巴西专利BR112014015169B1 MONITORING DEVICE FOR TIRES FOR VEHICLE WHEELS, TIRE FOR VEHICLE WHEELS, AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING A

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专利摘要:
monitoring device for tires for vehicle wheels, tire for vehicle wheels, and, method for installing an electronic unit on a tire. a tire monitoring device for vehicle wheels is described comprising: an electronic unit; a connecting element configured to confine the electronic unit in a tire, the connecting element 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 tire; a portion of the housing in cooperation with the base portions defining a cavity for the electronic unit. the connecting element is deformable between a condition of insertion of the electronic unit in the cavity and a condition of retention of the electronic unit in the cavity. the connection element in the insertion condition is configured to allow insertion of the electronic unit in the cavity when the base portions are not fixed on the inner surface of the tire. the connecting element in the holding condition is configured to prevent extraction of the electronic unit from the cavity in any direction when the base portions are attached to the inner surface of the tire. also described is a tire provided with said monitoring device and a method for installing an electronic unit on a tire.
公开号:BR112014015169B1
申请号:R112014015169-5
申请日:2012-12-18
公开日:2021-04-13
发明作者:Massimo Brusarosco；Federico Mancosu
申请人:Pirelli Tyre S.P.A.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring device for tires for vehicle wheels. The present invention also relates to a vehicle wheel tire provided with said monitoring device.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for installing an electronic unit on a tire.
[0003] The need to monitor the operational conditions of tires and possibly track the temporal evolution of parameters representative of such an operation has assumed increasing importance due to the requirement for greater safety imposed on vehicles by customers and / or by national guidelines / legislation.
[0004] The parameters generally considered can be, for example, temperature, pressure, distance traveled by the tire (and / or number of revolutions), load acting on the tire, as well as parameters that derive from mathematical processing that can be performed based on on signals detected by sensors placed inside the tires.
[0005] Such parameters can also be used to identify particular conditions in which the tire and / or vehicle are in, such as wear conditions, aquaplaning conditions, etc. and, more generally, for monitoring the forces acting on the tire during its rolling (for example, on the road surface).
[0006] For this purpose, an electronic unit can be mounted inside the tire, which can comprise at least one sensor, a control unit and / or data storage unit (such as a microprocessor), a power supply system and an antenna; this has the task of allowing the exchange of radio frequency signals with the devices mounted on the vehicle.
[0007] The electronic unit can be mounted on the inner surface of the tire by means of a connection element.
[0008] US 6,030,478, US 6,386,251, US 6,860,303, US 7,009,506, EP 1,948,452, US 7,908,918 and US 7,874,205 show various techniques by which an electronic unit can be associated with the inner surface of the tire.
[0009] It has been observed that systems of the known type are not completely safe and reliable. Certainly, such systems allow, or at least do not prevent, the electronic unit from being removed after it has been attached to the tire.
[00010] According to the invention, this factor can be extremely disadvantageous, since the data detected and stored by means of the electronic unit are typically also used to determine the general distance traveled by the tire.
[00011] Such data can also be used to optimize the configuration of passive vehicle control systems, for example, systems adapted to verify the suitability between the type of tire actually installed and the types of tires provided and considered acceptable, as well as active control systems, which use, among other parameters, those that identify the type of tire to function actively in the operation of the vehicle, in order to keep it in safe conditions (for example, ABS, ESP, etc.).
[00012] The removal and replacement of the electronic unit may thus allow falsification of this data, allowing malicious subjects to illegally take advantage of the discrepancy between the data signaled by the electronic unit installed in replacement of the original and the actual tire displacement data, and / or significantly limit safety in active and passive controls of vehicle dynamics.
[00013] It was realized that a solution to this problem can be obtained by ensuring that the electronic unit remains confined to the tire in a substantially irreversible manner, that is, in such a way that the electronic unit itself cannot be removed, unless be by breaking or tearing the connecting element. In this way, possible removal and replacement of the electronic unit would be evident and easily verifiable.
[00014] It was observed that the electronic unit can be adequately confined to the inner surface of the tire by means of a connection element that substantially completes the electronic unit itself and prevents its extraction in any direction.
[00015] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a monitoring device for tires for vehicle wheels, comprising: - an electronic unit; - a connection element configured to restrict said electronic unit on a tire, said connecting element being of one piece construction and comprising: • a first and a second base portion, mutually separated by a separation region, each of said base portion having a respective base surface associated with an internal surface of a tire; • a portion of the housing associated with said base portions, and in cooperation with said base portions defining a cavity to accommodate said electronic unit, wherein said connecting element is deformable between an insertion condition of said electronic unit in said cavity and a condition of retention of said electronic unit in said cavity, in which, in said insertion condition, said connecting element is configured used to allow insertion of said electronic unit in said cavity when said base portions are not fixed on said internal surface of said tire, wherein said connecting element in said retention condition is configured to prevent extraction of said electronic unit from said cavity in any direction when said base portions are attached to said inner surface of said tire.
[00016] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a tire for vehicle wheels, comprising an inner surface with a substantially toroidal conformation and said monitoring device mounted on said inner surface.
[00017] In an additional aspect, the invention relates to a method for installing an electronic unit on a tire, comprising: - providing an electronic unit; - providing a one-piece construction connection element and including: • a first and a second base portion, mutually separated by a region of separation, each of said base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tire; • a portion of the housing associated with said portions of base, and in cooperation with said base portions defining a cavity to accommodate said electronic unit, wherein said connection element is deformable between a condition of insertion of said electronic unit in said cavity and a condition of retention of said unit electronics in said cavity, in which, in said insertion condition, said connection element is configured to allow insertion of said electronic unit in said cavity when said portions s base are not fixed on said internal surface of said tire, wherein said connecting element in said retention condition is configured to prevent extraction of said electronic unit from said cavity in any direction when said base portions are fixed on said internal surface of said tire; - configuring said connecting element in said insertion condition; - inserting said electronic unit in said cavity; - configuring said connecting element in said holding condition; - fixing said base surfaces. on said inner surface of said tire when said connecting element is in said holding condition.
[00018] It is considered that, by means of the invention presented in the aforementioned aspects, it is possible to confine an electronic unit on the inner surface of a tire, preventing it from being subsequently extracted or removed from its housing without objective evidence of the replacement of electronic components .
[00019] According to one or more of the aspects mentioned above, the invention may comprise one or more of the preferred characteristics indicated below.
[00020] Preferably, said portion of the housing comprises: - a lateral structure, configured to prevent extraction of said electronic unit from said cavity in directions substantially parallel to the base surfaces of said base portions; - a top wall, adapted for prevent extraction of said electronic unit from said cavity in a direction orthogonal to the base surfaces of said base portions.
[00021] In this way, the electronic unit is retained in a substantially irreversible manner inside the cavity, once the monitoring device is attached to the inner surface of a tire.
[00022] Preferably, the side structure is arranged between said base portions and said top wall.
[00023] Preferably, the side structure comprises a first and a second side, each of said sides substantially C-shaped and extending from a respective of said base portions according to directions substantially orthogonal to the plane defined by said surfaces base.
[00024] Preferably, the first side has a pair of end portions, each facing a respective end portion of said second side.
[00025] Preferably, each of the regions arranged between the end portions of the first side and the end portions of the second side defines a respective through window.
[00026] In this way, the deformation of the connecting element is facilitated between the retention condition and the insertion condition.
[00027] Preferably, each of said overpass windows extends from said region of separation between said first and second base portions towards said top wall.
[00028] Preferably, the distance between said base portions (or width of said separation region) has a given value estimated in a plane defined by said base surfaces along a direction substantially perpendicular to said main extension direction.
[00029] Preferably, each of the said passing windows has a width, estimated in a direction parallel to said distance between said base portions, which is greater than such distance.
[00030] In this way, it is possible to easily insert the electronic unit into the cavity, while maintaining ideal conditions in the mutual confinement between the inner surface of the tire and the base surfaces of the connecting element.
[00031] By means of said through-windows, the molding of the connection element is also facilitated, since such windows allow the extraction, at the end of the process, of the so-called "male", that is, the portion of the mold adapted for form the cavity internally.
[00032] Preferably, the hollows of said sides are mutually confronting in order to define said cavity.
[00033] Preferably, the internal surface of said portion of the housing that delimits said cavity does not show cylindrical symmetry relative to any geometric axis.
[00034] Preferably, the electronic unit does not reveal a cylindrical symmetry relative to any geometric axis.
[00035] Thus, this makes it possible to prevent the electronic unit, after sustained stresses during the tire rolling, from rolling into the cavity, causing - by friction and / or friction and / or other mechanical stresses - rapid wear on the structure of the driving element. connection, which could deteriorate to rupture at some point, causing a condition in which the connection element itself is no longer able to keep the electronic unit inside the cavity.
[00036] Preferably, the base portions, when said connecting element is in the holding condition, define a substantially circular profile in the plane defined by said base surfaces.
[00037] Preferably, the diameter of said substantially circular profile is in said main extension direction of the separation region.
[00038] Preferably, the condition of holding said connection element is a condition of elastic rest of the connection element itself. In other words, the connecting element, when it is not substantially subjected to external mechanical stresses that cause a deformation of the same (condition of elastic rest), is preferably found in the aforementioned retention condition. In this way, the fixing of the monitoring device on the inner surface of the tire is facilitated, since it is not necessary to apply any force on the connection element, so that it maintains the condition of retention, that is, the condition in which it has to be attached to the inner surface of the tire.
[00039] Preferably, the electronic unit comprises at least one sensor, an antenna and more preferably a power supply system.
[00040] Preferably, the top wall of said connection element has at least one through-window through which said antenna can emit / receive electromagnetic signals. Thus, this makes it possible to prevent the material that makes up the connection element and, in particular, carbon black and / or other reinforcement charges present in such a structure, from interfering with, or jeopardizing the correct operation of the electronic unit in the communication stage with the devices on board the vehicle.
[00041] Preferably, said sensor is a pressure and / or temperature sensor.
[00042] Also, the number of revolutions and / or the average angular speed of the tire and / or the load acting on the tire are preferably determined by means of said sensor.
[00043] Preferably, the top wall of said connecting element has a through-window through which said pressure and / or temperature sensor can perform pressure and / or temperature measurements.
[00044] In this way, the sensor can have substantially direct access to the environment enclosed by the inner surface of the tire, in order to correctly and reliably carry out the expected detections.
[00045] Preferably, said device also comprises a cover element positioned on said top wall and facing said transient window on said pressure and / or temperature sensor. In this way, allowing the sensor to operate correctly in contact with the environment inside the tire, dirt or other similar elements present inside the tire are prevented from settling in the through window, interfering with the detections performed by the sensor.
[00046] Preferably, the main extension direction of the separation region between the first and the second base portion is substantially in a radial plane of said tire, that is, a plane containing the geometric axis of rotation of the tire itself.
[00047] In this way, the stresses sustained by the tire, particularly at the entrance and exit of the so-called footprint region, are ideally absorbed by the connecting element.
[00048] Preferably, said inner surface is an inner lining of said tire.
[00049] Preferably, configuring said connection element in the insertion condition comprises moving said base portions away from each other.
[00050] Preferably, inserting said electronic unit in said cavity comprises moving said electronic unit close to said portion of the housing through said base portions moved away from each other.
[00051] Preferably, said connection element is configured in the holding condition after insertion of said electronic unit in said cavity.
[00052] Preferably, configuring said connecting element in said holding condition comprises allowing elastic movement close to each other again from said separate base portions.
[00053] Additional features and advantages will become clearer from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, modality of the invention.
[00054] This description is provided below with reference to the attached figures, also being provided merely as a non-limiting example, in which: - Figure 1 shows a tire for vehicle wheels in which a monitoring device according to invention is installed; - figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the monitoring device according to the invention; - figure 2a schematically shows a perspective view of the monitoring device of figure 2 in a different operational condition, in which some parts have been eliminated in order to better illustrate other parts; - figure 3 schematically shows a plan view of the device of figure 2; - figure 3a schematically shows a sectional view of the device of figure 2 along line IIIa-IIIa shown in figure 3, with the electronic unit in side view; - figure 3b shows schematically a sectional view of the device in figure 2 along line IIIb-IIIb shown in f Figure 3; - Figure 3c shows schematically a sectional view of the device in Figure 2 along line IIIc-IIIc shown in Figure 3, with the electronics unit in side view; - Figure 4 shows schematically a perspective view of a part of the electronic unit of the device of figure 2; - figure 5 shows a block diagram of the electronic unit schematically represented in figure 4; - figure 6 shows schematically a perspective view in section of the device of figure 2 in which some parts have been eliminated in order to better illustrate other parts. With reference to the accompanying figures, a tire for vehicle wheels provided with a monitoring device according to the present invention was indicated in its entirety by 1. The monitoring device is indicated with the numerical reference 10.
[00055] Tire 1, known PER SE, is not described here in detail.
[00056] Tire 1 (figure 1) comprises an inner surface 2, preferably comprising or constituted by the so-called "inner lining".
[00057] The monitoring device 10 is mounted on such an internal surface 2.
[00058] The monitoring device 10 comprises an electronic unit 20 (figures 4-5).
[00059] Preferably, the electronic unit 20 comprises at least one sensor 21 and at least one antenna 22.
[00060] For example, said sensor 21 is a pressure and / or temperature sensor, configured in order to detect the pressure and / or temperature inside the tire 1.
[00061] In an additional modality, sensor 21 can be an accelerometer-type sensor, configured to detect the mechanical stresses to which tire 1 is subjected.
[00062] Additionally, or alternatively, sensor 21 can be an inertial type sensor.
[00063] In one embodiment, the sensor 21 can be constituted at least in part by a self-powered system ("energy collector") of the electronic unit, which allows obtaining both the supply of electrical energy for the electronic unit itself, four signals, for example, analog, representative of the mechanical actions transmitted by the tire. In general, sensor 21 can also be used to determine the number of revolutions of the tire and / or the load acting on the tire and / or the angular speed and / or parameters representative of the tire's operating conditions (eg friction, wear and / or aquaplaning).
[00064] The antenna 22 has at least the task of transmitting the data detected by the sensor 21 to the devices on board the vehicle in which the tire 1 is mounted. Preferably, the electronic unit 20 also comprises a processing circuit 23, associated with the sensor 21 and the antenna 22.
[00065] The processing circuit 23 may have the task of managing (for example, acquiring and / or filtering and / or processing) the signals detected by the sensor 21, with the purpose of detecting the data to be stored and / or transmitted by middle of the antenna 22. Preferably, the electronic unit 20 also comprises a power supply system 24, provided to supply electrical power to the electronic unit 20.
[00066] Preferably, the power supply system 24 comprises at least one battery. In addition, or alternatively to such a battery, the power supply system 24 may comprise a device capable of transforming the mechanical energy transmitted to the device itself during the rolling of the tire into electrical energy (energy collector).
[00067] Antenna 22 can also receive signals from devices on board the vehicle and / or by systems placed outside the vehicle itself. For example, the electronic unit 20 may comprise two antennas, of which one is arranged for the transmission (for example, at a frequency of 433 MHz) of the processed and / or stored data, and the other arranged for receiving (for example, the a frequency of 125 kHz) signals from systems placed on board the vehicle and / or outside the vehicle itself (for example, wake-up signals from the monitoring device, and / or signals containing data for the preconfiguration of the monitoring device, and / or signals containing instructions for programming the monitoring device).
[00068] The electronic unit 20 may also comprise a memory 25, in which data relating to the operation of the tire and / or configuration / assembly data typically referred to as the characteristics of the tire itself, and / or identification data of the monitoring device 10 and / or tire 1 are stored. As an example, in memory 25, data representative of the distance traveled by the tire can be stored, preferably determined as a function of the total number of revolutions made by the tire itself. In memory 25, one or more procedures for processing the signal detected by at least one sensor 21 can be stored, and / or algorithms for calculating predetermined parameters starting from the signals detected by at least one sensor 21 (or in pre-defined signals). processed), and / or signal filtering logic. Preferably, the electronic unit 20 comprises a containment body 26, preferably rigid, in which the different elements (sensor, antenna, power supply system, etc.) are housed.
[00069] The containment body 26 can be obtained according to techniques that are very well known, for example, embedding the circuit system of the electronic unit 20 in a resin cast that stiffens after its solidification, or by means of molding . Preferably, the electronic unit 20 and, in particular, the containment body 26 do not reveal a cylindrical symmetry along any geometric axis.
[00070] Preferably, the containment body 26 has at least one first expansion 26a within which the antenna 22 is extended at least partially (or at least one of the antennas).
[00071] Preferably, the containment body 26 has a second expansion 26b within which the sensor 21 is extended at least partially. In the case of a pressure and / or temperature sensor, the second expansion 26b has an opening (not shown in figure 4), in order to allow the sensor to carry out the necessary measurements.
[00072] The monitoring device 10 also comprises a connection element 30.
[00073] The connecting element 30 keeps the electronic unit 20 restricted on the tire 1 and, in particular, on the inner surface 2 thereof.
[00074] The connection element 30 is of one piece construction.
[00075] Preferably, the connecting element 30 is made of elastomeric material. Such an elastomeric material can, for example, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material comprises a halogenated butyl rubber and a synthetic rubber (for example, polybutadiene, or polyisoprene).
[00076] Examples of elastomeric materials that can be used are described in the published international patent application under number WO 2010/043264 in the name of the same applicant.
[00077] The connecting element 30 (figures 2, 2a, 3, 3a-3c, 6) comprises a first and a second base portion 31, 32. The base portion 31, 32 are separated by a separation region 33 The separation region 33 has a major extension direction X.
[00078] Each of the base portions 31, 32 has a respective base surface 31a, 32a. The base surfaces 31a, 32a are associated with the inner surface 2 of the tire 1.
[00079] The connecting element 30 also comprises a housing portion 34 associated with the base portions 31, 32. The housing portion 34 in cooperation with the base portions 31, 32 defines a cavity 35 (figure 6) for housing the electronic unit 20.
[00080] The connection element 30 is deformable between an insertion condition of the electronic unit 20 in the cavity 35 (figure 2a) and a retention condition of the electronic unit 20 in the cavity 35 (figure 2).
[00081] In other words, due to its elastic deformability, the connecting element 30 is capable of allowing the insertion of the electronic unit 20 in the cavity 35.
[00082] After such insertion, the electronic unit 20 is contained and retained in cavity 35.
[00083] In particular, the connecting element 30, when found in the insertion condition, is configured to allow insertion of the electronic unit 20 in the cavity 35 when the base portions 31, 32 are not fixed on the inner surface 2 of the tire 1.
[00084] When instead the connecting element 30 is in the holding condition and the base portions 31, 32 are fixed on the inner surface of the tire 2, then the connecting element 30 is able to prevent the electronic unit 20 is extracted from cavity 35 in any direction.
[00085] It is noted that the aforementioned conditions for insertion and retention of the connecting element 30 have been identified and described separately for the sole purpose of adequately describing various characteristics of the invention. Clearly, during its own operation, under tire 1 rolling conditions, the connection element 30 can be found in several operational conditions / situations, dictated by the conformation assumed by the inner surface 2 of the tire 1 and by the stresses that will be transferred to the tire connecting element 30.
[00086] In more detail, the housing portion 34 comprises a side structure 34a and a top wall 34b.
[00087] The side structure 34a is configured to prevent extraction of the electronic unit 20 from the cavity 35 in directions substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base surfaces 31a, 32a of the base portions 31, 32.
[00088] The top wall 34b is adapted to prevent extraction of the electronic unit 20 from the cavity 35 in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the base surfaces 31a, 32a of the base portions 31, 32.
[00089] In a preferred embodiment, when the connecting element 30 is configured in the holding condition, the side structure 34a and the top wall 34b are able to retain the electronic unit 20 in the cavity 35, that is, they prevent the exit of the electronic unit 20 of the cavity 35, regardless of whether the monitoring device 10 is attached to the inner surface 2 of the tire 1.
[00090] In other words, the side structure 34a and the top wall 34b respectively prevent extraction of the electronic unit 20: - in directions substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base surfaces 31a, 32a- in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by said base surfaces 31a, 32a, moving out of the base portions 31, 32 and on the opposite side with respect to the aforementioned base surfaces 31a, 32a, even when the monitoring device 10, and in particular the base portions 31, 32, are not attached to the inner surface 2 of tire 1.
[00091] In practice, when the connection element 30 is in the holding condition, and the monitoring device 10 has not yet been mounted inside the tire 1, the electronics unit 20 can be removed from the cavity 35 only by placing the connection element 30 in the condition of insertion and extracting the electronic unit 20 itself by moving it out of the top wall 34b, passing through the base portions 31, 32 suitably opened.
[00092] Preferably, the side structure 34a is arranged between the base portions 31, 32 and the top wall 34b.
[00093] Preferably, as shown schematically in figures 2 and 3, the side structure 34a comprises a first and a second side 36, 37.
[00094] Preferably, each of the first and second sides 36, 37 is substantially C-shaped. In one embodiment, the sides 36, 37 can have an external profile (i.e., on the opposite side with respect to cavity 35) which is substantially curved.
[00095] In a different embodiment, the sides 36, 37 may have a slightly more square external profile, in order to define in general a substantially quadrangular shape in plan view, with rounded edges and vertices.
[00096] Preferably, each side 36, 37 extends from a respective base portion of the base portions 31, 32 of the connecting element 30 according to directions substantially orthogonal to the plane defined by the base surfaces 31a, 32a.
[00097] As an example, when the base surfaces 31a, 32a are located in a substantially horizontal plane in a given reference system, the sides 36, 37 are preferably extended vertically from the respective base portions 31, 32 .
[00098] Figure 2 shows that the first side 36 extends from the first base portion 31, and the second side 37 extends from the second base portion 32.
[00099] Preferably, the concavities of the first and second sides 36, 37 are mutually confronting to define the aforementioned cavity 35.
[000100] Preferably, the first side 36 has a pair of end portions 36a, 36b substantially located at the ends of the aforementioned C-shaped conformation. Preferably, the second side 37 has a pair of end portions 37a, 37b substantially located at the ends of the aforementioned C-shaped conformation.
[000101] Preferably, the end portions 36a, 36b of the first side 36 confront the end portions 37a, 37b of the second side.
[000102] Preferably, each of the regions disposed between the end portions 36a, 36b of the first side 36 and the end portions 37a, 37b of the second side 37 defines a respective through window 38a, 38b.
[000103] Preferably, each through window 38a, 38b extends from the separation region 33 of the base portions 31, 32 towards the top wall 34b.
[000104] Preferably, between the base portions 31, 32 there is a distance D with a specific value in a plane defined by the base surfaces 31a, 32a along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction X of the separation region 33 .
[000105] In practice, the specific value of the distance D represents a width of the separation region 33.
[000106] Preferably, each of the passing windows 38a, 38b has a width L, estimated in a direction parallel to the aforementioned distance D between said base portions 31, 32, which is greater than such distance D.
[000107] Preferably, the internal surface of the housing portion 34 delimiting the cavity 35 does not show cylindrical symmetry with respect to any geometric axis.
[000108] As said, the electronic unit 20 also has an analogous characteristic. In this way, the external walls of the electronic unit 20 and, in particular, the external surface of the containment body 26 can mechanically interfere with the internal surface of the cavity 35 in a way to substantially prevent the electronic unit 20 from rotating within the cavity, wearing away the structure of the connection element 30 by friction and / or friction. This structure also makes it possible to prevent damage and breakage of the connection element 30, caused by a triggering action exerted by the electronic unit 20 against a portion of the structure of the connection element 30 itself, on which the external surface of the electronic unit 20 could adhere particularly. intensity. Thus, the forces developed by means of such actuation are prevented from causing tearing and breaking in the structure of the connecting element 30.
[000109] Preferably, when the connecting element 30 is in the holding condition, the base portions 31, 32 in mutual cooperation define a substantially circular profile P in the plane defined by the base surfaces 31a, 32a.
[000110] Preferably, a diameter PD of such a substantially circular profile P lies in the aforementioned main extension direction X of the separation region 33.
[000111] In other words, the separation region 33 is extended along a diameter PD of the substantially circular profile P.
[000112] Preferably, the top wall 34b has at least one through-window W through which antenna 22 can emit / receive electromagnetic signals. This makes it possible to prevent the material that makes up the connection element from interfering and impairing communication between the electronics unit 20 and the devices on board.
[000113] Preferably, when the electronic unit 20 is housed in the cavity 35, the first expansion 26a is advantageously inserted at least partially through the through window W. The dimensions of the through window W are such that the top wall 34b does not interfere in the first expansion 26a. This makes it possible to prevent friction and / or friction and / or high mechanical stresses between the top wall 34b and the first expansion 26a, which could lead to tearing of the connecting element 30 on the top wall 34b. Preferably, the top wall 34b of the connecting element 30 has a bypass window, which can advantageously coincide with the aforementioned bypass window W, through which the sensor 21 can perform detections.
[000114] As stated, the containment body 26 preferably has a second expansion 26b, within which the sensor 21 is at least partially extended.
[000115] It is noted that, in an embodiment not illustrated, the containment body 26 can have a single expansion, within which both the antenna 22 and the sensor 21 can be extended at least partially.
[000116] In a different embodiment not illustrated, the second expansion, within which the sensor 21 is at least partially extended, extends through a window obtained in the side structure 34a. As an example, the second expansion can be extended through one of the aforementioned through windows 38a, 38b.
[000117] Preferably, when the electronic unit 20 is housed in the cavity 35, the second expansion 26b is advantageously inserted at least partially in the facing window, or facing it.
[000118] In this way, the sensor 21 can carry out the provided detections, without the structure of the connecting element 30 and, in particular, the top wall 34b acting as an obstacle.
[000119] Preferably, the device 10 comprises a cover element 39 (figures 2, 3, 3a) positioned on the top wall 34b and facing the through window in the sensor 21. Preferably, the cover element 39 has a substantially type conformation box, with a first opening 39a facing the through window and a second opening 39b for communicating with the inside of the tire 1, when the device 10 is fixed on the inner surface 2.
[000120] Preferably, the first and second openings 39a, 39b are not mutually confrontational.
[000121] In a preferred embodiment, the condition of retaining the connecting element 30 is an elastic resting condition.
[000122] In other words, when not substantially subjected to external mechanical stresses that cause deformation thereof (elastic rest condition), the connecting element 30 is preferably in the retention condition.
[000123] Preferably, in the same embodiment, the insertion condition is a condition of elastic tension of the connection element 30.
[000124] In practice, in the absence of external stresses, when not attached to the inner surface 2 of tire 1, the connecting element 30 is in the holding condition.
[000125] In order to place the connection element 30 in the insertion condition, the connection element 30 is elastically deformed (the details will become clearer below).
[000126] At the end of the insertion, the mechanical stresses that place the connection element 30 in the insertion condition are completed or terminated, in such a way that the connection element 30 can return elasticly to the resting condition, that is, the condition retention.
[000127] When the connecting element 30 is in the holding condition, after the electronic unit 20 has been inserted into the cavity 35, the monitoring device 10 can be advantageously fixed on the inner surface 2 of the tire 1.
[000128] Preferably, the base surfaces 31a, 32a are fixed to the inner surface 2, for example, by means of joining.
[000129] Preferably, the monitoring device 10 is fixed on the inner surface 2 in such a way that the main extension direction X of the separation region 33 is on a radial plane, that is, a plane containing the geometric axis of rotation of tire 1.
[000130] As stated, the present invention also aims to provide a method for installing an electronic unit on a tire.
[000131] Such a method first comprises providing the electronic unit 20 and the connecting element 30.
[000132] The connection element 30 is configured in the insertion condition (figure 2a). Preferably, this comprises moving the base portions 31, 32 away from each other, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction X.
[000133] Subsequently, the electronic unit 20 can be inserted in the cavity 35.
[000134] Preferably, such an insertion comprises moving the electronic unit 20 closer to the housing portion 34, passing through the base portions 31, 32 moved away from each other.
[000135] After the electronic unit 20 has been inserted into the cavity 35, the connection element 30 is configured in the holding condition shown in figure 2.
[000136] As stated, in a preferred embodiment, the condition of retention of the connecting element is a condition of elastic rest. Therefore, configuring the connection element 30 itself in the holding condition, after the insertion of the electronic unit 20, preferably comprises allowing elastic movement again of the base portions one close to the other 31, 32 previously separated.
[000137] Since the connecting element 30 is configured in the holding condition and the electronic unit 20 is housed in the cavity 35, the base surfaces 31a, 32a are fixed on the inner surface 2 of the tire 1.
[000138] Preferably, before proceeding with the fixing of the base surfaces 31a, 32a on the inner surface 2 of the tire 1, it is subjected to a cleaning action, for example, by means of a laser, in order to remove dust or other possible elements that could harm the quality of the installation.
[000139] Preferably, as stated, the operation of fixing the monitoring device 10 on the tire 1 can be carried out by means of joining.

权利要求:
Claims (15)
[0001]
1. Monitoring device for tires for vehicle wheels, characterized by the fact that it comprises: • an electronic unit (20); • a connection element (30) configured to confine said electronic unit (20) in a tire, the said connecting element (30) being of one piece construction and comprising: • a first and a second base portion (31, 32), mutually separated by a separation region (33), each of said base portion ( 31, 32) having a respective base surface (31a, 32a) associated with an inner surface (2) of a tire (1); • a housing portion (34) associated with said base portions (31, 32) , and in cooperation with said base portions (31, 32) defining a cavity (35) for housing said electronic unit (20), wherein said connecting element (30) is deformable between an insertion condition of said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35) and a condition of holding said electronic unit (20) in said cavity and (35), in which, in said insertion condition, said connection element (30) is configured to allow insertion of said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35) when said base portions (31, 32 ) are not attached to said internal surface (2) of said tire (1), wherein said connecting element (30) in said holding condition is configured to prevent extraction of said electronic unit (20) from said cavity (35 ) in any direction when said base portions (31, 32) are attached to said inner surface (2) of said tire (1).
[0002]
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said portion of the housing (34) comprises: - a lateral structure (34a), configured to prevent extraction of said electronic unit (20) from said cavity (35) in directions substantially parallel to the base surfaces (31a, 32a) of said base portions (31, 32); - a top wall (34b), adapted to prevent extraction of said electronic unit (20) from said cavity (35) in a direction orthogonal to the base surfaces (31a, 32a) of said base portions (31, 32), wherein said side structure (34a) is disposed between said base portions (31, 32) and top wall (34b).
[0003]
Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said lateral structure (34a) comprises a first and a second side (36, 37), each of said sides being substantially C-shaped and extending of a respective of said base portions (31, 32) according to directions substantially orthogonal to the plane defined by said base surfaces (31a, 32a).
[0004]
Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first side (36) has a pair of end portions (36a, 36b), each facing a respective end portion (37a, 37b) of the said second side (37), wherein each of the regions arranged between the end portions of the first side (36a, 36b) and the end portions of the second side (37a, 37b) defines a respective through window (38a, 38b) , and in which each of said through-windows (38a, 38b) extends from said separation region (33) towards said top wall (34b).
[0005]
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that: - the distance (D) between said base portions (31, 32) has a given value estimated in a plane defined by said base surfaces (31a, 32a) along a direction substantially perpendicular to a principal extension direction (X) of said separation region (33); - each of the said through-windows (38a, 38b) has an estimated width (L) in a direction parallel to said distance (D) between said base portions (31, 32) which is greater than such distance (D).
[0006]
Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by the fact that the hollows of said first and second sides (36, 37) are mutually confronting to define said cavity (35).
[0007]
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that an internal surface of said portion of the housing defining said cavity (35) does not have cylindrical symmetry relative to any geometric axis, and / or in which said unit electronics (20) does not have cylindrical symmetry relative to any geometric axis.
[0008]
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said base portions (31, 32), when said connecting element (30) is in the holding condition, define a substantially circular profile (P ) in the plane defined by said base surfaces (31a, 32a), and in which the diameter (PD) of said substantially circular profile (P) is arranged in the main extension direction (X) of said separation region (33).
[0009]
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condition of holding said connection element (30) is a condition of elastic rest of the connection element itself (30).
[0010]
10. Device according to claim 2 and any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, characterized by the fact that said electronic unit (20) comprises at least one sensor (21) and an antenna (22), wherein the top wall (34b) of said connection element (30) has at least one through window (W) through which said antenna (22) can emit / receive electromagnetic signals.
[0011]
Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said sensor (21) is a pressure and / or temperature sensor, in which the top wall (34b) of said connection element (30) has a through window through which said pressure and / or temperature sensor (21) can carry out pressure and / or temperature measurements, and in which the device additionally comprises a cover element (39) positioned on said top wall (34b) and facing the said through window in said pressure and / or temperature sensor (21).
[0012]
12. Tire for vehicle wheels, characterized by the fact that it comprises: - an internal surface (2) with a substantially toroidal conformation, - a monitoring device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, mounted on said internal surface (two).
[0013]
13. Method for installing an electronic unit on a tire having a monitoring device (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises: • providing an electronic unit (20); provide a connecting element (30) that is of one piece construction and includes: • a first and a second base portion (31, 32), mutually separated by a separation region (33), each of said portion portions base (31, 32) having a respective base surface (31a, 32a) associated with an inner surface (2) of a tire (1); • a portion of the housing (34) associated with said base portions (31, 32), and in cooperation with said base portions (31, 32) defining a cavity (35) for housing said electronic unit (20), wherein said connecting element (30) is deformable between an insertion condition of said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35) and a condition of retention of said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35), wherein, in said insertion condition, said connection element (30) is configured to allow insertion of said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35) when said base portions (31, 32) are not fixed on said internal surface (2) of said tire (1), in which, in said holding condition, said connecting element (30) is configured to prevent extraction of said electronic unit (20) from said cavity (35) in any direction when said base portions (31, 32) are fixed on said inner surface (2) of said tire (1) - configuring said connecting element (30) in said insertion condition; - insert said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35); - after inserting said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35), configure said connection element (30) in said holding condition and fix the said base surfaces (31, 32) on said inner surface (2) of said tire (1) when said connecting element (30) is in said retention condition.
[0014]
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that configuring said connection element (30) in the insertion condition comprises moving said base portions (31, 32) away from each other, and in which to insert said electronic unit (20) in said cavity (35) comprises moving said electronic unit (20) close to said portion of the housing (34) through said base portions (31, 32) moved away from each other.
[0015]
Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the condition of holding said connection element (30) is a condition of elastic rest, and in that, configuring said connection element (30) in said condition The holding means comprises allowing elastic movement close to each other again from said base portions moved away from each other (31, 32).

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法律状态:
2019-05-14| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2020-04-14| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2021-03-23| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

2021-04-13| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 18/12/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

ITMI20112426|2011-12-29|

ITMI2011A002426|2011-12-29|

US201261594439P| true| 2012-02-03|2012-02-03|

US61/594,439|2012-02-03|

PCT/IB2012/057409|WO2013098711A1|2011-12-29|2012-12-18|Monitoring device for tyres for vehicle wheels, tyre for vehicle wheels provided with said monitoring device, and method for installing an electronic unit in said tyre|

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