Method for installing a monitoring device in a tyre for vehicle wheels

A method for installing a monitoring device in a tire for vehicle wheels, includes: providing a monitoring device including: an electronic unit; a connecting member having an upper structure and a lower structure that, in cooperation, define a housing for the electronic unit, the lower structure including two base portions mutually separated by a separation region, each of the base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tire. The method further includes providing a positioning device including two separate active portions, each having a main surface in the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of the monitoring device, the separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least the base portions; associating the positioning device with the monitoring device to keep the monitoring device in an installation condition in which the base portions are maintained at a given mutual distance by the active portions; fastening the base portions to the inner surface of the tire; and removing the positioning device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention has as subject a method for installing a monitoring device in a tyre for vehicle wheels.

The present invention further regards a positioning device adapted to keep a monitoring device for tyres for vehicle wheels in an installation condition. Such positioning device is advantageously used in said installation method.

Description of the Related Art

The need to monitor the operating conditions of the tyres in real time, and possibly store the time evolution of parameters representative of such operation, has assumed increasing importance due to the increasing safety requirements imposed on vehicles by clients and/or national directives/legislation.

The parameters generally considered and/or monitored can be, for example, temperature and pressure of the tyre, distance travelled by the tyre (and/or number of revolutions), load acting on the tyre, as well as other parameters which derive from mathematical processing that can be executed on the basis of signals detected by sensors placed inside the tyres.

The parameters can also be used for identifying particular conditions in which the tyre and/or the vehicle are found, such as wear conditions, aquaplane conditions etc. and, more generally, for monitoring the stresses acting on the tyre during the rolling thereof (e.g. on a road surface).

The date detected or calculated can also be employed for the optimization of the set-up of passive control systems of the vehicle, e.g. systems adapted to verify the suitability between the type of tyre actually installed and the types of tyre provided and considered acceptable and/or approved for such vehicle, as well as active control systems, which use, among other parameters, those identifying the type of tyre for actively operating on the operation of the vehicle, in order to maintain the latter in safety conditions (e.g. ABS, ESP, etc.).

For such purpose, inside the tyre an electronic unit can be mounted, comprising at least one sensor.

The electronic unit can be mounted on the inner surface of the tyre by means of a connecting member, for example made of elastomeric material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Italian patent applications MI2011A002426 and MI2011A002427, on behalf of the same Applicant, describe monitoring devices equipped with particular members for connecting to the tyre, such connecting members provided with a cavity inside of which the electronic unit is housed.

Such connecting members have two base portions separated from each other, which are adapted to be fastened, e.g. by means of bonding, to the inner surface of a tyre. The Applicant found that the presence of two portions separated from each other allows distributing and dampening in a particularly effective manner the deformations caused by the stresses transmitted to the deformation member by the tyre during rolling (also at high and very high speed), so as to advantageously increase the reliability and lifetime of the monitoring device and/or of the bond between the monitoring device and the tyre. The Applicant also found that it is convenient, for the purpose of effectively dissipating the stresses transmitted to the monitoring device by the tyre during rolling, to provide a cavity inside the connecting member with size such to leave one or more interspaces between the outer surface of the electronic unit and the walls defining the housing cavity, so as to contain the electronic unit in a loose manner inside the connecting member.

The Applicant however observed that, the connecting member being made of elastically deformable material, it is possible that, during the fastening of the base portions to the inner surface of the tyre, such base portions may be positioned in an incorrect manner and/or a perfect coupling may not be ensured of the base portions of the connecting member on the inner surface of the tyre, thus causing a decrease of the reliability and/or duration of the bond between the monitoring device and the inner surface of the tyre. Such risk is further increased in case of loose housing of the electronic unit in a cavity placed inside the connecting member, since the base portions thereof have a greater chance of being moved (especially in mutually moving close).

The Applicant found that the incorrect positioning of the base portions of the connecting member can bring the connecting member itself to being unable to resist the stresses transmitted by the tyre during rolling (especially at high speed), and give rise to the separation of the connecting member from the inner surface of the tyre, and/or to the formation of cracks in the connecting member, up to the partial or total breakage of the connecting member itself. Finally, this could lead the connecting member to be no longer capable of keeping the electronic unit associated with the inner surface of the tyre for the entire expected travel, and the electronic unit could therefore be free inside the tyre, when the latter is in operating condition, jeopardising both the quality of the detections and the possible executed processing, as well as the integrity of the circuitry and/or mechanical structure thereof.

The Applicant also observed that an incorrect positioning of the base portions can be caused by forces having non-negligible components in undesired directions, for example unintentionally imparted by the subject who (manually) executes the fastening operation, in the attempt to press, with great intensity, the connecting member against the inner surface of the tyre.

The Applicant verified that, for example, if an operator grasps the monitoring device at the connection region between the base walls and the lateral walls of the connecting member, it is possible that the action exerted for pressing the connecting member against the inner surface of the tyre has significant components also in a direction parallel to the inner surface of the tyre, and causes an undesired mutual moving close of the two base portions.

It is further verified that if an operator imparts a high pressure to the connecting member for the purpose of ensuring that the base portions adhere perfectly to the inner surface of the tyre, it can occur that such pressure is distributed in a non-uniform manner between the connection member and the inner surface of the tyre, so as to obtain the opposite result of that desired, i.e. a non-uniform adhesion of the base portions to the inner surface of the tyre. This can cause a decrease of the reliability of the bond between the monitoring device and the tyre, especially when the tyre operates at a high-speed (i.e. rolling) condition.

The Applicant found that one or more of these problems can be resolved by ensuring that, during the fastening operation, the monitoring device is maintained in an installation condition, in which the two base portions are mutually spaced according to a given distance, so as to be positioned and constrained in a suitable manner on the inner surface of the tyre.

The Applicant also found that associating a suitable positioning device capable of maintaining the base portions at a given mutual distance with the monitoring device, during fastening on the inner surface of the tyre, allows obtaining this result.

The Applicant also found that associating a suitable device capable of acting peripherally at least on the base portions of the connecting member with the monitoring device during fastening on the inner surface of the tyre, allows controlling the pressure exerted on the connecting member, so as to distribute it substantially uniformly on the outer surface of the connecting member (especially the base portions thereof) and ensure a uniform adhesion of the connecting member itself to the inner surface of the tyre.

According to a first aspect, the invention regards a method for installing, in a controlled manner, a monitoring device in a tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising:providing a monitoring device including:an electronic unit;a connecting member having an upper structure and a lower structure that in cooperation define a housing for said electronic unit, said lower structure comprising two base portions mutually separated by a separation region, each of said base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tyre;providing a positioning device including two separate active portions, each having a main surface the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of said monitoring device, said separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least said base portions;associating said positioning device with said monitoring device to keep said monitoring device in an installation condition in which said base portions are maintained at a given mutual distance by said active portions;fastening said base portions to the inner surface of said tyre;removing said positioning device.

The Applicant deems that, in this manner, the base portions of the connecting member being part of the monitoring device can be correctly positioned in a stable manner during the fastening operation, and a durable and reliable bond can therefore be obtained, even against the mechanical stresses to which the monitoring device is subjected during the rolling of the tyre.

According to another aspect, the invention regards a positioning device for keeping a monitoring device in an installation condition, said positioning device comprising two separate active portions, each having a main surface the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of a monitoring device, said separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least base portions of said monitoring device, so that, when said positioning device is associated with said monitoring device, the base portions of said monitoring device are maintained at a given mutual distance by said active portions.

According to a further aspect, the invention regards a kit for installation of a monitoring device in a tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising:a monitoring device provided with:an electronic unit;a connecting member having an upper structure and a lower structure that in cooperation define a housing for said electronic unit, said lower structure comprising two base portions mutually separated by a separation region, each of said base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tyre;a positioning device comprising two separate active portions, each having a main surface the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of said monitoring device, said separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least said base portions,
said positioning device being associated with said monitoring device to keep said monitoring device in an installation condition in which said base portions are maintained at a given mutual distance.

In accordance with one or more of the abovementioned aspects, the invention can comprise one or more of the preferred characteristics indicated hereinbelow.

Preferably, associating said positioning device with said monitoring device comprises putting each of said main surfaces in a condition of substantial mutual contact with the respective outer-surface portions of said monitoring device.

More preferably, associating said positioning device with said monitoring device comprises putting each of said main surfaces in a condition of substantial mutual contact at least with the outer-surface portions of said base portions.

Preferably, removing said positioning device comprises moving said main surfaces away from the respective outer-surface portions of said monitoring device.

Preferably, said positioning device, when it is associated with said monitoring device, surrounds said monitoring device in a substantially continuous peripheral manner according to at least one plane substantially parallel to said base surfaces in at least one portion thereof.

In this manner, a distribution of possible forces exerted in directions substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of the tyre during the fastening operation along the perimeter extension of the monitoring device is promoted, so as to obtain a reliable and durable bond.

Preferably, each of said active portions comprises a respective expansion extending from the respective main surface.

Preferably, associating said positioning device with said monitoring device comprises inserting each respective expansion between said base portions.

In this manner, the monitoring device is maintained in its installation condition, so that the base portions thereof are maintained at the provided distance at least during the operation of fastening to the inner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, said respective expansions are inserted between said base portions from opposite sides of said monitoring device relative to said electronic unit.

Preferably, each of said active portions seen in plan view has a substantially C-shaped conformation having a pair of ends in which, when said positioning device is associated with said monitoring device, the ends of each of said active portions are substantially in contact with the ends of the other active portion.

By means of this structure, a hooping action is exerted on the monitoring device, and such hooping action contributes to stably maintaining the monitoring device itself in the installation condition, opposing possible mutual moving apart of the base portions. In addition, the structure allows acting peripherally on the outer surface of the base portions, so as to distribute the forces applied in a direction substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of the tyre in a substantially uniform manner.

In one embodiment, after associating said positioning device with said monitoring device, a ring nut is fitted around said positioning device, the ring nut being adapted to maintain said active portions of said positioning device associated.

In this manner, the monitoring device is maintained in its installation condition in a still more reliable manner.

In one embodiment, a piston is inserted into said ring nut from the opposite side relative to said monitoring device, said ring nut being slidably associable with an outer surface of said piston.

In this manner, the piston and the ring nut can be removed, at the end of the fastening operation, in a simple and rapid manner.

Preferably, a force is exerted on said piston in a direction substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of said tyre for promoting fastening of said monitoring device to said inner surface.

Preferably, said ring nut and said piston are moved away from said monitoring device before removing said positioning device.

In one embodiment, said positioning device comprises a pair of lever elements, each extending from a respective one of said active portions, each of said lever elements having a distal end relative to the corresponding active portion, the distal ends of said lever elements being mutually associated in such a manner that said positioning device can be configured between an open condition and a closed condition.

Preferably, associating said positioning device with said monitoring device comprises:configuring said positioning device in said open condition;positioning said monitoring device between said active portions;configuring said positioning device in said closed condition, in such a manner that said active portions close around said monitoring device under the action of said lever elements.

Preferably, a pooping member is at least partly fitted around said lever elements and/or said active portions of said positioning device to keep said positioning device in said closed condition.

Preferably, removing said positioning device comprises:after fastening said monitoring device to the inner surface of said tyre, configuring said positioning device in said open condition;moving said positioning device away from said monitoring device.

In one embodiment, said positioning device comprises an actuator member configured for driving said active portions between a mutually moved apart position and a mutually moved close position.

Preferably, associating said positioning device with said monitoring device comprises:operating said actuator member for driving said active portions to said mutually moved apart position;positioning said monitoring device between said active portions;operating said actuator member for driving said active portions to said mutually moved close position.

Preferably removing said positioning device comprises:after fastening said monitoring device to the inner surface of said tyre, operating said actuator member for driving said active portions to said mutually moved apart position;moving said positioning device away from said monitoring device.

In one embodiment, said actuator member comprises:a command element, that can be actuated in rotation;a transmission element, interlocked with said command element, for moving said active portions upon the actuation of said command element.

Preferably, said transmission element can be configured in a first condition, in which it causes mutual moving apart between said active portions, and a second condition, in which it allows mutual moving close between said active portions.

Preferably said actuator member further comprises an elastic-return structure for moving said active portions close to each other when said transmission element is in said second condition.

Preferably said connecting member has an upper structure and a lower structure.

Each of said main surfaces of said positioning device, in a section evaluated when said positioning device is associated with said monitoring device, according to at least one plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base surfaces of said base portions, preferably has a substantially L-shaped conformation comprising a first and a second portion.

Said first portion of said substantially L-shaped conformation preferably substantially matches the shape of an outer surface of a side wall of said lower structure.

Said second portion of said substantially L-shaped conformation preferably substantially matches the shape of an outer surface of a base wall of said lower structure.

Preferably said positioning device further comprises a thrust element, associated with said hooping member, which can be positioned, when said hooping member is fitted around said active portions and/or said lever elements, in contact with said monitoring device on the opposite side relative to said base surfaces.

Further characteristics and advantages will be clearer from the description of a preferred and non-exclusive embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a tyre for vehicle wheels to which the installation method according to the present invention can be applied was indicated in its entirety with 1.

The tyre1(FIG. 1a) comprises an inner surface2, preferably comprising or constituted by the so-called “liner”.

The monitoring device10is mounted on such inner surface2. The monitoring device10comprises an electronic unit20(FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2c, 2d).

Preferably, the electronic unit20comprises at least one sensor21and at least one antenna22.

For example, said sensor21is a pressure and/or temperature sensor, configured for detecting a pressure and/or a temperature inside the tyre1.

In a further embodiment, the sensor21can be a sensor of the accelerometer type, configured for detecting mechanical stresses to which the tyre1is subjected.

In addition or as an alternative, the sensor21can be a sensor of the inertial type.

In one embodiment, the sensor21can be constituted at least in part by a self-powering (“energy scavenger”) system of the electronic unit, from which it is possible to obtain both the electrical power supply for the electronic unit itself, and signals, e.g. analogue signals, representative of the mechanical actions transmitted by the tyre.

In general, the sensor21can also be employed for determining the number of revolutions of the tyre and/or the load acting on the tyre and/or the angular speed and/or parameters representative of operating conditions of the tyre (e.g. friction, wear and/or aquaplane conditions).

The antenna22has at least the task of transmitting the data detected by the sensor21to the apparatuses on board the vehicle on which the tyre1is mounted.

Preferably the electronic unit20also comprises a processing circuit23, associated with the sensor21and with the antenna22.

The processing circuit23can have the task of managing (for example acquiring, and/or filtering, and/or processing) the signals detected by the sensor21, for the purpose of obtaining the data to be stored and/or transmitted by means of the antenna22.

Preferably, the electronic unit20further comprises a power supply system24, predisposed to supply electrical power to the electronic unit20.

Preferably the power supply system24comprises at least one battery. In addition or as an alternative to such battery, the power supply system24can comprise a device capable of transforming the mechanical energy transmitted to the device itself during the rolling of the tyre into electrical energy (energy scavenger).

The antenna22can also receive signals from the apparatuses on board the vehicle and/or from systems placed outside the vehicle itself. For example, the electronic unit20can comprise two antennas, of which one is predisposed to transmit (e.g. at a frequency of 433 MHz) the processed and/or stored data, and another predisposed to receive (e.g. at a frequency of 125 kHz) signals from systems placed on board the vehicle and/or outside the vehicle itself (e.g. wake-up signals for the monitoring device, and/or signals containing pre-configuration data for the monitoring device, and/or signals containing programming instructions for the monitoring device).

The electronic unit20can also comprise a memory25, in which data relative to the operation of the tyre and/or configuration/setup data typically referred to the characteristics the tyre itself, and/or identification data of the monitoring device10and/or of the tyre1is stored. By way of example, in the memory25there can be stored data representative of the distance travelled by the tyre, preferably determined as a function of the overall number of revolutions carried out by the tyre itself. In the memory25, it is also possible to store one or more procedures for processing the signal detected by the at least one sensor21, and/or algorithms for calculating predetermined parameters starting from signals detected by the at least one sensor21(or on pre-processed signals), and/or signal filtering logic). Preferably the electronic unit20comprises a holding body26, preferably rigid, in which the different elements (sensor, antenna, power supply system etc.) are housed.

The holding body26can be obtained according to techniques that are very well known, for example embedding the circuitry of the electronic unit20in a resin casting which stiffens following the solidification thereof, or by means of moulding.

Preferably the holding body26has at least one first expansion26ainside which the antenna (or at least one of the antennas)22extends at least partly.

Preferably the holding body26has a second expansion26binside which the sensor21extends at least partly. In case of pressure sensor and/or temperature sensor, the second expansion26bhas an opening (not shown), for the purpose of allowing the sensor to carry out the necessary measurements.

The monitoring device10further comprises a connecting member30.

When the monitoring device10is fastened to the tyre1, the connecting member30maintains the electronic unit20constrained to the tyre1, and in particular to the inner surface2of the latter.

Preferably the connecting member30is made in a single piece.

Preferably the connecting member30is made of elastomeric material. Such 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 (e.g. polybutadiene, or polyisoprene).

Examples of elastomeric materials which can be employed are described in the international patent application published with number WO 2010/043264 on behalf of the same Applicant.

The connecting member30has a housing cavity for the electronic unit20. Preferably, such housing cavity is configured in such a manner that the connecting member30substantially completely encloses the electronic unit20(except for some projecting portions, as will be described below), in a manner such that the latter cannot be extracted from the housing cavity once the connecting member30is fastened, by means of the base portions thereof, to the inner surface2of the tyre1.

Preferably, the housing cavity has size such to ensure the formation of at least one interspace between the outer surface of the electronic unit20(in particular the containment body26thereof) and the inner walls of said connecting member30defining said housing cavity. In this embodiment, the electronic unit20is therefore enclosed in a loose manner inside the cavity predisposed in the connecting member30.

The connecting member30comprises an upper structure30aand a lower structure30b.

The upper structure30aand the lower structure30bdefine, in cooperation, a housing for the electronic unit20.

Preferably, the upper structure30acomprises a top wall38.

Preferably the top wall38has a rounded perimeter profile, for a connection with the lower structure30b.

Preferably the top wall38has at least one through window W, in which the abovementioned first and/or second expansion26a,26bof the containment body26can be at least partially extended.

Preferably, the lower structure30bcomprises two base portions31,32.

Preferably, each base portion31,32comprises a respective side wall33,34and a respective base wall35,36.

Preferably, the side walls33,34are separated by a pair of side windows37a,37b.

Preferably the base portions31,32, and in particular the base walls35,36, are separated by a separation region Z. The separation region Z has a major extension direction X.

Preferably each base portion31,32, and in particular each base wall35,36has a respective base surface35a,36a, associable to the inner surface2of the tyre1.

Preferably the base walls35,36have, in plan view, a substantially circular conformation.

Preferably the major extension direction X of the separation region Z is directed along a diameter of said substantially circular conformation.

The method according to the invention comprises providing a positioning device40for keeping the monitoring device10in an installation condition, i.e. a condition in which the base portions31,32are maintained at a given mutual distance.

The positioning device40comprises two separate active portions41,42.

Preferably, the active portions41,42are made of a substantially rigid material, for example a plastic or metallic material.

Each active portion41,42has a main surface41a,42a, the shape of which matches that of a respective portion P1, P2 of an outer surface S of the monitoring device10.

The active portions41,42are adapted to cooperate with at least the base portions31,32to keep the monitoring device in the installation condition. In addition, the active portions41,42are adapted to cooperate with at least the base portions31,32in order to distribute the pressure exerted on the positioning device40, in a substantially uniform manner along the perimeter of the monitoring device10, in order to associate the connecting member30to the inner surface2of the tyre1.

Preferably, the abovementioned outer surface S, and the relative portions P1, P2, are extended along the side walls33,34and/or on the base walls35,36of the lower structure30b.

Advantageously, the outer surface S and the relative portions P1, P2 are extended both on the side walls33,34, and on the base walls35,36. In this manner, the active portions41,42exert a pooping action around the monitoring device10, and also allow distributing possible forces directed orthogonally to the inner surface2of the tyre1and aimed to promote the fastening operation in a substantially uniform manner.

The method according to the invention further comprises associating the positioning device40to the monitoring device10.

Preferably such operation comprises placing each of the main surfaces41a,42ain a condition of substantial mutual contact with the respective outer-surface S portions P1, P2 of the monitoring device10.

Preferably, in order to associate the active portions41,42with the monitoring device10, the same active portions41,42are moved along directions substantially parallel to the plane defined by the abovementioned base surfaces35a,36a.

Preferably, such directions are substantially parallel to the major extension direction X of the separation region Z.

Preferably the positioning device40, when it is associated with the monitoring device10, surrounds said monitoring device10in a substantially continuous peripheral manner according to at least one plane a substantially parallel to the base surfaces35a,36ain at least one portion thereof.

Preferably each active portion41,42, seen in plan view, has a substantially C-shaped conformation having a pair of ends (41′,41″,42′,42″).

When the positioning device40is associated with the monitoring device10, the ends of each of the active portions41,42are substantially in contact with the ends of the other active portion. In practice, as schematically shown inFIG. 2f, the ends41′,41″ of the active portion41are substantially in contact with the corresponding ends42′,42″ of the active portion42.

Preferably, each of the active portions41,42comprises a respective expansion43,44extending from the respective main surface41a,42a.

Preferably, when the positioning device40is associated with the monitoring device10, each respective expansion43,44is inserted between the base portions31,32.

Preferably, the respective expansions43,44are inserted between the base portions31,32from opposite sides of the monitoring device10with respect to the electronic unit20.

In a preferred embodiment, the respective expansions43,44are inserted in the abovementioned side windows37a,37bwhich separate the side walls33,34of the lower structure30bof the connecting member30.

In a different embodiment, the expansions43,44are inserted between the base walls35,36.

Preferably, each of said main surfaces41a,42ahas a given conformation. Such conformation can be appreciated in section, evaluated when the positioning device40is associated with the monitoring device10, according to at least one plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base surfaces35a,36aof the base portions31,32. The conformation of each of the main surfaces41a,42ais substantially L-shaped and comprises a first45,46and a second47,48portion.

The first portion45,46of the substantially L-shaped conformation substantially matches the shape of an outer surface of a respective side wall33,34of the lower structure30bof the connecting member30.

The second portion47,48of the substantially L-shaped conformation substantially matches the shape of an outer surface of a respective base wall35,36of the lower structure30b.

Once the monitoring device10is maintained in the installation condition, the base portions31,32, and in particular the base surfaces35a,36a, are fastened to the inner surface2of the tyre1. This is due to a pressure action exerted (typically in a direction substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of the tyre2) on the positioning device40. Such pressure can be exerted for example manually on the outer surface of the active portions41,42.

Preferably, the monitoring device10is fastened in such a manner that the major extension direction X of the separation region Z is disposed substantially in a radial plane of the tyre1.

The fastening of the monitoring device10to the inner surface2can be executed, for example, by means of bonding.

Preferably, before proceeding with the fastening, the portion of the inner surface2of the tyre1where the monitoring device will be positioned undergoes a cleaning operation, for example by means of laser or chemical and/or mechanical agents.

After the monitoring device10has been fastened to the inner surface of the tyre1, the positioning device40is removed.

Preferably the removal of the positioning device40comprises moving the main surfaces41a,42aaway from the respective outer-surface S portions P1, P2 of the monitoring device10.

Preferably, in order to move the active portions41,42away from the monitoring device10, the same active portions41,42are moved along directions substantially parallel to the plane defined by the abovementioned base surfaces35a,36a.

Preferably such directions are substantially parallel to the major extension direction X of the separation region Z.

In a first embodiment, the positioning device40comprises preferably only the two abovementioned active portions41,42(FIGS. 2a-2f).

Such active portions41,42can be associated with the monitoring device10, and removed from the same at the end of the fastening operation, also manually.

In order to facilitate a correct orientation of the mounting device10(as said, the latter is preferably fastened in such a manner that the major extension direction X of the separation region Z is disposed substantially in a radial plane of the tyre1), at the ends41′,41″,42′,42″ graphical symbols49can be suitably predisposed, for example in relief; such graphical symbols49allow visually identifying a direction substantially orthogonal to the major extension direction X of the separation region Z (i.e. a circumferential direction of the tyre1).

In this manner, an installer who manually executes the fastening operation has all the indications required for a correct orientation of the monitoring device10, even though the separation region Z is not visible, since it is covered by the active portions41,42.

In a second embodiment (FIGS. 3a-3b), the positioning device40further comprises a ring nut50, which can be fitted around the active portions41,42so as to maintain the same mutually associated.

Preferably, the ring nut50is made of metallic material, such as aluminium or steel, or plastic material, such as nylon, Teflon or Bakelite.

Preferably the positioning device40further comprises a piston51, insertable into said ring nut50from the opposite side with respect to the monitoring device10.

Preferably, the piston51is made of metallic material, such as aluminium or steel, or plastic material, such as nylon, Teflon or Bakelite.

Preferably the piston51has an outer surface52, having substantially cylindrical extension, for example, along which the ring nut50can slide.

The piston51can be advantageously employed for promoting fastening of the monitoring device10to the inner surface2of the tyre1. Indeed, after positioning the monitoring device on the inner surface2of the tyre1, associating the active portions41,42with the monitoring device10, fitting the ring nut50outside the active portions41,42, and inserting the piston51into the ring nut50, a force can be exerted on the piston51itself in a direction substantially orthogonal to the inner surface2of the tyre1. Given that the piston51is substantially in contact with the monitoring device10, such force is transmitted to the monitoring device10itself, thus promoting the fastening of the latter to the inner surface2. The pressure is distributed substantially uniformly along the perimeter of the monitoring device10due to the active portions41,42. Indeed, possible forces in a direction parallel to the inner surface2of the tyre1tending to move the base portions31,32of the connecting member30close together are obstructed by the presence of the expansions43,44; possible forces in a direction parallel to the inner surface2of the tyre1tending to move the base portions31,32of the connecting member30apart are obstructed by the presence of the ring nut50.

Once the fastening operation has terminated, the ring nut50and the piston51can be removed, preferably before the active portions41,42are moved away from the monitoring device10.

Preferably, the piston51has an end stop element53for said ring nut50. The end stop element53intercepts the ring nut in the movement thereof away from the inner surface2of the tyre1so that, by continuing such movement, the ring nut and the piston51can be integrally moved away from the monitoring device10.

By way of example, the end stop element53can comprise a plate-like element, with substantially circular element, having greater diameter relative to said piston51and mounted in a substantially concentric manner on the latter.

In a third embodiment (FIGS. 4a-4e), the positioning device40comprises, in addition to the active portions41,42, also a pair of lever elements61,62.

Each lever element61,62is extended from a respective one of the active portions41,42.

Each lever element61,62has a distal end61a,62arelative to the corresponding active portion41,42.

Preferably the distal ends61a,62aof the lever elements61, are mutually associated with each other in such a manner that the positioning device40can be configured between an open condition and a closed condition.

In the open condition, the active portions41,42are sufficiently spaced so that the monitoring device10can be positioned between the active portions41,42themselves.

In the closed condition, the active portions41,42are closed around monitoring device10under the action of the lever elements61,62.

The mutual bond between the distal ends61a,62aof the lever elements61,62can be obtained, for example, by making the two lever elements61,62as a single piece, made of elastically deformable material, or by means of a pin that allows the two lever portions61,62to rotate with respect to each other along a rotation axis defined by the longitudinal extension of the pin itself.

In this embodiment, the positioning device40further comprises a hooping member63, which can be fitted at least partly around said lever elements61,62and/or said active portions41,42to keep the positioning device40in the closed condition.

Preferably, the hooping member63is fitted on the lever elements61,62at the distal ends61a,62a, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the active portions41,42.

Preferably at least one of the lever elements61,62has a shoulder65,66having a respective abutment surface65a,66awhich acts as an end stop for the hooping member63, when the latter is fitted around the lever portions61,62.

Preferably, the hooping member63is associated with a thrust element64which, when the positioning device40is in the closed condition and the hooping member63is fitted on the lever elements61,62and/or on the active portions41,42, is extended between the lever elements61,62themselves and comes into contact with the monitoring device10. The thrust element64thus allows exerting a force, on the monitoring device10, which promotes the fastening of the latter to the inner surface2of the tyre1.

Preferably, graphical signs67are predisposed on the top of the hooping member63, such graphical signs67allowing a correct orientation of the monitoring device10during the fastening operation.

Therefore, by employing a positioning device40in accordance with this third embodiment, the installation method can comprise one or more of the following actions:configuring the positioning device40in the open condition; this operation can be executed, for example, by manually mutually moving the active portions41,42apart, by acting on the same and/or on the respective lever elements61,62;positioning the monitoring device10between the active portions41,42;while the monitoring device10is interposed between the active portions41,42, configuring the positioning device40in the closed condition; even this operation can be manually executed, for example, by acting directly on the active portions41,42and/or on the respective lever elements61,62;fitting the hooping member63around the lever elements61,62and/or the active portions41,42, and bringing the thrust element64in contact with the monitoring device10;executing the fastening operation, preferably promoting it by exerting on the monitoring device10, by means of the thrust element64, a force substantially orthogonal to the surface2of the tyre1;at the end of the fastening operation, configuring the positioning device40in the open condition, mutually moving the active portions41,42apart.

In a fourth embodiment (FIGS. 5a-5d), the positioning device40comprises, in addition to the two active portions41,42, an actuator member70configured for driving said active portions41,42between a mutually moved apart position and a mutually moved close position.

Preferably, the actuator member70comprises a command element71, that can be actuated in rotation, and a transmission element72, interlocked with said command element71, for moving the active portions41,42upon the actuation of the command element71itself.

Preferably, the transmission element72can be configured in a first condition, in which it causes mutual moving apart between the active portions41,42, and a second condition, in which it allows mutual moving close between the active portions41,42.

Preferably, the actuator member70further comprises at least one elastic-return structure73for moving the active portions41,42close to each other when the transmission element72is in the second condition.

Preferably the positioning device40further comprises a support structure74, for example having a substantially cylindrical conformation.

The active portions41,42, together with the actuator member70, are advantageously mounted on the support structure74.

By way of example, the elastic-return structure73can comprise a pair of springs, each having a first end fastened to a respective one of the active portions41,42, and a second end fastened to the other active portion.

Preferably, said positioning device40further comprises a stop element75, which is moved upon the movements of said command element71and/or transmission element72. In a preferred embodiment, the stop element75is substantially integral with the command element71and/or with the transmission element72.

The stop element75is adapted to cooperate with one or more abutment surfaces76a,76b, defining respective end stop positions for said stop element75.

Preferably, said one or more abutment surfaces76a,76bare internal surfaces of a recess77obtained in the support structure74.

In practice, when the command element71and/or the transmission element72are moved, typically for driving the active portions41,42between the mutually moved close position and the mutually moved apart position, the stop element75is moved along the recess77. When the stop element75is in abutment on one of the abutment surfaces76a,76b, it stops the command element71and the transmission element72, since the active portions41,42have reached the end configuration thereof, i.e. one of the abovementioned mutually moved close or mutually moved apart positions.

Hence, by employing a positioning device40in accordance with this fourth embodiment, the installation method can comprise one or more of the following actions:operating the actuator member70for driving the active portions41,42in the mutually moved apart position;positioning the monitoring device10between the active portions41,42;while the monitoring device10is interposed between the active portions41,42, operating the actuator member70for driving the active portions41,42themselves in the mutually moved close position;executing the fastening operation;once the fastening operation has terminated, operating the actuator member70for driving the active portions41,42in the mutually moved apart position.

A kit for installing the monitoring device10in the tyre1is also an object of the present invention.

Such kit comprises the monitoring device10and the positioning device40. The kit typically comprises an adhesive (e.g. cyanoacrylate-based glue) to be affixed to the base surfaces35a,36aof the connecting member30for the purpose of fastening the monitoring device10to the inner surface2of the tyre1. The kit typically also comprises materials for the treatment and cleaning of the inner surface2of the tyre1(e.g. chemical and/or mechanical agents).

By employing the abovementioned first embodiment of the positioning device40, which substantially comprises the single active portions41,42, a kit can be sold having the active portions41,42already associated with the monitoring device10. In other words, the kit thus achieved allows supplying the monitoring device10already correctly configured and maintained, by means of the active portions41,42, in the installation condition. The monitoring device10is then ready to be fastened to the inner surface2of the tyre1.