allows the measurement, via the fluid parameter sensor located on the electronic component, of physical quantities such as inflation pressure and the temperature of the fluidic cavity of the assembled unit.

[0007] This internal cavity includes an internal surface equipped with one or more translational retaining elements, which prevent the electronic component from moving within the internal cavity. Thus, the tire physical parameter measurement sensor, being held within the adapter by this retaining element, will provide a measurement of the tire's behavior that will not be affected by the behavior of the electronic component within the adapter. This enhances the quality of the measurement provided by the tire physical parameter measurement sensor. Since the electronic component has a cylindrical external shape, and the internal cavity of the adapter is partially open or closed, the number of translational retaining elements and their positioning must be adjusted to prevent any movement of the electronic component within the adapter.In the case of a totally closed cavity with the radially inner part relative to the axis of rotation of the tire of the internal surface of the internal cavity in contact with the external surface of the encapsulation device of the electronic component, only translations in the median plane of the external surface of the encapsulation device are to be blocked.

[0008] Thus, the electronic component is permanently attached to the adapter piece, just as the original electronic system was in the tire mounting device. Potentially, the through-hole from the external surface of the adapter piece allows for orientation of the adapter piece within the mounting device. The new electronic component has all the positioning characteristics required within the tire mounting device, while being smaller and without the need for a new mounting device on the tire, thereby ensuring all the original functionalities of the electronic component in the vehicle.

[0009] Preferably, the encapsulation device for the electronic component comprising on its external surface at least one first structural element whose geometry is protruding or recessed, the internal surface of the adapter piece comprising at least one second structural element of geometry complementary to that of at least one first structural element of the encapsulation device for the electronic component, a part of the protruding structural element being located inside the recessed structural element.

[0010] Thus, the external surface of the electronic component's encapsulation device, comprising a structural detail of a given geometry, either protruding or recessed, and the internal surface of the adapter's internal cavity, also comprising a structural detail with a geometry complementary to that of the encapsulation device, the two structural elements are opposite each other, and the protruding element is located within the recessed element, which ensures a certain angular positioning of the electronic component within the adapter's internal cavity, even when the geometry of the encapsulation device is of revolution. Thus, the rotation of the electronic component The rotation of the electronic component around any axis not passing through the structural elements is severely limited or even blocked relative to the adapter piece. The number of structural elements on the encapsulation device of the electronic component and the internal surface of the adapter piece must be adjusted to the rotations that are to be blocked, in addition to the elements that support the internal surface of the adapter piece. At a minimum, the electronic component has been angularly oriented relative to the adapter piece. Understanding and controlling this orientation is useful when the radio frequency antenna of the electronic component is directional, or even highly directional. This orientation can also be useful for measuring the physical parameters of the electronic component's displacement when these displacements are measured in the plane whose normal corresponds to the axis of the cylindrical shape of the electronic component.Thus, this angular positioning ensures radio frequency transmission from the electronic component to the outside of the tire in the vehicle environment that is equivalent or close to the performance of the electronic component's radio frequency emission system compared to the initial electronic system, which requires neither adjustment nor additional device on the vehicle.

[0011] Advantageously, the adapter piece includes on the upper surface at least one structural detail not located on the axis of the internal surface of the retaining wall of the fastening device.

[0012] If the through-hole in the upper surface of the adapter is located on the axis of the cylindrical internal surface of the retaining wall of the fastening device, or if the through-hole cannot serve as a sufficient structural feature, it is not possible to angularly orient the adapter relative to the fastening device, especially if the internal surface of the retaining wall is a right-handed cylinder. In this case, the structural feature on the external surface of the adapter, i.e., located radially internally with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire, which is accessible from the fluidic cavity of the assembled unit, serves as the positioning feature of the adapter relative to the fastening device.If the retaining wall of the fastening device has a cylindrical shape, it will preferably be equipped with a structural detail visible on its external surface to azimuth the structural detail on the external surface of the adapter piece with the structural detail visible on the external surface of the retaining wall of the fastening device. This ensures the angular positioning of the adapter piece, and therefore of the electronic component, within the fastening device.

[0013] Preferably, the geometry of the encapsulation device of the electronic organ is included in the group comprising, cylinder, parallelepiped, prism.

[0014] These are geometries whose shape resembles a right cylinder.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the encapsulation device for the electronic component is cylindrical in shape.

[0016] This geometry allows for an electronic component with fewer sharp edges, thus limiting stress points between the electronic component and the adapter. Furthermore, this geometry facilitates the integration of the largest possible cylindrical battery within the electronic component, thereby increasing its autonomy for the same battery technology. Indeed, a cylindrical battery is an inexpensive, compact, and lightweight energy source, as it is mass-produced for use in numerous products, and its geometry facilitates insertion into these products.

[0017] According to a specific embodiment, the at least one translational retaining element is a continuous projecting element having a cross-section included in the group comprising semicircle, semiellipse, square, rectangle, parallelogram, quadrilateral, triangle.

[0018] In this specific embodiment, the translational retaining element is generally unidirectional, with its direction adapted to the translational direction to be blocked. The direction of the translational retaining element is perpendicular to the translational direction to be blocked. The advantage of having a unidirectional and continuous element is the ease of manufacturing the element on the internal surface of the adapter part. This continuous element can be obtained by molding. Furthermore, the rigidity of the translational retaining element is increased by its continuous nature, allowing the contact stresses to be averaged over a larger surface area.

[0019] According to a second specific embodiment, the at least one translational retaining element is a discrete projecting element whose geometry is included in the group comprising half-cylinder, hemisphere, cone, truncated cone, parallelepiped, pyramid, truncated pyramid, prism.

[0020] In this specific embodiment, the discrete translational retaining element allows for easier insertion of the electronic component's encapsulation device into the internal cavity of the adapter piece by applying less mechanical constraint to the electronic component within the adapter piece's internal cavity. This therefore requires a greater number of retaining elements to ensure the same level of locking. On the other hand, this provides greater flexibility in the tolerances of manufacturing of the encapsulation device and the adapter piece, which reduces the scrap rate of the parts and therefore the cost of producing these components.

[0021] Preferably, the encapsulation device for the electronic organ includes on its external surface a continuous hollow element whose cross-section is complementary to at least one translational retaining element.

[0022] This specific embodiment reinforces the mechanical anchoring of the electronic component's encapsulation device within the internal cavity of the adapter piece. Inserting the electronic component into the adapter piece is less straightforward, but this is compensated for by the fact that this insertion is a separate step from inserting the entire assembly into the mounting device on the tire. However, this strong interaction between the electronic component and the adapter piece, via complementary geometric elements, makes it possible to limit the number of translational retaining elements required to ensure efficient translational locking between the two components.

[0023] The section of the continuous element, generally unidirectional, is included in the aforementioned shapes since these are shapes easily produced by molding or machining, which reduces the cost price.

[0024] According to a first embodiment of the adapter piece, the adapter piece includes an opening on the lateral surface leading into the internal cavity, the height and width of which correspond respectively to the height and one of the diameters of the cylindrical shape of the encapsulation device of the electronic component; preferably, the contour of the opening includes a protruding retaining element which is elastic.

[0025] This is an embodiment in which the adapter piece is made of a single component. The most fragile electronic components of the electronic unit are embedded within the adapter piece, which protects them and prevents the creation of an electromagnetically heterogeneous zone, particularly for radio frequency transmission or reception by the electronic unit. Accidental ejection of the electronic unit from the adapter piece is unlikely when the adapter piece is positioned within the tire mounting device. Indeed, the retaining wall of the mounting device prevents the electronic unit from ejecting from the adapter piece. Furthermore, the lateral insertion of the electronic unit into the adapter piece allows for easy handling of the adapter piece containing the electronic unit without risk of ejection, by avoiding the need to position the opening in the direction of Earth's gravity.This is also ensured when the adapter piece is inserted into the tire mounting device in this embodiment. As a preventive measure, although not essential, a protruding elastic retaining element can be positioned. on the contour of the opening. The elastic nature of the retaining element allows the electronic component to be inserted into the adapter piece by bending the retaining element, and then prevents the electronic component from being removed by unfolding the retaining element once the electronic component is fully inserted into the adapter piece.

[0026] According to a second embodiment of the adapter piece, the adapter piece includes an opening on the lower surface leading into the internal cavity whose closed contour circumscribes the base of the right cylinder of the encapsulation device of the electronic component, preferably, the contour of the opening includes a protruding retaining element which is elastic.

[0027] This is an embodiment where the adapter piece is made of a single component. The most fragile electronic components of the electronic unit are embedded within the adapter piece. Furthermore, the components are located opposite the opening, which protects them and prevents the creation of an electromagnetically heterogeneous zone, particularly for radio frequency transmission or reception by the electronic unit. Accidental dislodgement of the electronic unit from the adapter piece is unlikely when the adapter piece is positioned within the tire mounting device. Indeed, the base of the mounting device prevents the electronic unit from dislodging itself from the adapter piece.However, inserting the electronic component into the adapter does not prevent it from protruding through the opening during handling of the adapter if care is not taken to avoid positioning the opening in line with Earth's gravity. To prevent any problems when handling the adapter containing the electronic component, a protruding elastic retainer can be positioned around the edge of the opening. The elastic nature of this retainer allows the electronic component to be inserted into the adapter by bending the retainer, and then prevents it from protruding by unfolding the retainer once the electronic component is fully inserted into the adapter.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the adapter piece, the adapter piece consists of two initially disjoint parts separating the internal cavity into two sub-volumes and whose free edges of the disjoint parts overlap each other.

[0029] This is a preferred embodiment in which the adapter piece is composed of two separate parts, each comprising a cavity open onto a portion of the internal cavity. This facilitates the insertion of the electronic component into the first part of the adapter piece. Next, the protruding portion of the electronic component is fitted with the second part of the adapter piece. The free edges The two parts of the adapter overlap before being joined together using a fastening technique such as gluing, welding, or mechanical clipping. The assembly of the two parts creates a single monolithic block, allowing for safe handling of the adapter containing the electronic component.

[0030] Preferably, the junction between the two disjoint parts takes place in a plane whose normal is parallel to the axis of the right cylinder of the encapsulation device of the electronic organ.

[0031] The mounting direction involves integrating the electronic component into the first part of the adapter piece at the level of the power source, such as a battery. This integration does not necessarily require careful handling because the power source is a large component with little mechanical interaction with the other electronic components. However, the second part of the adapter piece, which houses the printed circuit board, the electronic components including the radio frequency antenna, and the measurement sensors, requires greater attention due to the numerous mechanical connections between them and the fragility of some components. The insertion of this subassembly of the electronic component into the adapter piece should, if possible, be subject to less mechanical stress to avoid damaging this part of the electronic component, which is inherently more fragile.

[0032] Advantageously, the free edges of the disjoint parts clip into each other.

[0033] In order to reuse the adapter piece or to prevent technical issues with the electronic component after integration into the adapter piece, mechanical clipping of the two initially separate parts of the adapter piece is the most viable solution, as it is reversible compared to gluing or welding techniques, which can damage both parts of the adapter piece, particularly their free edge. The adapter piece may become inoperable if the glue or weld fails to separate the two parts. Furthermore, breaking the joint may require the use of specific tools that could potentially damage the electronic component.

[0034] Preferably, the adapter piece is made of a material having a relative dielectric permittivity whose modulus is less than 10.

[0035] Most preferably, the material of the adapter part is included in the group comprising thermoplastics including polyamides, polypropylenes.

[0036] The adapter piece must not, or only minimally, interfere with the operation of the electronic component. In particular, the electronic component must communicate externally via radio frequency. However, the radio frequency waves that support this Communication signals are sensitive to the dielectric permittivity of materials in the vicinity of the radio frequency antenna. This can be defined as a relative dielectric permittivity expressed as a modulus or dipole, representing the real and imaginary components of this relative dielectric permittivity. The adapter encapsulates the radio frequency antenna, either forming a monolithic block around the electronic component or incorporating an opening that is not located at the radio frequency antenna. In the latter case, the adapter appears as a monolithic solid near the radio frequency antenna. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying figures in which the same reference numbers designate identical parts throughout and in which: • Fig. 1 presents a cross-section of a tire fixing device of the arrangement according to the invention in perspective. • Fig. 2 presents a cross-section of an example of an electronic component used in the arrangement according to the invention in perspective. • Fig. 3 presents a cross-sectional view of the example of the electronic component according to the invention. • Fig. 4 presents a perspective view of an example of an adaptation part of the arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention. • Fig. 5 presents an example of an adaptation part of the arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention in perspective. • Fig. 6 presents a cross-sectional view of an arrangement according to the invention in perspective. Detailed description of the implementation methods

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates a fastening device 10 for a tire of the arrangement. The fastening device 10 is shown in three-dimensional cross-section.

[0039] The fastening device 10 is made of rubber so that it can deform elastically. The connection between the fastening device 10 and the tire is achieved by means of the sole 11, which is intended to be in contact with the inner surface of the tire using its outer surface, and by applying one of the various fastening techniques known to those skilled in the art for securely fastening rubber compounds together.

[0040] The device 10 also includes a retaining wall 12 extending perpendicularly to the sole 11 from the sole 11 to a free edge 13. The retaining wall 12 is closed and is cylindrical about an axis 21. Here, the cylindrical shape of the retaining wall 12 is elliptical having different dimensions along two directions perpendicular to each other. The free edge 13 defines an opening 17 capable of deforming to allow the insertion or extraction of an electronic component within the fixing device 10. The electronic component is received within a cavity 20 open to the external environment by the opening 17. This cavity 20 is delimited by the internal surface 15 of the sole 11 and the internal surface 16 of the retaining wall 12. The electronic component is intended to come into contact with the internal surface 15 of the sole 11 during the rolling of the tire by the effect of centrifugal forces.Similarly, the elastic deformation of the retaining wall ensures the insertion and extraction of the electronic component from the volume 20. Moreover, in service, the retaining wall 12 bears against the external surface of the electronic component in order to ensure the retention of the electronic component within the fixing device 10.

[0041] Fig. 2 illustrates an electronic component 1 of the invention intended to be integrated into an adapter piece before its insertion into the tire fixing device.

[0042] This electronic component 1 consists here of an electronic card 6 and an encapsulation device 30 for the electronic card 6.

[0043] The electronic board 6 comprises a printed circuit board 5 on which is mounted a power source 4, in this case a battery connected to the printed circuit board 5 by means of conductive arms. The conductive arms ensure that the battery 4 is held in relation to the printed circuit board 5 and that the electrical particles of the battery are conducted to the printed circuit board, and in particular to the electronic components thereof connected by conductive traces of the printed circuit board 5. The printed circuit board 5 is also electrically connected to a microcontroller 3, which constitutes the brain of the electronic component 1. The printed circuit board 5 also includes a radio frequency antenna enabling the communication of information between the electronic component 1 and external transmitting / receiving means.Here, the electronic component includes a sensor 7 for measuring a physical parameter of the electronic component's movement, such as an accelerometer, but also a sensor for measuring a physical parameter of the fluid, such as a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor. These sensors are fixed to the printed circuit board 5 and electrically connected to the microcontroller 3.

[0044] The encapsulation device 30 here consists of a plastic coating that solidifies the electronic components of the electronic board 6 together. Other Electronic circuit board encapsulation device designs exist as the combination of two rigid housings, joined together at their free edges by standard bonding techniques. This encapsulation device 30 is delimited by an external surface 33 in the form of a right cylinder around an axis 31 that is perpendicular to the printed circuit board 5. This external surface 33 includes an orifice 32 that passes through the material to the active part of the sensor for measuring the fluid physical parameter in order to perform the measurement at this sensor. The cylindrical base of the encapsulation device 30, the most distal end of the energy source 4, has a shoulder. On this shoulder is a recess 40 extending over the entire height of the shoulder, which constitutes a first structural element of the encapsulation device 30.Similarly, the external surface 33 of the encapsulation device 30, at the level of the lateral surface of the cylinder, has a recessed pattern 40 near the cylindrical base of the encapsulation device 30 proximal to the energy source 4. These first structural elements 40 of the encapsulation device 30 of the electronic element 1 are essential for maintaining the position of the electronic element 1 within the adaptation piece of the arrangement as will be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0045] Fig. 3 presents a cross-sectional view of an example of an electronic component 1 of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0046] This electronic component 1 is contained within a cylinder with axis of revolution 31 having a monolithic external surface 33. This electronic component 1 comprises an electronic board 6. This board includes a printed circuit board 5 on which electronic components are mounted, including a microcontroller, a radio frequency antenna 8, a fluid physical parameter measurement sensor 2, and a battery 4 as an energy source. This battery 4 consists of a cell and conductive arms. The conductive arms are connected to the conductive elements of the printed circuit board 5 to supply electrical energy to the cell, which flows through the conductive arms. The electronic board 6 is encased in a plastic 30 having an opening 32 on the external surface 33 extending to the active part of the measurement sensor 2. This opening 32 is preferably cylindrical.In this example, the electronic component 1 is rigid due to the absence of voids, which allows for thin walls at the periphery of the circuit board 6 without compromising the endurance of the electronic component 1. Thus, the thinnest layer of plastic, representing the encapsulation device 30, between the exterior of the electronic component 1 and the circuit board 6, is approximately 0.5 millimeters. This reduction in thickness, resulting from the complete encapsulation of the circuit board 6, allows the use of larger electronic components within the same volume occupied by the electronic component 1. This improves the energy efficiency of the component. electronic component 1 can be improved by using, for example, a larger diameter battery with a higher power output, thus enhancing the battery life of electronic component 1 while maintaining the same functions. Of course, the encapsulation device can also consist of a rigid housing comprising two shells joined at their free edges using standard fastening techniques such as welding, gluing, or interlocking. This necessitates a seal near the fluid parameter measurement sensor to prevent the migration of solid or liquid residues to the electronic board 6. Generally, these encapsulation device designs are larger.

[0047] Figure 4 presents a first embodiment of an adapter piece 60 according to the invention. Here, the adapter piece 60 is in two parts 71 and 72, and the three-dimensional representation shows the two parts 71 and 72 separated, with an electronic component 1 inserted inside part 71 of the adapter piece 60. Parts 71 and 72 are obtained by a 3D printing process from PA11 or PA12 class polyamide with a relative dielectric permittivity of approximately 5. For a plastic injection molding process, a PA6 class polyamide, with or without fiber reinforcement such as glass fiber, would be suitable, with a relative dielectric permittivity of approximately 4. Polypropylene, or more generally a thermoplastic, with a relative dielectric permittivity of less than 10, can also be used for the injection molding process.

[0048] The part 71 has a surface 61 designed to come into contact with the inner surface of the base of the fastening device in order to measure deformations of the tire to which the fastening device is rigidly attached. Thus, the sensor measuring the physical displacement parameter of the electronic component closely approximates the displacement of the tire by ensuring contact between the adapter part 60 and the inner surface of the base of the fastening device. Part 71 contains a cylindrical electronic element 1 about an axis 31. Part 71 extends along the direction of this axis 31 to a free edge 73, which constitutes the height of part 71. The free edge 73 has two recessed elements arranged opposite each other and extending along the direction 31 over a part of the height of part 71. A joining plane 75 of the two parts 71, 72 is defined, the normal to which is directed along the axis 31 at mid-height of this recess.Perpendicular to these two hollows, part 71 has two openings opposite each other allowing part of the encapsulation device of the electronic component 1 to protrude. This allows the thickness of the adapter piece to be limited to a minimum by allowing the encapsulation device of the electronic component 1 to protrude outside the adapter piece 60.

[0049] The electronic organ 1 has on the contour of its visible external surface a first structural element 40 here in hollow extending along the direction of the axis 31 and whose section is semi-circular.

[0050] The second part 72 of the adapter piece 60 is shown here from below in order to visualize the elements located inside the internal cavity 70 of the part 72 of the adapter piece 60. The internal cavity 70 is complete when the two parts 71 and 72 are connected to each other at the plane 75. This cavity 70 is delimited by an internal surface 65. On this surface 65, protruding structural elements are observed. This surface 65 includes on its base positioning elements 66 and 67. Element 67 is the image of the first structural element 40 of the encapsulation device of the electronic component 1. This retaining element has a semi-cylindrical shape adapted to fit into the hollow 40 of the encapsulation device when part 72 is linked to part 71 of the adapter piece 60. Element 66 is a translational retaining element of the electronic component.Thus, the doublet of elements 66 and 67 blocks the movement of the electronic component 1 within the adapter piece 60 when parts 71 and 72 are joined. The surface 65 also includes an orifice 69 that passes through part 72 of the adapter piece 60 to the external surface 68, which is the surface open to the internal cavity of the mounted assembly of the adapter piece 60 when it is inserted into the mounting device of the arrangement. This orifice 69 is a fluidic communication channel between the exterior of the adapter piece 60 and the internal cavity 70 of the adapter piece 60. Since the electronic component 1 is itself equipped with a fluidic communication orifice from the external surface of the encapsulation device to the active part of the sensor for measuring a physical parameter, the measurement of the physical parameter of the fluid in the internal cavity of the mounted assembly by the electronic component 1 is possible.In this embodiment of the adapter piece, the internal cavity naturally retains the electronic component 1, which allows us to say that the cavity is closed. Indeed, the openings on the external lateral surface 64 of the adapter piece 60 are too small to allow the insertion or extraction of the electronic component 1.

[0051] Finally, part 72 has a contour 74 which is intended to overlap at least part of the contour 73 of part 71. This contour 74 includes protruding elements with a geometry complementary to the recessed elements of the contour 73 of part 71. The adapter piece 60 will be closed by clipping the protruding elements of the contour 74 onto the recessed elements of the contour 73.

[0052] Figure 5 presents a second embodiment of an adapter piece 60 according to the invention. Here, the adapter piece 60 is a single piece, and the three-dimensional representation shows the opening 80 on the lateral surface 64 of the adapter piece into which an electronic component 1 will be inserted. The piece The adaptation is achieved by a 3D printing process using PA11 or PA12 class polyamide with a relative permittivity of approximately 5. For a plastic injection molding process, a PA6 class polyamide, with or without fiber reinforcement such as glass fiber, would be suitable, with a relative permittivity of approximately 4. Polypropylene, or more generally a thermoplastic, with a relative permittivity of less than 10, can also be used for the injection molding process.

[0053] The adapter piece 60 is here cylindrical in shape, the axis of which coincides with the axis 21 of the mounting device. One of the bases of this cylindrical shape is the surface 61 designed to come into contact with the inner surface of the mounting device's base in order to measure deformations of the tire to which the mounting device is rigidly attached. Thus, the sensor measuring the physical displacement parameter of the electronic component closely approximates the tire's displacement by ensuring contact between the adapter piece 60 and the inner surface of the mounting device's base.

[0054] The other basis of the cylindrical shape is the external surface 68, which is the surface open to the internal cavity of the mounted assembly of the adapter piece 60 when the latter is inserted into the mounting device of the arrangement. This surface 68 is provided with an orifice 69 passing through the adapter piece 60 to the internal surface 65 of the internal cavity 70 of the adapter piece 60. This ensures the fluidic connection between the internal cavity of the mounted assembly and the internal cavity 70 of the adapter piece, where the electronic component equipped with a sensor for measuring the physical parameters of the fluid will be housed. Thus, the measurement of the physical parameters of the fluid in the internal cavity of the mounted assembly can be performed.

[0055] The internal surface 65 defines the volume of the internal cavity 70 that will house the electronic component. This cavity 70 is said to be open because it opens to the outside of the adapter piece 60 through the opening 80. This opening 80 allows the insertion and removal of the electronic component from the adapter piece 60. For this purpose, the opening is sized proportionally to the size of the electronic component, which has a cylindrical external shape. Thus, the height 81 of the opening 80 corresponds to the height of the electronic component, and the width 82 of the opening 80 corresponds to the diameter of the electronic component.

[0056] On this internal surface 65, protruding structural elements are observed. This surface 65 includes, on its lateral part, position retention elements 66 and 67. The second structural element 67 is the image of a first structural element of the encapsulation device for the electronic component. This element 67 prevents the rotation of the electronic component around the axis 21. Here, it takes the form of a half-cylinder. projecting from the surface 65 along the axis 21. The first structural element of the encapsulation device of the electronic organ will here be a cylindrical hollow with a diameter greater than or equal to that of the cylindrical shape of the second structural element 67 so that it is adapted to receive the second structural element 67.

[0057] A series of discrete translational retaining elements 66 are also present on the internal surface 65 of the adapter piece 60. They are arranged vertically one above the other and are also in contact with the electronic element when the latter is present in the internal cavity 70 to block the translation of the electronic element along a radial direction passing through the axis 21 and the axis defined by the succession of retaining elements 66.

[0058] Thus, the insertion or extraction of the electronic component from the internal cavity 70 is possible, and the electronic component is locked in position within the adapter piece 60. Indeed, the opening 80 of the adapter piece 60 will be obstructed by the retaining wall of the mounting device.

[0059] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of a tire 100 according to the invention, in perspective, comprising a vertex S extended by two sidewalls F and terminating in two bead ridges B. In this case, the tire 100 is intended to be mounted on a wheel, which is not shown in this figure, at the level of the two bead ridges B. This defines a closed cavity, containing at least one pressurized fluid, delimited both by the radially inner surface 130 of the tire 100 and by the outer surface of the wheel. The tire 100 also includes a surface 140 radially external to the tire 100.

[0060] The reference axis 201, corresponding to the reference axis or natural axis of rotation of the tire 100, and the median plane 211, perpendicular to the reference axis 201 and equidistant from the two bead ribs B, shall be noted. The intersection of the reference axis 201 by the median plane 211 determines the center of the tire 200. A Cartesian coordinate system shall be defined at the center of the tire 200, consisting of the reference axis 201, a vertical axis 203 perpendicular to the ground and a longitudinal axis 202 perpendicular to the other two axes. And, we will define the axial plane 212 passing through the reference axis 201 and the longitudinal axis 202, parallel to the ground plane and perpendicular to the median plane 211. Finally, we will call the vertical plane 213 the plane perpendicular to both the median plane 211 and the axial plane 212 passing through the vertical axis 203.

[0061] Every material point of the tire 100 is uniquely defined by its cylindrical coordinates (Y, R, O). The scalar Y represents the axial distance to the center of the tire 200 in the direction of the reference axis 201 defined by the orthogonal projection of the material point of the tire 100 onto the reference axis 201. A radial plane 214 will be defined making an angle of O with respect to the vertical plane 213 around the reference axis 201. The material point of the tire 100 is located in this radial plane 214 by the distance R to the center of the pneumatic tire 200 in the direction perpendicular to the reference axis 201 identified by the orthogonal projection of this material point onto the radial axis 204. The unit vector perpendicular to the radial plane 214 and forming a right-handed trihedron with the unit vectors of the axial direction 201 and radial direction 204 represents the circumferential direction of the pneumatic tire 100.

[0062] This tire 100 has a fastening device 10 on its radially inner surface 130. This device is attached to the surface 130 by bonding using conventional prior art techniques when the fastening device 10 is made of an elastomeric material. The fastening device 10 is fixed at the apex S of the tire casing 100, which improves its durability since the fastening device, thus positioned, causes fewer problems during the mounting or dismounting of the wheel from the tire casing 100. Indeed, the fastening device 10 is located in an area away from the ridges B of the tire casing 100. Here, the fastening device 10 is equipped with an electronic component 1 positioned in an adapter within its open volume, which provides a housing adapted to receive the adapter. Therefore, the tire casing 100 is ready to be mounted on a wheel to form a complete assembly.The electronic component 1 can deliver various functions such as the identification of certain components like the electronic component itself, the pneumatic system.

[0063] However, the electronic component 1 can also be equipped with a pressure and / or temperature sensor to evaluate the inflation pressure or the temperature of the fluidic cavity of the assembled vehicle. Finally, it can also be equipped with a sensor that directly measures the curvature of the tire, such as an accelerometer or a flexometer, allowing for the determination of tire usage parameters such as angular velocity, mileage, and applied static load. All or some of these parameters make it possible to identify the performance of the tire and therefore of the assembled vehicle, such as its wear, grip, or intrinsic properties of the surface on which the vehicle is traveling.

Claims

Demands

1. An arrangement of a tire (100) equipped with a fastening device (10) and an electronic tire control unit (1) in which: The tire (100) having an axis of rotation (201), being delimited by an external surface (140) radially external to the tire (100) with respect to the axis of rotation (201) and an internal surface (130) located radially internal to the tire (100), and comprising a top (S) suitable for contact with the ground, two sidewalls (F) located on either side of the top (S) and two ridges (B) each located at the other end of each sidewall (F) suitable for contact with a wheel rim; The tire (100) being equipped with a fastening device (10), located on the internal surface (130) of the tire (100), capable of deforming comprising a sole (11) whose external surface is in contact with the tire (100), a closed retaining wall (12), extending from the sole (11) to a free edge (13) and defining with the sole (11) an open volume (20), the volume (20) being defined by an internal surface (15) of the sole (11) and by an internal surface (16) of cylindrical and convex shape of the retaining wall (12) whose axis (21) is oriented along the radial direction (R) of the tire (100), having an opening (17) delimited by the free edge (13) of the retaining wall (12);and An electronic component (1) comprising an electronic board (6) comprising a printed circuit board (5) on which are fixed a power source (4), a microcontroller (3), a radio frequency antenna, at least one measurement sensor (2) of a physical parameter of fluid having an active part sensitive to the physical parameter, preferably at least one measurement sensor (7) of a physical parameter of the displacement of the electronic component (1), the electronic board (6) being inserted in an encapsulation device (30); having the shape of a straight cylinder around an axis (31) perpendicular to the printed circuit (5), the encapsulation device (30) having an orifice (32) on its external surface (33) extending to the active part of at least one sensor measuring (7) a physical parameter of the fluid;characterized in that the arrangement comprises an adapter piece (60) with constant geometry between the electronic element (1) and the fixing device (10) comprising a lower surface (61) in contact with the internal surface (15) of the base (11) of the fixing device (10), in that the adapter piece (60) has an internal cavity (70) receiving the electronic element (1), delimited by an internal surface (65), in that the internal surface (65) comprises at least one element for retaining the electronic element (1) in translation (66), in that the adapter piece (60) has an external lateral surface (64) which is circumscribed by a convex surface bearing against the entire internal surface (16) of the retaining wall (12) of the fixing device (10) and in that the adapter piece (60) comprises on the upper surface (68) an orifice (69) passing through the material of the adapter piece (60) up to the internal cavity (70).;

2. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1) comprises on the external surface (33) at least a first structural element (40) whose geometry is protruding or recessed, the internal surface (65) of the adapter piece (60) comprises at least a second structural element (67) of geometry complementary to that of the at least a first structural element (40) of the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1), a portion of the protruding structural element (40, 67) being located inside the recessed structural element (40, 67).

3. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 2 in which the adapter piece (60) comprises on the upper surface (68) at least one structural detail (69) not located on the axis (21) of the internal surface (16) of the retaining wall (12) of the fastening device (10).

4. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the geometry of the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1) is included in the group comprising cylinder, parallelepiped, prism.

5. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1) is cylindrical in shape.

6. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one translational retaining element (66) is a continuous projecting element having a cross-section included in the group comprising semicircle, semiellipse, square, rectangle, parallelogram, quadrilateral, triangle.

7. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one translational retaining element (66) is a discrete projecting element whose geometry is included in the group comprising half-cylinder, hemisphere, cone, truncated cone, parallelepiped, pyramid, truncated pyramid, prism.

8. An arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 7 in which the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1) comprises on its external surface (33) a continuous hollow element (40) of complementary shape to at least one translational retaining element (66).

9. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the adapter piece (60) includes an opening (80) on the lateral surface (64) leading into the internal cavity (70) whose height (81) and width (82) correspond respectively to the height and one of the diameters of the cylindrical shape of the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1).

10. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the adapter piece (60) comprises an opening on the lower surface (61) leading into the internal cavity (70) the closed contour of which circumscribes the base of the right cylinder of the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic component (1), preferably, the contour of the opening comprises a protruding retaining element which is elastic.

11. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in which the adapter piece (60) consists of two initially disjoint parts (71, 72) separating the internal cavity (70) into two sub-volumes and of which a part of the free edges (73, 74) of the disjoint parts (71, 72) overlap each other.

12. Arrangement according to claim 11 in which the junction between the two disjoint parts (71, 72) is made in a plane (75) whose normal is parallel to the axis (31) of the right cylinder of the encapsulation device (30) of the electronic element (1).

13. An arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 12 in which the free edges (73, 74) of the disjointed parts (71, 72) clip into each other.

14. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the adapter piece (60) is composed of a material having a relative dielectric permittivity whose modulus is less than 10.

15. Arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the material of the adapter piece (60) is included in the group comprising thermoplastics including polyamides, polypropylenes.