Radar wear sensing for tire applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017361662-A1
Application number	US-201515540631-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 3, 2015
Priority date	Dec 31, 2014
Publication date	Dec 21, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A radar-based-sensing system for a tire includes a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A tire structure comprising:
a first annular bead and a second annular bead, a body ply extending between the first annular bead and the second annular bead, a circumferential belt disposed radially above the body ply and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, a circumferential undertread disposed radially above the circumferential belt and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, a first sidewall extending between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first shoulder being associated with the circumferential undertread, a second sidewall extending between the second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder being associated with the circumferential undertread, and an electronic device disposed radially between the circumferential belt and a bottom tread surface such that wear does not disable or damage the electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes:
an emitter configured to emit pulsed electromagnetic waves having a frequency between 30 and 300 GHz and a bandwidth between 15 and 35 ps;
a receptor configured to receive reflected electromagnetic waves;
a processor that compares at least one property difference between an emitted and reflected wave; and
a transmitter configured to transmit data to an interrogator, wherein the electronic device observes wear over the life of the tire, at sub-millimeter resolution.

2 . The tire structure of claim 1 , wherein the emitter is embedded within the circumferential undertread.

3 . The tire structure of claim 1 , wherein the emitter is disposed on a radially outer surface of the circumferential undertread.

4 . The tire structure of claim 1 , wherein the emitter is resettable.

5 . The tire structure of claim 1 , wherein real time data from the emitter is sent to a vehicle for recordation or display.

6 . The tire structure of claim 1 , wherein the emitter is disposed within a circumferential tread, the circumferential tread being disposed radially above the circumferential undertread and extending axially across a portion of the body ply.

7 . The tire structure of claim 1 , wherein the tire structure further comprises a second emitter disposed radially above the circumferential belt.

8 . A radar-based-sensing system for a tire comprising:
a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus, wherein each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus, each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus, and each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.

9 . The radar-based-sensing system of claim 8 , wherein the sensors are disposed substantially equidistantly around the tire annulus.

10 . The radar-based-sensing system of claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of sensors are disposed along a common axial edge of the tire annulus.

11 . The radar-based-sensing system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors sends data to a predictive maintenance database.

12 . The radar-based-sensing system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors sends data to a wear-sensing system configured to generate an uneven-wear alert.

13 . The radar-based-sensing system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors senses rigid particulates within a tire tread.

14 . The radar-based-sensing system of claim 8 , wherein the system is incorporated into a heavy-duty tire.

15 . A wear-sensing radar and interrogator assembly comprising:
a tire having a first annular bead and a second annular bead, a body ply extending between the first annular bead and the second annular bead, a circumferential belt disposed radially above the body ply and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, a circumferential tread disposed radially above the circumferential belt and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, a first sidewall extending between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread, a second sidewall extending between the second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread; at least one radar device embedded in the tire, between the circumferential belt and voids in the circumferential tread, wherein the at least one radar device emits and receives radar waves having a frequency between 90 and 100 GHz; and at least one interrogator configured to power and receive data from the at least one radar device, wherein the interrogator is not disposed on the tire.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the tire is a passenger tire.

17 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the at least one interrogator is disposed on a vehicle location selected from the group consisting of an axle, a wheel, and a wheel well.

18 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the at least one interrogator is disposed on a vehicle path.

19 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein data from the assembly is sent to original equipment manufacturers.

20 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the at least one radar device emits radar waves having a frequency between 92 and 95 GHz.

Assignees

• Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Llc

Inventors

• Wei Terence E
• Wilson Paul B

Classifications

• B60C11/243 Primary

  Tread wear sensors, e.g. electronic sensors · CPC title

• B60C11/24

  Wear-indicating arrangements · CPC title

• B60C23/00

  Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements · CPC title