System, tire, wheel, vehicle, and method for determining the behavior of a tire in motion

• US 6,959,593 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A. (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Original Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A. (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Inventors: Mancosu, Federico, Matrascia, Giuseppe, Speziari, Diego Ettore, Monguzzi, Carlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/221,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20040064219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/462, 731/463, 731/464, 731/465, 731/468, 340/445, 340/447, 340/442
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0411 Piezoelectric generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/064 comprising tyre mounted deformation sensors, e.g. to determine road contact area
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/113 Tyre related sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0237 circuits concerning the atmospheric environment meteorology G01W
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/13 Aquaplaning, hydroplaning
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2220/02 Driver type; Driving style; Driver adaptive features
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2240/04 Tire deformation
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1725 Using tyre sensors, e.g. Sidewall Torsion sensors [SWT] for tyre pressure and temperature detection B60C23/00

Abstract

A system for determining interaction between a tire 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 tire. The at least one first sensor supplies a first signal to the processing means. The first signal is generated by rotation of the tire and is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tire. The processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the first signal. A tire including the system, a kit for detecting behavior of a tire moving with respect to a contact surface, a method for monitoring events correlated with interactions between tires of a moving vehicle and a contact surface, and related systems, tires, methods, and vehicles are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for determining interaction between a tyre and a contact surface during movement of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one first sensor;

processing means;

wherein the at least one first sensor comprises one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements,

wherein the one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements extend along at least a first portion of the tyre,

wherein the at least one first sensor supplies a first signal to the processing means,

wherein the first signal is generated by rotation of the tyre,

wherein the first signal is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tyre,

wherein the processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the first signal, and

wherein the tyre comprises;

a casing;

a tread;

one or more belt plies;

sidewalls; and

beads.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is proportional to variations of deformation undergone by the at least one first sensor during the rotation of the tyre.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed along at least a portion of a predetermined circumference of the tyre.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined circumference is an equatorial circumference.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed along a portion of a meridian profile of the tyre.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed on an inner surface of the casing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is embedded in the casing, in the tread, in the one or more belt plies, or in a bead.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least one second sensor, comprising:

a second elongated piezoelectric element;

wherein the second elongated piezoelectric element extends along at least a second portion of the tyre,

wherein the second sensor supplies a second signal to the processing means,

wherein the second signal is generated by rotation of the tyre,

wherein the second signal is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tyre,

wherein the processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the second signal.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second signal is proportional to variations of deformation undergone by the second sensor during the rotation of the tyre.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the second sensor is disposed along at least a portion of a circumference forming part of one of the beads.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the second sensor is disposed along a bead portion of a meridian profile of the tyre.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor and the second sensor are coaxial piezoelectric cables.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the coaxial piezoelectric cables comprise:

a central core;

an insulating layer;

a mesh wrapping; and

a sheath;

wherein the central core comprises a first electrically-conducting material,

wherein the insulating layer comprises a piezoelectric polymer, and

wherein the mesh wrapping comprises a second electrically-conducting material.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor comprises a cable, comprising:

piezoelectric portions; and

non-piezoelectric, electrically-conducting portions;

wherein the piezoelectric portions are electrically connected to the non-piezoelectric portions.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric portions and the non-piezoelectric portions are electrically-connected in an alternating sequence.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric portions and the non-piezoelectric portions comprise a zigzag configuration.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric portions and the non-piezoelectric portions are aligned.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the cable comprises:

a central conducting core;

tubular portions of piezoelectric insulating material;

tubular portions of non-piezoelectric insulating material;

an electrically-conducting mesh wrapping; and

a sheath;

wherein the tubular portions of piezoelectric insulating material and tubular portions of non-piezoelectric insulating material are disposed around the core in an alternating sequence.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed in an annular groove recessed into a shoulder of a rim of the tyre, and

wherein the at least one first sensor remains in contact with an outer surface of a respective bead.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed in a shoulder of a rim of the tyre,

wherein the at least one first sensor comprises sections sensitive to deformation of a respective bead,

wherein the sensitive sections are disposed on an inner side of the shoulder of the rim,

wherein the at least one first sensor comprises sections not sensitive to deformation of the respective bead,

wherein the non-sensitive sections are disposed on an outer side of the shoulder of the rim, and

wherein the sensitive and non-sensitive sections are disposed in an alternating sequence.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein a radio signal transmitter is disposed on the shoulder of the rim.

22. A system for continuous determination of interactions between a tyre and a contact surface during movement of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a tyre;

at least one sensor; and

processing means;

wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more elongated piezoelectric elements,

wherein the one or more elongated piezoelectric elements extend along at least a portion of the tyre,

wherein the at least one sensor supplies a signal to the processing means,

wherein the signal is generated by rotation of the tyre,

wherein the signal is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tyre,

wherein the processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the signal.