US 2004/0200273 A1 · Tire status detection system and method

Abstract

A system and method for detecting changes in tire status in real time, e.g., changes in tire pressure or changes that might indicate an imminent tread separation or other failure, using magnetic sidewall torsion (SWT) signatures for tires. A measured magnetic signature of a tire is compared to a stored magnetic signature that describes the tire in an undamaged state or otherwise acceptable state. If the measured magnetic signature deviates too much from the stored signature, or if a change in tire pressure is detected, the system and method can further provide an associated warning to the driver and/or provide an input to a vehicle control system, which would automatically take action to correct or at least mitigate the effects of the failing tire, e.g., by decelerating the vehicle.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A method for detecting changes in status of a tire in real time, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing at least one sensor having an output relating to the length of a changing air gap between the at least one sensor and a sidewall of the tire;
(b) providing a stored signature including a plurality of data;
(c) reading from the at least one sensor a measured signature including a plurality of data collected from the at least one sensor;
(d) determining from the stored signature and the measured signature a deviation value representing a deviation between the stored signature and the measured signature;
and
(e) determining from the deviation value and a predetermined threshold whether the tire status has changed.

3 more elements

A method for detecting in real time changes in status of a tire on a vehicle having at least one other tire, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing at least one sensor having an output relating to the length of a changing air gap between the at least one sensor and a sidewall of the tire;
(b) providing at least one other sensor having an output relating to the length of a changing air gap between the at least one other sensor and a sidewall of the at least one other tire;
(c) reading from the at least one sensor a measured signature including a plurality of data collected from the at least one sensor;
(d) reading from the at least one other sensor at least one other measured signature including a plurality of data collected from the at least one other sensor;
(e) determining from the measured signature and from the at least one other measured signature a deviation value representing a deviation between the measured signature and the at least one other measured signature;
and
(f) determining from the deviation value and a predetermined threshold whether status of the tire has changed.

4 more elements

A system for detecting in real time changes in status of a tire on a vehicle having at least one other tire, comprising the steps of:

(a) means for providing at least one sensor having an output relating to the length of a changing air gap between the at least one sensor and a sidewall of the tire;
(b) means for providing at least one other sensor having an output relating to the length of a changing air gap between the at least one other sensor and a sidewall of the at least one other tire;
(c) means for reading from the at least one sensor a measured signature including a plurality of data collected from the at least one sensor;
(d) means for reading from the at least one other sensor at least one other measured signature including a plurality of data collected from the at least one other sensor;
(e) means for determining from the measured signature and from the at least one other measured signature a deviation value representing a deviation between the measured signature and the at least one other measured signature;
and
(f) means for determining from the deviation value and a predetermined threshold whether status of the tire has changed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tire status detection system and method

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Tire status detection system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37