Sensor Assemblies And Systems For Monitoring A Dynamic Object
Patent No. US12344051 (titled "Sensor Assemblies And Systems For Monitoring A Dynamic Object") was filed by Cerebrum Sensor Technologies Inc on Oct 31, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’051 is related to the field of tire monitoring systems , specifically addressing the need for more comprehensive and easily deployable sensors that can provide real-time data on various tire parameters beyond just pressure. Traditional TPMS solutions are limited in scope, often only measuring tire pressure and air temperature, and require specialized installation. The background highlights the importance of tire condition for vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, and the emerging requirements of autonomous vehicles, emphasizing the limitations of existing tire monitoring technologies.
The underlying idea behind ’051 is to create a self-contained sensor assembly that can be easily attached to the inside of a tire and wirelessly transmit a range of tire condition data. This assembly consists of a housing that protects and secures an electrical sensor device, and a retaining member that facilitates attachment to the tire. The key inventive insight is to mechanically retain the sensor within the housing using surface features, eliminating the need for potting compounds or other filling agents, and to provide a robust and easily replaceable unit.
The claims of ’051 focus on a sensor assembly for vulcanized rubber articles , particularly vehicle tires. The assembly includes a housing with an internal cavity, an electrical sensor device within the cavity, and surface features within the housing that prevent sensor movement. The sensor device is capable of sensing, transmitting, and/or receiving information about surrounding conditions, orientation, and/or location. Independent claim 26 further details a sensing system including a retaining member for tire attachment and an external receiver for wireless data acquisition. Independent claim 42 focuses on a method for using the sensor assembly, including installation, attachment to a retaining member, and wireless transmission of operating parameters.
In practice, the sensor assembly is attached to the inner surface of a tire using an adhesive layer on the retaining member. The tire surface is first cleaned to ensure proper adhesion. The electrical sensor device, powered by a battery, collects data from various sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope) and transmits it wirelessly to an external receiver, such as a smartphone or the vehicle's ECU. The receiver processes the data to determine tire tread depth, alignment variations, and other parameters.
’051 differentiates itself from prior approaches by offering a more complete tire monitoring solution that is easier to install and maintain. Unlike traditional TPMS sensors that are typically mounted on the valve stem or wheel rim, this sensor assembly attaches directly to the tire's inner surface, allowing for more accurate measurement of tire rubber temperature and other parameters. The mechanical retention of the sensor within the housing, combined with the shock-absorbing properties of the retaining member, enhances durability and extends the sensor's lifespan. The system's ability to communicate via multiple wireless protocols (BLE and RF) ensures compatibility with a wide range of vehicles and devices.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’051 was filed, tire pressure monitoring systems were becoming increasingly common in vehicles, at a time when direct TPMS solutions typically involved sensors mounted on the wheel, valve stem, or valve cap. These sensors generally communicated pressure data to the vehicle's ECU or a mobile device. However, comprehensive tire condition monitoring, including parameters beyond pressure and temperature, remained a challenge, when hardware or software constraints made integration of multiple sensors and complex data processing non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because prior art references such as Yamaguchi do not teach or make obvious an electrical sensor device disposed within an internal cavity and surrounded by a housing wall structure, where the housing includes surface features configured to contact the electrical sensor to prevent its movement within the cavity.
Claims
This patent contains 56 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 26, 42, and 56. The independent claims generally focus on a sensor assembly for use with a vulcanized rubber article, particularly a vehicle tire, and methods of using such a sensor. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, configurations, and functionalities of the sensor assembly, system components, and method steps described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US12344051
- Application Number
- US16671105
- Filing Date
- Oct 31, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Nov 29, 2040
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents