Wheel with plastic rim and integral sensor

摘要

A vehicle wheel (20) is formed of a plastic rim (21) that receives a tire (22). The tire is preferably welded at each of its two beads (26,42) to portions of the rim. The plastic rim is preferably formed of both a disc (24) and an internal part. A sensor (30) for sensing pressures within the tire is incorporated into the disc piece. It is imagined that the entire vehicle wheel could be secured together for the life of the wheel. That is, the tire cannot be replaced. Since a plastic rim is utilized, the sensor could utilize LF (or other wireless means) to communicate a signal indicative of pressure, acceleration (which is translated into wheel speed), temperature and other information that may be deemed as important for safety and convenience from the tire to a receiver on the vehicle.