Patent ID: 6935169

Claim:
A tire pressure sensor array, comprising: a control module; at least one receiver electrically connected to the control module; and at least four tire pressure sensors in communication with the control module via the receiver, each tire pressure sensor including a pressure switch generating a digital pressure signal at a predetermined pressure level, a digital state machine electrically connected to the pressure switch for receiving said digital pressure signal and providing a digital signal representing pressure information, and a transmitter connected to the digital state machine for receiving the pressure information and wirelessly transmitting said pressure information to the receivers; wherein each pressure switch comprises a plate; a rib extending from the plate to establish at least one cavity on the plate; at least two lower contacts disposed on the plate within the cavity; at least one diaphragm disposed on the rib and enclosing the cavity; and at least two upper contacts disposed on the diaphragm above the second lower contact, the pressure switch movable between an open position wherein the upper contacts do not engage the lower contacts, a first closed position wherein one upper contact engages one lower contact, and a second closed position wherein each upper contact engages a respective lower contact.