FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a tire monitoring system device, and more particularly to a crossover wireless tire monitoring system device.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Proper tire inflation for safety, wear and fuel efficiency is of significant importance to achieve the intended levels of optimum operating conditions and performances. The natural norms of the tire industry are stringent, and are incessantly growing due to the product liability, quality standards and the safety awareness of consumers. Under such circumstances, operation specifications of tires will typically be provided by tire manufacturers, while tire inflation characteristics will be specified by automobile manufacturers. However, these specifications do not necessarily mean that the tire operating conditions are particularly correct for the tires on the vehicle even if they are followed conscientiously. Compatibly, the ultimate situation will therefore be seen in the event that air pressure in a particular tire is sufficient to produce a complete road- engaging contact over the entire tread width, so that the weight of the vehicle is borne equally throughout the road-engagement area between the shoulders and across the central portion of the tire. As such, the tread of the tire will wear evenly, and the tread life will be prolonged, and maximum safety will be results from the maximum grip or friction of the tire on the road.

Various attempts have been made to improve the tire monitoring system device. However, many attempts have not been completely satisfactory for one or more reasons. For example, some of tire monitoring system devices are unsatisfactory because of their design, configuration, component parts and technologies appear to have certain drawbacks, such that they have not become widely used. Accordingly, there are two types of direct Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) currently available in the market, i.e.: a) Internal TPMS, and b) External TPMS.

The internal TPMS usually includes a sensor that is being installed inside the tire by either strapping around the wheel or by replacing the existing valve stem. The sensors in these internal systems also typically run on independent power sources, e.g. individual batteries for each sensor in each tire. However, as these systems are installed within the tires, it creates a problem when the batteries run out. Most, if not all, internal TPMS are provided in a wholepiece manner whereby the batteries are not replaceable. This is because the batteries have to be permanently affixed within the unit in a manner where the battery will not be affected by the internal heat and pressure of the tire. As such, these batteries become inaccessible to the user and cannot be replaced. Once the batteries run out, the user will be required to send their vehicle to a workshop for the tires to be removed and for the entire internal TPMS sytem to be replaced. This becomes an encumbrance and much higher replacement and labour costs will be incurred by the user.

As for the external TPMS, such systems include sensors that are being installed onto the valve stem outside the tire. However, some system devices are found to be insufficient in preventing theft as these units can be removed completely. Furthermore, as these units are exposed outside the tire, it can also be vulnerable to external damage. Additionally, as the sensors are located outside the tire and measurements are taken from there, there is a systemic inaccuracy in measurement, particularly in relation to temperature readings, since there may be losses between the internals of the tire and the actual point of measurement. This systemic inaccuracy in measuring temperature can also be due to the externally mounted sensor being affected by external environments. For example, there can be a cooling effect of an externally mounted sensor during when the vehicle is in motion or conversely, a higher temperature reading may occur when the sensor is exposed to external heat.

As such, whether in terms of internal TPMS or external TPMS, special monitoring and care may be required for faultless operation. Moreover, the design and configuration of existing tire monitoring system devices are substantially bulky and complex, adding numerous parts that may require additional care in maintenance.

In view of these and other shortcomings, it is desirous to provide an improved tire monitoring system device, and more particularly to a crossover wireless tire monitoring system device that is adapted to integrate or to combine both internal and external TPMS to overcome the aforementioned limitations and drawbacks. The crossover wireless tire monitor system device of the present invention and its combination of elements thereof will be described and/or exemplified in the detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to crossover wireless tire monitoring system device for measuring one or more parameters relating to the condition of the tire. Accordingly, the crossover wireless tire monitoring system device includes: a) a valve stem; b) an internal module with a built-in sensor, said built-in sensor is adapted to be integrally fixed or to be detachable from the valve stem; c) an external module with a built-in battery, said built-in battery is adapted to be detachable from the valve stem; wherein the internal module and the external module are collaboratively connected through the valve stem to form a single operative monitoring system device; and wherein the internal module is located and embedded at inner rim of the tire, and the external module is mounted and exposed on outer rim of the tire.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the built-in sensor of the internal module is adapted to be integrally fixed or to be detachable connected to the external module via a power connector.

Accordingly, the built-in sensor of the internal module is powered by the built-in battery of the external module through cable wires to the power connector. The power connector is served to provide electrical interface connection between built-in sensor of the internal module and the built-in battery of external module, such that electricity power from the battery is able to be transferred to the sensor via the cable wires. It will be appreciated that the power connector is also served to provide easy plug and play installation of the internal module and external module.

In the preferred exemplary of the present invention, the crossover wireless tire monitor system device is adapted to replace the existing or original valve stem of the tire. By way of example but not limitation, the built-in battery of the external module is provided with a battery compartment to accommodate one or more batteries. Preferably, but not limited to, the one or more batteries are standard type of coin cell battery. It will be appreciated that the built-in battery is protected by an air-tight cover. Accordingly, the air-tight cover is adapted to facilitates ease of battery replacement.

It will be appreciated that the external module is further provided with a rubber grommet to prevent air leak around valve stem hole of vehicle wheel or rim of the tire. Preferably, but not limited to, the external module is secured mounted onto the vehicle wheel or rim of the tire by one or more hex nuts.

The present invention consists of several novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a crossover wireless tire monitoring system device in accordance with preferred exemplary of the present invention; FIGS. 2a and 2b show the assembly of internal and external modules of the crossover wireless tire monitoring system device according to preferred exemplary of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the crossover wireless tire monitoring system device according to preferred exemplary of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a wireless tire monitoring system device. Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiment” of a system, apparatus, device or article of manufacture does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the described components, structure, features, functionality, processes, advantages, benefits, or modes of operation.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a methodical understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Acronyms ahd other descriptive terminology may be used merely for convenience and clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For the purpose of present invention, the terms, “sensor unit”, “built-in sensor” and “sensor” may be used interchangeably. Besides, as used herein, the terms, “built-in battery”,“one or more batteries” and“battery” may also be used interchangeably.

The present invention aims to provides an improved tire monitoring system device, and more particularly to a crossover wireless tire monitoring system device which is simple and effective, lending in both to economy and simplicity of manufacture and higher convenience of use. It will be appreciated that the crossover wireless tire monitoring system device is able to operate reliably under conditions adverse to wireless transmissions, such as for example, under unfavourable weather conditions, extremely dirt and contamination. The present invention also facilitates prolonged periods of power consumption, and yet be able to substantially reduce in assembly and maintenance costs.

In the preferred exemplary of the present invention, the crossover wireless tire monitor system device includes a combination of internal and external modules that are able to provide the following advantages: - a) Anti-theft - as the sensor unit is installed inside the tire, this provides a very good anti-theft feature;

b) Easy Battery Replacement - as the battery is located outside the tire, this provides convenience for user battery replacement;

c) Accuracy - as the sensor unit is located inside the tire, this offers better accuracy since the tire pressure and temperature measurement is taken directly from within the tire and it eliminates any losses;

d) Tiny Size - the combination of internal and external modules allow both battery compartment and sensor units to be designed in smaller size. The crossover wireless tire monitor system device according to the preferred mode of carrying out the present invention will now be described in accordance to the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 to 3, either individually or in any combination thereof. Referring to the figures, the crossover wireless tire monitor system device (100) of the present invention generally includes a valve stem (154), an internal module (130) and an external module (150) are collaborative!y connected through the valve stem (154) to form a single operative monitoring system device. Accordingly, the internal module (130) includes a built-in sensor (132) that is able to be integrally fixed or to be detachable from the valve stem (154). The external module (150) is equipped with a built-in battery (152) that is able to be detachable from the valve stem (154). It will be appreciated that the valve stem (154) can be a single head or dual head valve, such that the built-in battery (152) of the external module (150) can be detachable therefrom. By way of example, but not limitation, the valve stem (154) of dual head (as shown in FIG. 1 ) is preferably used for convenience, so that the user does not require to remove or detach the built-in battery (152) of the external module (150) during the air refilling. It should be noted that the crossover wireless tire monitor system device (100) is adapted to replace the existing or original valve stem of the tire. It will be appreciated that the internal module (130) is preferably located and embedded at inner rim (300a) of the tire, while the external module (150) is preferably mounted and exposed on outer rim (300b) of the tire.

In the preferred exemplary, the built-in sensor (132) of the internal module (130) is served to measure one or more parameters relating to the condition of the tire, such as for example, but not limited to, tire pressure, temperature, wheel speed, acceleration, and/or distance information of the vehicle. Accordingly, the built-in sensor (132) of the internal module (130) is provided with an air inlet hole (133) for the sensor to measure one or more parameters relating to the condition of the tire. It should be noted that the built-in sensor (132) of the internal module (130) is adapted to be integrally fixed or to be detachable from the valve stem (154). By way of example but not limitation, the internal module (130) is able to detachably connect to external module (150) via a power connector (160), and being secured by a self-rotatable threaded collar fastener (131 ). The self-rotatable threaded collar fastener (131 ), although exemplary, will be used herein in describing the configurations and functions of the present invention, however other forms, designs, styles and/or configurations of the structures, components, elements or assemblies thereof may also contemplate. As such, the self- rotatable threaded collar fastener (131 ) should not be construed as limiting in any way.

It will be appreciated that the built-in sensor (132) of the internal module (130) is preferably powered by the built-in battery (152) of the external module (150) through cable wires (155) to the power connector (160). Accordingly, the power connector (160) serves to provide electrical interface connection between built-in sensor (132) of the internal module (130) and the built-in battery (152) of external module (150), such that electricity power from the battery is able to be transferred to the sensor via the cable wires (155). The power connector (160) also serves to provide easy plug and play installation of the internal module (130) and external module (150).

In the preferred exemplary of the present invention, the built-in battery (152) of the external module (150) is adapted to be detachable from the valve stem (154). Preferably, the built-in battery (152) of the external module (150) is provided with a battery compartment to accommodate one or more batteries (153). By way of example but not limitation, the one or more batteries (153) are preferably standard type of coin cell battery. Preferably, but not limited to, the battery is protected by an air-tight cover (151 ). Accordingly, the air-tight cover (151 ) serves to protect the battery against environmental influences, such as, for example but not limited to, dirt, debris contaminants or water, and to provide impact protection, as well as heat and electrical insulation, within the battery compartment. The air-tight cover (151 ) also facilitates ease of battery replacement.

It will be appreciated that the external module (150) is further provided with a rubber grommet (157) to prevent air leak around valve stem hole of the vehicle wheel or rim (300) of the tire. By way of example, but not limitation, one or more hex nuts (159) may be used for securing the external module (150) onto the vehicle wheel or rim (300) of the tire. It must be noted that during installation, the external module (150) will replace the original or existing valve stem, and the rubber grommet (157) and one or more hex nuts (159) will be used for air sealing and for securing the external module (150) to the valve stem hole of the vehicle wheel or rim (300) of the tire, respectively.

In order to facilitate prolonged periods of power consumption to continuously generate an ultra-low power Bluetooth or wireless wave signal to extend the useful life of the battery, an antenna (not shown) for transmitting wireless signal relating to the tire conditions to associated units may be selectively placed in the battery compartment or inside the sensor unit, or the valve stem itself may act as the antenna.

It should be noted that the arrangements or configurations of various units, components and/or elements used to carry out the above-mentioned embodiments are illustrative and exemplary only, and are not restrictive of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that those arrangements or configurations, components and/or elements used herein may be altered in a manner so as to obtain different effects or desired operating characteristics. As such, the above-described should not be construed as limiting in any way, but as a best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” or“one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles“a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or“at least one” and indefinite articles such as“a” or“an" (e.g.,“a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean“at least one” or“one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the principle and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would obvious to one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of following claims.