Sensor assembly and system for monitoring a dynamic object

Abstract

To provide a sensor assembly and a system mounted on a tire.SOLUTION: A housing configured to hold an electrical sensor device to protect the sensor device, wherein the housing can include indicia associated with some aspects of the sensor assembly. The electrical sensor device comprises electrical components useful for monitoring and transmitting desired data related to operating parameters / conditions of the dynamic article to which the sensor assembly is attached, wherein the data is wirelessly transmitted from the electrical sensor device. The housing is removably attached using a retaining member, which is also attached to the dynamic article or an element connected thereto. A receiver external to the dynamic article determines operating parameters and / or conditions, if the dynamic article is a vehicle tire, an outer diameter, tread depth, pressure, radial load, changes in camber and / or toe alignment of the vehicle, and tire / vehicle position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This patent application was filed on October 31, 2019, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 671,105, filed on 2006 / 02 / 16.

[0002] (Field) The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein may include one or more sensors associated with a dynamic object. used in measuring, monitoring, and / or determining characteristics and / or operating conditions or parameters of More specifically, the present invention is configured to rotate a vulcanized rubber object or article such as a vehicle tire. Measure, monitor, and / or determine the characteristics, operating parameters, condition, and / or performance aspects of an element. It is designed to be used when determining [Background technology]

[0003] (background) The overall performance and safety of a vehicle, such as an automobile, is highly correlated with the condition of its tires. Since the mid-20th century, tires have become an often-overlooked “minimal” It has gone from being a "thing" to being one of the most important factors in vehicle safety and performance on the road.

[0004] The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SA) Several agencies, including E), have all been responsible for thousands of accidents, hundreds of deaths, and countless These injuries are directly linked to the condition of the tire. It has been determined that the cause was multiple, including a disconnection and pressure abnormality. Despite tire manufacturers' and regulatory recommendations, most consumers still They have little know-how or discipline to perform the tire maintenance required for the And yet, many of the signs of possible tire failure can be detected with basic tire maintenance. This cannot be detected by the 'run-flat' tyre (which remains in place for a period of time despite being at low pressure). The introduction of fault detection technology has led to many drivers being completely unaware of the condition of their tires. Therefore, proper tire maintenance is essential for safety. Tire monitoring systems have become increasingly important for initiating safety measures.

[0005] In addition to the importance of tire condition in relation to safety, the study also examined tire pressure, temperature, etc. The economics of fuel economy and tire durability related to the air Underinflated tires are 1 psi (0.0 ... It was found that this reduces fuel consumption by 1 to 3% per 1000 psi (approximately 6.9 kPa). In fact, a 10% under-inflation can result in over 15% premature tire wear. costs associated with the cost of replacing tires and the increased frequency of new tire purchases (associated with vehicle downtime) (not to mention the cost of ownership and maintenance) and basic tire awareness and maintenance. It is well documented that authentication technology can save the average consumer hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. For fleets driving hundreds of thousands of miles per year, these savings can be dramatic. However, there are economic benefits associated with basic tire awareness and maintenance. Despite the limitations of real-time data, it is important to monitor tires efficiently and The effort required to maintain air pressure in accordance with car recommendations contributes to the increased costs mentioned above. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is hitting nearly every consumer and business.

[0006] The 21st century is seeing the integration of advanced technological systems known as vehicle telematics. This heralded the beginning of a new era in automotive advancements. The technology is useful in related industries such as insurance. It has been proven that vehicle behavior (especially crashworthiness) can be used to adjust insurance rates based on usage. To give a few examples, rear camera detection, Systems such as lane departure and blind spot notification, and adaptive cruise control help keep you safe. It will drive improvements in safety, fuel efficiency, and performance, making autonomous vehicles a viable option. has traditionally relied on subjective handling and steering feedback. Autonomous vehicles rely entirely on sensor-based feedback to act and react. However, vehicle technology continues to advance and adapt quickly to support autonomous vehicles. However, the area where progress has been the least is tires. Tire pressure, temperature, slippage, and strain load, object shape such as outer, free or turning radius / diameter, tread wear, etc. Without real-time feedback of ear status, autonomous vehicles will struggle to achieve optimal performance and safety. cannot be realized.

[0007] Recognizing these limitations and the importance of tire monitoring in relation to the aforementioned factors, the automotive industry and regulatory bodies to improve vehicle safety and performance and support autonomous vehicle technology. The government has introduced a wave of new products and regulations related to vehicle tires, with the aim of promoting Thailand's automotive tire market. One of the major advances in tire technology is continuous monitoring of tire pressure and, in some cases, temperature. It is a solution.

[0008] At present, there are two mainstream methods for automatically detecting tire pressure: indirect and Indirect methods are generally used to control the anti-lock braking system of a vehicle. ABS is used to monitor the number of tire rotations over a period of time and the tire air pressure. This method is based on determining the change in tire pressure. Although it is an effective indicator, it is related to the air pressure status of each tire and may cause immediate and significant tire It is not possible to detect the state of ear pressure drop or provide specific data. These are measured using a microelectromechanical (MEMS) pressure sensor mounted on the tire wheel. The sensor is designed to address the limitations of the vehicle's primary on-board engine computer. This direct communication is then carried out with the computer or control unit (ECU) and / or other receiving devices such as a mobile phone. These detection methods are widespread, and in 2007 the US government began implementing direct detection of almost all vehicles. The government mandated the use of advanced tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) technology. , and was adopted by several other countries and continents, and thousands of tire monitoring products have since been developed.

[0009] Over the past decade or so, three main types of direct TPMS sensors have emerged as technology leaders in the automotive industry: The first type uses a clamp to secure the wheel to the well bed. d) is a clamp-on-rim sensor that is mounted directly to the rim. The second type, which is the most commonly chosen, is a sensor mounted on the valve stem, The sensor is mounted within the tire and wheel assembly at the base of the valve stem. These two types are typically performed by technically trained industry professionals. Installing, activating and programming sensors to properly communicate with vehicle ECUs The third type is aftermarket TPMS. They are common in DIY applications and are used as valve caps to replace valve stem caps. It is a tap-mounted sensor and typically requires no special tools. The third type generally communicates with a receiver such as a mobile phone via BLE, rather than with the vehicle ECU. This sensor with valve cap was manufactured before government TPMS mandates. This is useful for vehicles that are not equipped with TPMS-to-ECU communication or a display. has been proven.

[0010] Despite this advancement in tire monitoring technology, nearly all currently available TPMS sensors Sensors are still lacking in terms of full tire condition monitoring. Safety and performance are subject to, but not limited to, pressure, temperature, condition, load, and alignment. Currently, the majority of vehicles equipped with TPMS technology are It communicates only one tire parameter; pressure. More specifically, it communicates the tire pressure. Most automakers' TPMS displays are used to warn drivers just in case It doesn't tell you which tire is having the problem, it just tells you what the problem is (pressure change or simply sensor). (is it a sensor communication problem?) or how serious the warning is (slow leak, large pressure drop, etc.) etc.) are rarely displayed.

[0011] An extremely limited selection of leading automakers and aftermarket companies offer this level of detail. Considering further tire sensor displays on the market, the second parameter of tire temperature The data is rarely used and almost always irrelevant. Due to the nature of the TPMS design, which is mounted on the wheel, valve stem, or valve cap, The temperature monitored by these sensors is not the temperature of the tire rubber itself, but actually the temperature of the tire. This is the temperature of the air in the tire. This is the temperature between the temperature of the tire rubber and the temperature of the air in the tire. Given the discrepancy (excessive at 30°F (-1.1°C)), this sensor output is misleading. This is especially useful in motorsport applications where real-time tire temperature monitoring is crucial. It won't stand up.

[0012] Given the obvious shortcomings of traditional TPMS solutions, a select few companies have It is an electronic unit that is attached directly to the vehicle tire, not to the valve stem or valve cap. These solutions typically involve the inner surface of the tire opposite the tread surface. These advanced TP Even MS solutions have proven impractical or inadequate due to either: are.

[0013] 1. Excessive size and weight causing tire performance and sensor durability issues; 2. Often the vulcanization of the "housing" into the tire during the environmentally friendly tire manufacturing process Difficulty in attaching to all tire inner surfaces with chisels;

[0014] 3. Limited application of the technology to specific tire manufacturers or tire models manufactured with that technology for;

[0015] 4. Limited functionality and tire integrity, including temperature, tread wear, alignment, and load Reporting of performance parameters;

[0016] 5. Lack of diversity in communication protocols, further limiting availability to specific vehicles; and

[0017] 6. The need for significant investment in tools for configuring and outputting sensor information. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] (overview) The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are adapted to detect one or more motion states of a dynamic object. The device is configured for use with the object to monitor its condition and / or parameters. In one example, the dynamic mass is in the form of a rotating element, and in certain embodiments, the rotating element is a vulcanized In one example, the sensor assembly is configured to be attached to a vulcanized rubber article. The sensor assembly includes an outer surface and an enclosed interior cavity within the housing. In one example, the housing may include a top cover defining an interior cavity. The upper cover, the wall structure, and the base portion are made of the same material. The top cover, the wall, and the and one or more of the base portions may be separate from one another or may be integral. .

[0019] The electrical sensor device is disposed within and mounted within the interior cavity of the housing. In one example, the upper cover or the base portion can be attached to the electrical sensor device. One of the sensors facilitates installation and / or removal of the electrical sensor device from the internal cavity. In one example, the electrical sensor device is removably attached to the wall structure for ease of installation. one or more electrodes within the internal cavity that contact the electrical sensor device and maintain its position within the internal cavity; is mechanically attached within the internal cavity by a plurality of surface features, and the electrical There is free space above and below the sensor device. In one example, the electrical sensor device is mounted in a housing During the manufacturing process of the housing, which serves to maintain the position of the electrical sensor device within The housing may be enclosed by an internal cavity. an opening through the inner cavity, the opening entering the inner cavity before reaching the electrical sensor device; Further included is a filter positioned to filter the air.

[0020] The electrical sensor device is suitable for applications where the sensor assembly is attached to a moving object such as a vulcanized rubber article. , to sense, transmit, and / or receive information about the state, orientation, and / or location of its surroundings. In one example, the sensor element is configured to sense the environment, the sensor assembly, or the vulcanized rubber article. one or more selected from the group consisting of air pressure, temperature, acceleration, or orientation or position of In one example, the electrical sensor device is configured to sense a variable having an electrical circuit. a printed circuit board for providing power to the electrical sensor device; a sensor element, a memory element, and a storage device for receiving information from the electrical sensor device and / or storing the information; The air sensor device is provided with an antenna for transmitting information.

[0021] In one example, the electrical sensor device may include one or more receivers or transmitters external to the rubber article. and configured to wirelessly communicate with the sensor to provide the sensing system disclosed herein. In one example, the receiver of the sensing system has one or more antennas, and , for example, by using the printed circuit board of the electrical sensor device or components mounted thereon. , can communicate wirelessly with the electrical sensor device. In one example, the electrical sensor device Wirelessly via TooSlow Energy (BLE), low frequency, and / or similar wireless communication technologies It may include multiple antennas capable of transmitting and / or receiving communications. In the sensing system, the external receiver receives the output from a mobile phone, a vehicle ECU, or an electrical sensor device. Alternative electronic devices capable of storing, interpreting, displaying, and / or retransmitting the received data. In one example, the external receiver of the sensing system may be in the form of a signal reactor or booster. The signal may be in the form of the original signal of the electrical sensor device or a transformed, filtered or or similarly transmitting the modified data again via wireless or wired connection to another external receiver. As a result, the range of wireless signals from electrical sensor devices, such as multi-axle commercial fleet vehicles, can be exceeded. In one example, the external receiver of the sensing system may be Replicate the protocol and use it in an electronic sensor to communicate with another external receiver, such as a vehicle ECU. In one example, the external receiver of the sensing system can be configured to assign the may have multiple unique protocols, which may be transmitted electrically via LF communication. The sensor device is selected and assigned, and then communicates with another external receiver, such as a vehicle ECU. In one example, an external receiver in the sensing system may transmit a specific For wireless communication with another external receiver, such as a vehicle ECU that requires a protocol, BLE or Multiple fixed signals that can be selected and assigned to electrical sensor devices via wireless communication It has a protocol.

[0022] In one example, a sensing system comprising a sensing assembly and an external device is provided, for example, for detecting a rubber article for a vehicle. If a tire, the shape of the rolling elements such as the outer, free, or rolling radius / diameter; In such an instance, an external receiver or a crankshaft may be used to calculate the tread depth status of the vehicle. The wood-based system collects raw data from an accelerometer connected to an electrical sensor device. and one or more filtering algorithms and a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. These algorithms allow external receivers or cloud-based systems to The specific rotational speed of the vehicle tire at a given speed can be determined, which allows for the outer, self-rotating The shape of rolling elements such as the rolling radius / diameter or the tread depth of a vehicle tire may be determined by the existing Calculate using known industry or manufacturer outside diameter specifications or tire tread depth specifications. These specifications can be based on the shape of the rolling element, such as the outer, free, or rolling radius / diameter. The data may be stored and available to a processor for purposes of calculating the shape or tread depth of the tire. In another example, the external receiver of the sensing system is connected to an electrical sensor device and detects the position of the object. Collects raw data from the gyroscope that is used to calculate geometry The shape of the rolling elements such as the outer, free, or rolling radius / diameter or the track of the vehicle tire In addition, the gyroscope can calculate the head depth of the rotating element or tire. Used to determine alignment, e.g., camber and / or toe parameters In one example, the external receiver of the sensing system may be an electrical sensor. connected to a device to calculate changes in the vehicle's camber and / or toe alignment The raw data used for the acceleration sensor is collected and an external processor is used to In one example, the sensing system may include a sensor assembly in which the external Rotating elements or rubber articles, such as those connected to a receiver or cloud-based system For example, a global positioning sensor or system may be used to transmit the position of a vehicle tire. The sensor assembly may comprise an electrical sensor device. The sensor assembly and sensing system can be used to determine the above parameters and / or to measure the desired It may be provided with a memory and processing device for storing the operating parameters, Such storage and / or processing devices may be connected to electrical sensor devices and / or external receivers or other external Such operational parameters may be stored in a cloud-based system or a device. , can be used for research and / or commercial purposes.

[0023] The sensor assembly is configured for attachment to the retaining member of the housing. The retaining member may include a retaining member configured to be attached to the vulcanized rubber article. In one example, the housing and the retaining member are attached by a mechanical or bonded attachment mechanism. In one example, a housing and an electric device disposed therein can be attached to each other. The air sensor device can be removed from the holding member without the use of tools. The housing and the retaining member are complementary to facilitate attachment of the housing and the retaining member. In one example, the housing is configured to have a shape that encloses an internal cavity. a wall structure, and a retaining member for receiving the wall structure of the housing therein and securing the wall structure thereto; The housing includes a wall structure having an open chamber configured to provide a The outer surface of the housing is one or more surfaces that are visible to the user when the housing is attached to the holding member. It has multiple display features or indicia.

[0024] In one example, the retaining member is attached to the vulcanized rubber article and the housing is attached to the When attached to a retaining member, the vulcanized rubber article is prevented from transmitting an impact force to the housing. In one example, the vulcanized rubber article is a vehicle tire. , the retaining member is attached to the inner surface of the vehicle tire. In such an example, the retaining member The retaining element is attached to the inner surface of the vehicle tire, and such attachment is performed by attaching the retaining element to the inner surface of the vehicle tire. In another example, the retaining member may be a rubber material. The rubber article may be vulcanized during the curing manufacturing process of the rubber article. The gag, the electrical sensor device disposed therein, and the retaining member are removable from the vulcanized rubber article. In another example, the retaining member may be attached to an inner surface of the vehicle wheel, Such attachment may involve the use of an adhesive layer sandwiched between the retaining element and the inner surface of the vehicle wheel. In another example, the retaining member may be positioned on the valve stem. and mounted to a vehicle wheel, such mounting being, for example, in or on the wheel. This is accomplished by mechanically fastening a retaining element to the valve stem at a location outside the valve. do.

[0025] An exemplary method for using the pressure assemblies and sensing systems disclosed herein includes: An electrical sensor arrangement is mechanically secured within the interior cavity, the electrical sensor arrangement being secured to the housing. and placing the electrical sensor device within the internal cavity of the housing so as to be surrounded by and attaching the housing to a retaining member. It can be attached to the vulcanized rubber article with an adhesive, and the adhesive attachment can be done by hand. In one example, the target surface of the vulcanized rubber article is attached to the retaining member. The retaining member may be cleaned or otherwise prepared for use. In one example, the housing may be attached to the retaining member and vulcanized together with the rubber article during the curing process. The retaining member may be attached to the rubber article before it is attached. The rubber article may be attached with the ring already attached to the retaining member. Alternatively, the retaining member may be attached to the vehicle wheel with adhesive or magnets. The material is mechanically attached to the valve stem of the vehicle wheel, such as by screw and bolt technology. In one example, the housing may be oriented relative to the holding member according to an indicia on the housing. Once both the retaining member and housing are attached to the desired item, the sensor assembly is The solid is used to monitor an operating condition or parameter through the use of an electrical sensing device , information relating to the operating condition or parameter is transmitted from the electrical sensing device to an external device of the sensor assembly. The signal is transmitted wirelessly to a receiver that is part of the sensing system at

[0026] As noted above, the sensor assemblies disclosed herein are adapted to detect dynamic rotation of the vehicle tire itself, etc. The sensor assembly may be configured for attachment to an inner surface of an element, or the sensor assembly may be configured for attachment to an inner surface of a vehicle. Two wheels or valve stems connected to or attached to a dynamic rotating element. The device may be configured to accommodate attachment to a dynamic object or element.

[0027] In the above configuration, the sensor assembly and sensing system are Monitoring of some operating parameters and / or conditions of a dynamic rotating element, e.g., a vehicle tire. This allows and facilitates viewing in a manner that is different from other forms given the current state of the art. This is not possible in the current state and can be achieved by a single device such as a vehicle ECU, a mobile phone, a tablet, or a cloud-based device. This is done to enable such wireless monitoring through the use of commonly used external devices. can be. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The vehicle tire monitoring sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are identified by like reference numerals The following description, by way of example only, refers to the accompanying drawings in which like elements are shown:

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly according to various embodiments.

[0030] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly according to various embodiments.

[0031] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a sensor assembly and an electrical sensor device according to various embodiments.

[0032] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a retainer of a sensor assembly according to various embodiments.

[0033] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of an unassembled sensor assembly according to various embodiments.

[0034] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of an unassembled sensor assembly according to various embodiments.

[0035] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing and retainer of a sensor assembly in an unassembled state, according to various embodiments.

[0036] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a sensor assembly housing according to various embodiments.

[0037] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a sensor assembly housing according to various embodiments.

[0038] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a sensor assembly housing according to various embodiments.

[0039] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the data flow and electrical components of the sensor assembly and system, according to various embodiments.

[0040] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly mounted on a vehicle tire and an article useful for mounting the sensor assembly, according to various embodiments.

[0041] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly attachment method including an adhesive layer, according to various embodiments.

[0042] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an attachment method for a sensor assembly that requires hand pressure, according to various embodiments.

[0043] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly mounted on a vehicle tire, according to various embodiments.

[0044] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary sensor assembly disclosed herein mounted on a wheel of a wheel and tire assembly.

[0045] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary sensor assembly disclosed herein mounted to a valve stem of a wheel and tire assembly.

[0046] [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary sensor assembly disclosed herein mounted on an angled valve stem of a wheel and tire assembly.

[0047] [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of exemplary process steps used to determine tread depth of a dynamic rolling object using the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein.

[0048] [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flow chart of exemplary process steps used to determine dynamic loads on a dynamic rotating object using the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] (explanation) An embodiment of a sensor assembly and system for monitoring dynamic objects is shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2, and are described in detail below, with like reference numerals referring to like elements. The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms. This should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that the disclosure is thorough and complete and the sensor assemblies and This description is provided to fully convey the concept of the system to those skilled in the art. The type of sensor assembly and dynamic object used in the system will depend on the particular application. For example, a dynamic object, element, or item typically moves. It may be a flexural, rotating, stretching, etc. The sensor assembly and system is adapted to measure the force of a dynamic rotating element in the form of a vulcanized rubber article, such as a vehicle tire. Although described and illustrated as being used with a sensor, such a sensor assembly and system The system may also monitor other types of dynamic objects, e.g., specific operating parameters / states of the dynamic object. For purposes of viewing, including but not limited to sports and fitness applications, Along with those that can be used in other types of applications in other industries, including industrial and electrical applications, etc. It is understood that the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with sensors as disclosed herein. Examples of other types of dynamic rotating elements that may be monitored by the sensor assembly and system include metal Wheels, non-pneumatic or solid rubber tires, and cushion tires are included.

[0050] In one example, the sensor disclosed herein is embodied for use with a vehicle tire. The assembly and system are designed to be installed in conventional TPMS systems and some existing vehicle tires. This product aims to address both the shortcomings of existing surveillance products, and therefore aims to improve the safety of industrial vehicles. Safety and performance are improved with all tire monitoring systems.

[0051] Generally, the sensor assemblies disclosed herein comprise a housing having a desired electrical sensor within an interior cavity. The sensor device is configured to accommodate the mounting of the actual dynamic object being monitored. whether it is the surface of the dynamic object or the surface of an element attached to the dynamic object. The sensor assembly is configured to facilitate attachment to the surface of a dynamic object. In one example, the dynamic object may be a component that provides durability and functionality throughout the life cycle of the vulcanized rubber article. Vulcanized rubber, such as vehicle tires, following specific mounting methods developed to ensure The specific sensor assembly configuration and the method for attaching the sensor assembly to the vulcanized rubber article can be described. and a combination of methods for detecting a sensor assembly using the systems disclosed herein. The information is used to determine the shape of the object, such as the outer, free, or turning radius / diameter, and / or the cured rubber. characteristics or properties such as tread depth, operating condition, orientation, and / or position of a vehicle article, particularly a vehicle tire; may measure, monitor, determine, and / or report data related to the parameter.

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a sensor assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein. The assembly 10 includes an internal cavity (shown in FIG. 3) that contains an electrical sensor device (shown in FIG. 3) therein. ) in the housing 12. In one example, the housing 12 includes a holding member or retainer 14 The retainer 14 is disposed within the housing 12 and is attached to the housing 12 (e.g., In one example, the housing 12 is specifically configured to accommodate placement of the housing 12 in a The nozzle 14 includes a wall structure 16 ( 4). In one example, the retainer 14 extends from the first axial end 20 of the wall structure 16 to The housing may include a lip 18 extending a certain distance radially inward, the lip 18 being 12 in a fully seated or installed position within the retainer 14 (lowered on the top cover of the housing). the top cover of the housing to help retain the The retainer 14 includes a base portion 24 that contacts the adjacent portion of the wall structure 16. 2 extends radially outward a distance from the second axial end 26 of the an increased surface area along the bottom surface 28 of the retainer 14 for attachment to the target surface of the vulcanized article 30; Provide area.

[0053] In one example, the sensor assembly housing top cover 22 may include one or more indicator features 32 or may include indicia that may be located on or integral with the display feature 32. The display function 32 can display indicia such as model number, serial number, orientation information, or other information for the user. When the user sees such indicia, the sensor assembly 10 serves the purpose of providing the user with information about the sensor assembly 10. In one example, the indicator feature or indicia 32 may include a security the trademark, model, or content of the sensor assembly 10; i.e., the technical specifications of the electrical sensor device contained therein. The sensor assembly 10 may be identified by a code such as a code or Federal Communications Commission ID (FCC ID). The indicator features or indicia 32 may be printed or glued onto the housing top cover 22. 1 may be provided with a display feature 32 in the form of alphanumeric characters. Although the present invention illustrates the use of a display function 32, the display function 32 may also include other forms such as different shapes, objects, symbols, and drawings. It should be understood that the data may also be provided in

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly 10 disclosed herein, including a housing top cover. -22 is a position of the sensor assembly relative to the rotation direction of the vehicle tire to which the sensor assembly is attached. Orientation information (such as "upside down" or "downside down") for purposes of proper alignment of the sensor assembly 10 is provided. and a display function or marking 32 in the form of an arrow that can provide the user with a desired alignment direction, such as a do.

[0055] The indicator feature 32 or indicia may be provided on the housing top cover 22 by printing or stamping. The indicia may be formed by marking the housing 12 during the molding process that forms the housing 12. or by subsequent techniques such as pressing or branding into the top cover itself. The display feature 32 disclosed herein may be present on the top cover 22 of the housing 12. Although described and illustrated as such, the display function 32 is not limited to a housing that is visible to the user. It is understood that the present invention may be practiced in different locations on the surface of the substrate 12, and that all such other locations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present disclosure is intended to be within the scope of the pressure assemblies disclosed herein. The indicator feature 32 may be located on the retainer 14 or the indicator feature 32 may be attached to the retainer 14. and the housing 12.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary wall structure 34 connected to and extending from the top cover 22. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly housing 12, the wall structure 34 being positioned on the exterior surface of the housing 12. The housing 12 defines an interior cavity 38 disposed within the top cover 22 and wall structure 34. The internal cavity 38 is configured to accommodate placement of one or more electrical sensor devices 40 therein. In one example, the wall structure 34 is specially configured to accommodate the placement of the electrical sensor device 40 therein. The inner wall 42 has surface features 44 that are specially configured to accommodate and retain the In the embodiment, the surface features 44 are in the form of slots or recessed grooves extending laterally along the wall structure inner surface 42. The grooves are provided around the components of the electrical sensor device 40, such as a printed circuit board. rim 46 therein, thereby guiding the electrical sensor into the housing interior cavity 38. It is configured to ensure secure attachment of the device 40.

[0057] The surface features 44 in this example are provided in the form of recessed grooves that extend completely around the wall structure inner surface 42. The surface features 44 are provided to prevent the electrical sensor device 40 from moving within the housing interior cavity 38. to securely mount or attach the electrical sensor device 40 within the housing interior cavity 38. It should be understood that the surface features may be configured differently to accommodate the surface features. For example, the surface features may be configured as recessed grooves. , in the form of ribs or tabs extending a certain distance radially outward from the inner wall structure surface 42. The ribs engage the electrical sensor device 40 with the periphery 46 to secure the housing of the electrical sensor device 40. The casing is positioned and configured to ensure placement within the casing interior cavity 38.

[0058] attached to the bottom 50 of the housing wall structure 34, thereby enclosing the housing interior cavity 38. The housing bottom 48, shown in an unattached configuration, is shown in FIG. In one example, the bottom 48 is connected to the housing top cover 22 and wall structure 34. may be formed separately and attached by mechanical attachment and / or chemical or adhesive attachment. The wall structure 34 may be attached by adhesive bonding or the like. The housing 12 is characterized in that it holds the electrical sensor device therein in a fixed and immovable condition. a specially configured internal cavity to surround and protect the electrical sensor device; This is what is being done.

[0059] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration to better illustrate the configuration of the retainer wall structure 16 and the open chamber 52. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a retainer 14, in which the open chamber 52 is formed within the wall structure 16 and complementary to the housing wall structure 34 to accommodate placement / mounting of the housing 12 within the A lip extending radially inward from the first axial end 20 of the wall structure The housing 12 is disposed within an open chamber 52. The first axial end 20 of the housing 12 is also shown. When the housing 12 is inserted, it fits into a portion of the housing top cover 22 and is inserted into the retainer 16 of the housing 12. The second axial end 26 of the retainer wall structure is configured to help maintain alignment. 2. Further illustrated is a base portion 24 extending a distance radially outward from the base portion 24, the base portion having a bottom surface 28 and a strong bond with the target surface of the vulcanized rubber article, e.g., a vehicle tire. Provide mounting.

[0060] The above drawings show a flat or planar upper surface and several slopes extending downward and outward from the upper surface. a housing having an upper cover 22 configured in a dome-shaped shape defined by a plane of Although illustrated as 12, the top cover 22 may be configured as required by the particular end use. and / or as required by the structure of the internal cavity 38 useful for housing the electrical sensor device 40 therein. and all such different configurations may be It should be understood that this is intended to be within the scope of the sensor assemblies disclosed herein. The same applies to the configuration of the housing wall structure 34 and the placement of the housing 12 therein. This also applies to the complementary configuration of the retainer wall structure 16 for the housing having an octagonal configuration. Although a housing and retainer wall structure is illustrated, the housing and retainer wall structure may be a retainer. The desire to ensure a secure, non-rotatable positioning of the housing 12 relative to the rotor 14 as required by the particular end use and / or electrical different configurations as required by the configuration of the internal cavity useful for housing the sensor device. and all such different configurations are within the scope of the sensors disclosed herein. It should be understood that the term "sensor assembly" is intended to be within the scope of the term "sensor assembly."

[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly 60 in an unassembled state and shows the assembled sensor assembly 60. and a wall structure 34 having an internal cavity 38 disposed therein. A portion of the housing 12 is shown. In one example, the interior cavity 38 is disposed along an interior wall surface 42 of the wall structure. The surface features 44 include one or more surface features 44 disposed therein, the surface features 44 having electrical sensor devices 40 In one example, the surface features may be in the form of continuous elements, or may be in the form of several individual elements such as ribs or tabs, the ribs being in contact with the inner wall surface 42 The surface features 44 project outward from the electrical sensor device 40 and contact the upper surface of the periphery of the electrical sensor device 40. In this example, the surface features 44 is the edge formed between the inner surfaces where the housing wall structure and the top cover intersect.

[0062] The housing bottom 48 is disposed below the housing wall structure 34 and accommodates placement of the battery 64 therein. The sensor assembly has an inner surface 62 configured to correspond to the sensor. The components are configured such that axial movement of the electrical sensor device 40 is limited by the inner wall surface features 44. The electrical sensor device 40 is then assembled by mounting the electrical sensor device 40 in the housing interior cavity 38. A battery 64 is disposed on the backside of the electrical sensor device 40 with contacts providing electrical connection to the battery. Next, the housing bottom 48 is attached to the housing 12, enclosing the electrical sensor device therein. In one example, the bottom 48 is attached to the housing wall structure 34 so as to be protected by, for example, Mechanical mounting (e.g., screw mounting, tongue and groove mounting, and snap mounting) and / or by chemical or It may be mechanically attached to the housing wall structure 34, such as by adhesive bonding. Once the housing 12 is assembled, it is placed within the open chamber or cavity 52 and It can be attached to the retainer 16 as described above.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows a housing that is configured slightly differently than the housing described above and illustrated in FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly 80 comprising a housing 12. Specifically, the housing 12 The wall structure 34 and the bottom 48 are provided in an assembled state, 48 mechanically attached, bonded together, and / or provided in the form of a one-piece structure In one example, the housing wall structure 34 and the bottom 48 are provided in the form of a one-piece structure. The housing 12 is provided with a stud 34 for securing the axial displacement of the electrical sensor device 40 within the internal cavity 38. , one or more surface features (not shown) that engage the underside of the periphery 46 of the electrical sensor device 40. The interior cavity 38 is configured to have a wall This may be in the form of one or more ribs or tabs that project outwardly a distance from the structural inner surface 42 . The housing 12 includes an upper portion configured to mount over the opening 82 of the housing interior cavity 38. The sensor assembly includes a cover 22, and this attachment can be mechanical and / or bonding. The solid body 80 has surface features that engage the electrical sensor device 40 so that its axial displacement therein is fixed. By inserting the electrical sensor device 40 into the housing interior cavity 38 until it is restrained by The housing top cover 22 is then placed over the interior cavity opening 82 and In one example, the housing top cover 22 is attached to the housing wall structure 34. When the sensor 22 is mounted over the interior cavity opening 82, the electrical sensor device 40 is inserted into the housing interior cavity. The position of the electrical sensor device 40 is fixed within the housing interior cavity 38 so that it does not move within 38. The electrical sensor device 40 is connected to the upper cover 22. 7 shows a surface having an electrical sensor device disposed therein. 1 shows the housing 12 in an assembled state. The housing 12 may be disposed and mounted within the retainer 14 as described above.

[0064] The sensor assembly housing 12 disclosed herein does not require any filler or material. an inner cavity configured to securely hold and house the electrical sensor device 40 therein, without or formed to form an internal cavity 38. In one example, the housing 12 and the internal cavity 38 are , can be formed from a single material component or multiple material components using multiple techniques. For construction of this material component, the sensor assembly housing 12 may be molded by an injection molding process or the like. It may be formed as a unitary structure around the electrical sensor device 40. In such an example, The housing top cover 22, wall structure 34, and bottom 48 are formed from the same material as described above. In the case of a multiple element construction, the sensor assembly housing 12 is , can be formed from a separate element, which has an electrical sensor device 40 disposed within the internal cavity 38. Once installed, they can be mechanically attached or bonded to one another.

[0065] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly housing 90 formed from a single material component. For example, the top cover 22, wall structure 34, and bottom 48 may all be molded, e.g., during an injection molding process. In this example, the electrical sensor device 40 is formed from a single material that surrounds or encapsulates the electrical sensor device 40. , the housing interior cavity 38 is moved by the electrical sensor device 40 to the housing 90. Formed during the manufacturing process, such encapsulation secures placement of the electrical sensor device 40 therein. As with the housing examples above, the housing 90 functions to hold the The housing 90 is configured to fit within the retainer 16 for mounting to a vehicle tire. Alternatively, a housing having a single material component structure may be first formed, and then the housing may be The housing can be modified to provide an internal cavity into which an electrical sensor device can be placed.

[0066] The housing may also be formed using two material components, the first the material component is associated with a second material component disposed below the first material component; and In such an embodiment, the first and second The material components may have electrical sensor devices therein simultaneously during the formation of the first and second material components. In such an embodiment, the first and second materials may be attached to each other to enclose the first and second materials. The components can be formed from the same or different types of materials.

[0067] FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary sensor assembly housing 92 disclosed herein. In this example, the first material component 94 and the second material component 96 are configured to accommodate the electrical sensor device 40 within the interior cavity 38. When the two layers are attached to each other either mechanically or chemically after placement The specific shape is already formed so that the internal cavity 38 is formed. In embodiments, the first and second material components may be formed from the same or different types of materials. In this example, the first material component 94 forms part of the top cover 22 and wall structure 34, and the second material component 94 forms part of the top cover 22 and wall structure 34. The material component 96 makes up the remainder of the wall structure 34 and the bottom 48 .

[0068] Regardless of the structure, any material used to form the sensor assembly housing 12 disclosed herein may be used. The material used is designed to be stable when placed within the retainer 14, when attached to the tire, and when mounted on the vehicle. Electrical sensor devices 40 are installed in both tires when used in a harsh environment. Housing is a material that is specifically and purposely designed to protect the integrity and function of the Examples of materials useful for forming 12 include, but are not limited to, hard plastics. Materials commonly used for TPMS housings, including butyl rubber, EPDM rubber, or natural rubber Examples of elastomeric materials include those commonly found in the tire and rubber industry, such as rubber.

[0069] The characteristics of the material selected to form the housing 12 are such that such material has a sufficient internal cavity The electrical sensor device 40 disposed within 38 may be used to detect and measure the force that may be encountered during use within a dynamic object such as a vehicle tire. Protects against contaminants such as oil and moisture, extreme temperatures, and forces such as acceleration, load, and vibration. Further features of the sensor assembly housing 12 disclosed herein include: The feature is that the structure of the internal cavity 38 and the position of the electrical sensor device 40 therein are mechanically fixed. The use of surface features 44 to secure and hold electrical sensors known in the automotive industry. A common technique used to help secure the device 40 is to use a neutral Filling the internal cavity with a coating material such as silicone. A feature of the disclosed sensor assembly is that any fixation of the electrical sensor device 40 within the internal cavity 38 , no such coatings or fillers or materials are used or are not required to be used. Similarly, the electrical sensor device 40 may be provided with a mounting bracket 34 therein for securing its position within the internal cavity 38. The structural support of the electrical sensor device 40 is provided, for example, by the surface features within the housing interior cavity 38. In use, this is done by mechanical fixation. As mentioned above, such a Such fixing can be achieved, for example, by transfer molding or injection molding as shown in FIG. This can be achieved by incorporating the electrical sensor device 40 into the manufacturing process of the housing 12. In such an example, the first material component 94 and the second material component 96 of the housing may be electrically The sensor device 40 has an internal cavity profile that is complementary to the components of the sensor device 40, and after assembly, Provides the necessary stability for sensors or similar components.

[0070] The sensor assemblies disclosed herein are intended to provide an indication of, for example, the pressure of a vehicle tire. and an electric sensor device 40 having a sensor configured to depend on the pressure of the surrounding environment. and the pressure (when installed in a pneumatic vehicle tire) In such an embodiment of the sensor assembly, the housing 12 is airflow communication between the external environment and the electrical sensor device 40 disposed within the housing interior cavity 38; The device must be configured with one or more openings to provide for the passage of air. 2, the sensor assembly 10 has an opening 98 disposed along the top cover 22. The opening 98 allows air outside the housing to pass through to the interior of the housing. configured and arranged to provide access to the cavity 38 and the electrical sensor device 40 disposed therein. Moisture and other contaminants are present in the pneumatic tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle at the appropriate operating temperature. It is well known that there are contaminants such as To protect against contaminants, a moisture barrier 100 allows only filtered air to reach the electrical sensor device 40. To allow access, an opening 98 or an opening 98 is provided between the opening 98 and the electrical sensor device 40. In one example, the moisture barrier 100 may be disposed within a filter. The element may be in the form of a water element or a molecular sieve, and may be removable and / or replaceable. It may or may not be configured as such.

[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates the flow of air from the external environment, for example, when the sensor assembly is disposed within a vehicle tire. The air within the pneumatic tire penetrates the interior cavity 38 and the electrical sensor device 40 disposed therein. The top cover 22 is configured with an opening 98 therethrough for providing access to the 1 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly housing 120 comprising: The bar 22 includes a cavity 124 downstream of the opening 98 and includes a moisture barrier layer 100 disposed therein. In this example, the cavity 124 and the moisture barrier layer 100 are electrically connected to a sensor configured to sense the air pressure. The sensor 126 is disposed adjacent to the air sensor device 40. As described above, this configuration Only filtered air then reaches the electrical sensor device 40 and the sensor 126 .

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, an electrical sensor device 40 disposed within the sensor assembly housing 12 includes: , the particular end use and the type of operating parameters to be measured, monitored, and / or determined. In one example, referring again to FIG. Thus, the electrical sensor device 40 may comprise several components, including: Printed circuit board 130, outer, free, or turning radius / diameter or tire depth The tire shape, operating state, orientation, and / or position of the tire may be measured. The one or more sensors 126, one or more transmitters 132, and electrical sensor device 40 configured as described above for wireless transmission of monitored operating parameters from the One or more antennas 134, a portable power source or battery 64, and all necessary electrical connections and The electrical sensor device 40 disclosed herein may include a circuit for detecting the particular event to be monitored. can be configured differently depending on ear data or operating parameters, which can be used for reference and It should be understood that this is only one example of an electrical sensor device for illustrative purposes.

[0073] In one example, the portable power source 64 may be in the form of a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. Alternatively, the electrical sensor device 40 may receive power via the kinetic energy force of the tire's motion. In such a variant, due to power supply limitations, the electrical sensor Therefore, the functions of the sensor device 40 disclosed herein can be minimized. The assembly is commonly used in the automotive industry and has proven to provide years of use. This allows for the reuse of the sensor assembly 10 across multiple sets of vehicle tires. Preferably, the sensor includes an electrical sensor device 40 that utilizes a lithium-ion battery.

[0074] The pressure sensors disclosed herein are configured for use in tire-mounted applications. In the case of a sensor assembly, the electrical sensor device 40 includes at least one sensor 126, preferably a conventional It is desirable to have microelectromechanical (MEMS) pressure and temperature sensors, which are common in TPMS devices. The sensor assembly utilizes pressure and temperature sensors along with other necessary components to The state of the sensor can be communicated to a receiver such as a vehicle ECU or a mobile device. As such, these sensors are well utilized throughout the automotive industry and therefore As ear technology advances, the electrical sensor device 40 may incorporate additional sensors, as well as other devices that are not mobile phones but contain accelerometers, gyroscopes, RFID tags, SIM, and / or GPS technology In the case of an electrical sensor device 40 that includes an accelerometer, the sensor assembly The body is subject to, but not limited to, traction, changes in alignment, lateral, free, or tire shape such as rolling radius / diameter, and / or tire tread depth and load; It can be used to analyze advanced tire conditions, such as radial load. In another variation, an electrical sensor device configured with gyroscope sensor technology 40 is particularly important in the motorsport industry for slip angle or oversteer measurements. This allows the calculation of the tire's orientation. The gyroscope calculates the toe and camber can be used to provide tire alignment information such as the position of the tire It is also useful for measuring tread depth. The sensor device 40 is of great value in preventing damage to tires and / or vehicles that are susceptible to theft. be.

[0075] In one example, the electrical sensor device 40 is designed to include electrical components that allow for minimal storage capacity. It is desirable to configure the raw data collected from the sensor(s) of the electrical sensor device. The majority of data is transmitted via wireless communication to the receiver(s) and / or cloud-based systems. However, the storage capacity provided by the electrical sensor device 40 is highly desirable and useful. The storage capacity is read / write, making it easy to overwrite unwanted data. In one example, the storage capacity of the electrical sensor device 40 is It is desirable to support similar functions common to the new or electronic unit. In the specific case of use as a stereoscopic device, the storage capacity is determined by the sensor identification number and / or the sensor ID. It also includes information such as unique protocol information that enables communication with the vehicle ECU. With the memory capacity, the sensor assembly may contain vehicle information such as the vehicle identification number (VIN). This information can be used for tracking and security purposes by shipping companies or regulatory authorities such as the Department of Transportation. It can be used for business purposes.

[0076] In one example, the electrical sensor device 40 allows for firmware updates or The data stored in the device can be transmitted to an external device such as a receiver or a cloud-based system. However, in the preferred embodiment, The electrical sensor device 40 includes one or more antennas 134 that allow for wireless communication of information. It is desirable to provide such wireless transmission of information / data to the electrical sensor device 40. The characteristic is that a sensor assembly including the electric sensor device 40 is attached to the wheel and the vehicle. When installed inside a pneumatic tire, the connector allows easy access to the sensor assembly. This is particularly advantageous as it is not accessible to the outside world. Uses LF / RF technology, which is common in direct TPMS units, or is attached to the valve stem cap. BLE communication found in aftermarket TPMS devices is preferred, but other forms of wireless Wired communication can also be used.

[0077] FIG. 11 illustrates a sensor assembly as disclosed herein and an electrical sensor device 40 disposed therein. Illustrated are examples of various components that can be used with the electrical sensor device 40. The system communicates with the vehicle's ECU 146 via conventional RF communication 144 and 145, as well as with the mobile phone, tablet, or App. One or more smartphone-based vehicle information systems, such as CarPlay BLE antenna 140 and LF antenna 142 to support Bluetooth communication 148 with receiver 150 One or both of the above may be provided.

[0078] FIG. 11 is also essential for all variations of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein. This example illustrates the use of additional components that may or may not be required. First, developers and manufacturing workers need to start or reset the Master Control Unit (MCU) 154. The electrical sensor device 40 also visually indicates that the device 40 is operational. An LED 152 may also be provided for visual indication, and the aforementioned connections may be implemented in development and firmware. FIG. 11 also shows the MCU, BLE, and TPMS units 154 and 156 (MCU and BLE The unit may be provided in the form of an integrated unit) , which are utilized in the exemplary embodiment, are part of the sensor assembly disclosed herein. Other variations that remain within the scope of the body and system may not necessarily be required. In one example, the portable power source 157 may be connected to one or all of the MCU / BLE and TMPS units 154 and 156. The battery is provided in the form of a lithium coin cell battery for powering the vehicle EC. Features a printed circuit board (PCB) and multi-frequency antenna 158 used to communicate with U 146 The electric sensor device 40 is a device that is generally available in wheel shops and tire shops. Communicate extensively with all vehicles globally to reduce inventory as well as manufacturing variability It may have components that support multiple frequencies (i.e., 315 MHz and 433 MHz) that can In addition, the electrical sensor device 40 may also be configured to receive data from the sensor or an external transmitter. A processor (not shown) may be provided for processing the data received wirelessly.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment in which the electrical sensor device 40 comprises several sensors 126, The CU 146 can process data other than temperature and pressure transmitted from the sensor assembly. Therefore, the wireless signal provided by the electrical sensor device is not A second wireless receiver with RF, BLE, or similar capabilities can measure the altitude of a dynamic object, e.g., a tire. However, this specification is not intended to be limiting. In developing the disclosed sensor assembly, automobile manufacturers have been installing sensors for the convenience of their drivers. Integrates the reception of advanced data provided by the sensor assembly to the vehicle ECU The goal is to further enhance the capabilities of autonomous vehicles, which rely almost entirely on transmitted data. Therefore, the system described herein is commonly used in industry today. It can still operate entirely within a single radio communication format (LF / RF).

[0080] In one example, the sensor assembly retainer 14 facilitates secure attachment to the housing 12. and formed from a material that promotes a strong adhesive attachment with the target surface of the vehicle tire. In one example, the material may be one that facilitates mechanical attachment and / or chemical bonding with the housing 12. In one example, the material selected to form the retainer 14 may be The material used to form the housing 12 is preferably a material that prevents the transmission of such forces to the housing 12 and the electrical sensor device 40 disposed therein. minimize or reduce the damage, thereby extending the useful life of the sensor assemblies disclosed herein. The purpose of this is to extend the life of vehicle tires by protecting them from impacts and / or deformations that are commonly encountered. In one example, the retainer 14 may be made of, but is not limited to, a material that can absorb forces. It can be made from materials including EPDM rubber, natural, butyl, or similar rubber compounds; Rubber compounds such as are commonly used in tire patches and are weather, water and grease resistant. It provides heat resistance and acid resistance, and is resistant to temperatures from -50°F to 250°F (approximately -45.5°C to approximately 1 21.1°C), and even higher for motorsport tire applications. Maintain sufficient flexibility over a range of temperature conditions known to

[0081] In one example, the retainer 14 may be formed from a material with shock absorbing properties, thereby improving the conventional As is common in direct TPMS sensor devices, the housing 12 is formed of hard plastic. These materials allow the use of high-quality materials for the housing 12 to reduce manufacturing costs. It would be preferable to form the tire without a separate retainer 14, which facilitates attachment to the vehicle tire. If the retainer 14 could not be formed from a shock absorbing material selected in this way, the rigid housing 12 and The electric sensor device 40 may be damaged or malfunction, or the connection to the tire may be poor. and / or the influence of excessive flexibility of the tire rubber to which the sensor assembly unit is fixed. Naturally, these conditions present functional and safety concerns. Therefore, the features of the sensor assembly disclosed herein address such functional and safety concerns. The material from which the retainer 14 is formed can be selected to minimize, reduce, and / or eliminate It is possible to do this.

[0082] In one example, if the retainer 14 can be coupled to the housing 12, The material selected for the retainer 14 is such that when the housing 12 is chemically bonded to the retainer 14, the retainer 14 is bonded to the housing 12. It is desirable that the material be compatible with the housing 12 to promote the desired bond strength. In the case of a chemical bond between the housing 12 and the One such example is the tire patch and repair industry. Typically, rubber bonding adhesives such as cyanoacrylates, pressure sensitive agents, or chemical vulcanizing agents. To facilitate ease of use, the retainer 14 and housing 12 are each formed from EPDM rubber. It would be desirable to

[0083] Alternatively, if different materials are used to form the retainer 14 and the housing 12, e.g. The retainer 14 is made of EPDM rubber and the housing 12 is made of hard plastic or metal. If formed, the purpose is to provide a mechanical attachment between the retainer 14 and the housing 12. It may be desirable to utilize complementary shapes in the In the example shown in FIG. 1, the attachment of the housing 12 to the retainer 14 is achieved by means of complementary surface features. This may include the use of additional attachment elements such as dowels, screws, or rivets. This will rely on available mechanical fixation techniques.

[0084] The example illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 is inserted into the open chamber 52 or pocket of the retainer 14. The retainer 14 relies on the mechanical fit of the housing 12 to fit into the wall structure of the housing wall structure 34. The retainer 14 of the housing 12 is complementary and relies on contact between complementary adjacent wall structures. In one example, the wall structure 16 accommodates placement and mechanical retention within the and / or to facilitate removal from the defective tire and installation on the replacement tire (e.g. For example, when placed in a tire, the housing 12 and the electrical sensor device 40 therein can be easily The housing 12 is attached using a mechanical attachment so that it can be removed and reused. It is desirable to mount the sensor assembly on the retainer 14. This is because the sensor assembly disclosed herein , when used in tires used in the motorsports industry where tires are changed frequently. This is particularly desirable.

[0085] However, the mechanical connection between the retainer 14 and the housing 12 containing the electrical sensor device 40 is When the retainer 14 is permanently attached to a vehicle tire, for example, it is necessary to This allows the retainer 14 and housing 12 to be moved to another vehicle tire. Although other variations of mechanical fit are available, the "pocket" technique allows for easy installation and removal. The pocket technique is the preferred variant because it does not require the use of tools. , and desirable features of the mechanical attachment configuration of the retainer 14 and housing 12 illustrated in FIG. allows removal of the housing 12 from the retainer 14 without the use of special tools. Furthermore, the retainer 14 may be made of rubber during the manufacturing process of an environmentally friendly tire. In this case, the retainer 14 is permanently attached to the tire. In such cases, the tire cannot be reused in another vehicle. to the retainer 14 of the housing 12 to allow removal of the housing 12 for Mechanical attachment of the

[0086] In one example, the retainer 14 is pre-vulcanized utilizing adhesive layer 160 (shown in FIG. 1). The rubber article 30 is configured to be attached to a target surface, such as a vehicle tire. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive selected to adhere the retainer 14 to the vulcanized rubber article 30 is: Cyanoacrylate, allowing for a permanent rubber bond and fast drying properties that make the adhesive attractive for high volume applications Although the adhesive is a chemical adhesive, other equivalent chemical adhesives or heat vulcanizing adhesives may also be selected. In this case, the bond between the intermediate absorbent layer and the rubber article is intended to be permanent, so The housing 12 may be removed from the retainer 14 or may be reassembled for use in another application. To do this, a pressure sensitive adhesive is used to remove the entire sensor assembly (including the retainer) from the vulcanized rubber article. When the vulcanized rubber article is a vehicle tire, the tire The frequency with which the power supply of the electrical sensor device 40 is replaced is higher than the frequency with which the power supply of the electrical sensor device 40 is replaced due to its lifespan. This allows for the removal and reuse of the housing 12 and the electrical sensor device 40 disposed therein. This feature is particularly important as it facilitates

[0087] For use of the sensor assembly disclosed herein, the sensor assembly 10 is attached to a vulcanized rubber article 30. There are several methods available for attaching the target surface to the The retainer 14 serves as a connection between the rubber article and the housing 12 and the electrical sensor device 40. The retainer 14 is attached to the rubber article through what is called a pre-cure bond or a post-cure bond. 30. In a pre-cured bond, the retainer 14 is attached to the target of the uncured rubber article. The rubber article is attached to the surface and cured together with the rubber article. This is because the rubber article is a vulcanized rubber article. In some cases, it is commonly referred to as an environmentally friendly tire manufacturing process. Different elastomer materials If selected, a heat curing agent may be used to aid in bonding between the uncured retainer 14 and the uncured rubber article. A common variation involves the use of a chemically stable adhesive. Pre-cured bonding technology ensures consistency and quality, making it suitable for mass production.

[0088] However, this pre-cured bonding technique has many disadvantages. Tire manufacturing generally requires the production of new molds because the rubber needs to be vulcanized. In this case, mold production costs can be as high as tens of thousands of dollars, so the return on investment is important. In addition, the retainer 14 is required to be bonded to a spare tire. If this is achieved during the curing process, the sensor assemblies disclosed herein can be used. For example, some rubber article manufacturers may While it is possible to manufacture tires with retainers 14, other rubber tire manufacturers have This would prevent the manufacture of a tire that is not compatible with the sensor assembly control system.

[0089] Therefore, achieving bonding between the retainer 14 and the rubber article 30 in a post-cure process is an alternative. As previously discussed, this is the preferred technique for replacing thermal, chemical, or similar curing adhesives. This can be done permanently using adhesives as well as pressure sensitive adhesives for temporary bonding. In such cases, it is desirable to properly prepare the target surface of the vulcanized rubber article 30 to aid in proper bonding. For new vehicle tires, the target surface may include waxes used in the manufacturing process, It is likely to contain contaminants including oils and mold release agents.

[0090] FIG. 12 illustrates the application of a target adhesive to the inner portion of a vehicle tire 172 by use of a suitable adhesive with a post-cure process. 1 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly 10 mounted on a surface 170. In one example, the sensor assembly 1 Prior to attachment of the target surface 170, the target surface 170 is treated to remove contaminants, and this treatment is carried out Pre-buff, degreaser, acetone, or rubbing alcohol and a clean towel or using cleaning products and / or solvents 174 common in the tire and rubber industry, such as rags 176. Although not necessarily required, a general sandpaper can be used. Use a tool such as a par, stitcher, roughener, or dremel. It is also common to roughen the surface of rubber articles, which can be done with the use of specialized tools such as Considering the use of certain adhesives, such as those common in the retread tire industry, This can be beneficial for bond strength, but other adhesives may not perform as well as desired without this roughening step. When roughening techniques are used, this step generally Afterwards, it is necessary to treat it with the cleaning technology mentioned above. Furthermore, in order to suppress noise, Remove tire insulation foam or similar materials known to be used by truck drivers. It may be necessary to do so.

[0091] One further variation in preparing the target surface 170 involves marking a rubber article. The technique involves a person or machine cleaning and / or roughening the surface to remove the adhesive 160 and the retainer 14. It may be useful in assembly line scenarios where the Alternatively, the rubber article may be required to be in a stage at a particular time. The surface can be cleaned and / or roughened and collected for later application of adhesive 160 and retainer 14. This can be done.

[0092] Further, referring to FIG. 12, the sensor assembly 10 is aligned with the rotational direction of the vehicle tire 172. It is particularly preferred to place the rubber article surface 170 in a specific direction and / or position. In one example, the sensor assembly may be mounted on the tire's outer surface or opposite the tire's tread. The rubber article may be attached to a surface 170 on the inside of the tire, and in certain instances, the attachment surface may be a surface However, the particular area to be monitored may be centered between the opposing side walls of the ear. Depending on specific tire parameters and / or operating conditions, sensor assemblies may be installed at different locations within the tire. In some cases, it may be desirable to attach a solid object. The method of attachment may include marking the rubber article.

[0093] Once the surface of the rubber article has been properly prepared, the retainer 14 and adhesive layer 160 are attached to the vulcanized rubber article. Other factors, such as the adhesive selected and the technician or machine that applies the retainer 14, may affect the bond. Depending on the application, the adhesive layer may be applied to the target surface 170 of the rubber article or the bottom surface 28 of the retainer 14, or both. If the adhesive is pressure sensitive, the adhesive layer can be attached by lamination techniques or the like. It would be preferable to attach the retainer 14 to the bottom surface 28 of the retainer 14. In this case, Adhesive lamination can be performed by an independent party during and after the manufacturing process of the retainer 14. 13, adhesive layer 160 can be removed, for example, by peeling release liner 178 from adhesive layer 160. By peeling the adhesive off to expose the adhesive surface, it can be easily used for attachment to rubber articles. It can be made possible.

[0094] In another example, adhesive layer 160 can be attached directly to the surface of the rubber article. Not limited to, but includes heat activated adhesives, chemical curing adhesives, or two-part epoxy adhesives This approach can be used with almost any adhesive variation, including If the area of ​​the rubber article selected to receive the retainer 14 is clearly defined, or This may be preferable when the adhesive has a low viscosity.

[0095] Once the adhesive layer is attached and the target surface of the rubber article is properly prepared, the retainer 14 and the rubber At this point, the housing 12 and the components disposed therein can be connected to each other. The electrical sensor device 40 may or may not be attached to the retainer 14. If the adhesive selected is heat activated, the adhesive curing process may be performed on the housing 12 and / or Or, the electrical sensor device 40 may require high temperatures exceeding the threshold that it can withstand, so that the housing 12 would preferably not be attached to the retainer 14 during the retainer attachment process. Alternatively, the adhesive selected may require significant pressure to achieve activation and a lasting bond. This pressure may need to be applied to the housing 12 and / or the electrical sensors disposed therein. This may damage the retainer assembly 40, so the retainer 14 should not be attached to the rubber article. The housing 12 should not be attached to the retainer 14 while the retainer is in place. The joining of the rubber article to the nozzle 14, whether by hand or machine, does not require the use of tools. This may not be applicable to the profile of the housing 12. For these and other reasons not mentioned, in the exemplary embodiment, the retainer 14 is The step of attaching the housing 12 to the article is performed without the housing 12 being attached within the retainer 14. It is carried out in the state.

[0096] Alternatively, the rubber article may be glued to the entire sensor assembly (including the housing 12 and the It may be desirable to couple to the retainer 14 which includes an electrical sensor device 40 disposed therein. In this embodiment, the entire sensor assembly 10 is subsequently secured or attached to the housing 12 in the retainer 14. The adhesive can be bonded to the rubber article using a selected adhesive without the need for adhesive. The option is to have the sensor assembly installed by the consumer, minimizing the number of installation steps required. This can be particularly useful when it is desirable to reduce the This option of installing the sensor assembly 10 with the gasket 12 mounted within the retainer 14 allows the user to , by applying pressure to the sensor assembly 10 with a hand 180, for example using hand pressure. As previously indicated, the sensor assembly 10 may alternatively be used in conjunction with a number of operational, mechanical, and / or when the force, temperature, or conditions exceed the range that can be applied by hand. If desired, the rubber article can be attached using a suitable tool.

[0097] As referenced, the sensor assembly housing 12 includes multiple methods, including associated mounting methods. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the housing top cover 2 2 aids in installation, for example, when the sensor assembly 10 is used by attaching it to a rubber article. The display may include an indicator 32 configured to provide a desired installation orientation. This is due to the rotational direction of the tire or the stronger connection with the electrical sensor device 40 disposed within the housing 12. In another variation shown in FIG. The housing top cover 22 is a unique identification used in the setup and function of the sensor assembly 10. This unique identifier allows the receiver to identify the specific vehicle type. The sensor assembly is for use in a sensing system, such as to distinguish one tire from another vehicle tire. Further still, the housing display feature 32 may include an FCC Provide specification information such as ID or similar authentication information for the electrical sensor device contained therein These may be used to determine whether the sensor assembly housing is suitable for its installation and / or use. These are just a few examples of how you can have useful information.

[0098] Once the sensor assembly 10 is attached to the rubber article, the housing 12 and electrical sensor device 40 are The retainer 14 and the rubber article can be removed and reused in another rubber article. This is because the rubber article has a certain life span that is generally shorter than the life span of the power supply of the electrical sensor device 40. This is particularly important when the housing 12 is a vehicle tire. Alternatively, the retainer 14 may be mechanically attached to the retainer 14 and easily removable from the retainer 14. To facilitate reuse of the housing 12 and electrical sensor device 40, a new retainer 14 and The retainer is secured to the new tire using adhesive, or in some cases, the new tire is replaced. The roller already includes a retainer 14 that is pre-cured into a rubber article as described above. In an embodiment, the entire sensor assembly 10, including the retainer 14 and housing 12, is removed from the old tire. and then reassemble the vehicle, for example by reusing the existing adhesive layer or by using a new adhesive layer. The adhesive may be placed on an ear or rubber article.

[0099] The aforementioned mounting method for sensor assemblies, such as for automotive aftermarket use, are selected, thereby allowing workers and consumers to use the sensor assemblies disclosed herein. However, it is desirable to be able to use the Pressure assemblies can also be produced and used during the manufacturing of rubber articles. The company will help mass distribution through traditional sales channels such as tire dealers and large retailers, and This supports the efficiency and quality of the installation of the power assembly. The combination of the sensor assembly 10 with a variation of a rubber article, such as a vehicle tire 190, is described herein. It is intended to be within the scope of the disclosed sensor assembly, and the vehicle tire 190 The sensor assembly 10 can be pre-installed by the method described above.

[0100] Finally, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are suitable for use in vulcanized rubber products such as vehicle tires. Measure, monitor, and / or The sensing system is designed to determine and / or report on the The present invention comprises the aforementioned components and methods, including, but not limited to:

[0101] a housing 12, an electrical sensor device 40 within an interior cavity 38 of the housing 12, and the housing a sensor assembly 10 comprising a retainer 14 to which the sensor 12 is attached;

[0102] · attached to vulcanized rubber articles such as vehicle tires;

[0103] · By means of surface treatment and pre-curing or post-curing adhesive bonding;

[0104] · Communicating with one or more receivers having multiple antennas capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications.

[0105] The exemplary sensor assemblies disclosed herein, as already described above, are dynamic rotational To be attached to an object, more specifically to the inner portion of a pneumatic tire However, the sensor assembly disclosed herein is configured to be mounted on a dynamic rotating object. Attachment to an element, object, or article that is also a dynamic rotating object, which is connected or otherwise It should be understood that the dynamic rotating object may be configured to accommodate a pneumatic tire. In one example, the sensor assembly is mounted on a wheel on which a pneumatic tire is mounted. The valve stem may be configured to be attached to or connected to such a wheel. In either case, the wheel and valve The bus stem is a dynamic rotating element that rotates with the pneumatic tire. In this case, the sensor assembly may be modified to allow for suitable attachment to an alternative surface or object. For example, an adhesive layer may be used to attach the sensor assembly to the substrate. Rather than being attached to the vehicle tire, the sensor assembly is mechanically attached to the valve stem. In another example, if it is mounted at the valve stem, Since the valve stem position is subject to the same deformation as the vehicle tire position, The sensor assembly may be constructed from hard materials that may cause damage to the components. It is understood that all such alternative structures are within the scope of what is disclosed herein.

[0106] 16 to 18 show a dynamic rotating object, such as a pneumatic tire, mounted to rotate with the object. configured to be attached to a wheel or valve stem to which it is attached or otherwise connected 16 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly as disclosed herein, constructed as described above. and a pneumatic tire 206 is mounted. The presently disclosed 2 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly 200. As illustrated, the sensor assembly 220 includes a The tire is exposed to an internal cavity 208 of the tire 206 and is located opposite the outer diameter surface 212 and tread 214 of the tire. The tire is disposed so as to face the inner surface 210 in the radial direction. Exemplary sensor sets disclosed herein configured to include the indicated sensor device elements are 2 illustrates a solid body 220. In this example, the sensor assembly 220 is mounted on a pneumatic tire 228. The valve stem 222 extends through the inner diameter surface 224 of the wheel 226. As illustrated, the sensor assembly 220 is exposed to an interior cavity 230 of the tire 228, radially relative to the tire's outer diameter surface 234 and the tire's inner surface 232 opposite the tread 236 FIG. 18 shows a sensor device including the above-disclosed sensor device elements. 2 illustrates an example sensor assembly 240 as disclosed herein configured. In this example, The sensor assembly 240 is mounted on an inner diameter surface 244 of a wheel 246 on which a pneumatic tire 248 is mounted. 17. Unlike the example illustrated in FIG. The lube extends through an angled portion 250 of the wheel inner diameter surface 244. As shown, the sensor assembly 240 is exposed to the interior cavity 246 of the tire 248 and is mounted on the outer diameter surface 248 of the tire. 52 and radially opposed to the inner surface 250 of the tire opposite the tread 253 Alternatively, the sensor assembly 240 disclosed herein may be located on the wheel and tire. In one such example, the sensor assembly may be configured to be disposed outside the cavity. It may be configured to attach to a portion of the valve stem that extends outwardly from the wheel. , for example, configured to be attached to the valve stem in the form of a valve stem cap or the like. In such a position of the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly is not affected by the Earth's gravity and and orienting the sensor assembly so that it is exposed to radial forces due to the rotation of the dynamic object. The location of the valve cap may still be necessary to allow easy access to the sensor assembly 240. simply enables easy access.

[0107] A sensor assembly configured as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 and installed in a pneumatic tire The volume provides operational parameters and / or conditions of the tire to the sensor assembly. For example, the sensor assembly mounted as illustrated in FIGS. , the Earth's gravity, and the radial force of a rotating object, in this case a pneumatic tire. One or more accelerometers are disposed therein having axes oriented toward tire shape, such as outer, free, or rolling radius / diameter, and / or tread depth, among others This is useful for monitoring

[0108] 16-18 illustrate a method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire according to the present invention for use with a dynamic rotating object such as a pneumatic tire. While alternative placement locations for the sensor assemblies shown are illustrated, the sensor assemblies disclosed herein Bodies and systems may also be considered dynamic rotating objects, whether they are solid or not, e.g. Metal wheels, rubber tires, cushion tires, etc. with internal cavities It should be understood that the present invention is also intended for use in applications other than those described above. In the present specification, the sensor assembly is mounted radially inward from the outer diameter of a rotating dynamic object. , attached to a part of the rotating dynamic object or to another element attached to the rotating dynamic object. Additionally, the sensor assembly can also rotate with the rotating dynamic object, thereby The accelerometer is oriented to sense the Earth's gravity and the radial forces of a dynamic rotating object. The sensing system relies on wireless communication technology to communicate with the electrical sensor devices within the sensor assembly 10. The device 40 relays data, commands, updates, etc. between the device 40 and the receiver(s). Common examples of applicable wireless communications useful in the automotive field and TPMS sensors include Bluetooth Low Energy Modern technologies include BLE (Bandwidthless Energy) and low frequency (LF) radio frequency (RF). These communication methods also enable remote communication with cloud-based systems. The method is used to connect sensors and receivers using multiple antennas.

[0109] Referring back to FIG. 11, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are BLE 148 for communication with the mobile device 150 used by the driver, and later information to the user. Transmitting and receiving RF for LF communications 144 and 145 with vehicle ECU 146 that relays to the keyboard. This duplex communication system allows conventional vehicle computer systems to receive signals without requiring a receiver. For example, conventional TPMS sensors are sensitive to temperature and The vehicle ECU relays the status of the pressure and pressure to the vehicle ECU, which then communicates the pressure to the dashboard or similar interface. However, most vehicles communicate with the driver through signals on the accelerometer data. It cannot receive the status of additional sensors such as sensors and translate this data into meaningful information. It cannot be displayed to the driver either. This is due to the complexity of programming and the limitations of vehicle ECU development. This is a barrier given the fact that control is typically performed by the vehicle manufacturer. The key is for vehicle manufacturers to incorporate advanced tire information into the vehicle ECU and dashboard. However, this change is likely to take several years and will continue to keep pace with technology. Therefore, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are Smartphones, tablets, and other devices that can easily access data using applications B commonly used by other receivers, such as in-vehicle systems like CarPlay To address this limitation, we have incorporated a second form of communication for sensing systems such as LE. It works like this.

[0110] Alternative technologies that rely on only one form of communication, such as RF, are designed to collect and transform information. The key is to use a programmed receiver that requires a cigarette lighter for power. Connect to a power outlet or USB connection, or hardwire into the electrical system of a vehicle, such as a fleet vehicle This can be a vehicle ECU or a third-party receiver, all of which can communicate converting the signal into meaningful information to achieve the objectives of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein. This receiver must then be adapted to the same type of communication, or in some cases In some cases, alternative signals, such as telecommunications like 5G, may be used to transmit data to one or more receivers or cloud services. It can even transmit information to the base system. For example, the sensor assembly can be connected to an RF Then the receiver sends the data to a second receiver using BLE communication, or In some cases, the information can be transmitted to a second receiver via a USB wired connection. There are many combinations that can be generated, and these combinations are still within the scope of the present specification. As shown, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are within the scope of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing system allows the vehicle manufacturer to collect data from the sensor assembly. until we begin incorporating the ability to translate data into meaningful information that drivers and vehicles can trust. It utilizes a duplex wireless communication protocol, which is advantageous in itself.

[0111] This variation of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein can be extended to include sensing systems. The system can also replace traditional TPMS devices. When using a specific vehicle, the specific protocol must be used to ensure proper communication between the sensor and the vehicle. If a protocol is specified, look for the sensor(s). The vehicle must be "trained" to emit signals and assign them to specific tires. The process is often complex and requires specialized tools that can only be performed by wheel and tire specialists. To avoid the sensor re-learning process, one common technique is to Duplicate the ID and / or protocol of the original TPMS sensor and assign it to the new sensor. The duplication process allows the vehicle to transmit RF communications, typically at frequencies of 315 MHz or 433 MHz. Continue identifying the tire using the original unique ID of the sensor. Many TPMS sensors are stock and further incorporates both signaling and multiple protocols to reduce complexity.

[0112] The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are intended as a direct replacement for conventional TPMS sensors. The system uses the same industry standards and techniques to program the sensor assembly for ECU communication. Therefore, the vehicle ECU operates under standard conditions such as temperature and pressure as designed by the OEM. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. In a unique and preferred variation of the disclosed sensor assembly and system, a special receiver is typically used. This shifts programming techniques that rely on RF communication from a receiver to a second technology such as BLE from a mobile device. This can be accomplished by any type of communication. In an exemplary implementation utilizing duplex communication: Vehicle owners can select the vehicle by following the protocol specified during the vehicle selection process on the mobile application. The sensor assembly 10 can be assigned a code information, which is transmitted to the electrical sensor device 40 of the sensor assembly 10 via BLE. The electrical sensor device 40 then programs the protocol and communicates to the ECU via RF. A mobile device or similar device can be used to replicate and program the unique ID of the original TPMS sensor. The information can be sent to the electrical sensor device via BLE for RF communication with the ECU. Through this method, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein can reduce the need for expensive TPMS tools. However, as mentioned above, The receiver (e.g., ECU) receives additional information (e.g., accelerometer data, tread depth results, The device is adapted to receive the weight of the ear, eliminating the need for dual radio communication. While still within the scope of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein.

[0113] The sensor assembly as a system disclosed herein utilizes a unique communication protocol. Beyond that, critical wheel and tire conditions, especially the outside, free, or rolling radius / diameter, and / or tire geometry, such as tread depth, radial load, and alignment. provides a method for assessing critical safety and performance conditions. Traditional approaches use camera systems. Use of mechanical or acoustic measurements to assess tread depth, radial load, and alignment conditions Although the sensor assembly and system disclosed herein clearly show the Raw sensor data from the electrical sensor device 40 is used to assess these conditions.

[0114] The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein can be used to assess these conditions. To do this, accelerometer data and the revolutions per second (RPS) of a particular tire at a given speed are measured. Calculate the shape of the tire, such as its outer, free, or rolling radius / diameter, depending on the technology used to determine the tire. Using known manufacturing specifications for the tire model, the outer, free, or rotating The shape, such as radius / diameter, can also generally indicate the health and remaining life of the tire. or using it to determine tread depth in relation to tire health and remaining life This is possible by using the data from the gyroscope. The tire is free-standing or rotating based on the known location of the sensor assembly within the road and tire. This data can also be used to calculate the radius / diameter etc. The angle and / or toe angle measurements can be calculated to determine changes in alignment. do.

[0115] As previously mentioned, the features of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are to monitor the operating parameters and conditions of dynamic rolling objects, such as tire tread depth FIG. 19 shows a method for detecting a temperature difference using the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for determining the tread depth of a tire. In the first step 300, the sensors are checked to ensure they are set up correctly. Next, in 302, the sensor receives the data and confirms that the tire position has been assigned. Check with the receiver to see if it can be detected by the system. and evaluating information from the sensors to determine tire pressure, and in one example, Check that the tire pressure is within approximately 15 percent of the recommended tire pressure. Step 304 Use the tire pressure setting to ensure it does not affect the resulting tread depth calculation. Or use a correction factor to calculate the tire inflation pressure. The flow chart in Figure 19 shows how to keep tire pressure within a preferred range. This merely provides an example of a system that calculates tread depth by keeping the vehicle within a certain range. , 306, previous data of tire and sensor / API (application programming The system can then more accurately perform its calculations by collecting the data. The necessary tire and vehicle specifications and / or previous measurements or baselines will be available. Next, in 308, the speed / velocity status is calculated as follows: GPS signals from the GPS sensor of the sensor assembly or from the receiver(s) with which the sensor assembly is communicating. Checked by the PS system. If GPS data is provided by the receiver, The raw data and the GPS data must be synchronized accordingly. A receiver is connected to the sensor, and a signal is transmitted from the receiver, such as a mobile phone or a vehicle ECU, at 312. Then, in 314, the sensor is instructed to start collecting mass acceleration data. and speed measurement by a GPS-enabled sensor or an external receiver such as a mobile device or vehicle ECU. The data is collected over a specified test period. Then, at 316, the signal is transmitted from the receiver. 312 to instruct the sensor to transmit the mass acceleration data collected in step 312. Next, at 318, the system applies a filter to the collected mass acceleration data. Then, at 320, the system performs ring processing and Fourier transform processing. The theoretical diameter of the tire is calculated from the acceleration data and the velocity data. The results of step 320 are stored by the system, and the results are evaluated to determine if they are relevant for further analysis. Next, at 324, it is determined whether the diameter tolerance is outside the threshold. In one example, the expected diameter is calculated based on the tire specifications of a known manufacturer and / or It is derived from the previously calculated results. Then, in 326, the remaining results are evaluated and Determine whether these are sufficient for the purposes of further analysis. If the remaining results are deemed insufficient, Once this is done, repeat steps 312 through 326 until the desired sample size for the remaining outcomes is obtained. Repeat. If the remaining results of step 326 are deemed satisfactory, then at 328 the system The system calculates the tread depth from the results and outputs this calculated tread depth. Remembers tread depth.

[0116] It is understood that the exemplary process described above and illustrated in FIG. 19 is within the scope of this disclosure. The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein operate to determine tread depth. Other and / or additional processes, steps, and / or methods may be used. For example, the above process may be used to prepare a tread of a dynamic rolling element. It was developed to monitor the depth of the tread, but for example, the dynamic rotating element In applications where the wheel or tire is a solid, adjusted similar process can be used to reduce the dynamic rotational load. It should be understood that the present invention can be used to monitor the outer, free, or turning radius / diameter of a given object. .

[0117] In the above exemplary process illustrated in FIG. 19, the sensor and / or sensor accelerometer: It is desirable that the sensor include or meet the following desirable criteria: The sensor is mounted in a dynamic rotating object. The sensor has a "two-way" wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth. The sensor is equipped with an accelerometer with a measurement range of approximately 400G or more. The resolution of the accelerometer is approximately 0.1 G or better. The sensor is designed so that the axis of the accelerometer is sensitive to the Earth's gravity and dynamic rotation. The sensor is attached to the body at a position where it should sense radial force. The sensor accelerometer has a measurement frequency of at least about 100 measurements. The sensors are uploaded to a host, e.g., a vehicle, a phone, etc. The acceleration measurement interval of the sensor is, for example, , and is stable to better than 0.001 seconds. The sensor battery is used for collecting measurements and communicating them to the host. These have sufficient power to repeatedly perform the tread depth shown in FIG. Examples of desirable sensor operating parameters for making the decision process, and Operating parameters can and may be varied depending on a variety of factors, Such changes are within the scope of the sensor assembly as a system disclosed herein. It should be understood that is intended.

[0118] As previously mentioned, the features of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are using the dynamic rotating object to calculate the dynamic loads acting on the dynamic rotating object and FIG. 20 illustrates the sensor assembly and system disclosed herein. Illustrates an exemplary method for determining the load of a dynamic object on a pneumatic tire using In the first step 400, the sensor is checked. Ensure the sensor is set up correctly and assigned a tire position. At 402, the sensor is checked to receive the signal from a receiver such as a mobile device or a vehicle ECU. Next, in 404, the sensor is checked to see if it can be detected by the system via wireless communication. It evaluates information from the vehicle to determine tire pressure and assigns a correction factor if necessary. In 406, if a correction factor is needed, the correction factor is retrieved from the system and sent to the sensor. In one example, the correction factor may be based on the classification of the dynamic rotating object, e.g., the radial load. This coefficient is used to adjust the formula for determining the weight. It depends on several factors, but is essentially the expected behavior of an object under radial load. For pneumatic tires, this factor is determined by the tire section width, aspect ratio, wheel size, and This factor is used later to calculate the estimated radial load. This allows for proper consideration of the radial deformation interval, object velocity, and object type being evaluated. For example, large truck tires behave differently than small, high-performance tires ( The deformation interval and speed may be the same for these two tires, but the tire behavior Knowing the (correction factor) allows for proper assessment of the radial load of a given tire.

[0119] Next, at 408, the speed condition is measured by a GPS sensor in the sensor assembly or The GPS data is checked by the GPS system of the receiver(s) that the object is communicating with. If provided by the receiver, the raw data from the sensor and the GPS data must be synchronized accordingly. Next, at 410, the system is connected to the sensor, and at 412, a signal is received from the system. 414 to instruct the sensor to begin collecting mass acceleration data. In this case, a GPS-enabled sensor or an external receiver such as a mobile device or vehicle ECU is used to Velocity data is collected over a specified test period. The signal is then transmitted to the system at 416. 4. The sensor transmits the collected mass acceleration data in step 412. Next, at 418, the system filters the frequencies and identifies peaks. The data is processed to determine the deflection spacing or radial deflection spacing. The deformation interval is the "free radius" or It is defined as the time, length, period, etc., of radial deformation compared to the radius / diameter. Next, at 320, the system processes the deflection interval data, pressure, velocity, and collects the system correction factors. Next, at 322, the system calculates the loads, The calculated loads are output and the determined loads are stored.

[0120] It is understood that the exemplary process described above and illustrated in FIG. 20 is within the scope of this disclosure. The sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein operate to detect a force acting on a rotating object. Other and / or additional processes, steps, and / or methods may be used to determine dynamic object loads. It should be understood that this is just one example of how the method can be used. In a typical process, the sensor and / or sensor accelerometer may be used in a process illustrated in FIG. It is desirable for the sensor assembly to meet the same desired criteria as described above. The body uses sensors to sense the deflection of a rotating object, for example the radial deflection of a tire sidewall. and a rotating object mounted in a dynamic rotating object as disclosed above, which is mounted on a tire for the purpose of It is known that vehicle tire conditions are extreme and no two tire rotations are the same. Even in environments where external factors such as road conditions, temperature, and humidity are controlled, The thermometer and gyroscope data are used to measure pressure and temperature changes within the tire itself, as well as the rubber compound. The sensing system will therefore be subject to complex flow Relies on filters and algorithms and multiple sample sets to perform tire diameter calculations and provide a meaningful assessment of tread depth and alignment.

[0121] In exemplary embodiments, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein are adapted to detect vehicle speed. Start collecting accelerometer sample sets based on the vehicle speed and the mobile device. The application uses GPS speed and algorithms to monitor the sensor assembly It is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a specific speed and for a specific period of time. As the speed is maintained, the accelerometer is activated by the BLE signal and collects a sample set. The raw data is sent back to the mobile device via BLE, where the application The sensor assembly and tire road noise are filtered out, and the fast Fourier transform is used to Mathematical techniques such as fast forward transform (FFT) algorithms are used to convert raw data into tire RPS and diameter. Once the diameter is calculated, the consistency of the individual sample sets is determined. To ensure accuracy, the information is stored and the process is typically repeated multiple times, with the results By repeating the above calculations and taking into account the known tread depth of the particular tire, The specifications are used to determine the tread depth of the tire.

[0122] In another variation, the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein may be configured to determine the position of a tire. This feature is used to transmit information about the vehicle and / or The report focuses on fleet organizations experiencing tire theft and inventory assessments. The key is to be practical.

[0123] Another feature of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein is that they can be used in conjunction with other systems, such as telematics. Ease of storage and access to advanced tire parameters available from the sensing system. An exemplary embodiment is a mobile device connected to the Internet via BLE or RF. The information collected by the sensor assembly will then be in communication with the sensor or receiver. The data can be evaluated and the information can be sent to a database such as the cloud. Over time, this database will expand to include telematics, usage-based insurance (UBI), It can be used for a myriad of regulatory (DOT) and statistical purposes, as well as for future product improvements. In yet another embodiment, the technology can be used by tire companies and automobile manufacturers to The information transmitted by the sensor assembly is used to adjust operating conditions and improve overall safety and performance. The signal is received by the autonomous vehicle's ECU for

[0124] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles of the sensor assemblies and systems disclosed herein. However, such a sensor assembly may be The bodies and systems should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the above-discussed embodiments will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above embodiments should be considered as illustrative rather than limiting. Variations of these embodiments are encompassed by the sensor assemblies and methods defined by the following claims. It is understood that this can be done by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. .

[0125] For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be performed in any order. Furthermore, any of the functions or steps may be performed in any order, and are not limited to the order shown. may be outsourced to one or more third parties or may be performed by a third party The systems, devices, and methods described herein may be modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The methods may be changed, added, or omitted. For example, the components of the system and the device may be integrated. Furthermore, the operation of the systems and devices disclosed herein may be The operations may be performed by more, fewer, or other components, and the methods described may be performed by other components. , more, fewer, or other steps. In addition, the steps may include any As used herein, "each" refers to each member of a set or refers to each member of a subset of a set. Furthermore, any reference to the singular Any reference to a plurality of elements may include a singular embodiment. Although advantages are enumerated herein, various embodiments may include none of the enumerated advantages or may include all of the enumerated advantages. may include some or all of them.

[0126] In the detailed description herein, the terms "in various embodiments," "various embodiments," References to "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," etc., are intended to refer to the implementation described. Although aspects may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, not all embodiments may include particular features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily include the structure or characteristics of the Furthermore, even if a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is implemented, it does not necessarily mean that the same embodiment is implemented. When described in connection with an embodiment, it is understood that other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described, may also be used. It is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such features, structures, or characteristics in a similar manner. Upon reading this description, one skilled in the art(s) will be able to translate the present disclosure into alternative implementations. It will be clear how to implement this in an embodiment.

Claims

1. 1. A sensor assembly configured to be attached to a rotating object in use, comprising: a housing having an exterior surface and an enclosed interior cavity within the housing; an electrical sensor device disposed within the internal cavity to prevent movement of the electrical sensor device within the internal cavity; the electrical sensor device mounted in an object, and information about the surroundings, orientation, and / or position when the object is rotated during use. the electrical sensor device configured to sense, transmit, and / or receive; a retaining member configured to accommodate attachment of the housing to the retaining member; configured to be mounted to rotate with the object when the object is rotated during use the retaining member having an outer surface formed thereon.

2. The outer surface of the housing is configured to be a surface that is shaped to allow the user to see when the housing is attached to the holding member.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, comprising one or more indicating features or indicia visible to the naked eye.

3. The housing includes a top cover, a wall structure, and a base portion that define the interior cavity. the top cover, the wall structure, and the base may be formed from the same material; or One or more of the top cover, the wall, and the base may be formed from different materials.

10. The sensor set of claim 1, wherein the number of sensors may be separate from each other or may be integrated. Three-dimensional.

4. One of the top cover and the base portion is adapted to install the electrical sensor device in the internal cavity. removably attached to the wall structure to facilitate placement and / or removal from the interior cavity. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is mounted.

5. The electrical sensor device contacts the electrical sensor device to maintain its position within the internal cavity. and attached within the internal cavity by one or more surface features within the internal cavity that 10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein there is free space above and below the electrical sensor device within the internal cavity. Three-dimensional.

6. The electrical sensor device detects the internal cavity of the housing during the manufacturing process of the housing. The electrical sensor device is enclosed within a cavity, the enclosure being adapted to maintain the position of the electrical sensor device within the housing. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly functions as follows:

7. The housing and the holding member are configured to facilitate attachment of the housing to the holding member.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to have a complementary shape for coupling the sensor to the sensor.

8. The housing includes a wall structure surrounding the internal cavity, and the retaining member is an opening configured to receive a wall structure of the housing therein and provide attachment thereto; 8. The sensor assembly of claim 7, comprising a wall structure having a release chamber.

9. The retaining member is formed from an elastomeric material, and the elastomeric material is attached to the object, and when the housing is attached to the holding member, 10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly reduces transmission of impact forces from the housing to the sensor assembly.

10. The housing has an opening through the exterior surface to the interior cavity, and the electrical cell a filter positioned to filter air entering the internal cavity before it reaches the sensor device; The sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

11. 10. A sensing system comprising the sensor assembly of claim 1, the sensor assembly being external to the object; and a receiver configured to receive data from the electrical sensor device by wireless communication. The sensing system comprising:

12. the electrical sensor device having an acceleration sensor connected thereto, the electrical sensor device comprising: configured to wirelessly transmit data from the acceleration sensor to an external receiver.

12. The sensing system according to claim 11.

13. The object is a vehicle tire, and the tire diameter, tire tread depth, tire radius, one selected from the group consisting of: wheel load, vehicle camber and / or toe alignment; Alternatively, the plurality of parameters may be measured in the radial direction of the vehicle tire using an acceleration sensor.

13. The sensing system of claim 12, wherein the signal is determined from the signal.

14. one of the diameter of the tire, the tread depth of the tire, and the radial load of the tire; or more are determined from data including the specific rotational speed of the tire at a given vehicle speed 14. The sensing system of claim 13.

15. The object is a vehicle tire, and the radial load applied to the tire is calculated using a correction factor. , determined from data including radial deformation spacing.

16. The sensing system of claim 11 , wherein the electrical sensor device comprises a global positioning device.

17. The object is a vehicle tire, and the position of the vehicle tire is provided by the global positioning device.

17. The sensing system of claim 16, wherein the sensing system is determined from provided information.

18. The sensing system of claim 11 , wherein the electrical sensor device comprises a gyroscope.

19. The object is a vehicle tire, and information from the gyroscope is used to determine the tire's Alignment, tire direction, tire radial load, and tire tread depth 19. The sensing system of claim 18, wherein one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: Hmm.

20. The electrical sensor device comprises: a printed circuit board containing electrical circuits; a portable power source for powering the electrical sensor device; at least one sensor element; and a sensor for receiving information from the electrical sensor device and / or transmitting information to the electrical sensor device; 10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, comprising an antenna for detecting a temperature difference between the sensor and the antenna.

21. 21. The electrical sensor device of claim 20, wherein the electrical sensor device comprises a memory element and / or a processor. The sensor assembly.

22. the electrical sensor device comprises one or both of an acceleration sensor and a global positioning device. The sensor assembly of claim 20.

23. The sensor element may detect air pressure, temperature, acceleration of the environment, the sensor assembly, or the object. and configured to sense one or more variables selected from the group consisting of orientation or position.

21. The sensor assembly of claim 20.

24. the object is a vulcanized rubber vehicle tire, and the retaining member is attached to the inner surface of the vehicle tire, or 21. The tire of claim 20, wherein the tire is attached to an element that rotates with the tire. The sensor assembly.

25. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the retaining member is attached to a wheel on which the tire is mounted.

25. The sensor assembly according to claim 24.

26. The retaining member is attached to a valve stem of a wheel on which the tire is mounted.

25. The sensor assembly of claim 24.

27. After the vehicle tire is vulcanized, the holding member is attached to the vehicle tire by an adhesive layer.

25. The sensor assembly of claim 24, wherein the sensor assembly is attached to an interior surface.

28. 1. A sensor assembly and sensing system for use with an object that rotates in use, comprising: a housing having an exterior structure defining an open interior cavity therein; an electrical sensor device disposed within the internal cavity; The cavity has one or more surface features fixed therein, and the surrounding configured to monitor and transmit and / or receive information regarding status, orientation, and / or location Is: Portable power supply; sensors; and Transmitting and / or receiving information related to the operating parameter being monitored by the sensor. the electrical sensor device comprising an antenna for receiving a signal; attached to the surface of the object or to an element connected to the object so as to rotate with the object in use. a retaining member having an outer surface configured to be attached to the housing; to accommodate placement of a portion of the housing therein to provide attachment therebetween. the retaining member configured as follows: a sensor configured to wirelessly receive information from the electrical sensor device, the sensor being external to the vehicle tire; the sensor assembly and sensing system comprising a receiver.

29. 30. The electrical sensor device of claim 28, further comprising an external transmitter for wirelessly transmitting information to the electrical sensor device. Sensor assemblies and sensing systems.

30. The housing has a wall structure having a first axial end including a top cover; and a base portion in a second axial direction opposite the wall structure, an open chamber defined in the housing, the open chamber being adapted to insert the housing into the retaining member; and a wall structure of the housing to accommodate the placement of the retaining member and attachment thereto.

30. The sensor assembly and sensing system of claim 28, configured to:

31. One of the top cover and the bottom is formed separately from the wall, and the electrical sensor device is 30. The sensor of claim 28, wherein the sensor is attached to the wall after being installed within the interior cavity of the housing. Sensor assembly and sensing system.

32. When disposed within the internal cavity, there is free space above and below the electrical sensor device.

29. The sensor assembly and sensing system of claim 28.

33. The retaining member is formed from an elastomeric material, and the elastomeric material is attached to the object. The impact force received from the object when attached is transmitted to the holding member.

30. The sensor assembly and sensing system of claim 28, wherein the sensor assembly and sensing system is mitigated before reaching the housing.

34. The electrical sensor device includes an acceleration sensor, and outputs data from the acceleration sensor to an external receiver.

29. The sensor assembly and sensing system of claim 28, wherein the sensor assembly and sensing system are configured to wirelessly transmit data. Tem.

35. The object is a vehicle tire, and the system detects the tire diameter, tire tread depth, , radial tire load, and vehicle camber and / or toe alignment. and determining one or more parameters from the acceleration sensor data.

35. The sensor assembly and sensing system of claim 34.

36. The object is a vehicle tire, and the system detects a particular rotation of the tire at a given vehicle speed. The tire diameter, tire tread depth, and tire radial load are calculated from data including the rolling speed.

35. The sensor assembly and sensor of claim 34, configured to determine one or more of the weights. Knowledge system.

37. 29. The sensor assembly and sensor of claim 28, wherein the electrical sensor device comprises a global positioning device. Knowledge system.

38. the object is a vehicle tire, and the system is provided by the global positioning device; 38. The sensor set of claim 37 configured to determine a position of a vehicle tire from the information obtained. Stereoscopic and sensing systems.

39. 29. The sensor assembly and sensor of claim 28, wherein the electrical sensor device comprises a gyroscope. Knowledge system.

40. The object is a vehicle tire, and information from the gyroscope is used to determine the tire's One of alignment, tire orientation, tire radial load, and tire tread depth 40. The sensing system of claim 39, wherein the or a plurality of is determined.

41. A method for using a sensor assembly and sensing system on an object that rotates during use. ： placing an electrical sensor device within the interior cavity of the housing; has an exterior structure defining the interior cavity, and the electrical sensor device comprises a sensor, a portable power source, providing an antenna, a printed circuit board, and associated electrical circuitry; a step of attaching the housing to the holding member after the step of placing the housing on the holding member, The support member is configured for attachment to the housing by mechanical or bonding techniques. wherein the retaining member is connected to the object before or after formation of the object; and monitoring an operational parameter of the object using the electrical sensor device; Information relating to an operating parameter is transmitted from the electrical sensor device to a receiver external to the sensor assembly. the step of wirelessly transmitting the information to a receiver.

42. During the installing step, the housing comprises a wall structure having an opening; An electrical sensor device is installed through the opening, and after the installing step, the top cover or 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the opening is closed by attaching a bottom to the opening. 。

43. During the step of installing, the electrical sensor device is connected to the internal space. and attached to a predetermined position within the internal cavity by contact between the surface and one or more surface features within the cavity.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein

44. The object is formed from vulcanized rubber, and prior to the attaching step, the holding member is after the object is formed, it is attached to the object or to an element that rotates with the object.

41. The method described in 41.

45. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the retaining member is attached to the surface of the object through the use of an adhesive layer. How to post.

46. After the step of attaching the housing to the holding member, the holding member may 46. ​​The method of claim 45, wherein the

47. Once the holding member is in contact with the surface of the object, manual pressure is applied to the holding member to the retention member is attached to the object such that the adhesive layers form a bond therebetween; 46. ​​The method of claim 45.

48. The object is a vehicle tire, and the retaining member is attached to an inner surface of the vehicle tire.

45. The method of claim 44,

49. The retaining member is mechanically attached to an element that is connected to the object and rotates with the object.

45. The method of claim 44,

50. During the attaching step, the housing is attached to the display.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising positioning relative to the holding member according to a function.

51. During the monitoring step, the sensor detects one or more of an operating state, an orientation, and a position. and transmitting information related to the monitored operating parameters to the antenna. and the electrical device receives the information transmitted from the external device.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the method is configured to modify one or more functions of the electrical sensor device. How to post.

52. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the electrical sensor device of the sensor assembly comprises an acceleration sensor.

53. The object is a vehicle tire, and during the monitoring step, the outer diameter of the tire, tread depth, tire radial load, and vehicle camber and / or toe alignment One or more of the parameters of the device are determined from information wirelessly transmitted from the sensor assembly.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein

54. The object is a vehicle tire, and during the monitoring step, the outer diameter of the tire, One or more of the tread depth and radial load of the tire are 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the rotational speed is determined from information relating to a particular rotational speed of the

55. the object is a vehicle tire, the electrical sensor device comprises a global positioning device, and the tire The step of monitoring the location of the vehicle is determined from information provided by a global positioning device.

42. The method of claim 41.

56. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the electrical sensor device comprises a gyroscope.

57. The object is a vehicle tire, and information from the gyroscope is used to determine the tire's One of alignment, tire orientation, tire radial load, and tire tread depth 57. The sensing system of claim 56, wherein the or a plurality of is determined.

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