Device for fixing a sensor to a tire

Abstract

Device for fixing a sensor (2) to a tire, which device comprises at least one base (1) provided with a housing (1a) adapted to at least partially house a first portion of at least one sensor (2) for tires, and at least one cover (3) adapted to at least partially house a second portion of the sensor (2), wherein the cover (3) comprises at least one seat (3a) adapted to at least partially house the base (1), wherein the cover (3) comprises at least one first portion (3b) which is adapted to at least partially surround the seat (3a) of the cover (3) and at least one second portion (3c) which is adapted to at least partially surround the second portion of the sensor (2), wherein the base (1) comprises at least one support surface (1b) on one side of the base (1) opposite to the housing (1a), wherein the first portion (3b) of the cover (3) comprises at least one support surface (3e) on one side of the cover (3) opposite to the seat (3a) of the cover (3), wherein the base (1) and / or the cover (3) comprise one or more protuberances (1e; 3k) configured to engage one or more recesses (3j; 3n; 1f) obtained in the cover (3) and / or in the base (1), respectively, so that when the base (1) is inserted into the seat (3a) of the cover (3), 15 these protuberances (1e; 3k) engage the respective recesses (3j; 3n; 1f) with a form fit.

Description

[0001] Device for fixing a sensor to a tire

[0002] Technical field of description

[0003] This description relates to a device for fixing a sensor to a tire, in particular inside a tire to measure its temperature and / or pressure.

[0004] Background of the description

[0005] Document WO 2022 / 214988 A2 describes a device for fixing a sensor to a tire according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is relatively complex to manufacture and apply inside a tire with the related sensor, especially in mass production.

[0006] Summary of the description

[0007] The object of this description is therefore to provide a device free from such drawbacks. This object is achieved with a device, the main characteristics of which are specified in the attached claims, to be considered an integral part of this description.

[0008] Thanks to particular protuberances and recesses in the cover and / or in the base, the device according to the present description can be easily manufactured, assembled and applied in a tire, even manually, thus making its application more reliable and faster than that of the said known device.

[0009] Thanks to special slots in the cover, the device has a greater resistance to wear than the known device, especially in the upper portion of the cover.

[0010] Thanks to its particular configuration, the cover of the device offers a relatively larger contact surface than that of the known device, thus improving the adhesion of the device to the tire, especially if the protuberances have a surface substantially aligned with the contact surface of the cover.

[0011] Protuberances, recesses, windows, slits and / or grooves of the base and / or of the cover are preferably arranged substantially on the same plane and / or in a substantially mirror-like and / or perpendicular manner with respect to this plane, so as to improve the adaptation of the device to the curvature of the internal surface of the tire.

[0012] Brief description of the drawings Further advantages and features of the device according to the present description will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of some embodiments, to be considered as non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the device comprising a sensor; figure 2 is section ll-ll of figure 1; figure 3 is a top view of the device of figure 1 ; figure 4 is a bottom view of the device of figure 1 ; figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the cover of the device of figure 1 ; figure 6 is a side view of the base of the device of figure 1 ; figure 7 is a front view of the base of figure 6; figure 8 is a top view of the base of figure 6; figure 9 is section IX- IX of figure 8; figure 10 is a front view of a second embodiment of the device comprising a sensor; figure 11 is section XI-XI of figure 10; figure 12 is a top view of the device of figure 10; figure 13 is a bottom view of the device of figure 10; figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the cover of the device of figure 10; figure 15 is a side view of the base of the device of figure 10; figure 16 is a front view of the base of figure 15; figure 17 is a top view of the base of figure 15; figure 18 is section XVIII-XVI II of figure 17; figure 19 is a front view of a third embodiment of the device without the sensor; figure 20 is section XX-XX of figure 19; figure 21 is a top view of the device of figure 19; figure 22 is a bottom view of the device of figure 19; figure 23 is a longitudinal section of the cover of the device of figure 19; figure 24 is a side view of the base of the device of figure 19; figure 25 is a front view of the base of figure 24; figure 26 is a top view of the base of figure 24; figure 27 is section XXVII-XXVII of figure 26; figure 28 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the device without the sensor; figure 2 9 is section XXIX-XXIX of figure 28; figure 30 is a top view of the device of figure 28; figure 31 is a bottom view of the device of figure 28; figure 32 is a longitudinal section of the cover of the device of figure 28; figure 33 is a side view of the base of the device of figure 28; figure 34 is a front view of the base of figure 33; figure 35 is a top view of the base of figure 33; figure 36 is section XXXVI-XXXVI of figure 35.

[0013] Exemplary embodiments

[0014] As shown in figures 1 to 9, a first embodiment of the device comprises at least one base 1 provided with a housing 1a adapted to at least partially house a first portion (lower in the figures) of at least one sensor 2 (shown with dotted lines in figure 2) for tires, and at least one cover 3 adapted to at least partially house a second portion (upper in the figures) of the sensor 2. The cover 3 comprises at least one seat 3a adapted to house at least partially, in particular completely, the base 1 , so that the sensor 2 can be arranged between the base 1 and the cover 3.

[0015] The sensor 2 may comprise a container, for example with a substantially cylindrical or truncated conical shape, having a protuberance 2a obtained on a base thereof (upper in the figures), in particular to house an antenna for transmitting radio signals. The sensor 2 may also comprise a temperature sensor and an electrical energy source, so that the sensor 2 can measure the temperature and / or pressure in a tire and transmit the measured values to the outside of the tire through the antenna arranged in the protuberance 2a.

[0016] The base 1 comprises at least one support surface 1 b on one side of the base 1 opposite the housing 1a of the base 1 . The support surface 1 b of the base 1 is adapted to be joined to an internal surface of a tire, in particular it is flat. The base 1 may comprise at least one groove 1 c which is open towards the support surface 1 b, and / or one or more notches 1 d open towards the housing 1a and preferably arranged on a plane C passing through the groove 1c and / or substantially perpendicular to the support surface 1 b.

[0017] The cover 3 comprises at least one first portion 3b which is adapted to surround at least partially, in particular completely, the seat 3a of the cover 3 and at least a second portion 3c which is adapted to at least partially surround the second portion of the sensor 2.

[0018] The first portion 3b of the cover 3 comprises at least one peripheral extension 3d which surrounds at least partially, in particular completely, the first portion 3b of the cover 3, and at least one support surface 3e on one side of the cover 3 opposite the seat 3a of the cover 3. The support surface 3e of the cover 3 is adapted to be joined to an internal surface of a tire, in particular it is flat. The peripheral extension 3d comprises in particular at least one fin which tapers towards the outside of the cover 3.

[0019] The support surface 1 b of the base 1 and the support surface 3e of the cover 3 are preferably arranged substantially on a same plane P when the base 1 is arranged in the seat 3a of the cover 3.

[0020] The cover 3 may comprise at least one third portion 3f which at least partially covers the second portion 3c of the cover 3 and the sensor 2, when the latter is arranged under the cover 3. One or more openings 3g may be obtained in the second portion 3c and / or in the third portion 3f of the cover 3. In particular, the cover 3 comprises at least two openings 3g obtained between the second portion 3c and the third portion 3f, so as to house portions of the protuberance 2a of the sensor 2 in the openings 3g.

[0021] The cover 3 may comprise at least one fourth portion 3h which protrudes outward from the third portion 3f of the cover 3 and / or is arranged between the two openings 3g. The fourth portion 3h of the cover 3 forms in particular a bridge which connects two parts of the third portion 3f of the cover 3, so as to cover at least one portion of the protuberance 2a of the sensor 2.

[0022] The first portion 3b of the cover 3 may comprise one or more grooves 3i which are open towards the support surface 3e. Preferably, the grooves 3i are rectilinear and / or oriented towards the centre of the support surface 3e. The ends of the grooves 3i are preferably open towards the seat 3a and / or towards the peripheral extension 3d. Preferably, the grooves 3i are arranged on a plane C substantially perpendicular to the support surface 3e.

[0023] In use, the device also comprising the sensor 2 is applied manually or by means of an applicator to an inner surface of a tire, so that the planes C of the base 1 and / or the cover 3 are substantially parallel to the axis of the tire, i.e. with the groove 1 c of the base 1 and / or the grooves 3i of the cover 3 arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the tire. For this purpose, a layer of adhesive is applied to the contact surfaces 1b, 3e of the base 1 and of the cover 3 prior to application of the device in the tire.

[0024] The base 1 , the housing 1a, the seat 3a, the first portion 3b, the second portion 3c and / or the perimeter extension 3d preferably have a substantially prismatic or tapered shape, in particular a truncated pyramid, more particularly a truncated pyramid with a substantially octagonal section. Base 1 and cover 3 are made of an elastomer, in particular rubber.

[0025] The base 1 and / or the cover 3 comprise one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more recesses formed respectively in the cover 3 and / or in the base 1 , so that when the base 1 is inserted into the seat 3a of the cover 3, these protuberances engage with a form-fit the respective recesses to retain the base 1 in the seat 3a of the cover 3.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the base 1 comprises one or more protuberances 1e, preferably two opposing pairs of protuberances 1e, which protrude from the base 1. The seat 3a of the cover 3 comprises one or more recesses 3j, preferably two opposing pairs of recesses 3j, suitable for housing these protuberances 1e. The position of the protuberances 1e in the recesses 3j is shown with dotted lines in figure 5. The protuberances 1e of the base 1 preferably comprise a tooth inclined so as to slide during the insertion of the base 1 into the seat 3a of the cover 3 and to engage an edge of a recess 3j of the seat 3a when the base 1 is inserted into the seat 3a of the cover 3. The recesses 3j may be formed by a slot in the cover 3 connecting the seat 3a of the cover 3 with the outside of the cover 3 and / or by a groove 3i of the cover 3. In particular, the protuberances 1e and / or the recesses 3j of each pair are arranged on the two sides of the plane C.

[0027] The cover 3 preferably comprises one or more slits 3m which are arranged on the plane C and / or extend from the first portion 3b to the second portion 3c of the cover 3, in particular from a pair of recesses 3j. The end of a slit 3m in the first portion 3b of the cover 3 is preferably open towards said pair of recesses 3j. The distance between the end of a slit 3m in the second portion 3c of the cover 3 and the third portion 3f of the cover 3 is substantially equal to the width of the slit 3m. The slits 3m of the cover 3 are preferably aligned with the grooves 3i of the cover 3.

[0028] When viewed from the side, as shown in figure 5, the grooves 3i, the recesses 3j and the slit 3m of the cover 3 form an inverted Latin cross.

[0029] Preferably, the base 1 does not include any perimeter extension, such as that described and illustrated in document WO 2022 / 214988 A2, which at least partially surrounds the first portion 1 b of base 1 .

[0030] As shown in figures 10 to 18, a second embodiment of the device is substantially the same as the first embodiment, with the difference that the protuberances 1e are smaller and engage an edge (lower in the figures) of a recess formed by a window 3n which is open towards the outside of the cover 3 and / or extends from the first portion 3b to the second portion 3c of the cover 3, in particular from a groove 3i of the cover 3.

[0031] As shown in figures 19 to 27, a third embodiment of the device is substantially the same as the first embodiment, with the difference that the cover 3 comprises one or more protuberances 3k that protrude into the seat 3a to engage one or more recesses 1f obtained in the base 1. In particular, the protuberances 3k of the cover 3 comprise two opposing tongues that have a surface (lower in the figures) substantially aligned with the support surface 3e of the cover 3, i.e. with the plane P, and / or that are arranged in a substantially specular and / or perpendicular manner with respect to the plane C. In particular, the recesses 1f of the base 1 comprise two recesses that have a shape substantially complementary to the protuberances 3k and / or are open towards the support surface 1b of the base 1 and / or are arranged in a substantially specular and / or perpendicular manner with respect to the plane C.

[0032] As shown in figures 28 to 36, a fourth embodiment of the device is substantially the same as the third embodiment, except that the cover 3 includes two windows 3n identical to those of the second embodiment, instead of the slots 3j and the slit 3m of the cover 3 of the third embodiment.

[0033] Further embodiments of the device may comprise a cover and a base comprising both protuberances and corresponding recesses, for example both the protuberances 1e, 3k and the recesses 3j, 1f.

[0034] Variations or additions may be made by those skilled in the art to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, while remaining within the scope of the following claims. In particular, further embodiments may comprise the technical characteristics of one of the following claims with the addition of one or more technical characteristics described in the text or illustrated in the drawings, taken individually or in any mutual combination.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms used in the text and / or drawings are to be understood as inclusive terms, unless otherwise specified, so for example the terms “a”, “the”, “comprising”, “including a”, “having two” or “provided with” mean respectively “at least one”, “at least the”, “comprising, but not limited to”, “including at least one”, “having two or more” or “provided with at least one”.

[0036] Angles, proportions and values cited in the text and / or shown in the drawings include a tolerance of at least 5%, unless otherwise specified.

Claims

Claims1. Device for fixing a sensor (2) to a tire, which device comprises at least one base (1) provided with a housing (1a) adapted to at least partially house a first portion of at least one sensor (2) for tires, and at least one cover (3) adapted to at least partially house a second portion of the sensor (2), wherein the cover (3) comprises at least one seat (3a) adapted to at least partially house the base (1), wherein the cover (3) comprises at least one first portion (3b) which is adapted to at least partially surround the seat (3a) of the cover (3) and at least one second portion (3c) which is adapted to at least partially surround the second portion of the sensor (2), wherein the base (1) comprises at least one support surface (1b) on one side of the base (1) opposite to the housing (1a), wherein the first portion (3b) of the cover (3) comprises at least one support surface (3e) on one side of the cover (3) opposite to the seat (3a) of the cover (3), characterized in that the base (1) and / or the cover (3) comprise one or more protuberances (1e; 3k) configured to engage one or more recesses (3j; 3n; 1f) obtained in the cover (3) and / or in the base (1), respectively, so that when the base (1) is inserted into the seat (3a) of the cover (3), these protuberances (1e; 3k) engage the respective recesses (3j; 3n; 1f) with a form fit.

2. Device according to the previous claim, wherein the base (1) comprises one or more protuberances (1e) protruding from the base (1) and the seat (3a) of the cover (3) comprises one or more recesses (3j; 3n) suitable to accommodate these protuberances (1e).

3. Device according to the previous claim, wherein the base (1) comprises two opposing pairs of protuberances (1e) and / or the seat (3a) of the cover (3) comprises two opposing pairs of recesses (3j), wherein the protuberances (1e) and / or the recesses (3j) of each pair are arranged on the two sides of a plane (C) substantially perpendicular to the support surface (1b) of the base (1) and / or to the support surface (3e) of the cover (3).

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protuberances (1e) of the base (1) comprise a tooth inclined so as to slide during the insertion of the base (1) into the seat (3a) of the cover (3) and to engage an edge of a recess (3j; 3n) of the seat (3a) when the base (1) is inserted into the seat (3a) of the cover (3).

5. Device according to one of the previous claims, wherein the recesses (3j; 3n) are formed by a slot (3j) or a window (3n) in the cover (3) which connects the seat (3a) of the cover(3) with the outside of the cover (3) and / or with a groove (3i) of the cover (3) which is open towards the support surface (3e) of the cover (3).

6. Device according to one of the previous claims, wherein the cover (3) comprises at least one slit (3m) extending from the first portion (3b) to the second portion (3c) of the cover (3).

7. Device according to the previous claim, wherein the end of the slit (3m) in the first portion (3b) of the cover (3) is open towards one or more of said recesses (3j).

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the distance between the end of the slit (3m) in the second portion (3c) of the cover (3e) and a third portion (3f) of the cover (3) which at least partially covers the second portion (3c) of the cover (3) is substantially equal to the width of the slit (3m).

9. Device according to one of the previous claims, wherein the cover (3) comprises one or more protuberances (3k) which protrude into the seat (3a) of the cover (3) to engage one or more recesses (1f) obtained in the base (1).

10. Device according to the previous claim, wherein the protuberances (3k) of the cover (3) comprise two opposing tongues which have a surface substantially aligned with the support surface (3e) of the cover (3) and wherein the recesses (1f) of the base (1) comprise two recesses which are open towards the support surface (1b) of the base (1).11 . Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the window (3n), the slit (3m) and / or the groove (3i) of the cover (3) are arranged on a plane (C) substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface (3e) of the cover (3).

12. Device according to one of the previous claims, wherein the base (1) does not comprise any perimeter extension which at least partially surrounds the first portion (1b) of the base (1).

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