Patent Description:
Bicycle wheels are known to include a rim and a pneumatic tire mounted to the rim. When in use, pneumatic tires help to generate the forces necessary for bicycle propulsion, braking, balancing, and turning, and serve as an important source of suspension for the bicycle.

Thus, it is good practice to verify that the pneumatic tires are properly pressurized prior to riding the bicycle. Conventionally, this is done by attaching a pump to the bicycle wheel (e.g., via a Presta or Schrader valve) and using a gauge on the pump to check the pressure. While an effective means to check pressure, the pump lets air out of the pneumatic tire in the process, such that users of the bicycle typically must pump up the tire before each ride.

<CIT> discloses a bicycle wheel comprising a rim and a pressure sensing device having a strain gauge. The pressure sensing device is arranged on the rim.

<CIT> discloses a pressure monitoring device which is affixed to a tire valve. The pressure monitoring device comprises a light emitting diode.

<CIT> discloses a pressure monitoring system for a bicycle. The pressure monitoring system comprises a display which is mounted on a handlebar.

<CIT> discloses a tire state monitoring device which is configured to be mounted within a tire. The tire state monitoring device comprises a pressure sensor. Furthermore, the tire state monitoring device is configured to wirelessly transmit data to a receiver.

<CIT> discloses a valve system including a microelectromechanically structured pressure sensor which is arranged within a valve body.

In accordance with a first exemplary aspect of the present invention, a pressure sensing assembly is provided as defined in the appended independent claim <NUM>.

The pressure sensing assembly is configured to be attached to a bicycle wheel having a tire and a rim mounted to the tire, and includes a housing, a pressure transmitting member coupled to the housing, a sensing chamber, and a sensing element. The housing defines a plane. The pressure transmitting member has a central portion offset from the plane in a first direction. The sensing chamber is defined by the housing and the pressure transmitting wall. The sensing element is offset from the plane in a second direction opposite the first direction. The pressure transmitting member is configured to transmit a pressure in the tire to the sensing element via the sensing chamber.

In accordance with a second exemplary aspect of the present invention, a bicycle wheel is provided. The bicycle wheel includes a rim, a tire mounted to a tire bed of the rim, and a pressure sensing assembly attachable to the rim. The pressure sensing assembly includes a housing and a sensing element. The housing has a surface that is configured to engage the tire bed. The tire bed has a tire engagement surface configured to accept the housing. The sensing element is arranged to measure a pressure in the tire.

In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing first and second exemplary aspects, a pressure sensing assembly or a bicycle wheel may include any one or more of the following further preferred forms.

In one preferred form, wherein the pressure transmitting member includes a deflecting member, which may have a convex outer surface.

In another preferred form, the pressure transmitting member is movable responsive to pressure changes in the tire.

In another preferred form, the sensing element is arranged in the sensing chamber.

In another preferred form, a printed circuit board is disposed within the sensing chamber and a power source is coupled to the printed circuit board, and the sensing element is disposed on the printed circuit board.

In another preferred form, a printed circuit board is disposed within the sensing chamber, and a first wireless communicator is coupled to the printed circuit board and configured to transmit data indicative of the sensed pressure of the tire.

In another preferred form, a second chamber is arranged adjacent the sensing chamber, the second chamber fluidly isolated from the sensing chamber, and the sensing element is arranged in the second chamber.

In another preferred form, a printed circuit board is disposed within the second chamber, and a first wireless communicator is coupled to the printed circuit board and configured to transmit data indicative of the sensed pressure of the tire.

In another preferred form, a printed circuit board is provided and a light-emitting element is coupled to the printed circuit board, the light-emitting element configured to emit light indicative of the sensed pressure of the tire.

In another preferred form, incompressible fluid is disposed in the sensing chamber.

In another preferred form, a reference port is formed in the housing and is fluid communication with atmosphere, and a gas permeable and fluid impermeable barrier is arranged between the sensing element and the reference port.

In another preferred form, a pressure transmitting member (e.g., a wall) is coupled to the housing, a sensing chamber is defined by the housing and the pressure transmitting member, and the pressure transmitting member is configured to transmit the pressure in the tire to the sensing element via the sensing chamber.

In another preferred form, the sensing chamber is fluidly isolated from an interior of the tire.

In another preferred form, the tire is tubeless.

In another preferred form, the pressure transmitting wall has a curved outer surface, and the pressure transmitting wall is movable responsive to pressure changes in the tire.

In another preferred form, a light pipe is coupled to the light-emitting element and a lens is coupled to the light pipe, and the lens extends through an opening formed in the tire bed of the rim, such that light emitted by the light-emitting element is visible.

In another preferred form, the sensor assembly is operable in different modes responsive to user activity associated with the tire.

The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the several FIGS. , in which:.

The present invention is generally directed to examples of pressure sensing assemblies that solve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior known devices for checking the pressure of a bicycle wheel. The pressure sensor assemblies disclosed herein allow a user of the bicycle to quickly and easily determine the pressure of the wheels of the bicycle without having to utilize conventional the pump and gauge systems described above. Thus, the user of the bicycle can, for example, determine the pressure of the wheels without affecting the pressure therein.

<FIG> generally illustrates a bicycle <NUM> that employs a pressure sensing assembly <NUM> constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The bicycle <NUM>, which in this example takes the form of a mountain bicycle, has a frame <NUM>, handlebars <NUM> near a front end of the frame <NUM>, and a seat or saddle <NUM> for supporting a user (e.g., a rider) of the bicycle <NUM> on the frame <NUM>. The bicycle <NUM> also includes a first or front wheel <NUM> and a second or rear wheel <NUM>. The front wheel <NUM> is carried by a front fork <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and supports the front end of the frame <NUM>, while the rear wheel <NUM> is carried by a rear fork <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and supports a rear end of the frame <NUM>. In an embodiment, the rear end of the frame <NUM> may be supported by a rear suspension component (not shown). The bicycle <NUM> also has a drive train <NUM> with a crank assembly <NUM> that is operatively coupled via a chain <NUM> to a rear cassette near a rotation axis of the rear wheel <NUM>. It will also be appreciated that the bicycle <NUM> may include additional components, e.g., a front derailleur <NUM>, a rear derailleur <NUM>, a bicycle computer, a headset, and the like.

While the bicycle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a mountain bicycle, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, including the specific embodiments disclosed herein as well as alternative embodiments, may be implemented on other types of bicycles. As an example, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may be used in connection with road bicycles as well as bicycles with mechanical (e.g., cable, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.) and non-mechanical (e.g., wired, wireless) drive systems.

As will be appreciated from <FIG>, the rear wheel <NUM> of the bicycle <NUM>, which is, in this example, similar to the front wheel <NUM>, includes a rim <NUM> and a pneumatic tire <NUM> removably mounted to the rim <NUM>. More particularly, a portion of the pneumatic tire <NUM> is disposed within a tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM> and engages a tire engagement surface <NUM> of the tire bed <NUM> (see <FIG>), such that the pneumatic tire <NUM> is securely mounted to the rim <NUM>. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the pneumatic tire <NUM> may be a tubed tire (i.e., one that includes an inner tube), a tubeless tire (i.e., one that does not include an inner tube), or some other type of tire. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may be attached to the rim <NUM> and operatively coupled to the pneumatic tire <NUM> such that the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is able to detect or sense a pressure of a pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>, which may, for example, be defined by a tube disposed in an interior of the pneumatic tire <NUM>, by the interior of the pneumatic tire <NUM> and a seal of the pneumatic tire <NUM>, and/or one or more other components. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is, in turn, able to indicate or transmit the detected or sensed pressure to the user of the bicycle <NUM>. Thus, the user of the bicycle <NUM> can easily and quickly check the pressure in the front and rear wheels <NUM>, <NUM> without having to resort to using the conventional pump and gauge system described above.

In an embodiment, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is disposed on a radially opposing side of the rim than a valve stem <NUM> operative to allow the addition and/or removal of air from the pneumatic tire <NUM>, for example as shown with respect to the front wheel <NUM> in <FIG>. In this configuration the mass of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may be used to balance and/or offset the mass of the valve stem <NUM>. In an embodiment, the rim may include at least a first hole and a second hole to facilitate the installation of both the valve stem <NUM> and the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, respectively. The first hole and the second hole may be disposed on radially opposing sides of the wheel.

<FIG> illustrate a first example of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, in the form of pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, that may be removably attached to the rim <NUM>, particularly the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM>, and operatively coupled to the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> in this example includes a housing <NUM> and a pressure transmitting member <NUM> that is coupled to the housing <NUM> via a frame element <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is preferably made of a substantially rigid material such as nylon, polycarbonate/abs alloy (PC/ABS), or any other suitable material. The housing <NUM> has a substantially annular shape defined by a base <NUM>, a first wall portion <NUM> that extends upward from the base <NUM>, and a second wall portion <NUM> that extends downward from the base <NUM>. The first wall portion <NUM> has a first, substantially annular, portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> that extends radially inwardly from the first portion <NUM> before extending further upward relative to the base <NUM>. The second wall portion <NUM> has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of each of the base <NUM> and the first wall portion <NUM>. As best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, an opening <NUM> is formed or defined in the base <NUM> and extends through the second wall portion <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is sized and shaped to receive a light transmitting element, e.g., a light pipe, of the pressure sensor assembly <NUM>, which will be discussed in greater detail below.

The pressure transmitting member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> preferably takes the form of a wall that is made of a compliant material such as a vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or the like, that substantially does not resist motion or a force applied thereto. The pressure transmitting member <NUM> may thus be referred to herein as a deflecting member or a compliant member, or, more specifically, a pressure transmitting wall. In this example, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> moves or deflects responsive to a force or a pressure applied thereto. In other examples, however, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> may not move or deflect, but will instead just not resist the force or pressure. But in all of these examples, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is configured to transmit the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> to other components of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>.

The pressure transmitting member <NUM> has a perimeter edge <NUM> that is secured between the second portion <NUM> of the perimeter wall <NUM> and the frame element <NUM> such that the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is secured in place. The pressure transmitting member <NUM> also has a central portion <NUM> that is radially inward of the perimeter edge <NUM> and protrudes outward from the perimeter edge <NUM>, such that when the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>, the central portion <NUM> of the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is exterior of, or spaced from, a plane <NUM> defined by the housing <NUM>. In this example, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> protrudes outward, i.e., it has a convex shape, though in other examples, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> may instead have a concave shape or some other shape.

With reference to <FIG>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> also includes a sensing chamber <NUM>. The sensing chamber <NUM> is a sealed chamber defined by the housing <NUM> and the pressure transmitting member <NUM>. When the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is attached to the tire bed <NUM> of the rim, the sensing chamber <NUM> of the pressure sensing assembly is arranged or positioned to detect or sense a pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM> via the pressure transmitting member <NUM>. More particularly, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is in pressure communication with the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>, such that the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> applies a force F on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> based on the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure transmitting member <NUM> is thus, at least in this example, movable or deflectable, relative to the housing <NUM>, responsive to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber (e.g., responsive to pressure changes).

Because the sensing chamber <NUM> is partially defined by the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, the sensing chamber <NUM> in turn has a pressure that tracks or corresponds to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. Thus, when, for example, the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> is low, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> will protrude further outward, relative to the plane <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, than it would when the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> is high (as the force applied to the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is lower), such that the volume of the sensing chamber <NUM> is greater (and the pressure therein lower) when the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> is lower as compared to when the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> is high(er).

The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> further includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) <NUM> and a pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> physically and communicatively connected to the PCB <NUM>. As illustrated, the PCBA <NUM> is seated against the base <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that the PCBA <NUM> is disposed in the sensing chamber <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> in this example includes a substrate <NUM> and a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM>, i.e., circuitry, coupled (e.g., attached, applied) to the substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> generally forms the structure and/or shape of the PCBA <NUM>. In this example, the substrate <NUM> has an annular shape and includes a circular aperture <NUM> sized and arranged to receive the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>. In other examples, however, the shape and/or size of the substrate <NUM> may vary. The substrate <NUM> may be any substance operable to form the underlying attachment for the PCB <NUM>. For example, silicon, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, sapphire, germanium, gallium arsenide ("GaAs"), an alloy of silicon and germanium, or indium phosphide ("InP"), may be used. The substrate <NUM> may be rigid or flexible. The substrate <NUM> may be one continuous piece of substrate material, or multiple pieces. In this example, the PCB <NUM> includes or is formed of a number of electronic components such as, for example, a microcontroller <NUM>, a first wireless communication device <NUM>, a second wireless communication device <NUM>, a light-emitting element <NUM>, and a sensor <NUM>, coupled to the substrate <NUM>. In other examples, the PCB <NUM> may include additional, fewer, or different components. As an example, the PCB <NUM> may only include one wireless communication device.

The pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> in this example takes the form of a sensor housing <NUM> and a pressure sensing element (e.g., a sensor) <NUM> arranged in the sensor housing <NUM>. The pressure sensing element <NUM> may, for example, be manufactured TE Connectivity. The sensor housing <NUM> has a cylindrical portion <NUM> that extends through the circular aperture <NUM>, and a flanged portion <NUM> that is seated against a bottom surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> to couple the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> to the substrate <NUM> of the PCBA <NUM>.

As such, a portion of the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> lies in the plane <NUM> defined by the housing <NUM>, while the remainder of the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> (e.g., the flanged portion <NUM>) is spaced from the plane <NUM> in a direction opposite the central portion <NUM> of the pressure transmitting member <NUM>. In other words, the central portion <NUM> of the pressure transmitting member <NUM> and a substantial portion of the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> are on opposite sides of the plane <NUM>. Thus, the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is positioned in the sensing chamber <NUM>, such that the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> can detect or sense the pressure in the sensing chamber <NUM>, which, as discussed above, tracks or corresponds to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. At the same time, because the sensing chamber <NUM> is sealed, the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is fluidly isolated from any sealant that might be in the pneumatic chamber (e.g., when plug the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>.

Further yet, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> includes a power source <NUM>. The power source <NUM> is generally configured to supply power to the various components of the assembly <NUM>. In this example, the power source <NUM> is a battery that is seated against a top surface <NUM> of the PCB <NUM>, opposite the bottom surface <NUM>. The battery may be a specially fitted or configured battery, or may be a standard battery such as a CR <NUM>, CR <NUM>, CR <NUM>, or CR <NUM> battery. In other examples, the power source <NUM> may be positioned elsewhere and/or may instead take the form of a combination of multiple batteries and/or other power providing devices.

Referring now to <FIG>, a block diagram of the pressure sensing element <NUM>, the microcontroller <NUM>, the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, the light-emitting element <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> is provided. As illustrated, each of these components is in some way coupled to the PCB <NUM> and communicatively connected to the microcontroller <NUM>. It will be appreciated that these connections may be accomplished using any now known or later developed technique.

The microcontroller <NUM> generally includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions to be executed by the processor. The processor may include a general processor, digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), analog circuit, digital circuit, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed processor. The processor may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as through shared or parallel processing. The memory may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory may include one or more of a read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an electronic erasable program read only memory (EEPROM), or other type of memory. In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly, the invention is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. The memory is a non-transitory computer-readable medium and is described to be a single medium. However, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed memory structure, and/or associated caches that are operable to store one or more sets of instructions and other data. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

The first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM> each provide for data and/or signal communications between the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> (e.g., the processor <NUM>) and other components of the bicycle <NUM> or one or more external devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, headsets). Thus, a user of the bicycle <NUM> may, for example, use an external device to set a pre-determined pressure setpoint for the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> (indicative of a desired pressure for the pneumatic tire <NUM>), obtain the current pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM>, change settings of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, and/or perform other desired functionality.

In this example, the first wireless communication device <NUM> includes one or more antennae for facilitating the above-described communications using the ANT+™ wireless protocol, while the second wireless communication device <NUM> includes one or more radio devices for facilitating the above-described communications using Bluetooth®. In other examples, however, the first and/or second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM> can facilitate such communications using any now known or later developed standards, including, for example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, HTTPS), ZigBee, WiFi, and/or AIREA™ standards, or the like. It will also be appreciated that the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM> can be embodied in a single wireless communication device <NUM>, <NUM> that facilitates any or all of the above-described communications.

The light-emitting element <NUM> is generally configured to emit light based upon the pressure sensed or detected by the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> and communicated to the microcontroller <NUM>. The light-emitting element <NUM> in this example is a light-emitting diode (LED), though in other examples, the light emitting element <NUM> can instead be any now known or later developed source of light. The light-emitting element <NUM> in this example is configured to emit three different colors light, green light (i.e., light having a wavelength of <NUM> - <NUM>), yellow or orange light (i.e., light having a wavelength of <NUM> - <NUM> or a wavelength of <NUM> - <NUM>) or a blend thereof, and red light (i.e., light having a wavelength of <NUM> - <NUM>), with each color of light associated with a different pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM> sensed by the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>. As an example, the green light may be emitted when the pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM> is greater than a pre-determined set point (e.g., factory set or set by the user of the bicycle <NUM>), the yellow or orange light may be emitted when the pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM> is substantially equal to or just below the pre-determined set point, and the red light may be emitted when the pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM> is well below the pre-determined set point, indicating that the pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM> is very low. Of course, in other examples, the light-emitting element <NUM> can emit fewer, additional, and/or different colors and/or the light may be emitted based upon different criteria.

The sensor <NUM> is generally configured to detect or sense one or more actions performed in connection with the bicycle <NUM>. In this example, the sensor <NUM> takes the form of an accelerometer configured to determine (e.g., recognize, measure, or detect, record) translational and/or rotational motion indicative of one or more user actions performed in connection with the rear wheel <NUM>. As an example, the accelerometer may determine that the wheel <NUM> is currently spinning (indicative of the bicycle <NUM> being used), has been spun (e.g., backwards) by the user, has been shaken by the user, has been squeezed by the user (e.g., double squeezed), has been tapped by the user (e.g., two or three times), has been dropped by the user, has been translated by the user (e.g., moved side to side), and the like. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor <NUM> may include other sensors, e.g., vibration sensors, gyroscopes, touch or tactile sensors, and/or any other known or later developed sensors for the purpose of determining one or more of these or other actions performed in connection with the bicycle <NUM>.

In operation, the microcontroller <NUM> obtains data indicative of the pressure in the sensing chamber <NUM> (which is indicative of the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>) from the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>. In turn, the microcontroller <NUM> may transmit the obtained data to the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., for transmission to other components of the bicycle <NUM>, e.g., the front derailleur <NUM>, the rear derailleur <NUM>, the bicycle computer, and/or external devices), and to the light-emitting element <NUM> (for emission of light based upon the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM>).

However, because the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and the light-emitting element <NUM> tend to quite quickly drain the power source <NUM>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may be operable in different power modes so as to minimize usage of these components whenever possible. In this example, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is operable in three different modes: a wake mode, a sleep mode, and a deep sleep mode. In other examples, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may be operable in more or less and/or different modes. As an example, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may only be operable in a wake mode and a sleep mode.

When the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is in the wake mode, the sensing assembly <NUM> is fully operational. When, however, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is in the sleep mode, the assembly <NUM> is operational, but the light-emitting element <NUM> is turned off, one or both of the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM> is/are turned off, and the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> senses or detects pressure at a reduced rate, such that the assembly <NUM> utilizes less power. Finally, when the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is in the deep sleep mode, the assembly <NUM> uses the least amount of power, as the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, the devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and the light-emitting element <NUM> are turned off, while the microprocessor <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> are minimally active so that they may detect a wakeup signal that instructs the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> to return to the sleep mode or the wake mode.

The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> generally switches between these modes based upon data obtained by the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, pre-determined settings, settings input by a user of the bicycle <NUM> (e.g., via an external device), for other reasons, or combinations thereof. As an example, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may operate in the wake mode when the power sensing assembly <NUM> is first powered up, when a user of the bicycle <NUM> is actively configuring the assembly <NUM> (e.g., via an external device), responsive to a wake-up signal sent by an external device, and when the pressure in the pneumatic tire <NUM> changes. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may switch to the sleep mode when, for example, the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> has not changed for a pre-determined amount of time but the sensor <NUM> detects that the bicycle <NUM> is being used, and may switch to the deep sleep mode when, for example, the sensor <NUM> does not detect any motion associated with the wheel(s) <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressure sensor assembly <NUM> further includes a light-transmitting element in the form of a light pipe <NUM>, which is preferably made of a transparent material such as polycarbonate or acrylic. The light pipe <NUM> is communication with the light-emitting element <NUM> in order to distribute or transmit the light emitted by the light-emitting element <NUM> to the user of the bicycle <NUM>. To this end, the light pipe <NUM> is disposed in the opening <NUM> such that a first end <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM> is immediately adjacent the PCB <NUM> and, more particularly, the LED <NUM>, and a second end <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM> is positioned at or adjacent an end <NUM> of the second wall portion <NUM>. While not visible in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the end <NUM> of the second wall portion <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM> extend through an opening formed in the tire bed <NUM> of the rim, such that the ends <NUM>, <NUM> are outside of the rim <NUM>. A lens <NUM> is coupled to the second wall portion <NUM> to retain the light pipe <NUM> within the opening <NUM> and to focus and display light emitted by the LED <NUM> and transmitted through the light pipe <NUM>. The lens <NUM>, which is preferably made of a transparent material like the light pipe <NUM>, has a first portion <NUM> that is disposed within the opening <NUM> and surrounds the second end <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> that seats against the end <NUM> of the second wall portion <NUM>, is disposed outside of the opening <NUM> and, while not visible in <FIG>, is also disposed outside of the opening formed in the rim <NUM>. Thus, a portion of the lens <NUM> is visible to the user of the bicycle <NUM>, such that the user can see the light emitted by the LED <NUM>. And because the light-emitting element <NUM> emits light based upon the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> as sensed by the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the user of the bicycle <NUM> can quickly and easily visually obtain the pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a second example of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, in the form of a pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, that may be removably attached to the rim <NUM>, particularly the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM>, via a fastener <NUM> (e.g., a nut), and operatively coupled to a pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> includes some of the same components as the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, with common reference numerals used for those components, but differs from the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> in the manner described below.

First, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> has a housing <NUM> that differs from the housing <NUM> of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>. The housing <NUM> in this example is a two-part housing formed by a first, or top, housing portion <NUM> and a second, or bottom, housing portion <NUM> coupled to the first housing portion <NUM> (e.g., via a snap-fit or other connection). The first housing portion <NUM> has a substantially annular shape defined by a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> that extends upward and inward from and has a smaller outer diameter than the first portion <NUM>. Thus, the second portion <NUM> is shaped to prevent the pressure transmitting member <NUM> from closing off the sensing chamber A circular aperture <NUM> extends through the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The first housing portion <NUM> also includes a V-shaped track <NUM> that is formed in the second portion <NUM> to prevent the pressure transmitting member <NUM> from pinching off and isolating the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>. The second housing portion <NUM>, meanwhile, has a structure that is substantially similar to the housing <NUM> described above, but, unlike the housing <NUM>, the second housing portion <NUM> includes a circular aperture <NUM> sized to receive the power source <NUM> therein.

Second, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> includes two chambers instead of the single sensing chamber found in the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>. More particularly, the pressure sensing assembly includes a first, or sensing, chamber <NUM> and a second chamber <NUM>. The first chamber <NUM> is a sealed chamber defined by the first housing portion <NUM> and the pressure transmitting wall <NUM>. By comparing <FIG> and <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the first chamber <NUM> has a smaller volume than the sensing chamber <NUM> described above. The second chamber <NUM> is defined by the first and second housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> and a door <NUM> removably coupled to the second housing portion <NUM>. Like the first chamber <NUM>, the second chamber <NUM> is sealed, with a sealing element <NUM>, e.g., an O-ring made of Buna-N or any other suitable material, arranged on the substrate <NUM> of the PCBA <NUM> and surrounding the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> to ensure that the second chamber <NUM> is sealed off from the first chamber <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the first housing portion <NUM>, and more specifically the second portion <NUM>, is shaped to prevent the pressure transmitting member <NUM> from closing off the sensing chamber <NUM>. This may be particularly important when, for example, the sensing chamber <NUM> is filled with a compressible fluid such as air or nitrogen, whereby the second portion <NUM> may provide flow paths for the pressure to remain equal in the sensing chamber <NUM> and at the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, thereby ensuring that accurate readings of the chamber <NUM> are still possible in a compressed state. Additionally, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first housing portion <NUM> optionally includes a pair of protrusions <NUM> (e.g., pegs) that extend outwardly (downwardly in this case) from the first portion <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> are arranged to help separate, and fluidly isolate, the PCBA <NUM> from the sensing chamber <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the substrate <NUM>, the power source <NUM>, the microcontroller <NUM>, and the light pipe <NUM> are disposed in the second chamber <NUM>, with the substrate <NUM> arranged between the first and second housing portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the power source <NUM> disposed in the aperture <NUM>, and the light pipe <NUM> arranged in an opening <NUM> that is identical to the opening <NUM>. While the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> extends through the aperture <NUM> such that it is coupled to the substrate <NUM>, the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is nonetheless positioned in fluid communication with the sensing chamber <NUM>. This allows the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> to sense or detect the pressure in the sensing chamber <NUM>. The pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> can in turn generate a signal indicative of the sensed or detected pressure (in some cases, this will be accomplished with the aid of the processor of the microcontroller). The signal can be communicated to the PCBA <NUM> for transmission to other components of the bicycle <NUM> (e.g., the light-emitting element <NUM> and the light pipe <NUM> of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>). At the same time, because the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> are sealed, the second chamber <NUM> is fluidly isolated from the first chamber <NUM>. Thus, when the first chamber <NUM> is filled with a pressure transmitting medium (e.g., an incompressible fluid, i.e., a fluid that does not compress at working pressures), components such as the PCBA <NUM> and the power source <NUM> are beneficially isolated from that fluid, thereby protecting those components.

Third, because the power source <NUM> is in the second chamber <NUM>, which is partially defined by the removable door <NUM>, the power source <NUM> can be removed and repaired or replaced by simply removing the door <NUM> from the housing <NUM>. Fourth, because of the positioning of the power source <NUM>, the microprocessor <NUM>, the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> are, in this example, arranged on a top surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>, as opposed to a bottom surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> (as is the case in the example described in connection with <FIG>).

Notwithstanding the aforementioned differences between the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> and the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> operates to detect or sense the pressure of the pneumatic chamber in the pneumatic tire <NUM> in a similar manner as the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>. Additionally, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> can convey (e.g., visually indicate) the detected or sensed pressure to the user of the bicycle <NUM> in a similar manner as the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a third example of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, in the form of pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, that may be removably attached to the rim <NUM>, particularly the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM>, and operatively coupled to a pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is substantially similar to the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, with common reference numerals used for common components. However, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> differs from the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> in the manner described below.

First, unlike the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> does not include the light-emitting element <NUM>, the light pipe <NUM>, or the lens <NUM>. Thus, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> has a housing <NUM> that is slightly different from the housing <NUM>, in that it does not include a second wall portion like the wall portion <NUM> or an opening like the opening <NUM>. As a result, it will be appreciated that the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> may be entirely disposed within the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM> (i.e., no part of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> will be visible to the user of the bicycle <NUM>). Adhesive may be used to secure the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> within the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM>.

Second, unlike the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the sensing chamber <NUM> of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is filed with a pressure transmitting medium. The pressure transmitting medium is preferably an incompressible fluid, such as water, oil, brake fluid (e.g., DOT), or silicone gel. However, in some cases, a compressible fluid, such as a gas (e.g., nitrogen, air) may be used. In either case, the presence of fluid in the sensing chamber <NUM> may help to protect the electronic components of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, e.g., the PCBA <NUM>, the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, and the power source <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a fourth example of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, in the form of a pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, that may be removably attached to the rim <NUM>, particularly the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM>, and operatively coupled to the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is substantially similar to the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, with common reference numerals used for those components. The first difference between the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> and the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> relates to the positioning of some of the components coupled to the PCB <NUM>. More particularly, in the pressure sensing element <NUM>, the microcontroller <NUM>, the first and second wireless communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> are arranged on a bottom surface of the PCB <NUM>. It will be appreciated that these components are not visible in <FIG> because of the position of the power source <NUM> in the second chamber <NUM>. Second, unlike the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> includes a second pressure transmitting member <NUM>, such as a flexible or compliant membrane, coupled to the sensor housing <NUM> and positioned over the pressure sensing element <NUM>. So positioned, the membrane <NUM> protects the pressure sensing element <NUM> by fluidly isolating the pressure sensing element <NUM> from the sensing chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a fifth example of the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, in the form of a pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, that may be removably attached to the rim <NUM>, particularly the tire bed <NUM> of the rim <NUM>, and operatively coupled to the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing assembly <NUM> is substantially similar to the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, with common reference numerals used for those components. However, unlike the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> includes a reference port <NUM> for the pressure sensing element <NUM>. The reference port <NUM> is formed through portions of the second housing portion <NUM> and fluidly couples the second chamber <NUM> with atmosphere. Thus, the pressure sensing element <NUM>, which is positioned in the second chamber <NUM>, is in fluid communication with atmosphere. As a result, in this example the pressure sensor <NUM> operates as a relative pressure sensor, whereby the atmospheric pressure is used as a reference pressure and the pressure sensing element <NUM> detects or sense the pressure in the first chamber <NUM>, and, thus, the pneumatic chamber in the tire <NUM>, relative to that reference pressure. This is contrary to the examples described above, none of which include a reference port. Thus, in those examples, the pressure sensing element <NUM> operates as an absolute pressure sensor, whereby the pressure sensing element <NUM> detects or senses the pressure in the sense chamber, and, thus, the tire <NUM>, relative to absolute zero.

Additionally, unlike the pressure sensing assembly <NUM>, the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> optionally includes a gas permeable but otherwise impermeable barrier <NUM>. The barrier <NUM> is arranged between the sensing mechanism <NUM> (which includes the pressure sensor <NUM>) and the reference port <NUM>. So positioned, the barrier <NUM> allows the pressure sensor <NUM> to be in pressure communication with the atmosphere (via the reference port <NUM>) but prevents fluid such as incompressible fluid from flowing between the atmosphere and the pressure sensor <NUM>.

As briefly discussed above, any of the pressure sensing assemblies described herein may be used in connection with a tubed tire (i.e., a tire having an inner tube), whereby the pneumatic chamber is defined by the inner tube, or a tubeless tire (i.e., a tire that does not have an inner tube), whereby the pneumatic tire is defined by the tire itself and, optionally, a seal of the tire. As an example, <FIG> illustrate the pressure sensing assembly <NUM> used in connection with a pneumatic tire <NUM> in the form of a tubed tire having an inner tube <NUM>. Thus, in this example, a pneumatic chamber <NUM> defined by the inner tube <NUM> applies an outward (in this case downward) force F on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> that corresponds to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM>. As another example, <FIG> illustrate the same pressure sensing assembly <NUM> used in connection with a pneumatic tire <NUM> in the form of a tubeless tire (i.e., a tire that does not have an inner tube such as the inner tube <NUM>). Thus, in this example, a pneumatic chamber <NUM> defined by an interior <NUM> of the pneumatic tire <NUM> applies an outward (in this case downward) force F on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> based on the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, specifically the central portion <NUM> of the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, directly engages a similarly shaped bottom wall <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM> of the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure inside the pneumatic chamber <NUM> defined by the inner tube <NUM> generates the outward force F, which is applied to the pressure transmitting member <NUM> via the bottom wall <NUM> and corresponds to the pressure of the pneumatic tire <NUM>. In this way, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is able to detect or sense the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. Because the sensing chamber <NUM> is partially defined by the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, the sensing chamber <NUM> in turn has a pressure that tracks or corresponds to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is in fluid communication with the sensing chamber <NUM>, so senses or detects the pressure in the sensing chamber <NUM>, which is in turn communicated to the PCBA <NUM>, particularly the microcontroller <NUM>, for transmission to other components as desired.

Turning now to <FIG>, when, for example, the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> defined by the inner tube <NUM> increases (or is greater than the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>), the downward force F applied by the bottom wall <NUM> on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> (specifically the central portion <NUM>) increases as well. In some cases, though not always, the increased pressure will cause the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, and particularly the central portion <NUM>, to bow inward, as is shown in <FIG>, thereby decreasing the volume of the sensing chamber <NUM>. In any case, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> detects or senses the increased pressure. In turn, the increased pressure is sensed by the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, which communicates the increased pressure to the PCBA <NUM>.

Conversely, when the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> decreases (or is less than the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>), the downward force applied by the bottom wall <NUM> on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> (specifically the central portion <NUM>) decreases as well. In some cases, though not always, the decreased pressure will cause the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, and particularly the central portion <NUM>, to bow outward (not shown). In any case, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> detects or senses the decreased pressure. In turn, the decreased pressure is sensed by the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, which communicates the decreased pressure to the PCBA <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, specifically the central portion <NUM> of the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, is in direct pressure communication with of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure of the pneumatic chamber 1900therefore generates an outward (in this case downward) force F that is applied on the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, with the force F corresponding to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. In this way, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> is able to detect or sense the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. Because the sensing chamber <NUM> is partially defined by the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, the sensing chamber <NUM> in turn has a pressure that tracks or corresponds to the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is in fluid communication with the sensing chamber <NUM>, so senses or detects the pressure in the sensing chamber <NUM>, which is in turn communicated to the PCBA <NUM>, particularly the microcontroller <NUM>, for transmission to other components as desired.

Turning now to <FIG>, when, for example, the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> increases (or is greater than the pressure of the chamber <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>), the downward force F applied on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> (specifically the central portion <NUM>) increases as well. In some cases, though not always, the increased pressure will cause the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, and particularly the central portion <NUM>, to bow inward, as is shown in <FIG>. In any case, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> detects or senses the increased pressure. In turn, the increased pressure is sensed by the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, which communicates the increased pressure to the PCB 554A.

Conversely, when the pressure in the pneumatic chamber <NUM> decreases (or is less than the pressure of the chamber <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>), the downward force F applied by the air in the interior <NUM> on the pressure transmitting member <NUM> (specifically the central portion <NUM>) decreases as well. In some cases, though not always, the decreased pressure will cause the pressure transmitting member <NUM>, and particularly the central portion <NUM>, to bow outward (not shown). In any case, the pressure transmitting member <NUM> detects or senses the decreased pressure. In turn, the decreased pressure is sensed by the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM>, which communicates the decreased pressure to the PCB 554A.

Beneficially, while the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is able to detect or sense the pressure of the pneumatic chamber <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM> via the pressure transmitting wall <NUM>, the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is fluidly isolated from the interior <NUM> of the pneumatic tire <NUM>. Thus, the pressure sensing mechanism <NUM> is fluidly isolated, and protected, from any tire sealant (e.g., Stan's, Orange, Slime, etc.) being used to seal portions of the pneumatic tire <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A bicycle wheel, comprising:
a rim (<NUM>);
a tire (<NUM>) mounted to a tire bed (<NUM>) of the rim (<NUM>);
a pressure sensing assembly (<NUM>; <NUM>) attached to the rim (<NUM>), the pressure sensing assembly (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a sensing element (<NUM>) arranged to measure a pressure in the tire;
characterized in that the pressure sensing assembly (<NUM>; <NUM>) further comprises:
a housing (<NUM>) having a surface engaging the tire bed (<NUM>), the tire bed (<NUM>) having a tire engagement surface (<NUM>) accepting the housing (<NUM>);
and a light-emitting element (<NUM>) is configured to emit light indicative of the sensed pressure of the tire (<NUM>).