Electronic monitoring device and patch assembly

Abstract

A monitoring device and patch assembly includes a patch that removably and re-attachably holds the monitoring device. The patch is adapted to connect the monitoring device to a pneumatic tire when the monitoring device is held by the patch. The patch is configured to hold a monitoring device having a rounded outer surface. The patch holds the rounded monitoring device by having a resilient tube with an outlet having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the monitoring device. The monitoring device of the invention includes a feature that allows it to be removed from the patch.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A tire monitoring device configured to be mounted in a tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: 
 a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer covering the electronic monitoring device; and    a patch configured to be permanently mounted to an interior surface of the tire, the patch being formed at least in part by rounded walls, the tag assembly and the patch being selectively removably connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another.    
   
   
       25 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , wherein the patch includes a tube section that surrounds the tag assembly when the patch and tag assembly are removably connected together.  
   
   
       26 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , wherein the tag assembly is not surrounded by the patch when the tag assembly is removably connected thereto, the tag assembly being configured to extend inward from the patch and the interior surface of the tire when mounted thereon.  
   
   
       27 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , wherein the patch is a rubber-based patch and the rigid protective layer is formed from at least one of epoxy and urethane.  
   
   
       28 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 27 , wherein the rigid protective layer has a Young's Modulus of at least about 100,000 psi.  
   
   
       29 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , wherein the tag assembly includes an opening and the patch includes a projection configured to slidably engage the opening in the tag assembly such that the patch and tag assembly can be removably connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another.  
   
   
       30 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , further comprising an antenna operably connected to the electronic monitoring device through the protective layer.  
   
   
       31 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , wherein the tag assembly includes two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces and the patch includes two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces that are configured to slidably engage the tag assembly sliding surfaces such that the tag assembly and patch can be selectively connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another in a first direction and selectively disconnected by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another in a second opposite direction.  
   
   
       32 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 24 , wherein the electronic monitoring device is configured to monitor both temperature and pressure inside the tire.  
   
   
       33 . A tire monitoring device configured to be mounted in a tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: 
 a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer covering the electronic monitoring device, the tag assembly including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces;    an antenna operably connected to the electronic monitoring device through the protective layer; and    a patch configured to be permanently mounted to an interior surface of the tire, the patch including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces that are configured to slidably engage the tag assembly sliding surfaces such that the tag assembly and patch can be removably connected and disconnected by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another in a substantially linear manner.    
   
   
       34 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 33 , wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and the patch act to secure the tag assembly and patch together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween in a direction other than the sliding direction.  
   
   
       35 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 34 , wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and patch results in a portion of the patch fitting snugly between the two opposed sliding surfaces of the tag assembly, thereby preventing movement in a direction other than the sliding direction.  
   
   
       36 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 33 , wherein the patch has a substantially planar surface configured to engage the inner surface of the tire, and the two opposing linear sliding surfaces form a portion of a member configured to extend inwardly from the substantially planar surface when the device is mounted in the tire.  
   
   
       37 . A tire monitoring device configured to be mounted in a tire, the tire monitoring device comprising: 
 a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer, the tag assembly including an opening; and    a patch configured to be permanently mounted to an interior surface of the tire, the patch including a projection configured to selectively engage the opening in the tag assembly such that the patch and the tag assembly can be removably connected together by sliding either the tag assembly or patch relative to one another.    
   
   
       38 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the tag assembly is formed by using a mold having two halves, a liquefied material being provided in the mold surrounding the electronic monitoring device and allowed to subsequently solidify into the rigid protective layer.  
   
   
       39 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and the patch act to secure the tag assembly and patch together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween in a direction other than the sliding direction.  
   
   
       40 . The tire monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the tag assembly has a plurality of openings configured to selectively engage the projection from the patch.  
   
   
       41 . A tire, comprising: 
 a tread portion, a sidewall portion, and bead portion that together define an interior portion; and    a tire monitoring device mounted within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device configured to monitor temperature and pressure within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device comprising:    a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective coating covering the electronic monitoring device, the tag assembly including an opening; and    a rubber-based patch including a projection configured to selectively slidably engage the opening in the tag assembly such that the patch and tag assembly can be removably connected to one another through a sliding motion, but are otherwise firmly fastened together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween.    
   
   
       42 . A tire, comprising: 
 a tread portion, sidewall portion, and bead portion that together define an interior portion; and    a tire monitoring device mounted within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device configured to monitor temperature and pressure within the interior portion of the tire, the tire monitoring device comprising:    a tag assembly including an electronic monitoring device and a rigid protective layer, the tag assembly including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces,    an antenna operably connected to the electronic monitoring device through the protective layer;    a rubber-based patch including two opposed, substantially linear sliding surfaces that are configured to selectively slidably engage the tag assembly sliding surfaces such that the patch and tag assembly are removably connected to one another through a sliding motion, but are otherwise firmly fastened together as a combined assembly with no movement therebetween.    
   
   
       43 . The tire of  claim 42 , wherein the sliding engagement between the tag assembly and the patch results in a portion of the patch being captured within the tag assembly.  
   
   
       44 . A tire for a vehicle, the tire comprising: 
 a body;    a patch attached to the body;    an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor for sensing a condition of the tire;    at least one of the patch or electronic monitoring device having a slot; and    a spline disposed in the slot to lock the electronic monitoring device to the patch.    
   
   
       45 . The tire of  claim 44 , wherein the patch is formed from a vulcanized rubber.  
   
   
       46 . The tire of  claim 45 , wherein the body includes an innerliner; the patch being connected to the innerliner.  
   
   
       47 . The tire of  claim 44 , wherein the electronic monitoring device is encapsulated with an encapsulation material; the slot being at least partially defined by the encapsulation material.  
   
   
       48 . The tire of  claim 44 , wherein the patch defines the spline.  
   
   
       49 . The tire of  claim 44 , wherein the electronic monitoring device is encapsulated with an encapsulation material; the spline being defined by the encapsulation material.  
   
   
       50 . The tire of  claim 44 , wherein the patch defines a cavity; the slot opening into the cavity of the patch.  
   
   
       51 . The tire of  claim 50 , wherein a portion of the electronic monitoring device is disposed in the cavity defined by the patch; the spline being disposed between the portion of the electronic monitoring device disposed in the cavity and the patch.  
   
   
       52 . A tire for a vehicle, the tire comprising: 
 a body;    a mount attached to the body; the mount defining a cavity;    an electronic device having information related to the tire; at least a portion of the electronic monitoring device adapted to fit within the cavity of the mount;    at least one of the mount or electronic monitoring device having a first slot; and    a lock member disposed in the first slot to lock the electronic monitoring device within the mount.    
   
   
       53 . The tire of  claim 52 , wherein the lock member projects from the other of the mount and electronic monitoring device.  
   
   
       54 . The tire of  claim 53 , further comprising a ring-shaped slot disposed perpendicular to the first slot; the ring-shaped slot connected to the first slot.  
   
   
       55 . The tire of  claim 52 , wherein the lock member comprises a spline.  
   
   
       56 . The tire of  claim 52 , wherein the cavity is cylindrical; the portion of the monitoring device disposed in the cavity being cylindrical.  
   
   
       57 . The tire of  claim 52 , wherein the lock member slides with respect to the slot.  
   
   
       58 . The tire of  claim 52 , wherein the component that defines the first slot defines a plurality of first slots; a lock member being disposed in each of the first slots.  
   
   
       59 . The tire of  claim 58 , wherein each of the lock members comprises a spline.  
   
   
       60 . The tire of  claim 58 , wherein each of the first slots has a ring-shaped slot portion disposed perpendicular to the first slot.  
   
   
       61 . The tire of  claim 52 , wherein the monitoring device is encapsulated with an encapsulation material.