Patent ID: 12233615

The use of identical or similar reference numerals in different figures denotes identical or similar features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.

The present invention provides for an apparatus10that has is used to insert a sensor12into a tire14. The apparatus10includes both a housing16and a push rod30that can move relative to the housing16. The tire14includes a container54into which the sensor12is to be placed. The housing16may be first positioned relative to the container54so that an end of fingers26,28of the housing16are inserted into the container54. The sensor12is placed onto an operative end36of the rod34of the push rod30, and the sensor12and rod34can be moved linearly through a housing base opening20of a base18of the housing16. The fingers26,28are biased inwards towards an axis22, and upon movement of the sensor12through the housing16it will eventually engage the two fingers26,28and force them outward and away from the axis22. This outward movement is in turn imparted to the container54to cause its wall to expand to allow insertion of the sensor12into the container54. The installer may continue to apply force to the push rod30to force the sensor12down into the container54and against its bottom surface or against the tire outer surface at the bottom of the container54depending upon how the container54is constructed. With this positive force applied, the end of the fingers26,28are forced out of the container54and the housing16snaps back away from the tire14. An indexing feature42could be provided on the push rod30so that the installer can correctly position the sensor12relative to the tire14for sensor installs that require the sensor12be oriented a particular way in order to properly function.

FIG.1shows a tire14with tread56that extends completely 360 degrees around the tire14in the circumferential direction of the tire14. The tire14has a pair of sidewalls that are included in a carcass portion of the tire14onto which the tread56is located. An inner surface of the tire14is located opposite the tread56and extends between the inner sides of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The container54is formed on the inner surface and extends from the inner surface towards an axis of the tire14in a radial direction of the tire14such that the container54is located closer to the central axis than the inner surface. The tread56is at the outer surface of the tire14and resides on top of a carcass of the tire14that can include a number of layers that may have belts therein. The inner surface of the tire14includes the container54. The container54may be made out of the same material as that which makes up the inner surface, or could be made out of a different material than the inner surface. The container54may be thought of as being part of the inner surface or may be thought of as being attached to the inner surface. This is because the container54could be made out of a layer or patch of cushion gum that is placed onto the inner surface of the green tire14before curing. Once cured, this layer or patch of cushion gum can form the container54and it may be referred to as being on the inner surface, or may be referred to as being part of the inner surface as these two descriptions are interchangeable with one another as used herein the present application. Regardless, the container54is integrally formed with the inner surface because the container54is formed at the same time the inner surface of the tire14is cured in the mold. Other mechanisms of forming the container54are possible such as separately forming the container54and then subsequently attaching it to the inner surface.

The container54has an internal void into which a sensor12, such as an electronic sensor12, could be located. A sidewall of the container12extends upwards from the inner surface in the radial direction of the tire14, over 9 millimeters in some arrangements, and can be of any shape such as circular, oval, or rectangular. In other embodiments, the sidewall of the container54extends from 8 to 10 millimeters, from 8 to 13 millimeters, from 12 to 20 millimeters, or greater than 12 millimeters in the radial direction from the inner surface. The container54has a lip58that extends from the sidewall at the portion of the sidewall that is closest to the axis of the tire14to cover a portion of the cavity of the container54. An opening into the interior of the container54is defined by the lip58to allow the sensor12to be placed therein. As previously described, the lip58could be peeled up to allow insertion of the sensor12and then subsequently pushed back into theFIG.1position to securely hold the sensor12into the container54. The container54may be configured so that only a single, and no more than a single, opening into the interior of the container54exists and faces only in the radial direction of the tire14, and does not face in the axial direction.

A sensor12that can be inserted into the container54is shown with reference toFIG.2. The sensor12can be designed in a number of different ways, and the manner disclosed inFIG.2is only one design of many. The sensor12has a cylindrical shaped lower body onto which a smaller cylindrically shaped upper body is disposed. On top of the upper body, a T-shaped protrusion extends that is the highest point of the sensor12. The sensor12can be used to measure any desired parameter such as temperature, pressure, and/or acceleration, and can be used to identify the tire14. The sensor12could be designed to not only output information but could additionally receive information and may process information in some circumstances. The sensor12may be required to be in a certain orientation in the tire14in order to accurately sense one or more desired parameters. This might be because the antenna of the sensor12needs to be in a particular orientation relative to the tire14to sense parameters or to send signals to a receiver outside of the tire14. In this regard, the T-shaped protrusion of the sensor12functions as a guide to the installer to identify a particular orientation of the sensor12. The installer may arrange the sensor12so that the T-shaped protrusion is pointing a particular way in regard to the inner surface or axis of the tire14so that the sensor12is properly oriented for use. Although shown as having the protrusions, upper body, and lower body, alternative designs of the sensor12are possible that do not have these elements, and such sensors12could still be inserted by the present apparatus10into the container54.

The apparatus10includes a housing16and a push rod30. One exemplary embodiment of the push rod30is shown inFIGS.3-5. The push rod30has a push rod base32and a rod34that extends from the push rod base32. The push rod base32is wider than the rod34and is ovoid in shape. The rod34extends from the push rod base32and has a length48, terminating at an operative end36. The rod34is cylindrical in shape but could be differently shaped in other embodiments. The operative end36is the portion of the push rod30that is designed to interact with the sensor12. The operative end36has a terminal face44which is the face farthest from the push rod base32. The terminal face44can be a flat face, and a depression46extends into the terminal face44. The depression46is a T-shaped depression and is open not only at the face44but is also open along some of the length48at the sides of the rod34. The middle of the depression46which forms the projection of the T-shape does not open into the sides of the rod34but is instead contained completely within the rod34. The depression46extends for some depth into the rod34but does not extend along a majority of the length48. The depression46has a shape complimentary to that of the sensor12so that the T-shaped projection of the sensor12can be inserted into the depression46and received therein.

The push rod base32features an indexing feature42that allows the installer to know the orientation of the attached rod34and hence the operative end36and therefore the engaged sensor12. The indexing feature42is a depression on the terminal face of the push rod base32and is put into the terminal face44in the same orientation as the depression46and has a T-shape like that of the depression46. The position of the indexing feature42will thus match that of the depression46since the rod34is rigidly attached to the push rod base32. Although shown as a depression, the indexing feature42could be a projection in other embodiments upwards from the push rod base32. In yet other arrangements, the indexing feature42could be writing or markings on the push rod base32or the rod34.

The apparatus10also includes a housing16, and one such example of a housing16can be seen with reference toFIGS.6-8. The housing16has a housing base18on one end, and a housing base opening20extends completely through the housing base18. The housing base opening20is circular in shape but could be variously shaped in other embodiments. An axis22extends through the center of the housing base opening20and defines an axial direction24. It is to be understood that even if the housing base opening20were a shape other than circular, the axis22and the axial direction24would still be present. In this regard, the axis22and the axial direction24are included and are not dependent upon the presence of a circular shaped housing base opening20but exist regardless of the particular shape of the housing base opening20. A first finger26and a second finger28extend from the housing base18and are positioned about the housing base opening20so that they do not extend into the housing base opening20. The fingers26and28both extend in the axial direction24away from the housing base18such that the first finger26has a length50and terminates at a terminal end38, and such that the second finger28has a length52and terminates a second finger terminal end40. The lengths50and52are the same as one another. The length48of the rod34is greater than the length50of the first finger26, and the length48of the rod34is greater than the length52of the second finger28.

The fingers26,28extend from the housing base18so as to extend towards the axis22immediately upon extension from the housing base18. In this regard, some portion of the fingers26,28from the point of extension from the housing base18in the axial direction24, moves closer to the axis22the farther they extend from the housing base18in the axial direction24. The entire fingers26,28can extend towards the axis22immediately upon extension from the housing base18, or only a part of the fingers26,28can extend in this manner immediately upon extension. In some instances, the portion of the fingers26,28that extend inwards towards the axis22immediately upon extension from the housing base18are the outer surfaces of the fingers26,28. The first finger26has a first finger inner surface60that could likewise extend towards the axis22immediately upon extension from the housing base18, and the second finger28has a second finger inner surface62that is the portion of the second finger28that likewise could extend towards the axis22immediately upon extension from the housing base18. At some point in the present design, the inner surfaces60,62are closer to the axis22at a location farther from the housing base18than at a location closer to the housing base18in the axial direction24. However, in some instances the immediate extension toward the axis22is not present for the inner surfaces60,62but is instead present for the outer surface of the fingers26,28.

If the fingers26,28did not immediately move towards the axis22then they would be arranged in a manner in which upon extension from the housing base18they remain the same distance from the axis22or extend in distance from the axis22. This same or expanding configuration could extend for some length in the axial direction24at which some point the fingers26,28could move in towards the axis22. The design with fingers26,28moving immediately inwards from the housing base18allows for a stronger engagement between the fingers26,28and housing base18and allows the housing16to be made of less strong material and allows for the fingers16,28and housing base18to be molded, 3D printed or otherwise made of a single piece. Further, a continuously inward moving finger26,28will spring back better, provide a more consistent sliding of the sensor12into the container54, and allows the housing16to more easily open the container54for placement of the sensor12within the container54.

With reference in particular toFIG.7, it can be seen that the fingers26,28begin radially outward from the housing base opening20so as not to be seen but then extend inwards towards the axis22so to be located within the footprint of the housing base opening20although not actually inside of the housing base opening20. As shown more clearly inFIG.8, the first finger26has a terminal end38that is farthest from the housing base18in the axial direction24, and the second finger28has a terminal end40that is the portion of the second finger28farthest from the housing base18in the axial direction24. The terminal ends38,40are adjacent portions of the inner surfaces60,62that are closest to the axis22.FIG.6shows the housing16in a side view in which the terminal ends38,40are at the bottom of the figure and are the portions of the fingers26,28that are farthest from the housing base18. The first finger26extends a length50in the axial direction24from the housing base18to the terminal end38. The second finger28extends a length52from the housing base18to its terminal end40.

The first and second fingers26,28have some flexibility relative to the housing base18so that they can flex from the position shown inFIG.6-8towards the axis22. The housing base18, first finger26, and second finger28can all be made of the same material and may be integrally formed with one another in some embodiments. The fingers26,28could be flexible in that if force is applied to them, they move inwards towards the axis22from the positions shown, and once the force is removed, they spring back outwards from the axis22back into the positions illustrated. The fingers26,28are spaced from one another and do not engage one another but could engage one another in other embodiments. The fingers26,28are symmetrically spaced about the axis22. The housing16can be constructed so that only two fingers26,28are present and no more than two fingers26,28are included in the housing16. In other designs of the housing16, three of the fingers are present and yet in still further designs more than three fingers are included. However, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus10includes only two fingers26,28and no more than two of the fingers26,28. There are gaps between the two fingers26,28that grow in size upon extension of the fingers26,28in the axial direction24away from the housing base18. Each one of the fingers26,28has an outer surface opposite its inner surface60,62and these outer surfaces are arranged so that the two fingers26,28have a wider base at the housing base18than at the terminal ends38,40. In this regard, the distance of the outer surfaces of the fingers26,28at the housing base18to the axis22is greater than the distance of the outer surfaces at the terminal ends38,40to the axis22. The outer surfaces of the fingers26,28lay along the surface of a cone that would have the housing base18at its base and that would extend in the axial direction24away from the housing base18.

In order to install a sensor12into a container54, the sensor12is first placed onto the operative end36of the push rod30.FIG.9shows such an engagement. The T-shaped projections at the top of the sensor12fit within the depression46, and the top surface of the smaller cylindrical feature of the sensor12engages the terminal face44so that this top surface and the larger cylindrical feature of the sensor12remain outside of the depression46. The engagement of the T-shaped projections of the sensor12within the corresponding T-shaped depression46can be tight enough to somewhat hold the sensor12onto the operative end36, but loose enough so that if a minor amount of force were applied to the sensor12it would be pushed off of the operative end36.

The installer may place the housing16within the container54as shown inFIG.10. In this regard, the terminal ends38,40are placed within the container54and can either engage the tire14outer surface within the container54or may be spaced from the bottom of the container54. The fingers26,38may be free from contact with the lip58or can engage them in other embodiments. In some installs, the ends of the fingers26,28can be pushed into the container54and held therein with some force by the container54as the rubber of the container54wraps around and holds the ends of the fingers26,28. The sensor12, with the fingers26,28within the container54, is pushed through the housing base opening20and then positioned between the fingers26,28. As shown inFIG.10, the sensor12is shown still inside of the housing base opening20and the push rod30is completely outside of the housing16and thus completely spaced from the housing16in the axial direction24. The sensor12has a diameter or width that is smaller than the diameter or width of the housing base opening20so that the sensor12can move through. The installer may at this point rotate the push rod30360 degrees about the axis22to thus rotate the sensor12360 degrees about axis22. The installer may use the indexing feature42to orient the sensor12at the desired orientation angle about the axis22so that the sensor12is thus oriented as the user desires with respect to the tire14.

FIG.11shows the housing16pushed into the container54to such an extent that the terminal ends38,40engage the tire14at the bottom of the container54. The installer manipulates the push rod30by pushing the push rod base32so that the sensor12is moved in the axial direction24towards the container54. The rod34is small enough in width or diameter so that it can move through the housing base opening20. The sensor12engages the inner surface60and inner surface62and upon so doing pushes the first and second fingers26,28outwards from the axis22. This pushing occurs without the fingers26,28being engaged by any part of the push rod30, and in particular without being engaged by the rod34. This outward movement of the fingers26,28causes the container54to open up and the fingers26,28engage the lip58and push it outwards and away from the axis22. If necessary, the installer can again adjust the rotational position of the sensor12by using the indexing feature42and manipulating the push rod base32to spin the push rod30about the axis22. The axial movement of the sensor12results in the push rod base32being moved closer to the housing base18in the axial direction24.

Continued application of force to the push rod base32causes the sensor12to be moved in the axial direction24until it is positioned within the container54as shown inFIG.12. This pushing causes the push rod base32to continue to be moved closer to the housing base18in the axial direction24. The sensor12will continue to engage the inner surfaces60,62until portions of the sensor12move past the terminal ends38,40to allow the fingers26,28to achieve their maximum deflection away from the axis22upon being pushed outwards by the sensor12. Positive pressure can be maintained on the sensor12by the push rod30forcing the sensor12into the container54and against the bottom of the container54/upper surface of the tire14, while at the same time the terminal ends38,40are forced out of the container54such that they move in the axial direction24away from the container54so that they are out of engagement with the bottom of the container54/upper surface of the tire14. The housing16snaps back away and out of the container54upon the sensor12moving past the fingers26,28and being disposed within the container54. InFIG.12the fingers26,28are still between and engage both the sensor12and the container54. The lip58engages the outer surfaces of the fingers26,28, and the fingers26,28are at their maximum degree of deflection away from the axis22inFIG.12. The sensor12is positioned inside of the container54, and the user may again rotate the sensor12by rotating the push rod base32through observation of the indexing feature42as a guide should the sensor12not be properly oriented within the container54. This adjustment could be harder to make due to the squeezing of the container54onto the sensor12but still may be possible. Although shown as still being present within at least the top of the container54, it is to be understood that in other embodiments upon placement of the sensor12fully within the container54the housing16will snap back and out of the container54so that the fingers26,28are pushed back in the axial direction24and not within and free from contact with any portion of the container54. In other instances, the user can simply grasp the housing base18and apply some force to it to pull the wedged fingers26,28from the container54should the fingers26,28at their terminal ends38,40be wedged between the container54and sensor12upon the placement of the sensor12.

The length48of the rod34is greater than the lengths50,52of the first and second fingers26,28. In this regard, the push rod base32need not engage the housing base18during installation at any of the aforementioned steps of the install sequence. The longer length48allows for positive pressure to be applied on the sensor12during install so that when removing the housing16, positive pressure on the sensor12is still applied even during this process. This positive pressure keeps the sensor12in the correct spot during the install process and ensures the sensor12remain properly seated within the container54.

Once the fingers26,28are moved out of the container54, the apparatus10, sensor12, and tire14may assume the configuration as shown with reference toFIG.13. With the housing16removed from the container54, the container54including its lip58wraps around the sensor12and holds it in place for use within the tire14. If the operative end36still engages the sensor12, the installer may pull back on the push rod base32to apply force sufficient to disengage the T-shaped top of the sensor12from the depression46to effect disengagement of the sensor12with the apparatus10. The push rod30, including the rod34may not engage any part of the housing16during the install. The sensor12can engage the fingers26,28while no portion of the push rod30engages the fingers26,28or any other part of the housing16. However, in other embodiments it may be the case that the rod34or other parts of the push rod30does in fact engage the fingers26,28or other part of the housing16. As such, embodiments do exist where the housing16engages the push rod30at one or more points during the installation. Once the fingers26,28no longer have any force applied to them, they will spring back away from the axis22into their normal, at rest position as shown inFIG.13. One design feature to note inFIG.13is that the sensor12is fully contained within the container54without the container54at all engaging the housing16or the push rod30. Since the container54is not pressing on either of these two components16or30when the sensor12is inserted, there is no danger of having the sensor be pushed out of desired place or orientation within the container54when the apparatus10disengages the sensor12. This design is distinguished from a design in which the fingers26,28first disengage the container54follows subsequently by the push rod30. In the disclosed arrangement, not only do the fingers26,28disengage the container54last, the push rod30at no point even engages the container54.

The housing16and push rod30may each be formed through molding and can be a single piece. The housing16and push rod30may be made out of plastic, metal, or other materials. In some embodiments, both the housing16and the push rod30are made from 3D printing. The design of no more than 2 fingers26,28allows the housing16to be manufactured through a 3D printing process as the fingers26,28can be made of a size sufficient to allow them to function. It may be the case that if more than two fingers26,28were used the resulting size of the fingers would be smaller and thus not as strong which would prevent them from being manufactured via a 3D printing process.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments and methods thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be apparent.