The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Jeffrey McKay West

Peter Jung-min Suh

Junling Zhao

Arun Kumar Byatarayanapura Gopala

Michael William Kestner

Andrew Peter Killmeyer

Michel Marguerite Walther Ghislain Constant

James Earl Koerner

Jin-Shy Steve Gau

Frank George Licari

Oliviero Truffo

Dorian Boluix

Disclosed are examples for detecting a displacement of a sensor within a tire. A baseline signal strength is compared to a measured signal strength. When a calculated comparison value (e.g., delta standard deviation) meets or exceeds a threshold value, the sensor is determined to be displaced from the expected location in the tire. When a sensor is determined to be displaced or otherwise loose from the expected location within the tire, an alert can be generated to provide notice to the vehicle driver or other entity of the issue so that the issue can then be remedied.

Loose sensor detection

An integrated tread wear sensor and tire pressure monitoring system sensor unit container for a tire includes a tread wear sensor plug and a sensor container. The tread wear sensor plug includes a cylindrical projection extending through an opening formed in a selected tread element of the tire. A flange extends outwardly from the projection and includes a contact surface that is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A conductive wire is disposed in the tread wear sensor plug and includes proximal ends disposed in the flange and a distal end disposed near a radially outer surface of the projection. The sensor container includes a wall extending radially from the flange of the tread wear sensor plug and terminating in a lip. A container cavity is defined by the flange, the wall, and the lip, and receives a tire pressure monitoring system sensor.

Integrated tread wear sensor and TPMS container for a tire

A tire sensor attachment structure is provided. The tire includes a pair of bead areas, a sidewall extending from each respective bead area to a tread, a carcass extending toroidally between each of the bead areas, and an innerliner that is disposed radially inwardly of the carcass. A sensor housing is attached to the innerliner, and defines an interior chamber. A sensor is disposed in the chamber. The tire sensor attachment structure includes a compressible body that is disposed in the chamber between the sensor and the innerliner.

Tire sensor attachment structure

A sensor retaining system for a vehicle tire is provided. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread, which is formed with a plurality of tread elements. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. A tread wear sensor extends into one of the tread elements and includes a wire. The wire includes proximal ends, each one of which contacts a sensor unit electrical contact to create an electrical circuit. A flexible container is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A cup includes a base and a sidewall that cooperate to form a cavity, and a bottom of the tread wear sensor and the sensor unit are received in the cavity. The cup maintains a connection between the electrical contacts and the wire proximal ends, and is disposed in the flexible container.

Sensor retaining system for vehicle tire

A tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread. The tread is formed with a plurality of tread elements and a radially outer surface. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. The tread wear sensor plug includes a cylindrical projection extending through an opening formed in one of the tread elements, a flange, and a wire including proximal ends disposed in the flange and a distal end near a radially outer surface of the projection. An electrical circuit is formed by each proximal end of the wire electrically contacting a respective one of the sensor unit electrical contacts. When the tread element and the cylindrical projection wear down to the distal end of the wire, the wire and the circuit break. A notice is transmitted by the sensor unit when the circuit breaks.

Tire with tread wear sensor plug

A tire sensor container system is provided. A tire includes a carcass toroidally extending from a first bead area to a second bead area, and an innerliner formed on an inner surface of the carcass. The tire sensor container system includes a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, which in turn includes a rigid housing that is formed with an oval shape. A flexible container is mounted to the innerliner. The container includes a base and a wall extending radially outwardly from the base, and the wall terminates in a lip. The container wall is formed with an oval shape that cooperates with the shape of the tire pressure monitoring sensor housing. A cavity is defined by the base, the wall, and the lip, and cavity receives and secures the tire pressure monitoring system sensor. The system reduces sensor rotation and maintains consistent sensor orientation to improve sensor functionality and longevity.

Growing community of inventors

Uniontown, OH, United States of America

Jeffrey McKay West