US Patent 7916011 Tire monitor system having tire valve antenna

A tire monitor system includes a tire monitor sensor unit that has a tire pressure detector, a coupler and a tire valve. The tire valve operates as an antenna to transmit tire data from the tire pressure detector. The coupler provides a capacitive coupling that removably couples the tire pressure detector and the tire valve. The coupler includes two metal layers separated by a dielectric layer. The two metal layers may be formed by the tire valve and a connection tube.