TIRE SENSOR SYSTEM AND MONITORING METHOD
A tire system includes a plurality of piezoelectric devices mounted to the tire. The piezoelectric devices provide output signals in response to deformation of the tire. A processor has input terminals for receiving the signals from the piezoelectric devices, and the processor is programmed to determine tire parameters in response to the output signals from the piezoelectric devices. A power converter has input terminals for receiving the signals from the piezoelectric devices, and the power converter is connected to the processor to power the processor.
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Many different types of sensor devices exist for providing information about the tires of a wheeled vehicle. Features such as automatic stability and traction control in cars have made it necessary to obtain information about the interaction between the tires and the road surface. Such information is available from several sources, including ABS sensors, tire pressure measurement systems, and accelerometers and gyros located in the vehicle.
It is also desirable to obtain direct information about the tire-road interface. Known sensors for providing such direct information typically are mounted to the tire in various locations, such as in the tread, sidewall, inflation stem, etc. Existing sensor systems, however, tend to be complicated to operate and difficult to mount to the tire. Further, known tire sensor systems typically use only a single sensor attached to the tire lining or embedded in the tread. This limits the amount of data available for analysis. In particular, it is desirable to observe the tire deformation at both the sidewalls and in the tread, and to be able to observe short-term fluctuations (less than one wheel revolution) in the forces between tire and road.
Moreover, such sensors require an energy source to power the device—typically a battery. Eliminating the battery as the energy source for tire-mounted sensors is desirable from cost, reliability and environmental standpoints.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.
SUMMARYIn accordance with embodiments of the invention, a tire system includes a plurality of piezoelectric devices mounted to the tire. The piezoelectric devices provide output signals in response to deformation of the tire. A processor has input terminals for receiving the signals from the piezoelectric devices, and the processor is programmed to determine tire parameters in response to the output signals from the piezoelectric devices. A power converter has input terminals for receiving the signals from the piezoelectric devices, and the power converter is connected to the processor to power the processor.
Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Regarding embodiments disclosed, the term “exemplary” is merely meant as an example, rather than the best or optimal. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, while a particular feature or aspect of an embodiment may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
Many different types of wheeled vehicles use pneumatic tires (in this specification, the term tire generally refers to a pneumatic tire). Typically, a tire is mounted on the rim of a vehicle wheel and is in contact with a surface upon which the vehicle travels, such as a road surface.
Determining the length of a tire's contact area 16, or bearing surface, can be used to calculate desired tire parameters and accordingly, can provide much useful information about the tire. For example, the shape or length of the contact area can have a great effect on the handling of the vehicle to which the tire is mounted. The length of the contact area varies in relation to the inflation pressure of the tire under a constant vehicle load. Thus, if the vehicle load is constant, increasing the inflation pressure shortens the contact area, and decreasing the inflation pressure lengthens the contact area.
In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the sensor system 110 includes a plurality of piezoelectric devices mounted on the inner surface 108 of the tire 102.
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” along with derivatives and other similar terms are meant to indicate that the relevant elements co-operate or interact with each other regardless of whether they are in direct physical or electrical contact. Furthermore, it should be understood that embodiments of the invention may be implemented in discrete circuits, partially integrated circuits or fully integrated circuits and/or software.
In the exemplary systems 110 shown in
Moreover, the piezoelectric devices 112 in the embodiments illustrated in
Thus, when the tire 102 rotates during driving of the vehicle, the part of the tire 102 in contact with or close to the road surface is subject to stress which acts to deform the tire 102. The piezoelectric devices 112 will also be deformed, the deformation primarily taking the form of a flexing of the elements 112. This generates a voltage signal on the electrodes 134 of the piezoelectric devices 112. The voltage is proportional to the flexing of the piezoelectric device 112, thereby providing a signal indicative of the mechanical deformation of the tire 102. By selectively placing the piezoelectric devices 112 on different parts of the substrate 114, signals can be obtained that contain information about the deformation of different areas of the tire 102.
The input multiplexer 152 enables the signal processing unit 156 to select the signal from any of the piezoelectric devices 112 for analysis. Thus, by appropriately operating the input multiplexer 152, the processing device can receive output signals from selected ones of the piezoelectric devices. Such analyses can include, for example,
-
- Detection of the time when an electrode enters and leaves the contact area between the road and the tire. This will, after one or more iterations, provide information about the wheel rotation period and a first estimate of the size of the contact area.
- Detection of signals from electrodes which are placed in the transition zone between tire tread and sidewall. This will provide information about the deformation of the sidewall, which is related to the air pressure of the tire and the dynamic forces due to linear and angular acceleration of the vehicle.
- Detection of difference signals between electrodes which are placed in the transition zones between tire tread and the inner and outer sidewalls. This provides additional information about forces acting on the wheel.
- Detection of signals from electrodes placed on the tread. This will provide information about the contact between the tire and the road.
After the tire rotation period has been measured, it is possible for the signal processing electronics to lock onto the contact area of the tire 102 by switching the input multiplexer 152 to new piezoelectric devices 112 as they arrive at the contact area 16, selectively connecting the output of the appropriate piezoelectric devices 112 to the signal processing unit 156. A continuous monitoring of the tire contact area 16 is therefore possible during driving.
The operation of the power converter 150 runs in parallel to the signal processing unit 156 and associated devices, and is synchronized such that information from the piezoelectric devices 112, in the form of voltage levels, is read by the signal processing electronics before the charge associated with the signal voltage is transferred to the power converter 150. Depending on the placement of the piezoelectric devices 112, the maximum signal may occur as the piezoelectric device 112 enters or leaves the contact zone 16, or at some point between these two events. The timing of the power converter 150 is therefore programmed in accordance with the layout of the piezoelectric devices 112 and the desired signal processing.
Alternative embodiments of the invention are envisioned where the substrate 114 does not cover the whole length of the inner surface 108 nor the whole width. Such implementations will not be able to continuously monitor the contact area. However, if the area covered by the piezoelectric devices 112 corresponds to more than the maximum deformed area in the contact area, much information is available even if only sampled once per wheel rotation.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A tire sensor system, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of piezoelectric devices attached to the substrate, each of the piezoelectric devices having an output terminal;
- a processing device connected to the output terminals of the piezoelectric devices, the processing device being programmed to receive output signals from selected ones of the piezoelectric devices; and
- a power converter connected to receive signals from the output terminals of the piezoelectric devices to power the processing device.
2. The tire sensor system of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the piezoelectric devices are symmetrically situated about the longitudinal axis.
3. The tire sensor system of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric devices are spaced apart from one another on the substrate.
4. The tire sensor system of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric devices include piezoelectric material situated between first and second conductive layers.
5. The tire sensor system of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a PVDF material, and wherein the piezoelectric devices are formed from the PVDF material sandwiched between conductive layers.
6. The tire sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting data to a receiver.
7. The tire sensor system of claim 1, wherein the processing device includes an input multiplexer connected to the output terminals of the piezoelectric devices, and wherein the processing device is programmed to operate the input multiplexer to receive signals from selected ones of the piezoelectric devices in response to rotation of a tire having the sensor system mounted therein.
8. A tire system, comprising:
- a tire;
- a plurality of piezoelectric devices mounted to the tire, the piezoelectric devices adapted to provide output signals in response to deformation of the tire;
- a processor having input terminals for receiving the signals from the piezoelectric devices, wherein the processor is programmed to determine tire parameters in response to the output signals from the piezoelectric devices;
- a power converter having input terminals for receiving the signals from the piezoelectric devices, wherein the power converter is connected to the processor to power the processor.
9. The tire system of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric devices are mounted on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate is mounted to an inside surface of the tire.
10. The tire system of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric devices are formed from a PVDF material sandwiched between conductive layers.
11. The tire system of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric devices are spaced apart from one another and are situated symmetrically about an inside surface of the tire.
12. The tire system of claim 8, wherein at least some of the piezoelectric devices are situated on an inside surface of the tire opposite a tread defined on an outside portion of the tire.
13. The tire system of claim 8, wherein at least some of the piezoelectric devices are situated on an inside surface of the tire opposite a sidewall of the tire.
14. The tire system of claim 8, wherein the processing device is connected to receive the output signals from the piezoelectric devices via an input multiplexer, and wherein the processing device is adapted to operate the input multiplexer to receive the output signals from selected ones of the piezoelectric devices in response to a rotation frequency of the tire.
15. The tire system of claim 8, further comprising:
- a transmitter receiving an output of the processing device; and
- a receiver situated outside the tire for receiving data from the transmitter.
16. A method for monitoring a tire, comprising:
- mounting a plurality of piezoelectric devices to a tire;
- selectively connecting predetermined ones of the plurality of piezoelectric devices to a processing device to receive signals generated in response to deformation of a portion of the tire;
- calculating predetermined parameters of the tire in response to the received signals;
- selectively connecting predetermined ones of the plurality of piezoelectric devices to a power converter; and
- providing an output from the power converter to the processing device to power the processing device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein mounting the plurality of piezoelectric devices to the tire includes:
- mounting the piezoelectric devices on a substrate; and
- mounting the substrate to an inside surface of the tire.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein mounting the plurality of piezoelectric devices to the tire includes mounting at least some of the piezoelectric devices to an inside surface of the tire opposite a tread defined on an outside surface of the tire.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein mounting the plurality of piezoelectric devices to the tire includes mounting at least some of the piezoelectric devices to an inside surface of the tire in a sidewall area of the tire.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein mounting the plurality of piezoelectric devices to the tire includes mounting the piezoelectric devices symmetrically about a longitudinal axis of an inside surface of the tire.
21. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting the calculated parameters to a receiver situated outside the tire.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein selectively connecting predetermined ones of the plurality of piezoelectric devices to the processing device includes connecting the predetermined ones of the plurality of piezoelectric devices to the processing device in response to a rotation frequency of the tire.
23. A tire system, comprising:
- a tire;
- first means for generating signals in response to deformation of portions of the tire;
- second means connected to the first means for determining tire parameters in response to the signals from the first means;
- third means connected to the first means for powering the second means.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 1, 2007
Publication Date: May 7, 2009
Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG (Neubiberg)
Inventors: Bjoern Blixhavn (Tonsberg), Terje Kvisteroey (Horten)
Application Number: 11/933,529