Rotatable TPMS Adapter with Interleaving Lamellae

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire parameter monitoring systems face challenges in simplifying assembly and increasing cost efficiency, as they often require separate components for snap-in and clamp-in types, limiting their versatility across different wheel rim designs.

Innovation Solution

A tire parameter monitoring system that includes an electronic module with a snap-in valve fitting, an adapter with interleaving lamellae, a valve stem with matching lamellae, and a pin for rotational movement, allowing the valve stem to be positioned at different angles relative to the electronic module, enabling compatibility with both snap-in and clamp-in valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components are used for snap-in and clamp-in type TPMS, then each system can be optimized for its specific valve type, but device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem optimization for specific valve typeVSAvoidnumber of separate components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both snap-in valves (with elastic stems) and clamp-in valves (with rigid stems). The adapter body includes a valve receiving portion that can securely hold different valve types, and an electronic module interface that connects to both valve types. This multi-functional design allows a single adapter component to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized components for each valve type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining optimized performance for both valve types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate components are used for snap-in and clamp-in type TPMS, then each system can be optimized for its specific valve type, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem optimization for specific valve typeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both snap-in valves (with elastic stems) and clamp-in valves (with rigid stems). The adapter body includes a valve receiving portion that can securely hold different valve types, and an electronic module interface that connects to both valve types. This multi-functional design allows a single adapter component to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized components for each valve type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining optimized performance for both valve types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If fixed angular positioning is used for clamp-in valves, then the electronic module can be securely mounted, but adaptability to different wheel rim designs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mounting of electronic moduleVSAvoidcompatibility with different wheel rim designs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates a rotatable joint mechanism that allows the electronic module assembly to rotate relative to the valve stem. This dynamic positioning capability enables the electronic module to be oriented at different angles to accommodate various wheel rim designs and bore configurations. The rotatable joint maintains secure mounting through friction engagement or detent mechanisms while providing the flexibility to adjust the angular position, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and adaptability to different wheel rim designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11602958B2Adapter, valve stem, tire parameter monitoring system, and method of mounting a tire parameter monitoring system onto a wheel rim

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A tire parameter monitoring system has an electronic module with a fitting for a snap-in valve, an adapter with first lamellae couplable to the fitting, a valve stem for a clamp-in valve with second lamellae that are interleavable with the first lamellae, and a pin. The first lamellae have a first hole extending substantially perpendicularly to a major surface of the first lamellae and the second lamellae have a second hole extending substantially perpendicularly to a major surface of the second lamellae. The first and second holes are aligned when the first and second lamellae are interleaved. The pin is inserted into the first and second holes to secure the adapter and the valve stem together and to allow rotational movement of the adapter and the valve stem around a longitudinal axis of the pin such that the valve stem is positionable at different angles to the electronic module.