Abstract:
A tire-condition ascertaining appliance for ascertaining a condition of a tire includes a housing defining an inner compartment that is substantially hollow. The housing is positioned within an inflation chamber defined between sidewalls of the tire and the rim. The appliance includes an electronics platform received within the inner compartment of the housing. The electronics platform ascertains a fluid condition of the tire and generates fluid-condition data, and processes the fluid-condition data. An antenna is connected to the electronics platform. The antenna receives the fluid-condition data indicative of the fluid condition and transmits the fluid-condition data to a remote location.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and claims benefit to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/023,158, filed on Jul. 10, 2014 and titled “TIRE-CONDITION ASCERTAINING APPLIANCE,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Roadway vehicles, such as cars and trucks, ride on wheels which each include a pneumatic tire. Reliable appliances for ascertaining the conditions of these tires have proven difficult to build in an economic manner. Additionally or alternatively, appliance installation steps often require extra accessories, special tools, and/or tire mechanic training. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In an example, a tire-condition ascertaining appliance for ascertaining a condition of a tire comprises a housing defining an inner compartment that is substantially hollow. The housing is configured to be positioned within an inflation chamber defined between sidewalls of the tire and a rim. The tire-condition ascertaining appliance comprises an electronics platform that is received within the inner compartment of the housing. The housing is configured to be heat shrunk with the electronics platform to seal with the electronics platform. The electronics platform is configured to ascertain a fluid condition of the tire and generate fluid-condition data indicative of the fluid condition of the tire. The electronics platform is configured to process the fluid-condition data indicative of the fluid condition. The tire-condition ascertaining appliance comprises an antenna connected to the electronics platform. The antenna is configured to receive the fluid-condition data indicative of the fluid condition and transmit the fluid-condition data to a remote location. 
         [0004]    In another example, a tire-condition ascertaining appliance for ascertaining a condition of a tire comprises a housing defining an inner compartment that is substantially hollow. The housing is configured to be positioned within an inflation chamber defined between sidewalls of the tire and a rim. The tire-condition ascertaining appliance comprises an attachment stratum configured to attach the housing to a surface of the rim. The housing is configured to be heat shrunk with the electronics platform to seal with the electronics platform. The attachment stratum is in contact with and attached to the housing on one side of the attachment stratum and in contact with and attached to the surface of the rim on an opposite side of the attachment stratum. The tire-condition ascertaining appliance comprises an electronics platform that is received within the inner compartment of the housing. The electronics platform comprises a sensor configured to ascertain a fluid condition of the tire and generate fluid-condition data related to the fluid condition of the tire. The electronics platform comprises a processor configured to receive the fluid-condition data from the sensor. The electronics platform comprises a power supply configured to deliver power to the sensor and the processor. 
         [0005]    In another example, a method of attaching a tire-condition ascertaining appliance to a rim supporting a tire comprises providing a housing defining an inner compartment that is substantially hollow. The method comprises receiving, within the inner compartment of the housing, an electronics platform. The method comprises heating the housing and the electronics platform to heat shrink the housing around the electronics platform. The method comprises attaching the housing to a surface of the rim. The method comprises ascertaining a fluid condition of the tire and generating fluid-condition data indicative of the fluid condition of the tire. The method comprises transmitting the fluid-condition data to a remote location. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1C  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1D  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1E  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1F  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1G  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1H  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1I  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1J  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1K  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1L  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1M  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4D  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4E  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4F  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4G  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4H  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4I  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4J  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4K  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6C  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6D  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6E  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6F  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6G  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6H  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6I  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0046]      FIG. 6J  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0047]      FIG. 6K  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6L  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0049]      FIG. 6M  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6N  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0052]      FIG. 7B  illustrates an example tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0053]      FIG. 7C  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0054]      FIG. 7D  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0055]      FIG. 7E  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0056]      FIG. 7F  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0057]      FIG. 7G  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0058]      FIG. 7H  illustrates an example method of forming a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; 
           [0059]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an example method of installing a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 8B  illustrates an example method of installing a tire-conditioning ascertaining appliance. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0061]    A tire-condition ascertaining appliance  100  and components of the appliance are illustrated in a particular orientation in the drawings and corresponding directional modifiers are used in the following description. These directional modifiers (e.g., front, rear, forward, backward, lateral, upper, lower, top, bottom, horizontal, vertical, etc.) are used only for ease in explanation. They are not intended to limit elements to any particular orientation, only to define relative spatial relationships thereamong. With the adopted convention, length is considered the front-to-rear dimension, width is considered the lateral-to-lateral distance dimension, and thickness or height is considered the upper-lower dimension. 
         [0062]    Also the appliance  100  and components of the appliance have some very thin and/or very small features. If these features were depicted in true scale in the drawings, such features might be dwarfed by neighboring elements and very difficult to distinguish therefrom. Accordingly, the relative thicknesses of certain layer-like elements and/or miniature components may be greatly exaggerated in the figures for clarity in illustration. As such, the dimensions of the structures, components, and/or features herein are not intended to be limiting but, rather, are merely for exemplary purposes. 
       Appliance  100   
     FIG.  1 A- 1 L 
       [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A to 1L , the tire-condition ascertaining appliance  100  has a front wall  101 , a rear wall  102 , and lateral walls  103 - 104 . The upper perimeters of the walls  101 - 104  border an upper wall  105  of the appliance  100 . In an example, the lower perimeters of the walls  101 - 104  border a lower wall  106  of the appliance  100 . ( FIGS. 1A-1D .) 
         [0064]    In some examples, the appliance  100  can have a length that is greater than a width. In some examples, the appliance  100  can have a thickness that is less than a length and width. For example, the length of the appliance  100  can be less than 3 inches (e.g., less than 150 mm), less than 2 inches (e.g. less than 50 mm) and/or between 1 inch and 2 inches (e.g., between 25 mm and 50 mm). A width of the appliance  100  can be less than 1½ inches (e.g., less than 40 mm), less than 1 inch (e.g., less than 25 mm) and/or between ½ inch and 1 inch (e.g., between 12 mm and 25 mm). The thickness of the appliance  100  can be less than ¾ inch (e.g., less than 20 mm, less than ½ inch (e.g., less than 12 mm), and/or between ¼ inch and ½ inch (e.g., between 6 mm and 12 mm). 
         [0065]    In some examples, the appliance  100  can be positioned to extend substantially linearly and/or planar (e.g., non curved). In other examples, the appliance  100  can include at least some degree of curvature (e.g., bending, flexion, torsion, etc.). In the illustrated examples, the appliance  100  can be designed to accommodate a curve  110  having a radius of curvature  111  and an arc-subtending angle  112 . ( FIG. 1E .) In some examples, the dimensions of the appliance  100  (i.e., a dominating length, a lesser width, and a very slender thickness) can facilitate the rim-accommodating feature of the appliance  100 . Apposite values for the curvature  111  and the angle  112  can be chosen based on wheel diameter and appliance length. 
         [0066]    For example, when a wheel has a diameter of 16 inches, the curve  110  will have radius of curvature  111  of about 8 inches (e.g., about 20 cm). If the appliance  100  has a length of 3 inches (e.g., 150 mm), the angle  112  can be between 20° and 22°. If the appliance  100  has a length of 1 inch (e.g., 25 mm), the angle  112  can be between 6° and 8°. 
         [0067]    When a wheel has a diameter of 60 inches, the curve  110  can have radius of curvature  111  of about 30 inches (e.g., about 76 cm). If the appliance  100  has a length of 3 inches (e.g., 150 mm), the angle  112  can be between 5° and 6°. If the appliance  100  has a length of 1 inch (e.g., 25 mm), the angle  112  can be between 1° and 3°. 
         [0068]    A three-inch-long appliance  100  compatible with wheel diameters ranging from 16 inches to 60 inches can have a radius of curvature  111  less than 8 inches and an angle  112  of at least 22°. A one-inch-long appliance  100  compatible with this wheel-diameter can have a radius of curvature  111  less than 8 inches and an angle  112  of at least 8°. As such, it will be appreciated that a variety of dimensions for the appliance  100  are envisioned. Moreover, the appliance  100  is configured to be compatible with wheels of a variety of sizes. 
         [0069]    The appliance  100  need not be bendable widthwise. Rather, in some examples, and as is explained in more detail below, once the appliance  100  is installed, the appliance  100  can remain in a curved configuration throughout an operational life of the appliance  100 . Thus, the appliance  100  may be able to survive frequent and/or repeated bends. For example, if the appliance  100  is attached to a tire, the appliance  100  may need to be able to survive and/or withstand multiple bends due to the frequent flexing of the tire. 
         [0070]    The appliance  100  comprises an electronics platform  200 , an antenna  300 , and a housing  400 . The electronics platform  200  can sense a condition related to the tire. In a possible example, the electronics platform  200  can sense fluid conditions and processes this information for transmittal by the antenna  300 . The housing  400  encases the electronics platform  200  and the antenna  300  extends upward therefrom. The housing  400  can essentially define the walls  101 - 106  of the appliance  100 . 
         [0071]    The upper wall  105  of the appliance  100  can have indicia  121 - 122  contained thereon. The wall  105 , and thus the indicia  121 - 122 , will generally remain visible while the appliance  100  is being shipped, stored, and/or installed. Thus, the indicia  121 - 122  can indicate source, serial number, wheel-size compatibility, and/or installation directions. ( FIG. 1F .) 
         [0072]    An attachment stratum  500  can be situated below the lower wall  106  of the appliance  100 . ( FIGS. 1G-1J ). Stratum-material selection can be such that the appliance  100  is still bendable to the curve  110  (e.g., to accommodate for the rim and/or the tire). ( FIG. 1K .) In an example, with strategic material selection, the attachment stratum  500  can contribute to the appliance&#39;s ability to conform to the curve  110 . In an example, the attachment stratum  500  can be positioned between the appliance  100  and the surface to which the appliance  100  is intended to be attached. For example, the attachment stratum  500  can attach the appliance to a wall of a rim or tire, such that the wall is positioned on one side of the attachment stratum  500 , while the appliance  100  is positioned on an opposite side of the attachment stratum  500 . 
         [0073]    If the appliance  100  includes an attachment stratum  500 , the indicia  121 - 122  can pertain particularly thereto. For example, the indicia  121  can set forth general appliance-attachment directions. The indicia  121 - 122  can correspond to front and rear push spots, where pressure can be placed during installation. ( FIG. 1L .) In some examples, the pressure can be applied manually (e.g., by hand, finger, pushing, etc.) or with a tool. 
       Electronics Platform  200   
     FIGS.  2 A- 2 C 
       [0074]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A to 2C , the electronics platform  200  can be positioned in a horizontal plane and may have a front end  201 , a rear end  202 , and lateral sides  203 - 204 . The platform&#39;s length can be equal the appliance&#39;s length less the elongating material contributed by the housing  400 . Likewise, the platform&#39;s width is can be equal to the appliance&#39;s width less the widening housing material. 
         [0075]    The electronics platform  200  comprises a circuit board  210 , one or more electronic devices  221 - 229 , and a power supply (e.g., a battery  230 ). The circuit board  210  can have a rectangular tile-like shape with cut-off or otherwise tapered corners. The circuit board  210  can comprise a front edge  211 , a rear edge  212 , lateral edges  213 - 214 , an upper surface  215  (margined by the upper edge perimeters), and a lower surface  216  (margined by the lower edge perimeters). The length of the circuit board  210  can be (but need not be) longer than a width of the circuit board  210 . And, in some examples, the circuit board  210  may be relatively thin. 
         [0076]    The electronic devices  221 - 229  are mounted on the upper surface  215  and/or the lower surface  216  of the circuit board  210 . In some examples, the electronic devices  221 - 229  are relatively low profile to preserve the thin geometry of the circuit board  210 . Electrical lines (schematically shown but not specifically numbered) are printed on the board&#39;s surfaces  215 - 216  and/or travel through drill holes. These lines electrically connect the electronic devices  221 - 229 , the battery  230 , and the antenna  300 . 
         [0077]    The electronic devices include a sensor  221 . In an example, the sensor  221  can sense and/or detect a condition related to the tire, the rim, etc. In a possible example, the sensor  221  can communicate with fluid in the surrounding environment within the tire. This sensor  221  can comprise, for example, a capacitive-type transducer with a stack providing an inlet port for the to-be-sensed fluid. A sensor  221  having a high accuracy (e.g., within at least 0.5 psi and/or 3.5 kilopascal) and a high precision (e.g., a distribution span of less than at least 0.1 psi and/or 0.7 kilopascal) may be utilized. But an appliance  100  with a low-accuracy and/or low-precision sensor  221  could be apt and is acknowledged. In a possible example, the condition related to the tire, rim, etc. that the sensor  221  can detect includes an air pressure (e.g., fluid condition) of the tire. 
         [0078]    The electronic devices can also include a processor  222  in electrical communication with the sensor  221 . The processor  222  is programmed to receive fluid-condition data from the sensor  221  in the form of electrical signals. These signals are then processed for transmission through the antenna  300  in, for example, data packets. 
         [0079]    The electronic devices can further include a memory  223  in electrical communication with the sensor  221  and/or the processor  222 . The memory  223  can be used to temporarily store data during brief transmission lags. If the appliance&#39;s primary purpose is to quickly transmit, rather than store, tire-condition data, the capacity of the memory  223  need not be impressive. That being said, an appliance  100  with a high memory capacity is producible and presumed. 
         [0080]    The electronic devices can also include components for facilitating the functions of the sensor  221 , the processor  222 , the memory  223 , the battery  230  and/or the antenna  300 . The electrical devices  224 - 229  can comprise, for example, amplifiers, filters, and/or other components for converting signals and/or power within the platform  200 . 
         [0081]    The circuit board  210 , and the electronic devices  221 - 229  mounted thereon, can be structurally reinforced with conformal coating (e.g., 100% solids UV). This coating can provide chemical and abrasion resistant protection for the electronic circuitry. 
         [0082]    The battery  230  can be hermetically sealed and, in a possible example, may have a brick-like geometry (i.e., rectangular prism). However, such a shape (e.g., brick-like geometry) is not intended to be limiting, as a number of different sizes, shapes, configurations, etc. are envisioned. In an example, the battery  230  can have a front face  231 , a rear face  232 , lateral faces  233 - 234 , an upper face  235 , and a lower face  236 . In the illustrated electronics platform  200 , the battery&#39;s length may be less than a width of the battery. In an example the battery&#39;s height may be less than length-width dimensions of the battery, although the battery  230  may not be as thin as the circuit board  210 . 
         [0083]    In the illustrated electronics platform  200 , the battery  230  is situated so that a front face  231  of the battery  230  abuts, or is close to, the rear edge  212  of the circuit board  210 . The battery&#39;s lower face  236  can be approximately flush with the lower surface  216  of the circuit board  210 . Terminals  237 - 238  can extend between the battery&#39;s rear face  232  and electrical lines on a rear region of the board&#39;s upper surface  215 . 
         [0084]    When so situated, the front edge  211  of the circuit board  210  can define the front end  201  of the electronics platform  200  and the rear face  232  of the battery  230  can define the platform&#39;s rear end  202 . The lateral edge  213  of the circuit board  210  and the lateral face  233  of the battery  230  collectively define the side  203  of the platform  200 . Likewise, the board&#39;s lateral edge  214  and the battery&#39;s lateral face  234  collectively define the platform&#39;s side  204 . 
         [0085]    In an example, the length of the electronics platform  200  can be approximately the sum of the board length and the battery length. Likewise, the width of the electronics platform  200  can correspond to that of the circuit board  210  and the battery  230 . While the platform&#39;s length may remain approximately the same across a width of the platform, the width of the platform  200  may be non-constant (e.g., taper in and out) to follow the profile of the board-to-battery transition. 
         [0086]    The circuit board  210 , with the electronic devices  221 - 229  mounted thereon, can be compliant enough to allow the appliance  100  to be bendable when accommodating the curve  110 . The term “compliant” means that the board structure is board&#39;s supporting substrate can accommodate this curve  110  and that the board&#39;s electrical features are not affected by this accommodation. As was indicated above, the appliance  100  remains in the curve  110  after installation, whereby fatigue associated with frequent board bending is not a factor. 
         [0087]    The terminals  237 - 238  can be mechanically secured to the circuit board  210  so that the battery  230  can pivot relative to the circuit board  210  to accommodate the curve  110 . The pivot range afforded by the terminals  237 - 238  can be small (e.g., less than) 10° and can be accomplished by dimensions and/or material selection. Because the pivot-like purpose of the terminals  237 - 238  ends once the appliance  100  is installed, the terminals  237 ,  238  need not be designed to survive frequent and/or repeated hinging. 
       Antenna  300   
     FIGS.  3 A- 3 B 
       [0088]    Turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the antenna  300  can be a resilient coil structure having a hypothetical axis  301  which generally stands in the vertical direction. Thus, the antenna  300  extends approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the electronics platform  200 . The resilient nature of the antenna  300  allows the antenna  300  to sway somewhat from the vertical axis  301  if nudged and then rebound back into alignment therewith. 
         [0089]    The antenna  300  has an upper tower portion  310  and a lower base portion  320 . The upper tower portion  310  is exposed in the appliance  100  and towers above the upper wall  105 . The upper tower portion  310  is primarily responsible for the propagation of the electrical signals created and conveyed by the electronic platform  200 . 
         [0090]    The lower base portion  320  of the antenna  300  is electrically connected and mechanically connected to the electronics platform  200 . In the illustrated antenna  300 , for example, the base portion  320  is connected to the upper surface  215  of the circuit board  210 , near a front edge  211 . In the completed appliance  100 , the antenna&#39;s base portion  320  is encapsulated by the housing  400 . ( FIGS. 3B-3C .) 
         [0091]    The antenna  300  can transmit fluid-condition data at relatively quick intervals (e.g., at least once every three hundred seconds, at least once every two hundred seconds, and/or at least once every one-hundred seconds). An appliance  100  wherein the antenna  300  transmits at a slower frequency is also feasible and foreseeable. 
       Housing  400   
     FIGS.  4 A- 4 K 
       [0092]    The housing  400  can have a rectangular tab-like shape with a front panel  401 , a rear panel  402 , lateral panels  403 - 404 , an upper panel  405 , and a lower panel  406 . The panels  401 - 406  define the walls  101 - 106  of the appliance  100 . The front-rear panels  401 - 402  can have pinched portions  407 - 408  resulting from heat-shrinking steps. The panels  403 - 406  can have relatively planar profiles. 
         [0093]    The panels  401 - 406  surround an inner compartment  410  in which the electronics platform  200  and the antenna&#39;s lower base portion  320  reside. The inner compartment  410  is substantially hollow such that one or more structures or components can be received within the inner compartment  410 , such as the electronics platform  200 , the lower base portion  320  of the antenna, etc. As is perhaps best explained by referring to the fourth series of figures ( FIG. 4A-4K ), the compartment  410  not only surrounds these components, but also fills the gaps, crevices, voids, and other spaces thereamong. 
         [0094]    In some example appliance-making steps, the housing  400  is formed over the electronics platform  200  and the bottom end portion  320  of the antenna  300 . Thus, the housing  400  need not be produced as a separate piece or subassembly. 
         [0095]    The housing  400  (i.e., the panels  401 - 406  and the compartment  410 ) can be made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyolefin, fluoropolymer, polyvinyl chloride, neoprene, and/or silicone elastomer. With acute attention to polyolefin material, for example, the polyolefin material can have maximum continuous-use temperatures from −55° C. to 135° C., making the polyolefin material ideal for the appliance&#39;s intended environment. The thermoplastic material can be heat-shrunk around the electronics platform  200  and the antenna&#39;s base portion  320 . 
         [0096]    The housing  400  can be rigid enough to adequately protect the electronics platform  200 . However, the housing  400  need not be so stiff that inhibits all bending of the electronics platform  200  during installation of the appliance  100 . Specifically, for example, the housing  400  can be limber enough to allow some bowing of the circuit board  210  and/or pivoting of the battery terminals  237 - 238 . 
         [0097]    A fluid pathway  411  can extend through the housing&#39;s upper panel  405  and into the compartment  410 . ( FIG. 4C .) This pathway  411  extends to the stack of the sensor  221  on the electronics platform  200 . Fluid surrounding the housing  400  can thereby communicate with the sensor  221  so that conditions of the tire can be ascertained. 
       Attachment Stratum  500   
     FIGS.  5 A- 5 B 
       [0098]    The attachment stratum  500  can comprise an adhesive layer  510  adhered to the housing  400 . The adhesive layer  510  can be a pressure-sensitive tape having a core  514 , an adhesive  515  on the upper façade of the core  514 , and an adhesive  516  on a lower façade. The adhesive  515  is adhered to the lower panel  406  of the housing. The adhesive  516  is used during installation of the appliance  100 . 
         [0099]    The core  514  can comprise foam with a viscoelasticty causing the tape to be conformable. In some examples, the conformability of the foam core  514  allows the foam core  514  to be non-uniformly compressed along the appliance&#39;s length, without a compromise in the tape&#39;s “sticking” strength. This varying compressibility can help a substantially flat appliance  100  compensate for the arc along the curve  110 . 
         [0100]    The adhesive  515  can, in some examples, be a multi-purpose acrylic adhesive, a modified acrylic adhesive, or a general purpose adhesive which bonds well with the housing material (e.g., thermoplastic). If the adhesive layer  510  is applied to the housing  400  in a factory setting, temperature conditions may be predictable and the adhesive can be chosen accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, platens or rollers on the assembly line may be available to apply recommended bonding pressures. 
         [0101]    The adhesive  516  can be a multi-purpose acrylic adhesive or a general purpose acrylic adhesive which bonds well to rim material (e.g., metal). As installation of the appliance  100  may occur in many diverse garage settings, temperature-applicable issues can be taken into consideration. In some examples, the adhesive  516  can achieve a relatively good bond strength with manually applied pressure (e.g., pushing down on the spots  122  on the housing  400 ) for a relatively short period of time (e.g., less than 30 seconds). 
         [0102]    The attachment stratum  500  can further comprise a release liner  520  comprising a carrier sheet  524  and a release coating  525  thereon. If the adhesive layer  510  is adhered to the housing  400  of the appliance  100  during production, the release liner  520  will cover and preserve adhesive  516  during shipping and storage. 
         [0103]    The release liner  520  may be removed prior to appliance installation, whereby the release liner  520  need not be concerned with rim-accommodating-curve issues. Thus, a stiff carrier sheet  524  for the release liner  520  is permissible and may be prudent. However, a conventional flexible carrier (e.g., paper, poly-coated paper, polyester film, polyethylene, etc.) can also be used. 
         [0104]    The release coating  525  may be situated on the upper veneer of the carrier sheet  524  so as to interface with the adhesive  516 . The release coating  525  can be, for example, a silicone substance. Non-silicone release coatings are also available and acceptable. 
         [0105]    A protective section  527  of the release liner  520  can cover the adhesive layer  510  and a pull section  528  can cantilever therefrom. In the illustrated release liner  520 , the pull section  528  extends outward from the protective section  527  in the rearward direction. But this need not be the case, as the pull section  528  can extend in any direction therefrom. And release liner  520  without a pull section  528  is feasible and foreseeable. 
       Appliance-Making Method  600   
     FIGS.  6 A- 6 M 
       [0106]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A to 6M , a method  600  of making the appliance  100  can comprise a subassembling step  601 , an enveloping step  602 , and a heat-shrinking step  603 . ( FIG. 6A .) 
         [0107]    In the subassembling step  601 , the electronics platform  200  and the antenna  300  are joined to form a subassembly  610 . For example, the circuit board  210  can be provided with the electronic components  221 - 229  mounted thereon. The battery  230  can be mechanically and electrically connected to the circuit board  210  via the terminals  237 - 238 . And the antenna  300  can then be joined by mechanically and electrically connecting the antenna&#39;s  300  bottom portion  320  to the circuit board  210 . ( FIG. 6B .) 
         [0108]    The illustrated subassembly sequence is arbitrary and alternate progressions may be adopted instead. For the example, the antenna  300  could be attached to the circuit board  210  before the battery  230 . Additionally or alternatively, mounting of some or all of the electronic devices  221 - 229  could occur after the joining of the battery  230  and/or the antenna  300 . 
         [0109]    In the enveloping step  602 , the subassembly  610  is assimilated with a heat-shrinkable envelope  620 . The envelope  620  may be made of a material that deforms in response to being heated, such as by shrinking diametrically when heated. The envelope material can be a thermoplastic material, such as polyolefin, fluoropolymer, polyvinyl chloride, neoprene, and/or silicone elastomer, etc. 
         [0110]    The envelope  620  can have a sheath-like shape with an open front end  621 , an open rear end  622 , lateral regions  623 - 624 , an upper region  625 , and a lower region  626 . These envelope regions  621 - 625  together define a pocket  627  for receipt of the subassembly  610 . ( FIGS. 6C-6E .) 
         [0111]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6G , an antenna-surrounding notch  628  and a fluid-pathway opening  629  can be located on the upper envelope region  621 . The notch  628  is situated adjacent to the envelope&#39;s front end  621  and opens thereinto. The opening  629  is situated rearward of the front end  621  and the notch  628 . 
         [0112]    The enveloping step  602  forms an enveloped assembly  630 . In this assembly  630 , the upper tower portion  310  projects through the notch  628  and upwardly beyond the upper envelope region  621 . The rest of the subassembly  610  resides within the pocket  627  of the envelope  620 . The opening  629  in the upper envelope region  621  may be situated for future alignment with the stack of the sensor  221  on the circuit board  210 . ( FIG. 6F-6I .) 
         [0113]    In the heat-shrinking step  603 , the entire enveloped assembly  630  can be placed in a temperature controlled oven. Upon heating, the envelope  620  shrinks to snuggly fit around the subassembly  610 . The exterior of envelope regions  623 - 626  collectively form the housing&#39;s panels  403 - 406 . Periphery districts of the regions  623 - 626  also constrict inwardly to close the envelope&#39;s open end regions  621 - 622 . During this constriction, they merge to form the housing&#39;s front panel  401  and rear panel  402 , with their extremities forming the pinched portions  407 - 408 . Glue or other adhesive can be optionally inserted just inside the open ends  621 - 622  of the envelope  620  prior to the shrink-heating step  603 . 
         [0114]    During the heat-shrinking step  603 , interior envelope material flows to form the housing compartment  410 . The interior material flow surrounds the electronic platform  200  and fills the empty spaces among the components of the electronic platform. The interior material also flows around and through the antenna&#39;s lower portion  320  to bridge the notch  628  and to seal the lower antenna portion  320  within the housing  400 . 
         [0115]    While the notch  628  is intended to seal during the heat-shrinking step  603 , the opening  628  may form the fluid pathway  411  in the housing  400 . A spacer post  631  can be placed in the opening  628  prior to the heat-shrinking step  603  and then removed thereafter. ( FIG. 6J ). In an example, the heat-shrinking of the housing can cause the housing to seal with the electronics platform. 
         [0116]    If the appliance  100  includes an attachment stratum  500 , the method  600  can also include a stratum-incorporating step  604 . This step  604  can be performed after completion of the heat-shrinking step  603  and formation of the housing panels  401 - 406 . In the stratum-incorporating step  604 , the adhesive layer  510  and the release liner  520  can be sequentially compiled on the lower housing panel  406 . ( FIG. 6K-6L .) 
         [0117]    If the appliance  100  is to include indicia  121 - 122 , the indicia  121 - 122  can be pre-printed on the top region of the envelope  620 . If so, the indicia will be routinely portrayed on the upper housing panel  405 . ( FIG. 6M .) Alternatively, the indicia  121 - 122  can be provided separately after the heat-shrinking step  603  and/or the stratum-incorporating step  604 . For example, the indicia  121 - 122  can be directly printed or otherwise placed onto the upper housing panel  405 . 
       Tire  700   
     FIGS.  7 A- 7 F 
       [0118]    A tire  700  typically includes a tread  701 , sidewalls  702 , and beads  703 . The tread  701  generally forms the circular road-contacting band of the tire  700 , the sidewalls  702  extend radially inward from the tread  701 , and the beads  703  may be located distally on the sidewalls  702 . The tread  701  and the sidewalls  702  can form a toroid inflation chamber  710  when the tire  700  is mounted on a rim  720 . 
         [0119]    The rim  720  can comprise a pair of circular bead-seating flanges  721  and a substantially circular sleeve  722  therebetween. When the tire  700  is mounted on the rim  720 , the beads  703  may be captured by the flanges  721 . In a typical tire maintenance scenario, a tire  700  can be periodically removed from a residing rim  720  upon which the tire  700  resides, for inspection, repairs, replacement or other reasons. This periodical removal can occur, for example, weekly, monthly, bimonthly or otherwise. 
         [0120]    The appliance  100  is secured to an attachment site  730  on the circular sleeve  722  of the rim  720 . The appliance  100  will thereby positioned within the inflation chamber  710  and the appliance  100  can ascertain the fluid conditions thereof. 
         [0121]    The attachment site  730  can be located anywhere along the sleeve circumference. And the attachment site  730  can, but need not be, centered between the flanges  721 . The attachment site  730  will usually not be marked and/or physically distinguishable from the rest of the rim surface. In most cases, the attachment-site location will be determined by placement of an appliance  100 , rather than the appliance&#39;s placement being predetermined by a preset attachment site  730 . In some examples, a fixed or marked attachment site  730  is envisioned. 
         [0122]    While, in a possible example, the location of the attachment site  730  may be arbitrary, the orientation of the appliance  100  can be purposeful so as to profit from the bending ability. For example, the appliance  100  can be oriented so that the appliance  100  longitudinally follows the circumferential curve of the sleeve  722 . In this orientation, the appliance&#39;s front and rear walls  101 - 102  can be positioned perpendicular to a circumferential chord of the rim  720 . The appliance&#39;s front wall  101  can lead counterclockwise rotation (as shown), or a rear wall  102  could instead assume this role. 
         [0123]    If the appliance  100  includes an attachment stratum  500 , the adhesive layer  510  can be used to secure the appliance  100  to the attachment site  730 . ( FIGS. 7E-7F .) 
       Appliance-Installing Method  800   
     FIGS.  8 A- 8 B 
       [0124]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a method  800  of installing the appliance  100  can include a rim-preparing step  801 , an appliance-placing step  802 , and an appliance-pressing step  803 . ( FIG. 8A .) 
         [0125]    In the rim-preparing step  801 , the attachment site  730  on the rim&#39;s sleeve  722  can be cleaned with a suitable substance. For example, the site  730  could be wiped with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water. If the rim  722  has encountered heavy oil, a degreaser or solvent-based cleaner may be used. 
         [0126]    In the appliance-placing step  802 , the appliance  100  may be properly oriented relative to the rim  720 . For example, the appliance  100  is situated so that the appliance  100  longitudinally follows the circumference of the sleeve  722 . Also, the lower wall  406  of the housing  500  can face the attachment site  730  and a pressure-sensitive adhesive  810  may be positioned therebetween. The adhesive layer  810  can be the adhesive layer  510  of the attachment stratum  500  and, if so, the adhesive layer  510  may already be bonded to the housing&#39;s lower wall  406 . 
         [0127]    In the appliance-pressing step  803 , the housing&#39;s upper wall  405  may be pressed downwardly to establish adhesive-to-surface contact. This step may be performed manually, such as by a person pushing down on front and rear spots on the upper wall  405 . If the appliance  100  includes indicia spots  122 , the force can be positioned thereon. While manual pressure can be used, a pressing step  802  involving an instrument or tool is envisioned. 
         [0128]    Pressure may be applied for a relatively short period of time. For example, pressure can be applied for less than 60 seconds, less than 50 seconds, less than 40 seconds, and/or less than 30 seconds. Longer pressing periods are possible. 
         [0129]    If the adhesive layer  810  is the adhesive layer  510 , and the attachment stratum  500  includes a release liner  520 , the appliance-placing step  802  can include removing the release liner  520 . This can be done, for example, by gripping the section  527  of the liner  520  and peeling the section  527  from the adhesive layer  510 . 
         [0130]    The installation of the appliance  100  on a new rim  720  is envisioned. However, in some scenarios, appliances  100  will be installed repeatedly throughout the life of the rim  720  to ascertain conditions of the many tires  700  mounted thereon. The method  800  can therefore include a step  804  of removing a tire  700  from the rim  720 , performing the steps  801 - 803 , and then a step  805  of mounting the same or a different tire  700  back on the rim  730 . ( FIG. 8B .) 
         [0131]    The steps  801 - 805  can be performed during typical tire maintenance sessions when the tire  700  is periodically removed from a residing rim  720  for inspection, repairs, replacement or other reasons. Thus, the steps could occur, for example, weekly, monthly, bimonthly, yearly, or otherwise. 
       CLOSING 
       [0132]    Although the appliance  100 , the electronics platform  200 , the antenna  300 , the housing  400 , the attachment stratum  500 , the appliance-making method  600 , the tire  700 , and/or the appliance-installing method  800  have been illustrated and described as having certain forms and fabrications, such illustrations and descriptions represent only some of the possible adaptations of the claimed characteristics. Other embodiments could instead be creating using the same or analogous attributes.