Device for articulating a tire-pressure sensor on a motor vehicle rim

#The present invention relates to a device for articulating a tire-pressure sensor on the rim of a motor vehicle. More specifically, this articulation is between a valve base and an electronic unit processing the signals delivered by the tire-pressure sensor.

#It is already known practice for a motor vehicle to be fitted with tire-pressure sensors. In general, each wheel of the vehicle has a pressure sensor placed on its rim inside the tire. These sensors are designed in particular to measure the pressure inside the tire and are, for this purpose, placed in an electronic unit also comprising means for processing the measured signal and for emitting this signal to a receiver placed inside the vehicle. If the pressure in one of the tires varies abnormally, a warning (an audible message, a visual message, etc.) alerts the driver to the detected anomaly. The driver is also informed of the position of the defective wheel. As these methods of processing the signal and of determining anomalies are known per se, they will not be detailed hereinafter.

#It is already known practice for the tire-pressure sensor electronic unit to be fixed at the valve used for inflating the tires. Advantageously, by tightening a nut that secures this valve to the rim, the entire electronic unit can be fixed to the rim.

#Other advantages, objects and features of the present invention will in any case become apparent from the description which follows, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view depicting a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, before it is fitted on the vehicle,

#FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic views similar to FIG. 1, showing a device according to the present invention, mounted on a wheel rim with an angle of tilt of 0° and of about 90°, respectively,

#According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the articulating device 10 according to the present invention comprises:

#an inflation valve 11, and

#an electronic unit 12.