# US 10,369,852 B2 · Tyre sensor device with flexible printed circuit board

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,369,852 B2
- Document ID: US10369852B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/125,566
- Filed: 2015-03-25
- Published: 2017-01-05
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-03-28
- Assignees: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
- Applicants: Pirelli Tyre S.P.A.
- Inventors: Marco Sabatini; Alberto Botta'; Gaetan Boulard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369852B2

## CPC

- B60C 23/0493: {for attachment on the tyre}
- B60C 23/041: {Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel}
- B60C 23/0447: {Wheel or tyre mounted circuits}
- B60C 23/0461: {externally triggered, e.g. by wireless request signal, magnet or manual switch}
- B60C 23/20: Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature {only}
- H05K 1/144: {Stacked arrangements of planar printed circuit boards}
- H05K 1/148: {Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means}
- H05K 1/189: characterised by the use of flexible or folded printed circuits
- H05K 5/0026: {provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units}
- H05K 5/0247: {Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring}
- H05K 2201/042: Stacked spaced PCBs; Planar parts of folded flexible circuits having mounted components in between or spaced from each other
- H05K 2201/055: Folded back on itself
- H05K 2201/10151: Sensor
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

A tyre sensor device including a connecting element for connecting the tyre sensor device to a vehicle tyre, and a tyre sensor device electronics assembly housed in the connecting element, wherein the tyre sensor device electronics assembly comprises a flexible printed circuit board being foldable and including at least two printed circuit board portions each having two surfaces, the at least two printed circuit board portions being suitable for the placement, on at least one surface thereof, of electronic components of the tyre sensor device, wherein the electronic components include at least one sensor for sensing at least one tyre parameter, the printed circuit board being folded so that the tyre sensor device electronics assembly can be inserted in the connecting element with the at least two printed circuit board portions being essentially planar.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tyre sensor device comprising a connecting element for connecting the tyre sensor device to a vehicle tyre, and a tyre sensor device electronics assembly housed in the connecting element, wherein the tyre sensor device electronics assembly comprises a flexible printed circuit board being foldable and comprising at least two printed circuit board portions each having two surfaces, the at least two printed circuit board portions being suitable for the placement, on at least one surface thereof, of electronic components of the tyre sensor device, wherein said electronic components comprise at least one sensor for sensing at least one tyre parameter, said printed circuit board being folded so that the tyre sensor device electronics assembly is insertable in the connecting element with the at least two printed circuit board portions being essentially planar.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tyre sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board is folded such that the at least two essentially planar printed circuit board portions lie on stacked planes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tyre sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element comprises a rubber housing adapted to be attached to an inner liner of the tyre.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tyre sensor device according to claim 3, wherein said rubber housing has a seat for receiving a container having a cavity for accommodating the tyre sensor device electronics assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The tyre sensor device according to claim 4, comprising a housing adapted to contain the folded printed circuit board, said housing being accommodated in said container.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The tyre sensor device according to claim 5, wherein said housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part joinable to each other, and a cap that closes from above the housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tyre sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible PCB is foldable to a generic “S” or “Z” shape and, when folded, comprises three essentially planar portions suitable for the placement, on at least one surface thereof, of electronic components of the tyre sensor device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tyre sensor device of claim 1, wherein the flexible PCB comprises two joining portions for joining the three essentially planar portions, said joining portions ensuring flexural mechanical connection between the essentially planar portions and electrical connection among the electronic components placed on the essentially planar portions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The tyre sensor device of claim 8, wherein the flexible PCB has three conductive layers for signals and one conductive layer for a ground potential in the three essentially planar portions, and one conductive layer for the signals and one conductive layer for the ground potential in the joining portions.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The tyre sensor device of claim 1, comprising a transmitting antenna, comprising an end portion of the flexible PCB, joined to the one of the essentially flat portions by an antenna joining portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The tyre sensor device of claim 1, comprising contact terminals for interfacing the tyre sensor electronics assembly to an external terminal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A vehicle tyre comprising an inner liner, and the tyre sensor device according to claim 1 connected to said inner liner through said connecting element.