Sensor for a pneumatic tire
First Claim
1. A sensor for detecting rotations at the contact patch of a pneumatic tire on a vehicle, comprising (a) two spaced apart mounting points for attachment to the radially inner surface of the tire tread region (b), a contact member between the mounting points for contacting the inner surface of the tread radius of the tire between the two mounting points, and (c) signal producing means comprising a piezo-electric device which is adapted to produce a signal when movement of the contact member occurs radially of the tire relative to the two mounting points wherein damping means are provided so that a signal is generated when the movement occurs rapidly but slow movement generates no signal so that on rotation of the tire on the vehicle a signal is produced each time the tread region to which the sensor is attached becomes changed in radius at the contact patch of the tire but when the tread radius changes slowly when there is a pressure change in the tire and the movement is slow no signal is produced.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor is provided for detecting rotations of a pneumatic tire on a vehicle comprising two spaced apart mounting points for attachment to the radially inner surface of the tire tread region, a contact member between the mounting points for contacting the inner surface of the tread radius of the tire between the two mounting points and signal producing means comprising a piezo-electric device which is adapted to produce a signal when the contact member is moved radially of the tire relative to the two mounting points wherein damping means are provided so that a signal is generated when the movement occurs rapidly but slow movement generates no signal so that on rotation of the tire on a vehicle a signal is produced each time the tread region to which the sensor is attached becomes changed in radius at the contact patch of the tire but when the tread radius changes slowly when there is a pressure change in the tire and the movement is slow no signal is produced.
24 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A sensor for detecting rotations at the contact patch of a pneumatic tire on a vehicle, comprising (a) two spaced apart mounting points for attachment to the radially inner surface of the tire tread region (b), a contact member between the mounting points for contacting the inner surface of the tread radius of the tire between the two mounting points, and (c) signal producing means comprising a piezo-electric device which is adapted to produce a signal when movement of the contact member occurs radially of the tire relative to the two mounting points wherein damping means are provided so that a signal is generated when the movement occurs rapidly but slow movement generates no signal so that on rotation of the tire on the vehicle a signal is produced each time the tread region to which the sensor is attached becomes changed in radius at the contact patch of the tire but when the tread radius changes slowly when there is a pressure change in the tire and the movement is slow no signal is produced.
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9. A method of counting the rotations at the around contact patch of a pneumatic tire on a vehicle, comprising (a) sensing the changing radius of the tire tread region using a sensor which comprises a piezo-electric device mounted on the inner surface of the tread radius inside the tire under the tread region having two spaced apart mounting points for attachment and an intermediate contact member which is acted upon by the tire when the tire radius is changed at the ground contact patch;
- (b) providing damping means for the sensor so that a signal is generated only when relative movement between the two occurs rapidly and not for slow movement so that on rotation of the tire on a vehicle a signal is produced each time the tread region to which the sensor is attached enters the contact patch but when the tread radius changes slowly as when there is a pressure change on inflation of the tire the movement is slow and no signal is produced;
(c) rotating the tire on the vehicle over the contact patch; and
(d) counting the signals from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
- (b) providing damping means for the sensor so that a signal is generated only when relative movement between the two occurs rapidly and not for slow movement so that on rotation of the tire on a vehicle a signal is produced each time the tread region to which the sensor is attached enters the contact patch but when the tread radius changes slowly as when there is a pressure change on inflation of the tire the movement is slow and no signal is produced;
Specification