System, tyre and method for determining the behaviour of a tyre in motion
First Claim
1. System for the continuous determination of the interaction between a tyre (1) and the ground during the movement of a motor vehicle, the said tyre (1) comprising a casing (2), a tread (3), belt plies (6), sidewalls (4), beads (5) and at least a first sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507;
607;
707;
807;
902) associated for operation with processing means (8), characterized in that the said first sensor (7;
307;
407;
507;
607;
707;
807;
902) comprises an elongate piezoelectric element (10;
12;
20;
210) which extends along at least a first portion of the said tyre (1) and is capable of supplying a first signal which is generated by the rotation of the said tyre (1) and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre (1), the said first signal having distinctive elements and the said processing means (8) being capable of acquiring the said first signal and detecting variations of the time interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the said first signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for determining interaction between a tyre and a contact surface during movement of a motor vehicle includes at least one first sensor and processing means. The at least one first sensor includes one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements which extend along at least a first portion of the tyre. The at least one first sensor supplies a first signal to the processing means. The first signal is generated by rotation of the tyre and is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tyre. The processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the first signal. A tyre including the system, a kit for detecting behaviour of a tyre moving with respect to a contact surface, a method for monitoring events correlated with interactions between tyres of a moving vehicle and a contact surface, and related systems, tyres, methods, and vehicles are also disclosed.
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Citations
75 Claims
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1. System for the continuous determination of the interaction between a tyre (1) and the ground during the movement of a motor vehicle, the said tyre (1) comprising a casing (2), a tread (3), belt plies (6), sidewalls (4), beads (5) and at least a first sensor (7;
-
307;
407;
507;
607;
707;
807;
902) associated for operation with processing means (8), characterized in that the said first sensor (7;
307;
407;
507;
607;
707;
807;
902) comprises an elongate piezoelectric element (10;
12;
20;
210) which extends along at least a first portion of the said tyre (1) and is capable of supplying a first signal which is generated by the rotation of the said tyre (1) and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre (1), the said first signal having distinctive elements and the said processing means (8) being capable of acquiring the said first signal and detecting variations of the time interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the said first signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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307;
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22. Tyre (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing (2), a tread (3), belt plies (6), sidewalls (4), beads (5) and at least a first sensor (7;
-
307;
407;
507;
607;
707;
807;
902), characterized in that the said first sensor (7;
307;
407;
507;
607;
707;
807;
902) comprises an elongate piezoelectric element (10;
12;
20;
210) which extends along at least a first portion of the said tyre (1) and is capable of supplying a first signal which is generated by the rotation of the said tyre (1) and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre (1), the said first signal having distinctive elements and the variations of the time interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the said first signal being indicative of the variations of angular velocity of the said tyre (1). - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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307;
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42. System for the continuous determination of the interaction between a tyre (1) and the ground during the movement of a motor vehicle, in which the said system includes a vehicle tyre (1) and processing means (8), the said tyre (1) being associated with at least a first sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902);
characterized in that the said first sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprises an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210) which extends along at least a first portion of the said tyre (1) and is capable of supplying a first signal which is generated by the rotation of the said tyre (1) and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre (1), the said first signal having distinctive elements and the said processing means (8) being capable of acquiring the said first signal and detecting variations of the time interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the said first signal.
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307;
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43. Tyre (1) for a motor vehicle associated with at least a first sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), characterized in that the said first sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprises an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210) which extends along at least a first portion of the said tyre (1) and is capable of supplying a first signal which is generated by the rotation of the said tyre (1) and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre (1), the said first signal having distinctive elements and the variations of the time interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the said first signal being indicative of the variations of angular velocity of the said tyre (1).
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307;
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44. Vehicle wheel that includes tyre (1), rim (15) and device for detecting the behaviour of the tyre moving with respect to a contact surface, characterized in that the said device includes at least one sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), that emits a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress of the wheel or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically.
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307;
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45. Vehicle including a body, at least one suspension, at least one wheel fitted with a tyre (1) and at least one device for controlling the behaviour of the moving vehicle, in which the said device is activated by a signal from the said wheel or wheels or part thereof, characterized in that the said signal is emitted continuously and cyclically by at least one sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), associated with the said wheel or wheels or part thereof, and in that the said signal is indicative of a state of mechanical stress of the wheel or of its variations with respect to a previous state and is detected continuously and cyclically.
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307;
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46. Method for detecting an interaction between at least one moving tyre (1) and a contact surface by means of a signal emitted by a sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), associated with the said tyre (1) that includes the step of causing the generation of a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically.
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307;
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47. Method for detecting the behaviour of at least one moving tyre (1) with respect to a contact surface that includes the following steps:
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causing the generation of a continuous and cyclical signal in relation to the continuously and cyclically detected movement of the said tyre (1);
comparing a plurality of cycles, or parts of cycles, of the said signal with each other.
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48. Method for enabling a tyre (1) to generate a signal indicative of its own behaviour when moving with respect to a contact surface that includes the step of fitting the said tyre with a sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), for generating a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically.
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307;
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49. Method for enabling a tyre (1) to transmit a signal descriptive of its own behaviour when moving with respect to a contact surface that includes the following steps:
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providing the said tyre (1) with a sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) for generating a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically;
providing the said sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) with a transmitter (39, 903) capable of transmitting the said continuous and cyclical signal.
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50. Method for enabling a tyre (1) mounted on a wheel rim (15) to generate a signal descriptive of its own behaviour when moving with respect to a contact surface that includes the step of providing the said tyre (1) with a sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), for generating a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically.
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307;
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51. Method for manufacturing a wheel inclusive of a tyre (1), rim (15) and sensor (7;
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307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), in such a way that it is capable of generating a signal descriptive of the behaviour of the tyre (1) when moving with respect to a contact surface, that includes the step of assembling the said tyre (1), the said rim (15) and the said sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902), to form the said wheel, in such a way that the said sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) generates a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically.
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307;
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52. Method for monitoring the behaviour of a moving vehicle mounted on wheels that includes the following steps:
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detecting a signal, which is generated continuously and cyclically by a sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprising an elongate piezoelectric element associated with at least one of the said wheels, and which is indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state and detected continuously and cyclically,transmitting the said signal to a processing unit (8) with which the said vehicle can be provided.
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53. Method for controlling the behaviour of a moving vehicle mounted on wheels and comprising at least one motion control device that includes the following steps:
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detecting a signal, which is generated continuously and cyclically by a sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210) associated with at least one of the said wheels, the said signal being indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state, detected continuously and cyclically;
transmitting the said signal to a unit (8) with which the said vehicle can be provided and which is capable of activating the said motion control device or devices.
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54. Method for monitoring the structural uniformity of a tyre (1) by analysing the rotation, at a predetermined speed, of a wheel that includes the said tyre (1) inflated to a predetermined pressure and a mounting rim (15), of which both the mass and the relative distribution of the said mass are known, the said method including the following steps:
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detecting a signal generated continuously and cyclically by a sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), associated with the said wheel, capable of sensing a cyclical variation of mechanical stress indicative of a variation of centrifugal force due to a nonuniformity of distribution of masses in the said wheel;
transmitting the said signal to a processing unit (8);
cleaning the said signal of the component due to the mounting rim (15);
comparing at least one distinctive element of the said signal with at least one reference value.
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55. Method for detecting deflation of a tyre (1) by analysing the behaviour of the tyre (1) when moving with respect to a contact surface, that includes the following steps:
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detecting a signal generated continuously and cyclically by a sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210), associated with a wheel that includes the said tyre (1), the said signal being indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state and being detected continuously and cyclically;
transmitting the said signal to a processing unit (8);
comparing at least one distinctive element of the said signal with at least one predetermined reference value;
indicating when the value found in this way departs from the said reference value.
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56. Kit (900) for detecting the behaviour of a tyre (1) when moving with respect to a contact surface, the said tyre (1) and the said kit (900) both being mounted on a vehicle wheel rim (15);
- in which the said kit (900) includes;
a sensor (7;
307;
407;
507, 607, 707, 807, 902) comprising an elongate piezoelectric element (10, 12;
20, 210) which, when placed in contact with a portion of the said tyre (1), comes under mechanical stress in relation to the movement of the tyre (1) and emits a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of variations of the said mechanical stress, detected continuously and cyclically anda transmitter (39, 903) of the said continuous and cyclical signal. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
- in which the said kit (900) includes;
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63. Method for monitoring at least one event correlated with the interaction between at least one tyre of a moving vehicle wheel and a surface of contact with the said tyre, comprising the following steps:
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a) detecting at least one continuous and cyclical signal descriptive of the state of stress of the complete tyre and b) processing the said signal or signals to obtain at least one numerical value representative of the magnitude of the said event or events. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification