US 6,637,276 B2 · Tire sensor and method

Abstract

A tire sensor assembly that is embedded in an elastomeric tire at a particular radial depth inwardly from a contact patch of the tire includes a flexible generally pyramid-shaped body and a pair of first strain sensors disposed on first opposed faces of the pyramid-shaped body, the first strain sensors detecting a force in a first direction. In addition, the assembly includes a pair of second strain sensors disposed on second opposed faces of the pyramid-shaped body, the second strain sensors detecting a force in a second direction. Moreover, each face of the first and second opposed faces is non-planar. Preferably, the first and second opposed faces of the pyramid-shaped body are curved and generally symmetrical about an axis extending longitudinally through the apex of the body so as to allow adjustment of the sensitivity of the sensor assembly generally independent of the radial depth. In one example, the first and second opposed faces are concave such that the sensor assembly is more sensitive to a tensile strain and less sensitive to a shear strain.

Claims43

Dependent claims

A plurality of sensor assemblies embedded in an elastomeric material of a tire, each said sensor assembly comprising:

a pair of first strain sensors disposed on first opposed faces of a flexible pyramid-shaped body, said first strain sensors detecting a force in a first direction, wherein said first strain sensors generate corresponding output signals in response to strain in the first sensors generated by the force in the first direction, and wherein the force in the first direction is generally equal to the difference between the output signals of said first strain sensors;
a pair of second strain sensors disposed on second opposed faces of said body, said second opposed faces adjacent to said first opposed faces, and said second strain sensors detecting a force in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said second strain sensors generate corresponding output signals in response to strain in the second sensors generated by the force in the second direction, and wherein the force in the second direction is generally equal to the difference between the output signals of said second strain sensors;
wherein a sum of the first output signals and the second output signals is indicative of a force in a third direction, and wherein the plurality of sensor assemblies are embedded in a tire in mutually spaced relationship.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tire sensor and method

Life of this patent

Tire sensor and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims43