Deformable Connecting Member for Secure Tire Sensor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire monitoring systems are not safe and reliable, as the electronic units can be easily removed and substituted, leading to falsification of data used for vehicle safety and control systems, compromising safety and integrity.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece connecting member that encloses the electronic unit and is deformable between insertion and retaining conditions, preventing extraction once fastened to the tire's inner surface, ensuring the unit remains securely attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic unit is mounted on the inner surface of the tyre by means of a connecting member, then the electronic unit can be installed and secured to the tyre, but the electronic unit can be removed and substituted, compromising data integrity and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member is divided into two functional parts: a first base portion that fastens to the tyre inner surface and a second base portion that secures the electronic unit, separated by a separation region. This segmentation allows the connecting member to provide both secure attachment and irreversible constraint, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and prevention of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic unit is housed within a cavity formed by the housing portion of the connecting member, which encloses the electronic unit like a nested structure. This nesting provides both protection and constraint, making removal difficult while maintaining secure installation.
2Reliability
If the electronic unit is securely constrained to prevent removal, then data integrity is maintained, but the insertion and installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member merges multiple functions into a single one-piece structure: fastening to the tyre, housing the electronic unit, and preventing removal. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining the constraint function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member is designed to be deformable between an insertion condition (when base portions are not fastened) and a retaining condition (when base portions are fastened). This dynamic behavior allows easy insertion during installation but provides strong constraint during operation, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and constraint strength.
3Reliability
If a one-piece connecting member with housing portion is used, then the electronic unit is prevented from extraction in any direction, but the manufacturing and installation process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member incorporates a flexible housing portion that can deform during insertion and installation. This flexibility allows the one-piece structure to adapt to the installation process, making manufacturing and installation more manageable while maintaining the ability to prevent extraction in all directions when in the retaining condition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures the electronic unit is securely constrained to the tire, preventing removal and substitution, thereby maintaining data integrity and enhancing vehicle safety by ensuring accurate monitoring and control systems operation.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting member configured to constrain said electronic unit to a tyre, said connecting member being of one piece construction... wherein said connecting member is deformable between an insertion condition of said electronic unit into said cavity and a retaining condition of said electronic unit in said cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
Figure 2a
AI summary
A monitoring device for tyres for vehicle wheels comprising: an electronic unit; a connecting member configured for constraining the electronic unit to a tyre, the connecting member being of one piece construction and comprising: a first and a second base portion, mutually separated by a separation region, each of the base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tyre; a housing portion in cooperation with the base portions defining a cavity for the electronic unit. The connecting member is deformable between an insertion condition of the electronic unit into the cavity and a retaining condition of the electronic unit in the cavity. The connecting member in the insertion condition is configured for enabling insertion of the electronic unit in the cavity when the base portions are not fastened to the inner surface of the tyre. The connecting member in the retaining condition is configured for preventing extraction of the electronic unit from the cavity in any direction when the base portions are fastened to the inner surface of the tyre. Also described is a tyre provided with said monitoring device and a method for installing an electronic unit in a tyre.