Method and device for estimating a profile depth of a tire
First Claim
1. A method for estimating a profile depth of a tire of a vehicle during an operation of the vehicle, which comprises the steps of:
- measuring signals of a piezoelectric element disposed on an inside of the tire in a region that is deformed when passing through a contact area;
deriving the actual data from the signals measured by determining a first summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a gentler curvature of the piezoelectric element than a normal curvature of the piezoelectric element or determining a second summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a tighter curvature of the piezoelectric element than the normal curvature of the piezoelectric element;
comparing the actual data derived from the signals with comparison data, the comparison data containing records that indicate expected actual data for each of a plurality of profile depths; and
estimating the profile depth based on a comparison of the signals or the actual data with the comparison data.
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Abstract
A method and a device estimate a profile depth of a tire of a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The method measures signals from a piezoelectric element which is disposed on an inner side of the tire in a region which deforms in the event of tread shuffle. The measured signals or actual data derived from the signals are compared with comparison data. The comparison data contain data sets which each indicate signals to be expected for a profile depth or actual data which are to be expected. The profile depth is then estimated on the basis of the comparison of the signals or of the actual data with the comparison data.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for estimating a profile depth of a tire of a vehicle during an operation of the vehicle, which comprises the steps of:
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measuring signals of a piezoelectric element disposed on an inside of the tire in a region that is deformed when passing through a contact area; deriving the actual data from the signals measured by determining a first summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a gentler curvature of the piezoelectric element than a normal curvature of the piezoelectric element or determining a second summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a tighter curvature of the piezoelectric element than the normal curvature of the piezoelectric element; comparing the actual data derived from the signals with comparison data, the comparison data containing records that indicate expected actual data for each of a plurality of profile depths; and estimating the profile depth based on a comparison of the signals or the actual data with the comparison data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for warning a driver of a vehicle, which comprises the steps of:
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measuring signals of a piezoelectric element that is disposed on an inside of a tire in a region that is deformed when passing through a contact area; deriving the actual data from the signals measured by determining a first summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a gentler curvature of the piezoelectric element than a normal curvature of the piezoelectric element or determining a second summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a tighter curvature of the piezoelectric element than the normal curvature of the piezoelectric element; comparing actual data derived from the signals with comparison data, the comparison data containing records that indicate expected actual data for each profile depth; estimating a profile depth based on a comparison of the actual data with the comparison data; comparing an estimated profile depth with a threshold value; and outputting a warning signal to the driver if the estimated profile depth is below the threshold value.
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12. A device for estimating a profile depth of a tire of a vehicle during an operation of the vehicle, the device comprising:
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a measuring device configured for measuring signals from a piezoelectric element that is disposed on an inside of the tire in a region that is deformed when passing through a contact area; a device for deriving actual data from the signals measured with said measuring device by determining a first summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a gentler curvature of the piezoelectric element than a normal curvature of the piezoelectric element or by determining a second summation value by accumulating signals corresponding to a tighter curvature of the piezoelectric element than the normal curvature of the piezoelectric element; a comparing device configured for comparing actual data derived from the signals with comparison data, the comparison data containing records that indicate expected actual data for each profile depth; and an estimating device configured for estimating the profile depth based on a comparison of the actual data with the comparison data.
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Specification