Method of securing tire pressure monitoring device to wheel

Abstract

A method of securing a tire pressure-monitoring device to a vehicle wheel includes the steps of welding a bracket within a tire wheel well. The bracket assembly includes a weld surface that corresponds to a surface on the wheel rim. The weld surface includes a common curvature that matches the surface of the wheel and also includes a material compatible with welding to the wheel rim.

1 . A tire pressure monitoring assembly comprising: 
 a wheel for a vehicle;    a housing including a tab portion;    a tire pressure monitoring assembly disposed within said housing; and    an attachment element welded to said wheel for holding said housing to said wheel, wherein said attachment element includes a clip portion for receiving a first end of said housing and a slot for receiving said tab portion.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wheel includes a well, and said attachment element is welded within said well of said wheel.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment element comprises a weld surface attachable to said wheel.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said clip is spaced apart from a wall including said slot to define a space therebetween for said housing.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said clip portion comprises a lip extending inwardly toward said wall including said slot for receiving said tab portion.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said weld surface comprises a first weld surface and a second weld surface disposed outboard of said clip and said wall including said slot.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment element is friction welded to said wheel.  
   
   
       8 . A bracket for mounting a tire pressure monitoring assembly to a wheel, said bracket comprising: 
 a clip segment attachable to the tire pressure monitoring assembly; and    a weld surface corresponding to a surface of a wheel and adapted for being welded to the wheel, wherein said clip segment includes a cavity that is filled with a settable material for mounting a tire pressure monitoring assembly.    
   
   
       9 . The bracket as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the tire pressure monitoring assembly comprises a printed circuit board.  
   
   
       10 . The bracket as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said clip comprises weld comprises upwardly extending walls that define said cavity, and said weld surfaces extend outboard of said walls.  
   
   
       11 . The bracket as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said bracket comprises a bottom surface, and said weld surface extends from said bottom surface into contact with a surface of said wheel.