Method and system for measuring temperature and monitoring vehicle tire operation, and vechicle tire and method for introducing a temperature sensor into a vehicle tire

• US 20030021330A1
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TUV Automotive GmbH
• Original Assignee: TUV Automotive GmbH Unternehmensgruppe TUV Suddeutschland
• Inventors: Ziegler, Thomas, Aubel, Thomas, Mobius, Reinhard, Berkmuller, Markus, Schick, Bernhard
• Granted Patent: US 6,921,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/142
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/20 Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature only

Abstract

A vehicle tire is provided that contains at least one temperature sensor embedded in the tire in a critical location, and a transmission unit for transferring the output signal of the temperature sensor to a location externally of the vehicle tire. A method is also provided for precisely measuring the temperature of a vehicle tire with such a temperature sensor. A method is also provided for monitoring the operation of the vehicle tire.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the temperature of a vehicle tire, including the steps of:

embedding at least one temperature sensor in a critical location of a vehicle tire; and

transmitting an output signal of said at least one temperature sensor to an evaluation unit.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said output signal of said at least one temperature sensor is transmitted to said evaluation unit in a contact-free manner.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said output signal of said at least one temperature sensor is transmitted to said evaluation unit via sliding contacts.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method is used to monitor operation of a vehicle tire by evaluating said output signal in said evaluation unit with regard to at least one of magnitude and trend with respect to time.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said output signal, or a function that is dependent upon said output signal, is integrated in said evaluation unit, wherein a value of an integral thereof is stored and indicates a wear signal if a value of said integral exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said output signal, or a temperature that is dependent upon said output signal, is integrated only if a temperature determined by said at least one temperature sensor is above a threshold temperature value.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method is used to monitor operation of a vehicle tire, wherein said output signal of said at least one temperature sensor is evaluated in said evaluation unit, and a tire inflation pressure is increased if a temperature of said tire exceeds a predetermined value at predetermined driving conditions.

8. A system for monitoring operation of a vehicle tire, comprising:

a vehicle tire having a temperature sensor embedded in a critical location of said tire; and

a transmission device for transmitting an output signal of said temperature sensor to an evaluation device which evaluates the output signal with respect to at least one of magnitude and duration and produces a warning signal if at least one of a magnitude of said output signal, and a value composed of a magnitude and duration of said output signal, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

9. A vehicle tire comprising:

at least one temperature sensor embedded in said tire at a critical location thereof; and

a transmission device for transmitting an output signal of said at least one temperature sensor to a location externally of said tire.

10. A vehicle tire according to claim 9, wherein said at least one temperature sensor is embedded in rubber of said tire in the vicinity of a shoulder of said tire.

11. A vehicle tire according to claim 9, wherein said at least one temperature sensor is connected with a transponder that is embedded in said tire and that has an output signal that is a function of a temperature of said at least one temperature sensor.

12. A vehicle tire according to claim 11, wherein said at least one temperature sensor is integrated in said transponder.

13. A vehicle tire according to claim 11, wherein tire-specific data is stored in said transponder.

14. A vehicle tire according to claim 11, wherein said transponder is embedded in said tire at a location close to a bead of said tire.

15. A vehicle tire according to claim 9, wherein said at least one temperature sensor is connected with contact means via electrical lines that are embedded in said tire, and wherein said contact means are exposed for contact with contacts provided on a rim.

16. A method of introducing a temperature sensor into a vehicle tire, including the steps of:

forming a channel in rubber of a tire, wherein said channel proceeds from a first location on a surface of said tire, through said tire rubber to a measurement location in a vicinity of at least one of a belt of said tire and a carcass of said tire in a region of a tire shoulder, and to a second location on a surface of said tire that is remote from said first location;

introducing a tube into said channel;

introducing a temperature sensor into said tube such that said temperature sensor is disposed in the region of said measurement location;

removing said tube from said channel while holding said temperature sensor in place; and

closing off said channel with said temperature sensor therein.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said channel on the whole extends in a circumferential direction of said tire.