Gas leak detection in vehicle tires

Abstract

The invention relates to gas leak detection in vehicle tires, and in particular, a computer system includes a processing circuit, the processing circuitry is configured to: determine a presence of a gas leak in a vehicle tire in response to a difference between a first value indicative of an amount of gas in the vehicle tire at a first point in time and a second value indicative of an amount of gas in the vehicle tire at a second point in time being above a predetermined threshold limit; and transmitting data to perform a responsive action in response to the determined gas leak.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle tires. In particular aspects, the present disclosure relates to gas leak detection in vehicle tires. The present disclosure may be applicable to heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment, as well as other vehicle types. Although the present disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Air leakage from vehicle tires is a critical problem, with various consequences in terms of vehicle performance and safety. The basic result of such leakage is a gradual reduction in tire pressure. This reduction, if not addressed, can seriously affect the vehicle's handling characteristics and operating efficiency.

[0003] Furthermore, air leaks may negatively affect the rolling resistance of the wheels of the vehicle. In particular, a deflated tire may increase the rolling resistance of the vehicle, which in turn increases the fuel consumption of a vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine, or increases the power consumption of a vehicle propelled by an electric traction motor. In fact, it has been recognized that rolling resistance may affect the efficiency of the vehicle to a greater extent than, for example, the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle.

[0004] However, air leaks may be unavoidable, and it is therefore desirable to improve the detection of such air leaks so that correct action can be taken well in time before the damage is too severe. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a computer system is provided, comprising a processing circuit configured to: receive sensor data of a first gas pressure level and a first gas temperature level of gas in a vehicle tire at a first point in time; calculate a first value indicating an amount of gas contained in the tire at the first point in time, the first value being calculated in response to the first gas pressure level and the first gas temperature level; receive sensor data of a second gas pressure level and a second gas temperature level of gas in the vehicle tire at a second point in time, the second time point being subsequent to the first time point; calculate a second value indicating an amount of gas contained in the tire at the second point in time, the second value being calculated in response to the second gas pressure level and the second gas temperature level; determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to a difference between the first value and the second value being higher than a predetermined threshold limit; and transmit data in response to the determined gas leak to perform a response action.

[0006] The first aspect of the present disclosure may seek to alleviate the problem of rapidly detecting gas leaks in vehicle tires, and also detecting small gas leaks, which is difficult with existing solutions. Thus, a technical benefit may include providing rapid detection of gas leaks in vehicle tires, regardless of the magnitude of the gas leak. Furthermore, in response to the determined gas leak, an appropriate response action may be taken. By taking the response action, during vehicle operation, the rolling resistance of the vehicle may be kept low, which in turn will provide an overall improved efficiency of the vehicle.

[0007] It has been recognized that existing conventional gas leak detection, for example, relying only on changes in gas pressure in a tire, is not very sensitive to detecting gas leaks in a rapid manner. In particular, for small gas leaks, changes in gas pressure may not be detected quickly enough, particularly since gas pressure levels vary with temperature changes. Therefore, when temperature levels decrease, it may be difficult to detect gas leaks relying only on changes in gas pressure.

[0008] The present invention is based on the recognition that the gas in a vehicle tire can be considered to follow the ideal gas law. Therefore, the gas temperature and the gas pressure within the tire can be considered to be proportional to each other, because changes in the volume of the gas can be considered to be negligible. Moreover, for a non-leaking vehicle tire, it can be assumed that the amount of gas will not change. Thus, calculating the above-described first value and second value indicating the amount of gas contained in the tire at two different points in time can enable the processing circuit to detect a gas leak if the values ​​differ too much. For example, if there is a gas leak, the temperature level may not continue to be proportional to the reduction in gas pressure, thereby providing a rapid detection of a gas leak.

[0009] Since the volume of gas in the tire is considered to be negligible, the first value and the second value may be interpreted as indicating the amount of gas in the tire, since the respective calculated values ​​will be used to compare with each other, ie when comparing the first value and the second value.

[0010] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is configured to receive sensor data at a second time point that is a predetermined time difference from the first time point. Technical benefits may include using two different time points to detect a gas leak. However, the predetermined time difference may be set to a low time difference. In detail, the time difference may be incremental. As will be apparent from the following description, the processing circuit may also be configured to continuously detect a gas leak by continuously calculating an updated value, i.e., a second value, indicating the amount of gas in the vehicle tire. An air gas leak may be detected when a sudden change, i.e., when deviating from a previous calculation, i.e., a calculation that deviates from the first value, occurs.

[0011] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the amount of gas at the first time point is a first number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire, and the amount of gas at the second time point is a second number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire. The first number and the second number of gas molecules may also be referred to as a first molar number and a second molar number of gas contained in the vehicle tire.

[0012] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is configured to determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to the second value being lower than the first value by a predetermined threshold limit. As indicated above, the gas temperature level may not decrease proportionally following the decrease in gas pressure during a gas leak. Therefore, when the gas follows the ideal gas law, during a gas leak in the vehicle tire, the second value may be lower than the first value. However, it should be readily understood that if the second value is suddenly higher than the first value by a predetermined threshold limit, there may be another fault with the vehicle tire, whereby a responsive action should be taken.

[0013] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is configured to continuously receive sensor data over a predetermined period of time during operation of a vehicle provided with the vehicle tire.

[0014] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the second time point is an instantaneous time point after the first time point, and the processing circuit is configured to determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to a sudden difference between the first value and the second value being above a predetermined threshold limit. Technical benefits may include that continuous detection can quickly detect gas leaks. Therefore, this sudden difference is an instantaneous change in the value indicating the amount of gas that can be detected during continuous detection of gas temperature and gas pressure. Therefore, during operation of the vehicle, the second value will become the first value in the calculation and comparison between the values ​​at a subsequent moment.

[0015] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is configured to transmit a responsive action in the form of a warning message to a display disposed inside a vehicle on which a vehicle tire is disposed. Technical benefits may include that an operator of the vehicle may be quickly notified of the presence of a gas leak.

[0016] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being within a first predetermined range above a predetermined threshold limit, the alert message causes the display to indicate the maintenance event to an operator of the vehicle. A technical benefit may include presenting different instructions to the operator. As a result, the operator may continue the task and subsequently drive the vehicle for maintenance.

[0017] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being above a first predetermined range above a predetermined threshold limit, the warning message causes the display to indicate the vehicle stop event to an operator of the vehicle. Technical benefits may include indicating that the operator should not drive the vehicle further because it may be dangerous.

[0018] The present disclosure may also be applicable to autonomous vehicles, whereby the response action may be transmitted to a vehicle control unit. Thus, in response to the response action, the vehicle control unit may be controlled such that the vehicle operates as indicated by the response action. For example, when the difference between the first value and the second value is within a first predetermined range above a predetermined threshold limit, the vehicle may be autonomously driven for maintenance. When, for example, the difference between the first value and the second value is above a first predetermined range above a predetermined threshold limit, the vehicle may be autonomously controlled to be driven to the side of the road, and an automatic warning message may be sent to a towing vehicle.

[0019] According to a second aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising a computer system of any one of the examples described above in relation to the first aspect.

[0020] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, sensor data is received from at least one sensor connected to a tire of the vehicle. Technical benefits may include transmitting correct and reliable data to processing circuitry in a fast (ie, instant) manner.

[0021] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The at least one sensor may alternatively be a single sensor configured to detect gas pressure and gas temperature in a vehicle tire.

[0022] Further effects and features of the second aspect are largely similar to those described above in relation to the first aspect.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a computer-implemented method is provided, comprising: determining, by a processing circuit of a computer system, a first gas pressure level and a first gas temperature level of gas in a vehicle tire at a first point in time; calculating, by the processing circuit, a first value indicating the amount of gas contained in the tire at the first point in time, the first value being calculated in response to the first gas pressure level and the first gas temperature level; determining, by the processing circuit, a second gas pressure level and a second gas temperature level of gas in the vehicle tire at a second point in time, the second point in time being subsequent to the first point in time; calculating, by the processing circuit, a second value indicating the amount of gas contained in the tire at the second point in time, the second value being calculated in response to the second gas pressure level and the second gas temperature level; determining, by the processing circuit, that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to a difference between the first value and the second value being higher than a predetermined threshold limit; and transmitting, by the processing circuit, data to perform a response action in response to the determined gas leak.

[0024] The effects and features of the third aspect are largely similar to those described above with respect to the first aspect. Therefore, the features described above with respect to the first aspect may also be combined with the features of the third aspect.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising program code for performing the method of the third aspect when executed by a processing circuit.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method of the third aspect.

[0027] Effects and features of the fourth and fifth aspects are largely similar to those described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0028] The disclosed aspects, examples (including any preferred examples), and / or the appended claims may be appropriately combined with each other, which is obvious to any person skilled in the art. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the detailed description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be obvious to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein.

[0029] Also disclosed herein are computer systems, control units, code modules, computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer program products associated with the technical benefits discussed above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Examples are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1is an illustrative illustration of a vehicle according to an example,

[0032] Figure 2 is an illustrative illustration of a vehicle tire according to an example,

[0033] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method according to an example, and

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer system for implementing the examples disclosed herein, according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The detailed description set forth below provides information and examples of the disclosed technology in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

[0036] The disclosure described below may seek to quickly detect gas leaks in vehicle tires. The disclosure described below may additionally quickly detect small gas leaks in vehicle tires. Further, in response to the detected gas leak, the disclosure may take advantageous and appropriate response actions.

[0037] First reference Figure 1 , which is an exemplary illustration of a vehicle 10 according to an example. The vehicle 10 is illustrated as a truck operated by a driver 12. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be an autonomous vehicle 10 that does not rely on an operator to steer and control the vehicle's speed. The illustrated vehicle 10 includes a pair of front wheels 20 and a pair of rear wheels 22. Each of the wheels is provided with a pneumatic vehicle tire 30, 32. The gas, preferably air, is inflated into the tires 30, 32 to obtain a desired gas pressure within the tires during operation of the vehicle. Even if Figure 1 While the truck illustrated in the drawings includes only two pairs of wheels, it should be readily understood that other types of vehicles form part of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The tractor vehicle 10 depicted in the figure may alternatively include two pairs of rear wheels. Moreover, the vehicle 10 may be a truck provided with one or more trailer units connected to the tractor vehicle 10. Moreover, a dolly may be arranged, for example, between the tractor vehicle 10 and the trailer unit. The vehicle 10 may also include one or more liftable axles, wherein the wheels of such an axle may be raised above ground level during operation. Therefore, when gas leak detection is described hereinafter, it should be readily understood that this may be performed on each of the vehicle tires provided to a particular type of vehicle 10 using the illustrated system.

[0038] The vehicle 10 also includes a computer system 500. The computer system 500 includes a processing circuit 502 configured to control various operations, as will be apparent from the following description. The computer system 500 preferably also includes an output device interface 524 configured to forward output to a display 50 disposed inside a cab 60 of the vehicle 10.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 , which shows a gas leak 202 in a vehicle tire 30. The illustrated gas leak 202 is caused by a small hole 204 in the vehicle tire 30, causing gas 206 to leak from the interior of the tire 30 to the surrounding environment. Figure 2 Compared to the illustration in FIG. 1 and for various reasons, the gas leak 202 may obviously occur at other locations of the tire. Further, the vehicle tire 30 may advantageously be provided with at least one sensor 208, 210. The at least one sensor 208, 210 is preferably connected to the vehicle tire 30, or to the rim 212 of the wheel 20, for detecting the gas pressure and gas temperature inside the vehicle tire 30. For illustrative purposes, in FIG. Figure 2 The at least one sensor illustrated in FIG. 2 is a pressure sensor 208 and a temperature sensor 210 . However, the at least one sensor may also be one sensor configured to detect the gas pressure and the gas temperature inside the vehicle tire 30 .

[0040] Now combine Figure 3 refer to Figure 2 An example of detecting a gas leak 202 in a vehicle tire 30 , and responsive actions taken in response to the detected gas leak, is described.

[0041] During operation of the vehicle, for a non-leaking vehicle tire, the gas pressure P and the gas temperature T follow each other in a more or less proportional manner. For a non-leaking vehicle tire, the ratio between the gas pressure P and the gas temperature T is substantially constant over time while the vehicle is in operation, and the processing circuit at a first point in time t 1 Receive S1 sensor data of a first gas pressure level and a first gas temperature level of the gas in the vehicle tire 30. Preferably, the sensor data may be received continuously. The sensor data may preferably be obtained from the above with respect to Figure 2 At least one of the sensors 208, 210 described above receives. In response to the first gas pressure level and the first gas temperature level, calculation S2 indicates that at a first time point t 1 A first value of the amount of gas n contained in the vehicle tire 30. In particular, the first value is calculated by the processing circuit 502 preferably using Equation 1 below.

[0042]

[0043] in:

[0044] p 1 = the first gas pressure level at the first time point,

[0045] V 1 = the volume of gas in the vehicle's tire at the first point in time,

[0046] n 1 = the amount of gas at the first time point,

[0047] R = ideal gas constant, and

[0048] T 1 = the first gas temperature at the first time point.

[0049] Using Equation 1, a first value indicating the amount of gas contained in the vehicle tire 30 may be expressed by Equation 2 below.

[0050]

[0051] At least for the purpose of detecting gas leaks, the gas volume V in the vehicle tire 30 1 is considered to be constant over time. Moreover, the ideal gas constant R is also a constant. Therefore, the definition in equation 2 is considered to represent a first value indicating the amount of gas contained in the tire at a first point in time.

[0052] Subsequently, processing circuit 502 preferably receives Figure 2 At least one sensor 208, 210 receives S3 at a second time point t 2 Sensor data of a second gas pressure level and a second gas temperature level of the gas in the vehicle tire. In the example, the second gas pressure level is reduced compared to the first gas pressure level, while the second gas temperature level is slightly increased compared to the first gas temperature level. Using equation 1 above, processing circuit 502 calculates S4 indicating that at the second time point t 2 A second value for the amount of gas contained in the tire 30. Details of the calculation of the second value are given in Equation 3 below.

[0053]

[0054] in:

[0055] p 2 = the second gas pressure level at the second time point,

[0056] V 2 = the volume of gas in the vehicle's tires at the second point in time,

[0057] n 2 = the amount of gas at the second time point,

[0058] R = ideal gas constant, and

[0059] T 2 = the second gas temperature at the second time point.

[0060] As described above, the volume of gas in the vehicle tire can be considered as a constant value. When the volume of gas is constant, the first value and the second value indicating the amount of gas contained in the vehicle tire 30 can therefore be compared with each other. In detail, in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being higher than the predetermined threshold limit, the processing circuit 502 advantageously determines S5 that there is a gas leak 202 in the vehicle tire 30. Therefore, a deviation in the ratio between the gas pressure P and the gas temperature T is detected. The temperature level in the vehicle tire may not be affected by the gas leak, but the gas pressure level is affected by such a leak, and the gas leak 202 can thereby be detected in a fast and reliable manner.

[0061] Advantageously, at the first time point t 1 The gas amount is preferably the first number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire 30. Similarly, at the second time point t 2 The amount of gas is preferably a second number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire 30. Moreover, when comparing the first level and the second level of gas contained in the vehicle tire 30, the processing circuit 502 can advantageously determine that there is a gas leak 202 in the vehicle tire 30 when the second value is lower than the first value by a predetermined threshold limit.

[0062] Also, and as described above, the processing circuit 502 may continuously receive sensor data, whereby a sudden change in the value indicating the amount of gas in the vehicle tire 30 may indicate a gas leak 202 .

[0063] When a gas leak is detected, the processing circuit 502 advantageously transmits S6 data to perform a response action. According to a non-limiting example, the processing circuit 502 may transmit a response action in the form of an alarm message to Figure 1 . Thus, the operator 12 of the vehicle 10 can be aware of the gas leak 202. Alternatively, if the difference between the first value and the second value is within a first predetermined range above a predetermined threshold limit, the alarm message can cause the display 50 to indicate a maintenance event to the operator of the vehicle. Therefore, the first predetermined range should be understood as a change in the amount of gas that does not have a magnitude that causes the vehicle 10 to be stopped immediately.

[0064] However, if the difference between the first value and the second value is above the first predetermined range, i.e., above the upper limit of the first predetermined range, the warning message may advantageously cause the display 50 to indicate a vehicle stopping event to the operator 12 of the vehicle 10. Thus, if the leak 202 is of such magnitude that continued operation of the vehicle 10 is dangerous, the operator 12 is informed that he / she should stop the vehicle 10 as soon as possible.

[0065] Figure 4 5 is a schematic diagram of a computer system 500 for implementing the examples disclosed herein. The computer system 500 is suitable for executing instructions from a computer-readable medium to perform these and / or any functions or processes described herein. The computer system 500 can be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines in a LAN (local area network), a LIN (local interconnect network), an automotive network communication protocol (e.g., FlexRay), an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet. Although only a single device is shown, the computer system 500 may include any device collection that executes an instruction set (or multiple instruction sets) individually or jointly to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein. Therefore, any reference to a computer system, a computing system, a computer device, a computing device, a control system, a control unit, an electronic control unit (ECU), a processor device, a processing circuit, etc. in the present disclosure and / or claims includes a reference to one or more such devices to execute an instruction set (or multiple instruction sets) individually or jointly to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein. For example, the control system may include a single control unit or multiple control units connected to each other or otherwise communicatively coupled, so that any executed function can be distributed between the control units as needed. Furthermore, such devices may communicate with each other or other devices through various system architectures, such as directly or via a controller area network (CAN) bus, etc.

[0066] The computer system 500 may include at least one computing device or electronic device that can include firmware, hardware and / or execute software instructions to implement the functionality described herein. The computer system 500 may include a processing circuit 502 (e.g., a processing circuit including one or more processor devices or control units), a memory 504, and a system bus 506. The computer system 500 may include at least one computing device having a processing circuit 502. The system bus 506 provides an interface for system components including, but not limited to, the memory 504 and the processing circuit 502. The processing circuit 502 may include any number of hardware components for performing data or signal processing or for executing computer code stored in the memory 504. The processing circuit 502 may include, for example, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a circuit containing a processing component, a group of distributed processing components, a group of distributed computers configured for processing, or other programmable logic devices designed to perform the functions described herein, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processing circuit 502 may also include computer executable code that controls the operation of the programmable device.

[0067] The system bus 506 can be any of several types of bus structures, which can be further interconnected to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and / or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The memory 504 can be one or more devices for storing data and / or computer code to complete or facilitate the methods described herein. The memory 504 may include a database component, an object code component, a script component, or any type of information structure for supporting various activities herein. Any distributed or local memory device can be utilized with the systems and methods of the present specification. The memory 504 can be communicatively connected to the processing circuit 502 (e.g., via a circuit or any other wired, wireless, or network connection) and may include computer code for performing one or more processes described herein. The memory 504 may include nonvolatile memory 508 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.) and volatile memory 510 (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer or other machine having the processing circuit 502. A basic input / output system (BIOS) 512 may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 508 and may include the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer system 500.

[0068] The computer system 500 may also include or be coupled to non-transitory computer-readable storage media such as storage device 514, which may include, for example, an internal or external hard disk drive (HDD) (e.g., enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)), a HDD for storage (e.g., EIDE or SATA), flash memory, etc. The storage device 514 and other drives associated with computer-readable and computer-usable media may provide non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, etc.

[0069] The hard-coded or soft-coded computer code may be provided in the form of one or more modules. The modules may be implemented as software and / or hard-coded in the circuit to implement the functionality described herein in whole or in part. These modules may be stored in a storage device 514 and / or a volatile memory 510 that may include an operating system 516 and / or one or more program modules 518. All or part of the examples disclosed herein may be implemented as a computer program 520 stored on a temporary or non-temporary computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a single medium or multiple media) such as a storage device 514, the computer program including complex programming instructions (e.g., complex computer-readable program code) that cause the processing circuit 502 to perform the actions described herein. Therefore, the computer-readable program code of the computer program 520 may include software instructions for implementing the functionality of the examples described herein when executed by the processing circuit 502. In some examples, storage device 514 may be a computer program product (e.g., a readable storage medium) having computer program 520 stored thereon, wherein at least a portion of computer program 520 may be loadable (e.g., loaded into a processor) for implementing the functionality of the examples described herein when executed by processing circuit 502. Processing circuit 502 may serve as a controller or control system of computer system 500 for implementing the functionality described herein.

[0070] The computer system 500 may include an input device interface 522 configured to receive input and selections to be transmitted to the computer system 500 when executing instructions, such as from a keyboard, mouse, touch-sensitive surface, etc. Such input devices can be connected to the processing circuit 502 through an input device interface 522 coupled to the system bus 506, but can be connected through other interfaces (such as a parallel port, an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 serial port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc.). The computer system 500 may include an output device interface 524, which is configured to forward output to a display, a video display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 500 may include a communication interface 526 suitable for communicating with a network as appropriate or required.

[0071] The operational actions described in any of the exemplary aspects of this article are described to provide examples and discussions. These actions can be performed by hardware components, can be embodied in machine executable instructions to enable a processor to perform these actions, or can be performed by a combination of hardware and software. Although a specific order of method actions can be shown or described, the order of actions can be different. In addition, two or more actions can be performed simultaneously or partially simultaneously.

[0072] Example List

[0073] Example 1. A computer system comprising a processing circuit configured to: receive sensor data of a first gas pressure level and a first gas temperature level of gas in a vehicle tire at a first point in time; calculate a first value indicating an amount of gas contained in the tire at the first point in time, the first value being calculated in response to the first gas pressure level and the first gas temperature level; receive sensor data of a second gas pressure level and a second gas temperature level of the gas in the vehicle tire at a second point in time, the second point in time being subsequent to the first point in time; calculate a second value indicating an amount of gas contained in the tire at the second point in time, the second value being calculated in response to the second gas pressure level and the second gas temperature level; determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to a difference between the first value and the second value being above a predetermined threshold limit; and transmit data in response to the determined gas leak to perform a response action.

[0074] Example 2. The computer system of Example 1, wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the sensor data at the second time point that is a predetermined time difference from the first time point.

[0075] Example 3. A computer system as described in any of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the amount of gas at the first time point is a first number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire, and the amount of gas at the second time point is a second number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire.

[0076] Example 4. A computer system as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to the second value being lower than the first value by the predetermined threshold limit.

[0077] Example 5. A computer system as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the processing circuit is configured to continuously receive the sensor data over a predetermined period of time of operation of a vehicle provided with the vehicle tire.

[0078] Example 6. A computer system as described in Example 5, wherein the second time point is an instantaneous time point after the first time point, and the processing circuit is configured to determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to a sudden difference between the first value and the second value being higher than the predetermined threshold limit.

[0079] Example 7. A computer system as described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the processing circuit is configured to transmit a response action in the form of transmitting a warning message to a display arranged inside a vehicle on which the vehicle tire is provided.

[0080] Example 8. The computer system of Example 7, wherein in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being within a first predetermined range above the predetermined threshold limit, the alert message causes the display to indicate a maintenance event to an operator of the vehicle.

[0081] Example 9. The computer system of Example 8, wherein in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being above the first predetermined range above the predetermined threshold limit, the warning message causes the display to indicate a vehicle stop event to the operator of the vehicle.

[0082] Example 10. A vehicle comprising a computer system as described in any of the preceding examples.

[0083] Example 11. The vehicle of Example 10, wherein the sensor data is received from at least one sensor connected to a tire of the vehicle.

[0084] Example 12. The vehicle of Example 11, wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

[0085] Example 13. A computer-implemented method comprising: determining, by a processing circuit of a computer system, a first gas pressure level and a first gas temperature level of gas in a vehicle tire at a first point in time; calculating, by the processing circuit, a first value indicating an amount of gas contained in the tire at the first point in time, the first value being calculated in response to the first gas pressure level and the first gas temperature level; determining, by the processing circuit, a second gas pressure level and a second gas temperature level of the gas in the vehicle tire at a second point in time, the second point in time being subsequent to the first point in time; calculating, by the processing circuit, a second value indicating an amount of gas contained in the tire at the second point in time, the second value being calculated in response to the second gas pressure level and the second gas temperature level; determining, by the processing circuit, that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire in response to a difference between the first value and the second value being above a predetermined threshold limit; and transmitting, by the processing circuit, data to perform a response action in response to the determined gas leak.

[0086] Example 14. A computer program product comprising program code for performing the method of Example 13 when executed by a processing circuit.

[0087] Example 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method of Example 13.

[0088] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific aspects and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should also be understood that the term "comprises / comprising / includes and / or including" when used herein indicates the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups.

[0089] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0090] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element, as shown in the figures. It should be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to cover different device orientations in addition to the orientations depicted in the figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or directly coupled to the other element, or there may be intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0091] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It should also be understood that, unless otherwise clearly defined herein, the terms used herein should be interpreted as meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0092] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and shown in the accompanying drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. In the drawings and description, various aspects have been disclosed for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes, and the scope of the disclosure is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A computer system (500), comprising a processing circuit (502), the processing circuit being configured to: - receiving sensor data of a first gas pressure level (p1) and a first gas temperature level (T1) of gas in a vehicle tire (30) at a first point in time; - calculating a first value indicative of the amount of gas contained in said tyre (30) at said first point in time, said first value being calculated in response to said first gas pressure level and said first gas temperature level; - receiving sensor data of a second gas pressure level (p2) and a second gas temperature level (T2) of the gas in the vehicle tire (30) at a second point in time, the second point in time being subsequent to the first point in time; - calculating a second value indicative of the amount of gas contained in the tire (30) at the second point in time, the second value being calculated in response to the second gas pressure level and the second gas temperature level; and - determining the presence of a gas leak (202) in the vehicle tire (30) in response to a difference between the first value and the second value being above a predetermined threshold limit, characterised in that The processing circuit (502) is configured to: - in response to the determined gas leakage, transmitting data in the form of an alarm message to a display (50) arranged inside a vehicle (10) provided with the vehicle tire (30) to perform a response action, wherein in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being within a first predetermined range above the predetermined threshold limit, the alarm message causes the display (50) to indicate a maintenance event to an operator of the vehicle, and wherein in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being above the first predetermined range above the predetermined threshold limit, the alarm message causes the display (50) to indicate a vehicle stop event to the operator of the vehicle (10).

2. The computer system (500) of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit (502) is configured to receive the sensor data at the second time point that is a predetermined time difference from the first time point.

3. A computer system (500) as described in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the amount of gas at the first time point is a first number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire (30), and the amount of gas at the second time point is a second number of gas molecules contained in the vehicle tire (30).

4. The computer system (500) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuit (502) is configured to determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire (30) in response to the second value being lower than the first value by the predetermined threshold limit.

5. The computer system (500) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuit (502) is configured to continuously receive the sensor data over a predetermined period of time of operation of a vehicle (10) provided with the vehicle tire (30).

6. The computer system (500) of claim 5, wherein the second time point is an instantaneous time point after the first time point, and the processing circuit (502) is configured to determine that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire (30) in response to a sudden difference between the first value and the second value being higher than the predetermined threshold limit.

7. A vehicle (10) comprising the computer system (500) of any one of the preceding claims.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the sensor data is received from at least one sensor (208, 210) connected to the vehicle tire (30).

9. The vehicle (10) of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor (208, 210) is a pressure sensor (208) and a temperature sensor (210).

10. A computer-implemented method comprising: - determining (S1) by a processing circuit (502) of a computer system (500) a first gas pressure level and a first gas temperature level of gas in a vehicle tire (30) at a first point in time; - calculating (S2), by the processing circuit (502), a first value indicative of the amount of gas contained in the tire (30) at the first point in time, the first value being calculated in response to the first gas pressure level and the first gas temperature level; - determining (S3), by the processing circuit (502), a second gas pressure level and a second gas temperature level of the gas in the vehicle tire (30) at a second time point, the second time point being after the first time point; - calculating (S4), by the processing circuit (502), a second value indicative of the amount of gas contained in the tire (30) at the second point in time, the second value being calculated in response to the second gas pressure level and the second gas temperature level; and - determining (S5) by the processing circuit (502) that there is a gas leak in the vehicle tire (30) in response to a difference between the first value and the second value being above a predetermined threshold limit, characterized in that: - transmitting (S6) data in the form of an alarm message to a display (50) arranged inside a vehicle (10) provided with the vehicle tire (30) by the processing circuit (502) in response to the determined gas leakage to perform a response action, wherein in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being within a first predetermined range above the predetermined threshold limit, the alarm message causes the display (50) to indicate a maintenance event to an operator of the vehicle (10), and wherein in response to the difference between the first value and the second value being above the first predetermined range above the predetermined threshold limit, the alarm message causes the display (50) to indicate a vehicle stop event to the operator of the vehicle (10).

11. A computer program product comprising program code for performing the method according to claim 10 when the program code is executed by the processing circuit.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method of claim 11.

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