System for testing a tire to avoid a torque steer effect
First Claim
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1. A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of:
- inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a measuring device and closing said chucks upon said tire;
inflating said tire;
simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; and
determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System for testing pneumatic tires. A tire that revolves under a load is deformed at the area in which it meets the roadway. Such a deformation results in the tire having an effective rolling radius that is shorter than the radius it has while static and/or unloaded. According to the invention, tires are tested by determining their effective rolling radii. When tires having similar effective rolling radii are used on an automotive vehicle, the undesirable torque steer effect is thereby reduced.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a measuring device and closing said chucks upon said tire; inflating said tire; simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; and determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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inflating said tire; engaging against said tire a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius; and determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves against said rolling load drum. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a tire manufacturing process including the steps of assembling and curing components to form a tire, subjecting said tire to a test, and shipping said tire to customers only if said tire passes said test, an improved method for testing said tire comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a testing device; inflating said tire; simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling radius meets a predetermined standard; removing said tire from said opposed chucks of said testing device; and indicating whether said effective rolling radius of said tire meets said predetermined standard. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of determining whether first and second tires should be mounted on first and second steerable, automotive wheels adapted to carry first and second tires in order to reduce a torque steer effect created by a rotation of said tires on a roadway comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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inflating said first tire; simultaneously applying a load to said first tire and revolving said first tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said first tire as said first tire revolves under said load; inflating said second tire; simultaneously applying said load to said second tire and revolving said second tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said second tire as said second tire revolves under said load; and comparing said effective rolling radii of said first and second tires, whereby said first and second tires should be mounted on said first and second steerable, automotive wheels only if said effective rolling radii of said first and second tires are substantially the same. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. In a tire manufacturing system including means for assembling and curing components to form a tire and for testing said tire after said tire has been formed in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle, an improved apparatus for testing said tire comprising, in combination:
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opposed chuck means for receiving said tire, said chuck means including air means for inflating said tire; machine means for simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; indicator means for determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. In a tire manufacturing system including means for assembling and curing components to form a tire and for testing said tire after said tire has been formed in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle, an improved apparatus for testing said tire comprising, in combination:
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air means for inflating said tire; a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius; pressure means, interconnected with said rolling drum, for engaging said rolling load drum against said tire; and indicator means for determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves against said rolling load drum. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification