WO2020254879A1

WO2020254879A1 - A transmitter for a tire pressure monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2020254879A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/050782
Authority: WO
Inventors: M A Abinash
Original assignee: Wheels India Limited
Priority date: 2019-06-18
Filing date: 2020-01-31
Publication date: 2020-12-24

Abstract

A transmitter for a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) of a vehicle comprises of a pressure sensor, matching components, a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, a printed antenna in a form of a conductive track. The pressure sensor is provided to measure the pressure of the tire and the matching components are provided for frequency matching. Additionally a conductive track is provided in the PCB for long range transmission. The conductive track along with the matching components is provided in the PCB. The matching components are inductors, resistors and capacitors. Further the printed antenna is provided in the PCB to transmit the sensed pressure data of the vehicle tyre.

Description

A TRANSMITTER FOR A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING

SYSTEM

FIELD

[0001] The embodiment herein generally relates to a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). More specifically, the disclosure relates to a transmitter for a tire pressure monitoring system, wherein the transmitter antenna is embedded in the printed circuit board (PCB).

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0002] In general, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is basically a system that is electronic in nature and is designed to be able to monitor the amount and consistency of air pressure prevalent on the inside of pneumatic tires on any sort of vehicles. It is a known fact that a pneumatic tire’s dynamic behavioral mechanism is closely associated with that of its inflation pressure. The air pressure in the vehicle pneumatic tires should be maintained within a particular range to protect against tire damage or failure and to promote safe and efficient operation of the vehicle. For example over inflated or under inflated tires may cause wear, internal tire damage and increased risk of tire penetration by sharp objects, tire blow outs and or reduced fuel economy.

[0003] Conventionally, there are many types of transmitter antennas available in existing technologies/products for tire pressure monitoring systems in vehicle tires. The transmitter antenna in existing technologies is either loop antenna or valve stem as antenna. The loop antenna transmitter configuration has two parts, one is the sensor part and the other is the antenna as a separate part. The valve stem as transmitter antenna configuration also has two parts, one part is the sensor part and the other part is the valve stem as antenna. Hence by employing loop antenna or valve stem as transmitter antenna there may be more weight of the components and if the weight of the components increases then the wheel needs to align to balance the increased weight of the components which in turn leads to increase in overall weight of the wheel. Additionally, in the valve stem as antenna, if the valve stem is not torqued properly then the transmission range may decrease and if the valve stem is not fitted with high-end precision then the antenna connectivity may not be accurate.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to develop a transmitter antenna to overcome the problem exist in the prior art and also not to increase the weight of the transmitter assembly, ensures better transmission range and connectivity.

OBJECTS

[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:

[0006] A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter antenna embedded in the printed circuit board itself.

[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter assembly with reduced weight.

[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter antenna which ensures long range transmission.

[0009] Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter antenna with higher accuracy and ease of operation.

[00010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter antenna which imparts higher efficiency.

[00011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter antenna with higher compactness in size, shape and has hassle free assembly. [00012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmitter antenna with higher durability.

[00013] The other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY

[00014] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a transmitter for a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). According to an embodiment, the transmitter in a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle comprises of a pressure sensor, matching components, a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, a conductive track and a printed antenna. The pressure sensor is provided to measure the pressure of the tire and the matching components are provided for frequency matching.

[00015] According to an embodiment, a conductive track is provided in the PCB for long range transmission. The conductive track along with the matching components is provided in the PCB assembly. The matching components can include but not limited to inductors and capacitors.

[00016] According to an embodiment, the printed antenna is provided in the PCB along with conductive track to transmit the sensed pressure data of the vehicle tyre.

[00017] According to an embodiment, the printed antenna provided in the PCB for transmitting the sensed pressure data is in a predetermined shape. [00018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00019] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[00020] Fig.1 illustrates a front side of the printed circuit board [PCB] layout of the transmitter, according to an embodiment herein;

[00021] Fig. 2 illustrates the front side of the PCB layout of the transmitter along with components, according to an embodiment herein;

[00022] Fig. 3 illustrates a back side of the printed circuit board [PCB] layout of the transmitter, according to an embodiment herein; and

[00023] Fig. 4 illustrates the back side of the PCB layout of the transmitter along with components, according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well- known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[00025] As mentioned above, there is a need to develop a transmitter for a tire pressure monitoring system which may not increase the weight of the vehicle tyre, which provides better transmission range and antenna connectivity. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a printed antenna in the Printed Circuit Board [PCB]. Further according to the embodiment, there is no separate antenna provided outside the vehicle wheel. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

[00026] Fig.l illustrates a front side 100 of the printed circuit board [PCB] layout of the transmitter, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the PCB layout 100 comprises of a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly 101, a printed layout 102 for matching components (not shown) and a printed antenna 103, wherein the printed antenna is embedded within the PCB assembly 101.

[00027] Fig. 2 illustrates the front side 200 of the PCB layout of the transmitter along with components, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the components provided in the PCB layout 200 includes of matching components, wherein the matching components includes of inductors (L_x) 201, capacitors (C_x) 202 and resistors (R_x) 203 along with the printed antenna 103. The matching components are placed and tuned to make the antenna feasible to transmit signal at longer distance, wherein the signal is the pressure signal received from a pressure sensor.

[00028] Fig. 3 illustrates a back side 300 of the printed circuit board [PCB] layout of the transmitter, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the PCB layout 300 includes a continuous printed antenna 303, an inductor point 301 placed in the printed antenna 303, and a printed layout 302 for placing various components. The continuous printed antenna 303 and the printed antenna are formed together and run continuously on both front and back side the printed circuit board (PCB) layout to produce a long range of the printed antenna.

[00029] Fig. 4 illustrates the back side 400 of the PCB layout of the transmitter along with components, according to an embodiment, In an embodiment, the PCB layout 400 includes of a crystal oscillator 401, a pressure sensor 402, and an inductor L7 403 placed in the continuous printed antenna 303. Further, the crystal oscillator 401 is placed near the pressure sensor 402 to increase the power output.

[00030] According to an embodiment, the transmitter in a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) of a vehicle comprises of a pressure sensor 402, matching components L_x, C_x, R_x, a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly 101, and a printed antenna 103/303 in the form a conductive track.

[00031] According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor 402 is provided to measure the pressure of the tire and the matching components L_x, C_x, R_x 201, 202, 203 are provided for frequency matching.

[00032] According to an embodiment, the conductive track is provided in the PCB 101 for long range transmission. The conductive track along with the matching components 201, 202, 203 is provided in the PCB 101. The matching components 201, 202, 203 can include but not limited to inductors, resistors and capacitors.

[00033] According to an embodiment, the printed antenna 402 is provided in the PCB 101 in the form of the conductive track to transmit the sensed pressure data of the vehicle tyre.

[00034] According to an embodiment, the printed antenna 402 provided in the PCB for transmitting the sensed pressure data is provided in both front and back side of the PCB.

[00035] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that the transmitter antenna is embedded in the printed circuit board itself thereby reduces the weight of components in the tire pressure monitoring system.

[00036] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the printed transmitter antenna embedded in the PCB ensures long range transmission with the help of long range printed antenna 103, 303.

[00037] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the printed transmitter antenna ensures higher accuracy and ease of operation as the printed transmitter antenna cannot move out the PCB.

[00038] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the printed transmitter antenna imparts higher efficiency and durability as there are no movable parts in the transmitter.

[00039] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the printed transmitter antenna ensures higher compactness in size, shape and has hassle free assembly as there are no additional components provided outside the PCB.

[00040] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. A transmitter for a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) of a

vehicle comprises of:

a pressure sensor 402 to measure the pressure of the tire; matching components 201, 202, 203 configured for frequency matching;

a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly 101 characterized in that a conductive track provided in the PCB; and

a printed antenna 103, 303 provided in a continuous form of the conductive track in the PCB to transmit the sensed pressure signal of the vehicle tyre and thereby enabling long range transmission of the pressure signal.

2. The transmitter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive track provided along with the matching components 201, 202, 203.

3. The transmitter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the matching

components 201, 202, 203 are capacitors, resistors and inductors.

4. The transmitter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed antenna 402 is embedded in the PCB assembly 101.

5. The transmitter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the PCB assembly 101 configured for placing the conductive track along with the capacitors, resistors and inductors.

6. The transmitter as claimed in the claim 4, wherein the printed antenna 402 is provided in front side of the PCB layout and continued in back side of the PCB layout.

The transmitter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the printed antenna 402 is provided in continuous form in front and back side of the PCB layout 101.