Abstract: A method for estimating the load of a tire supporting a vehicle includes providing the tire, in which the tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending to a circumferential tread, and the tread includes a plurality of tread blocks. A length of the tire footprint is indicated with a first time interval, and a full rotation of the tire is indicated with a second time interval. The first time interval may be indicated by peaks of an amplitude of a tire-based magnetic sensor signal, and the second time interval may be indicated by peaks of the amplitude of the tire-based magnetic sensor signal or by a linear speed of the vehicle. The load on the tire is determined from a ratio of the first time interval to the second time interval at an inflation pressure of the tire. A tire load estimation system is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to tire tread wear monitoring. A sacrificial magnet portion is arranged in a tread of the tire so that it undergoes wear along with the tread and generates a useful magnetic field signal indicative of remaining tread thickness. With a magnetic field sensor arranged on or in the tire, an overall magnetic field signal is measured, which includes the useful magnetic field signal, and a superimposed interfering magnetic field signal generated by magnetizable material contained in the tire. A non-sacrificial magnet portion is used to saturate the magnetizable material at least locally so as to make the interfering magnetic field signal sensed by the magnetic field sensor substantially independent of the useful magnetic field signal sensed by the magnetic field sensor. Further aspects of the invention relate to tires, e.g., vehicle tires, featuring a tire tread wear monitoring system.

Abstract: A method for estimating the load of a tire supporting a vehicle includes providing the tire, in which the tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending to a circumferential tread, and the tread includes a plurality of tread blocks. A length of the tire footprint is indicated with a first time interval, and a full rotation of the tire is indicated with a second time interval. The first time interval may be indicated by peaks of an amplitude of a tire-based magnetic sensor signal, and the second time interval may be indicated by peaks of the amplitude of the tire-based magnetic sensor signal or by a linear speed of the vehicle. The load on the tire is determined from a ratio of the first time interval to the second time interval at an inflation pressure of the tire. A tire load estimation system is also provided.

Abstract: A tire with printed shear sensors includes a pair of bead areas and a ground-contacting tread disposed radially outwardly of the pair of bead areas. A pair of sidewalls includes an inboard sidewall extending from a first one of the bead areas to the tread and an outboard sidewall extending from a second one of the bead areas to the tread. A carcass extends toroidally between each of the bead areas radially inwardly of the tread, and an innerliner is formed on an inside surface of the carcass. A pair of resistive shear sensors is printed on the innerliner, including a first shear sensor printed in a sidewall zone of the inboard sidewall and a second shear sensor printed in a sidewall zone of the outboard sidewall.

Abstract: A tire with printed strain sensors includes a pair of bead areas and a ground-contacting tread disposed radially outwardly of the pair of bead areas. Each one of a pair of sidewalls extends from a respective bead area to the tread. A carcass extends toroidally between each of the bead areas radially inwardly of the tread, and an innerliner is formed on an inside surface of the carcass. A pair of resistive strain sensors is printed on the innerliner, and includes a first strain sensor printed on the innerliner at an inboard rim flange area and a second strain sensor printed on the innerliner at an outboard rim flange area.

Abstract: A tire with printed shear sensors includes a pair of bead areas and a ground-contacting tread disposed radially outwardly of the pair of bead areas. A pair of sidewalls includes an inboard sidewall extending from a first one of the bead areas to the tread and an outboard sidewall extending from a second one of the bead areas to the tread. A carcass extends toroidally between each of the bead areas radially inwardly of the tread, and an innerliner is formed on an inside surface of the carcass. A pair of resistive shear sensors is printed on the innerliner, including a first shear sensor printed in a sidewall zone of the inboard sidewall and a second shear sensor printed in a sidewall zone of the outboard sidewall.

Abstract: A tire with printed strain sensors includes a pair of bead areas and a ground-contacting tread disposed radially outwardly of the pair of bead areas. Each one of a pair of sidewalls extends from a respective bead area to the tread. A carcass extends toroidally between each of the bead areas radially inwardly of the tread, and an innerliner is formed on an inside surface of the carcass. A pair of resistive strain sensors is printed on the innerliner, and includes a first strain sensor printed on the innerliner at an inboard rim flange area and a second strain sensor printed on the innerliner at an outboard rim flange area.