Tire Based Method and Device for Measuring Running Surface Strength

• US 20150375576A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Holsapple, Brad L.
• Application Number:
  US14/315,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20150375576A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/002 by monitoring conditions other than tyre pressure or deformation

Abstract

A method includes measuring a ground condition on which a machine is operated. The method further includes: measuring, by at least one sensor in a machine, at least one of acceleration values and deflection values of a tire rotatably connected to the machine where at least one sensor is in communication with a control device in the machine; determining, by the control device, a ground condition on which the tire is rolling based on the measured at least one of acceleration values and deflection values; determining, by the control device, a desired shape of the tire based on the determined ground condition; and adjusting an inflation pressure of the tire, by a pressure controller in the machine, to obtain the desired shape of the tire.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

measuring, by at least one sensor in a machine, at least one of acceleration values and deflection values of a tire rotatably connected to the machine, wherein the at least one sensor is in communication with a control device in the machine;

determining, by the control device, a ground condition on which the tire is rolling based on the measured the at least one of acceleration values and deflection values;

determining, by the control device, a desired shape of the tire based on the determined ground condition; and

adjusting an inflation pressure of the tire, by a pressure controller in the machine, to obtain the desired shape of the tire.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

measuring, by the at least one sensor, acceleration values of the tire in a tangential direction.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

determining, by the control device, the ground condition based on the acceleration values in the tangential direction.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

measuring, by the at least one sensor, acceleration values in a radial direction.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

determining, by the control device, the ground condition based on the acceleration values in the radial direction.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the control device, a three dimensional operating tire shape.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

periodically measuring, by the at least one sensor, the acceleration values of the tire.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

measuring, by a deflection sensor, deflection values of the tire.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

determining, by the control device, at least one of

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising

determining, by the control device, at least one of a_max, a_min, (a_max−

a_min) and,

11. A machine, comprising:

a sensor to periodically measure at least one of acceleration values and deflection values of a tire in the machine wherein the sensor is attached to the tire;

a control device communicatively connected to the sensor, wherein the control device is configured to determine;

a ground condition on which the tire is rolling based on the at least one of acceleration values and deflection values; and

a desired shape of the tire based on the determined ground condition; and

a pressure controller operatively connected to the tire wherein the pressure controller is configured to adjust an inflation pressure of the tire to obtain the desired shape of the tire.

12. The machine according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is configured to measure acceleration values of the tire in a tangential direction.

13. The machine according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is configured to measure acceleration values in a radial direction.

14. The machine according to claim 11, wherein the control device is configured to determine a three dimensional shape of the tire.

15. The machine according to claim 11, further comprising a deflection sensor to directly measure deflection values of the tire.

16. The machine according to claim 15, wherein the control device is configured to determine at least one of

17. The machine according to claim 11, wherein the control device is configured to determine at least one of a_max, a_min, (a_max−

a_min) and,

18. The machine according to claim 11, wherein the machine comprises at least one of an off-road vehicle, a dump truck, a material handler, and a load-hauling machine.

19. A machine, comprising

means for periodically measuring at least one of acceleration values and deflection values of a tire of the machine;

means for determining conditions wherein the conditions comprise;

an operating shape of the tire;

a ground condition based on the at least one of acceleration values and deflection values of a tire; and

a desired shape of the tire based on the determined ground condition; and

means for adjusting an inflation pressure of the tire to obtain the desired shape of the tire.

20. The machine according to claim 19, wherein the conditions further comprise at least one of a_max, a_min, (a_max−

a_min) and,