Device for detecting overheated tires

• US 20040004549A1
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Wilson, Paul B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,945,101 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/20 Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature only

Abstract

A tire monitoring device includes a sensor adapted to detect airborne molecules generated when tire components are overheated. The sensor may be positioned in a reader that is proximate the exterior of the tire. The sensor may also be exposed to the air inside the pressurized tire chamber. The sensor may be tuned to detect any of a variety of molecules or components that are generated when tire materials are overheated.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for detecting overheated pneumatic tires;

the monitoring device comprising;

a body capable of being positioned adjacent a pneumatic tire having that is at least partially fabricated from a tire material; and

a sensor carried by the body;

the sensor being configured to detect airborne molecules generated when the tire material of the pneumatic tire is overheated.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the body defines an opening with the sensor being in fluid communication with the opening.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the body has an outer surface and the sensor is disposed at the outer surface of the body.

4. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is carried by a body adapted to be hand-held and moved adjacent pneumatic tires by a user.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the body carrying the sensor is adapted to be hand-held and moved adjacent pneumatic tires by a user.

6. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the body carrying the sensor is adapted to be a gate-style reader.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the body carrying the sensor is adapted to be an on-board reader.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic tire has an inner chamber;

the sensor being exposed to the inner chamber of the pneumatic tire.

9. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of a LED-type, a catalytic-type, an electrochemical-type, and Metallic Oxide Semiconductor-type sensor.

10. In combination, a pneumatic tire having a chamber adapted to be pressurized and a monitoring device;

the pneumatic tire being fabricated from a tire material;

the monitoring device having a sensor exposed to the chamber of the pneumatic tire; and

the sensor being configured to detect airborne molecules generated when the tire material of the pneumatic tire is overheated.

11. The combination of claim 10, further comprising a rim;

the pneumatic tire being mounted on the rim;

the monitoring device being carried by the rim.

12. In combination, a vehicle and a monitoring device;

the vehicle having a plurality of pneumatic tires;

each of the pneumatic tires being fabricated from a tire material;

the monitoring device being carried by the vehicle adjacent at least one of the tires; and

the monitoring device having a sensor configured to detect airborne molecules generated when the tire material of the pneumatic tire is overheated.

13. The combination of claim 12, further comprising a monitoring device carried by the vehicle adjacent each of the tires.

14. In combination, a vehicle gate and a monitoring device;

the vehicle gate adapted to allow a target vehicle to drive through the gate;

the target vehicle having a plurality of pneumatic tires;

each of the pneumatic tires being fabricated from a tire material;

the monitoring device having a sensor being carried by the vehicle gate at a sensor position;

the sensor position adapted to cause at least a portion of the pneumatic tires of the target vehicle to pass adjacent the sensor when the target vehicle passes through the vehicle gate; and

the sensor configured to detect airborne molecules generated when the tire material of the pneumatic tire is overheated.

15. A method for detecting an overheated tire fabricated from a tire material;

the method comprising the steps of;

providing a sensor configured to detect airborne molecules generated when the tire material of the pneumatic tire is overheated;

sensing the air adjacent the tire with the sensor; and

creating an indication signal when the sensor detects a condition of airborne molecules that meets a predetermined criteria.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of sensing the concentration of airborne molecules generated when the tire material of the pneumatic tire is overheated and creating an indication signal when the sensor detects a concentration of airborne molecule that meets a predetermined limit.