Articulating TPMS Sensor Mounting for Variable Wheel Rim Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) face challenges in achieving a secure and accurate fit on various wheel rim geometries due to differences in cross-sectional shapes, leading to less reliable sensor measurements under load.
Innovation Solution
The TPMS features a sensor housing with adjustable angular positioning and a connection part that includes a ball head screw and concave valve mating surface, allowing for secure attachment to different wheel rim configurations through a wide range of angles, ensuring proper contact and preventing rotation during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor housing uses a fixed angular configuration, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different wheel rim geometries and cross-sectional shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing incorporates a ball and socket articulating mechanism that enables dynamic angular adjustment. The ball head fits within a socket portion, allowing the housing to articulate and adapt to different wheel rim geometries and cross-sectional shapes while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection part is divided into separable components including a ball head, socket portion, and elongated opening that accepts a fastener. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component while enabling adjustable angular positioning relative to the valve stem
2Measurement precision
If the sensor housing is properly seated on the rim well, then measurement accuracy is high, but it requires precise angular configuration and specific housing shape that may not fit all rim types
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating ball and socket mechanism enables the sensor housing to dynamically adjust its angular position to achieve proper seating on various rim well geometries, ensuring firm contact and accurate pressure measurements across different wheel rim types
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing design with adjustable angular positioning provides universal compatibility with multiple wheel rim geometries and cross-sectional shapes, allowing a single housing design to function properly across diverse automotive applications
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve and wheel geometries are fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but they may prevent proper seating of the sensor housing on the rim well
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable angular positioning mechanism compensates for variations in fixed valve and wheel geometries, allowing the sensor housing to achieve reliable seating on the rim well despite standardization constraints in automotive manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A tire monitoring apparatus comprises a sensor housing having a connection part integrated with the sensor housing, the connection part having an elongated opening and a corresponding mounting feature in a wheel rim, wherein a screw extends through the elongated opening and connects with the corresponding mounting feature in the wheel rim, thereby when the screw is not tightened fully, the sensor housing can be rotated with respect to the corresponding mounting feature in the wheel rim, and when the screw is tightened fully, the sensor housing is secured in place and does not rotate with respect to the corresponding mounting feature in the wheel rim.