Tire, Tread Or Roadway Patents (Class 73/146)
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Patent number: 11035757Abstract: A test system for testing a rolling resistance of a vehicle tire, with a measurement device. The measurement device has a load device that includes a load roller which applies a test load on the tire. The measurement device has a receiving device which receives the tire. The receiving device and the load device can be moved relative to one another. The measurement device has a drive device which rotationally drives at least one of the load roller and the receiving device. The measurement device has at least one test configuration for measuring the rolling resistance. The receiving device has first and second rim elements that together form a split rim engagement unit for accommodating the tire.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Roland Bösl, Wolfgang Saxinger, Jens Eisenbeiss
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Patent number: 11034356Abstract: A tire-mounted sensor includes a vibration detector, an acceleration sensor, a signal processor, and a transmitter. The vibration detector outputs a detection signal according to amplitude of a vibration of the tire. The acceleration outputs a detection signal according to an acceleration of the tire in a radial direction. The signal processor detects a rotational angle of the tire reaching a ground angle during each rotation of the tire, sets a measurement period including a time period during which the rotational angle of the tire is at the ground angle, extracts a ground contact section during which the portion of the tread provided with the vibration sensor is in contact with the ground, in the measurement period, and generates a road surface data based on the detection signal output from the vibration detector during the ground contact section. The transmitter transmits the road surface data.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Takatoshi Sekizawa, Ryosuke Kanbayashi, Masashi Mori
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Patent number: 11027712Abstract: A method for determining a coefficient-of-friction, the method including braking a first wheel of a vehicle such that a slip between the first wheel and a roadway is less than a slip between a second wheel of the vehicle and the roadway, and determining a coefficient-of-friction between the first wheel and the roadway based on the behavior of the first wheel during the braking. The method optionally including hazard braking the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, WABCO EUROPE BVBA, TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Sven Gohl, Christoph Schall, Dan Williams, Stephan Kallenbach, Klaus Plähn, Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing
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Patent number: 11029236Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for checking a tyre (200), the device (10) comprising: a detection system (104) comprising a camera (105) having an optical plane (107) passing through the camera (105) and defining a focal plane (121); a first light source (110), a second light source (108) and a third light source (109) adapted for emitting a first light radiation, a second light radiation and a third light radiation, respectively to illuminate a surface portion of said tyre at or close to said focal plane (121), said second light source (108) and said third light source (109) being arranged at opposite sides with respect to said optical plane (107); where said first light source (110) is fixed with respect to said detection system (104) and said second light source (108) and third light source (109) are adapted to be movable from a first inactive configuration where they are controlled to not emit said second light radiation and third light radiation and wherein the distance (d2, d3) of said sType: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
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Patent number: 11014413Abstract: A tire comprising a tread block made of tread material, a tread, of which a part is formed by the tread block, and an insert comprising a primary capacitive component and a primary inductive component. The insert extends in a longitudinal direction from a bottom of the insert to a top of the insert. The insert has a first cross section at a first longitudinal position and a second cross section at a second longitudinal position, wherein the first longitudinal position is located closer to the tread of the tire than the second longitudinal position, and the second cross section is greater than the first cross section. At least a part of the top of the insert does not form an interface with the tread material. A method for applying an insert into a tire. An insert is inserted into a blind hole of the tire such that the bottom of the insert is inserted deeper in the blind hole than the top of the insert.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Nokian Renkaat OyjInventors: Jani Räisänen, Jari Ojala, Teemu Soini, Simo Vapaakoski, Mikko Turunen, Timo Oksjoki
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Patent number: 10996142Abstract: A pneumatic tire pre-conditioning system includes a conveyor system, a belt assembly, a friction device and a drive system. The conveyor system includes a tire engaging surface, a first side, and a second side. The belt assembly is adjacent to the first side of the tire engaging surface. The friction device is adjacent to the second side of the tire engaging surface. The drive system is configured to move a tire along the tire engaging surface in a path between the belt assembly and the friction device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Android Industries LLCInventors: Donald Graham Straitiff, Lawrence J. Lawson, Joshua James Hicks, Christopher Michael Bulliner, Anthony Willard Pierce, Kerry Verran, Andrew Douglas Schmidt
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Patent number: 10993241Abstract: In order to prevent wireless resources from becoming scarce in a Sidelink V2X communication, a UE (10) that carries out the Sidelink V2X communication causes: a free resource search unit (105) to search for free resources within a first resource range; a transmission processing unit (107) to transmit a first transmission packet by using the free resources within the first resource range; a transmission inhibition timer unit (108) to set transmission inhibition time which is time for inhibiting start of a second resource range after the transmission of the first transmission packet within the first resource range; and the free resource search unit (105) to search for free resources within the second resource range after the expiration of the transmission inhibition time.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.Inventors: Tatsunori Obara, Riichi Kudou
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Patent number: 10987980Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle, for ascertaining tire-specific parameters, includes a valve body, at least one fastening element, and a tire inflation pressure sensor with a housing in which is accommodated a sensor for determining at least one tire-specific parameter and for wirelessly transmitting the at least one tire-specific parameter to a control unit on the vehicle. The housing has a fastening region, and the valve body includes a fastening section. The fastening section of the valve body is detachably engaged with the fastening region of the housing with the aid of a fastening element. The fastening element is made as one piece with the housing of the tire inflation pressure sensor from a thermoplastic plastic.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Huf Baolong Electronics Bretten GmbHInventors: Yevgen Dementyev, Stefan Mönig, Igor Gorenzweig, Axel Dussinger, Benedikt Gamer, Sven Arnoldo
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Patent number: 10983021Abstract: An action force detecting unit for a rotary member that detects a force acting on a rotary member such as a rotary shaft and a wheel easily and accurately. The action force detecting unit comprises: a first rotor rotated integrally with a tire; a second rotor rotated relatively to the first rotor; a case fixed to a vehicle body while rotatably supporting the first rotor and the second rotor; a first thrust bearing supporting the first rotor; a second thrust bearing supporting the second rotor; a load translating mechanism transmitting a torque between the first rotor and the second rotor while translating the torque partially into a thrust force; a detector fixed to the case to detect a flexure relating to the thrust force applied to the second thrust bearing; a calculator calculating the force acting on the tire based on the flexure detected by the detector; and a transmitter transmitting a signal in accordance with a torque calculated by the calculator.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Isono
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Patent number: 10981562Abstract: A vehicle stability control device is mounted on a vehicle in which a front tire wears faster than a rear tire. Understeer degree increases as a target yaw rate becomes higher than an actual yaw rate. When the understeer degree exceeds a first activation threshold, vehicle stability control is activated. When the understeer degree exceeds a second activation threshold, rear brake control that applies a braking force to an inner rear wheel is activated. A wear degree parameter is wear degree of the front tire or a difference in wear degree between the front tire and the rear tire. In response to a fact that the wear degree parameter exceeds a first wear threshold, the vehicle stability control device performs rear wear promotion processing that changes the second activation threshold to an adjusted value smaller than a default value and the first activation threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryochi Watanabe
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Patent number: 10974707Abstract: A vehicle stability control device is mounted on a vehicle in which a front tire wears faster than a rear tire. An equation for calculating a target yaw rate includes a stability factor of the vehicle as a parameter, wherein the calculated target yaw rate becomes lower as the stability factor becomes larger. Understeer degree increases as the target yaw rate becomes higher than an actual yaw rate. When the understeer degree exceeds an activation threshold, vehicle stability control is activated. The vehicle stability control device further performs wear coping processing. In the wear coping processing, a wear degree parameter being wear degree of the front tire or a difference in wear degree between the front tire and the rear tire is calculated. When the wear degree parameter exceeds a wear threshold, the vehicle stability control device corrects the stability factor to be larger than a default setting value.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryochi Watanabe
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Patent number: 10974550Abstract: A tire comprising a tread block made of tread material, a tread, of which a part is formed by the tread block, and an insert comprising a primary capacitive component and a primary inductive component. The insert extends in a longitudinal direction from a bottom of the insert to a top of the insert. The insert has a first cross section at a first longitudinal position and a second cross section at a second longitudinal position, wherein the first longitudinal position is located closer to the tread of the tire than the second longitudinal position, and the second cross section is greater than the first cross section. At least a part of the top of the insert does not form an interface with the tread material. A method for applying an insert into a tire. An insert is inserted into a blind hole of the tire such that the bottom of the insert is inserted deeper in the blind hole than the top of the insert.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Nokian Renkaat OyjInventors: Jani Räisänen, Jari Ojala, Teemu Soini, Simo Vapaakoski, Mikko Turunen, Timo Oksjoki
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Patent number: 10960716Abstract: A method includes obtaining simulated tire data for a simulated tire, simulated vehicle data for a simulated vehicle, and simulated test course data. The simulated tire data includes data to build a basic tire model. The simulated vehicle data includes data to build a basic vehicle model. The simulated test course data includes position-based course data in a horizontal plane and position-based course data in a vertical direction. The method further includes generating a tire load history from the basic tire model, the basic vehicle model, and the simulated test course data.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Ke Jun Xie, Erik F. Knuth, David O. Stalnaker, John L. Turner
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Patent number: 10960715Abstract: An assembly comprising a tyre valve (2) and an enclosure (3), wherein the enclosure (3) is adapted to receive a gas pressure monitoring unit, wherein the enclosure (3) comprises a hinge joint, the hinge joint having at least one stationary member connected to the enclosure (3), an axle (6) and a rotatable member (4) arranged to at least partially rotate around the axle (6) and wherein the tyre valve (2) is connected to the rotatable member (5) of the hinge joint. The tyre valve (2) is connected to the rotatable member (4) of the hinge joint by a form-fitting connection which secures the tyre valve (2) against movement in a direction towards the rotatable member (4) and in a direction away from the rotatable member (5).Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Apollo Tyres Ltd.Inventors: Prithviraj Peedikakkandy, Sethuramalingam Anbuchezhian
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Patent number: 10960714Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Yves Francois Claude Decoster, Andrei Dan Anton
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Patent number: 10957060Abstract: A method of detecting sensor obstructions in a computing device includes: at an emitter, emitting a beam of light through a scan window toward a treaded surface; at an image sensor, for a sequence of positions of the computing device along the treaded surface: capturing a sequence of images corresponding to the sequence of positions, each image in the sequence having a first region and a second region; wherein the first regions depict a first subset of reflections of the beam of light originating from a first depth range; and wherein the second regions depict a second subset of the reflections originating from a second depth range; at a controller: receiving the sequence of images; determining, based on the second regions, whether an intensity of the second subset of the reflections exceeds a occlusion threshold; and when the determination is affirmative, generating an alert indicating obstruction of the scan window.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Raghavendra Tenkasi Shankar, David S. Koch, Zhijia Yuan
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Patent number: 10953710Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Yves Francois Claude Decoster
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Patent number: 10940838Abstract: A vehicle stability control device is mounted on a vehicle in which a front tire wears faster than a rear tire. An equation for calculating a target yaw rate includes a stability factor of the vehicle as a parameter, wherein the calculated target yaw rate becomes lower as the stability factor becomes larger. Understeer degree increases as the target yaw rate becomes higher than an actual yaw rate. When the understeer degree exceeds an activation threshold, vehicle stability control is activated. The vehicle stability control device further performs wear coping processing. In the wear coping processing, a wear degree parameter being wear degree of the front tire or a difference in wear degree between the front tire and the rear tire is calculated. When the wear degree parameter exceeds a wear threshold, the vehicle stability control device corrects the stability factor to be larger than a default setting value.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryochi Watanabe
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Patent number: 10940723Abstract: An electronic unit for measuring operating parameters of a vehicle wheel, including: an inflation valve of the “snap-in” type having a valve body made of an elastically deformable material, and a rigid hollow tube, an electronics casing, and a device for attaching the electronic casing and of the inflation valve. The device for attaching the electronics casing and the inflation valve consists of a solid pin made from a material having a density lower than that of the material of which the rigid hollow tube is made and having longitudinal grooves that allow a flow of air to pass through the valve, a proximal portion of the pin being configured to be attached to the electronics casing, and a distal portion of the pin being configured to be attached to the rigid hollow tube of the inflation valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Inventors: Jérémy Mieyan, Christian Kempf, Julien Lecaillon
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Patent number: 10933864Abstract: A vehicle stability control device is mounted on a vehicle in which a front tire wears faster than a rear tire. Understeer degree increases as a target yaw rate becomes higher than an actual yaw rate. When the understeer degree exceeds a first activation threshold, vehicle stability control is activated. When the understeer degree exceeds a second activation threshold, rear brake control that applies a braking force to an inner rear wheel is activated. A wear degree parameter is wear degree of the front tire or a difference in wear degree between the front tire and the rear tire. In response to a fact that the wear degree parameter exceeds a first wear threshold, the vehicle stability control device performs rear wear promotion processing that changes the second activation threshold to an adjusted value smaller than a default value and the first activation threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryochi Watanabe
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Patent number: 10919349Abstract: A tire chain attachment determination device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires vibration information on a vibration of a vehicle detected by a vibration detection unit provided in the vehicle; and a determination unit that determines whether or not a tire chain is attached to the vehicle based on a frequency characteristic of the vibration of the vehicle using the vibration information.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoto Sasagawa, Eiji Niwa
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Patent number: 10921217Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating and/or adjusting a force transducer or accelerator sensor of a measuring apparatus. The apparatus including a force spring element fixedly connectable to the measuring apparatus, a mass body movable along a guide relative to the force application element and a reference force transducer or reference acceleration sensor arranged between the force application element and the mass body. A positive or negative acceleration is applied to the mass body and the reaction forces resulting from the acceleration of the mass body are applied to the force-application element and, additionally, to the force transducer or acceleration sensor in the measuring apparatus. Values determined by the reference force transducer or reference acceleration sensor and the values determined by the force transducer or acceleration sensor in the measuring apparatus are recorded, processed and compared.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Schenck Process Europe GmbHInventors: Fritz Ehmke, Viktor Rais
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Patent number: 10899326Abstract: A rail vehicle braking system includes at least one disk brake associated with a wheel or a wheel set, wherein the disk brake includes at least one brake disk, at least one brake lining which engages with the brake disk, at least one application device exerting an application force on the at least one brake lining during a braking operation, and a control device for controlling the application device, wherein the control device is coupled to a determination unit for determining a current wheel diameter of the wheel or of the wheel set, wherein the control unit is configured such that, when a predetermined application force is actuated during braking operation, a value of the current wheel diameter detected by the determination unit is taken into account.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Inventors: Marc-Gregory Elstorpff, Christian Mosbach, Torsten Grunwald
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Patent number: 10899022Abstract: A sensor device includes a base body including a recess, a lid body configured to close an opening of the recess, a force detection element disposed in the recess and including a first element that outputs a first signal according to an external force in a first axis and a second element that stacks on the first element and outputs a second signal according to an external force in a second axis; a first circuit disposed in the recess and configured to process the first signal, and a second circuit disposed in the recess and configured to process the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Inventors: Hiroshi Komatsu, Hiroki Kawai, Mitsuhiro Tateyama, Hideo Miyasaka
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Patent number: 10889152Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods to determine vehicle tire wear are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to determine, based on data associated with operation of a vehicle, behavior of one or more drivers of the vehicle that causes tire wear. The controller is also configured to calculate, based on the behavior, a condition of a tire of the vehicle. The controller is also configured to generate, via an output device, a notification indicating the condition of the tire to a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Raja Shekar Kilaru, Joshua Cocke Batie, Aghyad Majdi Saleh
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Patent number: 10883898Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres has a support, deformation systems, positioning actuators and a moving member. The deformation systems apply, in operation, compression forces on respective surfaces of a free wall of the tyre to form deformed portions of the free wall. The positioning actuators move the deformation systems towards and away from the surfaces. The moving member sets the tyre in relative rotation with respect to the deformation systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Alessandro Held, Riccardo Antoj, Maurizio Marchini, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
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Patent number: 10875539Abstract: A system for estimating a tire load of a tire includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a tire pressure signal; an acceleration sensor configured to generate a tire acceleration signal; a temperature sensor configured to generate a tire temperature signal; and at least one processor configured to calculate a duration of a contact patch based on the tire acceleration signal, calculate a vehicle speed based on the tire acceleration signal, determine at least one system model coefficient based on the tire pressure signal and the tire temperature signal, and calculate the tire load of the tire using a linear system model that relates tire pressure, the duration of the contact patch, and the vehicle speed to the tire load of the tire, where the linear system model further includes the at least one system model coefficient for calculating the tire load of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Inventor: Christoph Steiner
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Patent number: 10870322Abstract: A tire pressure monitor can include: a pressure sensor configured to detect a gas pressure parameter of a tire; a wireless receiver configured to initially be in a sleep mode, and to receive a communication protocol wirelessly after being woken up from the sleep mode; and a microprocessor configured to wake up the wireless receiver according to the gas pressure parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTDInventor: ChiKang Liu
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Patent number: 10870350Abstract: A vehicle display device acquires a plurality of point positions of a pair of white lines interposing a traffic lane extending forward of a vehicle from a frontward image. Interpolation formulas are created in a direction in which a plurality of point positions are continuous along the white lines, respectively. A base point is determined on any one of the interpolation formulas on the basis of distance information to an intersection forward of the vehicle. A road shape model is created such that a plurality of finite element models defined by the base point and a plurality of vertexes set on the interpolation formulas, respectively, directed from the base point to the vehicle side are arranged between a pair of interpolation formulas.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Tomotake Wakatsuki, Kazuyoshi Ogasawara
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Patent number: 10866318Abstract: A platform-based observation system that is in communication with a substrate. The system is configured to identify a condition in, on, or within the substrate. The system has components selected from the group consisting of: inputs, processing, and outputs. The inputs may include a visual scanning sensor, an infrared scanning sensor, at least one GPS receiver, and a means for image collection. Processing includes the processing of measurements and image collection data to define conditions and organizing them according to file formatting associated with geographic systems. The outputs include recording the conditions and outputting the conditions on a monitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: GSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Glen Raymond Simula, Gary Bryan Howard
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Patent number: 10866161Abstract: A road surface condition estimation apparatus may output a detection signal corresponding to a magnitude of a vibration of a tire. The road surface condition estimation apparatus may calculate a level of high frequency component of the detection signal in a contact section. The road surface condition estimation apparatus may transmit a calculation result of the level of high frequency component as road surface condition data each time the tire rotates for a predetermined number of times. The road surface condition estimation apparatus may estimate a condition of road surface based on the road surface condition data. The road surface condition estimation apparatus may stop transmitting the road surface condition data when estimating that the vehicle accelerates or decelerates.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, SOKEN, INC.Inventors: Yoichiro Suzuki, Takatoshi Sekizawa
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Patent number: 10858009Abstract: A tire-mounted sensor is mounted to a rear surface of a tread of a tire. the tire-mounted sensor includes: a vibration detector, a signal processor, a transmitter, and an activation controller. The vibration detector outputs a detection signal according to amplitude of a vibration of the tire. The signal processor extracts a ground contact section during which the portion of the tread provided with the vibration sensor is in contact with the ground, from the detection signal, and generates a road surface data based on the detection signal during the ground contact section. The transmitter transmits the road surface data. The activation controller starts an activation of the signal processor at a time in association with the ground contact starting time at which the portion of the tread provided with the vibration detector begins to be in contact with the ground.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Takatoshi Sekizawa, Masashi Mori, Ryosuke Kanbayashi
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Patent number: 10850579Abstract: A structure for securing an electronic part to a tire, has a sheet for securing the electronic part which is arranged between the sheet and a tire inner surface; and cushioning material which is arranged about a periphery of the electronic part and which adheres to the sheet and the tire inner surface. The cushioning material is not arranged on the tire inner surface where the electronic part is present but surrounds the electronic part completely or surrounds the electronic part except for at least one gap smaller than the electronic part.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuhiro Sakakibara
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Patent number: 10837762Abstract: A hand-held device for obtaining a three-dimensional topological surface profile of a tyre, the device comprising: a base comprising an aperture; a light source arranged in use to generate an elongate pattern of light, and to project said pattern through the aperture onto a rolling surface of the tyre; a detector arranged to image a region of the rolling surface of the tyre; a plurality of pairs of guide wheels mounted on respective axles mounted on the base, wherein the guide wheels on adjacent axles are linked by gears; and a rotary encoder arranged to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of an axle.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: SIGMAVISION LTD.Inventors: Andrew Pryce, Björn Gustafsson, Kshitij Sisodia, Allen Pearson
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Patent number: 10837920Abstract: Apparatus (1) for checking tyres, comprising: a support frame (2); a flange (3); and an acquisition system (4) of three-dimensional images of a surface of a tyre, the acquisition system being mounted on the support frame and comprising: a matrix camera (5), a linear laser source (7), and a reflecting surface (12) which intersects the propagation axis (9) of the linear laser beam and the optical axis (6) of the matrix camera (5), wherein a first angle (50) formed between a first section (14) and a second section (31) of the optical axis (6) mutually symmetrical with respect to a normal to the reflecting surface in the respective point of incidence to the reflecting surface, is obtuse, and wherein a second angle (51) formed between a first section (16) and a second section (32) of the propagation axis (9) mutually symmetrical with respect to a normal to the reflecting surface in the respective point of incidence to the reflecting surface, is obtuse.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Fabio Regoli, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
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Patent number: 10836217Abstract: A wear detection system for truck steer tires is provided. A plurality of sipe groups are located in a tread rib of the tire. Each sipe group includes a first sipe group portion having an axially inward directed apex and a second sipe group portion having an axially outwardly directed apex, such that an axially directed wear force component causes the apex of the sipe group directed in the direction of the wear force component to be more tactilely detectable by a human fingertip than the apex of the other sipe group portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Adam M. Ziebarth
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Patent number: 10828943Abstract: A tyre monitoring device configured to be mounted on a wheel is described. The device includes a pressure sensor for sensing an inflation pressure of a tyre on the wheel; a wireless communication interface configured to receive data indicative of a command to indicate tyre pressure; a storage storing a predetermined pressure value; an indicator configured to provide a first indication and a second indication, wherein the first indication is different from the second indication; and a processing system configured to operate the indicator to provide the first indication or the second indication responsive to receipt of the command to indicate tyre pressure, and based at least in part on the inflation pressure and the predetermined pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignees: Airbus Operations Limited, Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Andrew Bill, Timo Warns
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Patent number: 10816423Abstract: A pressure sensor chip includes a first layer including a pressure introduction channel opening on a first main surface and a second main surface; a second layer including a diaphragm covering one end of the channel, a first strain gauge, and a second strain gauge, the second layer being on the second main surface; and a third layer including a third main surface and a concaved portion disposed at the third main surface, the third main surface being on the second layer. The concaved portion faces the channel with the diaphragm interposed therebetween, and is on an inner side of the channel when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first main surface. The first strain gauge is on an outer side of the concaved portion when viewed from the direction. The second strain gauge is on an inner side of the first strain gauge when viewed from the direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATIONInventor: Tomohisa Tokuda
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Patent number: 10814679Abstract: A wear detection system for truck steer tires is provided. A plurality of sipe groups are located in a tread rib of the tire. Each sipe group includes a first sipe group portion having an axially inward directed apex and a second sipe group portion having an axially outwardly directed apex, such that an axially directed wear force component causes the apex of the sipe group directed in the direction of the wear force component to be more tactilely detectable by a human fingertip than the apex of the other sipe group portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventor: Adam M. Ziebarth
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Patent number: 10809157Abstract: A chucking apparatus for positioning a tire in a tire uniformity machine includes an upper chuck assembly, a lower chuck assembly operative with the upper chuck assembly to capture a tire therebetween, and a dual piston cylinder coupled to the lower chuck assembly which moves the tire into engagement with the upper chuck assembly. The dual piston cylinder has an axially extending inner piston rod from which axially extends a field-replaceable inner piston stem.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: AKRON SPECIAL MACHINERY, INC.Inventors: Charles A. Lint, Benjamin E. Hillman, Brian D. Mitchell
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Patent number: 10807421Abstract: A tire monitoring system with mounting features on a housing provide for positioning through a wide range of angles. Accordingly, the system can be positioned on an a variety of wheel rim/valve combinations. The tire monitoring apparatus includes two opposed wings provided on the housing to facilitate the range of positioning angles at which the housing can be positioned with respect to a valve base. Each opposed wing has a same exterior surface radius of curvature and the wings are clamped between a base plate and a clamp plate at the desired angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Sensata Techologies, Inc.Inventors: David H. McClurg, Thomas J. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10787045Abstract: In a method for making available data relating to the tires of a vehicle, vehicle data and/or tire data is made available by a vehicle memory unit of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle data is acquired by a sensor which is arranged in the vehicle. The vehicle data and/or the tire data have information on at least one property of the tires of the vehicle. A tire-wear probability of the tires of the vehicle is acquired as a function of the vehicle data and/or tire data. The tire-wear probability and/or the vehicle data and/or tire data are stored permanently in a memory unit arranged externally with respect to the vehicle and are made available for determining whether the vehicle requires new tires.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Markus de Ruijter
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Patent number: 10789773Abstract: An automated tread analysis system and methods for using are described. The automated tread analysis system may include a sensing system having a plurality of cameras providing a plurality of sequential two-dimensional images. The automated tread analysis system may also include an analyzing system configured to provide at least one surface model of a first object via photogrammetry using the plurality of sequential two-dimensional images. The automated tread system may execute processing software reading data corresponding to the at least one surface model of the first object. The surface model may correspond to a current condition of the first object. The processing software executed by the user system may analyze the at least one surface model of the first object and provide at least one indicative wear metric based on the analysis of the surface model of the first object.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Tireaudit.com, Inc.Inventors: Jack M. Zoken, Alper Yilmaz
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Patent number: 10782129Abstract: A method for ascertaining a ground profile in a region in front of a vehicle in a direction of travel, using at least one sensor; at least one vertical motion of at least one vehicle traveling ahead being measured by the vehicle, an independent motion of the vehicle being ascertained or estimated, the measured data of the at least one vertical motion of the at least one vehicle traveling ahead being compared to the ascertained or estimated data of the independent motion of the vehicle, and a ground profile being derived from the comparison of the measured data of the at least one vehicle traveling ahead with the ascertained or estimated data of the independent motion of the vehicle. In addition, a system is described.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Dominik Maucher, Heinz Hertlein
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Patent number: 10773557Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying whether tread of a tire of a vehicle is insufficient is presented. Image data corresponding to at least one image of the tire of the vehicle may be captured using an image sensor. The image data may be processed to determine at least one indication of a tread wear of the tire. At least one of the at least one indication of the tread wear may be analyzed based on tread wear data corresponding to the tire, with the tire being of a particular type. The tread wear data corresponding to the tire may be available to one or more processors that perform the analyzing from a provider of tires of the particular type. Based on the analyzing of the at least one of the at least one indication of the tread wear, it may be identified whether the tread of the tire is insufficient.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Joshua M. Mast, Sharon Gibson
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Patent number: 10779424Abstract: A sensor case (10) with a sensor housed therein for obtaining information on a tire, including a lower side member (11) having a bottom surface (11b) to be attached on an inner surface of the tire or to a base (20) for mounting the sensor case (10) on the inner surface of the tire, and an upper side member (12) protruding from a surface (11a) opposite to the bottom surface (11b) of the lower side member (11) to a side opposite to the bottom surface (11b) and having a width smaller than a width of the lower side member (11). A side surface (11c) of the lower side member (11) is formed of a curved surface convex outwardly in a width direction, and a side surface (12c) of the upper side member (12) and a top surface (12a) of the upper side member (12), which is a surface opposite to the bottom surface (11b), are connected by a curved surface (12p) being in contact with the top surface (12a).Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: BRIDESTONE CORPORATIONInventors: Takeshi Masago, Kazuo Hayashi
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Patent number: 10759235Abstract: A first tire pressure sensor module is configured to provide information related to a pressure of a tire of a vehicle and comprises a pressure sensor configured to determine the information related to the pressure of the tire. The pressure module further includes a controller configured to selectively operate the tire pressure sensor module in an active state and in an inactive state, wherein an energy consumption of the tire pressure sensor module is lower in the inactive state than in the active state. The controller is further configured to control an output of the information related to the pressure of the tire in the active state, and operate the tire pressure sensor module in the inactive state based on determining that information related to a velocity of the tire indicates a velocity above a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andre Peine, Thomas Lange
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Patent number: 10753838Abstract: A load and motion measurement system for use with a Hamburg Wheel Tracker device includes: a housing; at least one load cell held in or by the housing; a load platform held in or by the housing and resting on the at least one load cell; and a controller operatively associated with the at least one load cell. The load and motion measurement system is configured to be received in a sample tray that is held in the Hamburg Wheel Tracker device. The controller is configured to determine operational parameters associated with a wheel of the Hamburg Wheel Tracking device that rolls along the load platform. Vertical displacement measurement calibration and verification systems for use with a Hamburg Wheel Tracker device are also described, as are associated kits and methods.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence James, Ali Regimand, Ethan Steckmann, Richard Stacy, Dirk Steckmann, Andrew LaCroix, Adam O'Neill
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Patent number: 10753828Abstract: This tire management device enables tire management for equalizing the use period of tires mounted on a vehicle, and is provided with a deterioration state prediction unit which, for each mounting position, predicts the deterioration tendency and the deterioration state of the tires mounted on the vehicle; a usable period prediction unit which, for each tire mounting position, predicts the usable period of the tire on the basis of the deterioration tendency and deterioration state predicted by the deterioration state prediction unit; and a mounting position planning unit which, setting the deterioration tendency of each tire predicted by the deterioration state prediction unit as a mounting position deterioration characteristic of each mounting position of a tire in the vehicle, creates, on the basis of said mounting position deterioration characteristics and the usable periods of the tires predicted by the usable period prediction unit, a modification proposal for changing the mounting positions of the tiresType: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventors: Daisuke Tamura, Keiichi Sakai, Shinichiro Yamazaki, Seita Komori
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Patent number: 10745037Abstract: A continuous measurement method for a wheel/rail vertical force includes: continuously arranging classic wheel/rail vertical force unit measurement areas in a form of “shear force+support force” on rails, where adjacent unit measurement areas share an end shear force measurement, and each two adjacent unit measurement areas form a unique compound measurement area; obtaining the wheel/rail vertical force when a wheelset passes the unit measurement areas other than the transition area of shear force measurement by using the classic unit measurement areas; obtaining the wheel/rail vertical force when the wheelset passes the transition area of the shared shear force measurement by using the unique compound measurement area; and combining all wheel/rail vertical forces on the unit measurement areas and the compound measurement areas to obtain a long distance fully continuous wheel/rail vertical force of the wheelset.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignees: China Academy of Railway Sciences, Locomotive & Car Research Institute of China Academy of Railway Sciences, Railway Engineering Research Institute of China Academy of Railway Sciences, Beijing Zongheng Electro-Mechanical Development Co., CR Technological Development CorporationInventors: Yuqing Zeng, Xuwei Li, Weidong Yu, Xuesong Chai