Method for reducing risk of tire rupture of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reducing the risk of rupture of a vehicle tire, in particular a computer system, comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive sensor data of a gas temperature in a vehicle tire; in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, controlling the temperature reduction unit to perform a temperature reduction action on the vehicle tire; receiving status data for a temperature reduction action of the vehicle tire, the status data indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to a temperature threshold; and performing a vehicle response action for avoiding tire rupture of the vehicle in response to the status data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle tires. In particular aspects, the present disclosure relates to tire rupture prevention 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] Gas leakage due to tire rupture of a vehicle tire is a serious problem that includes various consequences in terms of both vehicle performance and safety. The basic result of such gas 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, gas leaks may negatively affect the rolling resistance of the wheels of the vehicle. Specifically, 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] For example, gas leakage may occur due to excessive air pressure in the vehicle tire or excessive gas temperature in the vehicle tire. Specifically, when the gas temperature of the vehicle tire increases rapidly, the tire rupture may be a sudden tire rupture. However, gas leakage can be avoided, so it is expected to reduce the frequency of gas leakage and reduce the risk of tire rupture. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a computer system includes a processing circuit configured to: receive sensor data of gas temperature in a vehicle tire; in response to the gas temperature being above a predetermined temperature threshold, control a temperature reduction unit to perform a temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire; receive status data for the temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire, the status data indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to the temperature threshold; and in response to the status data, perform a vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture. The first aspect of the present disclosure may seek to overcome the problem of tire ruptures due to tire fatigue or excessive gas temperature in the vehicle tire, such as a flat tire or a blowout, even for situations where the gas temperature in the vehicle tire is reduced to below a predetermined temperature threshold. Technical advantages may include a reduced risk of tire ruptures, such as future tire ruptures due to tire fatigue and / or sudden tire ruptures due to excessive gas temperature in the vehicle tire. Therefore, even though the temperature reduction action may reduce the temperature in the vehicle tire to below the predetermined temperature threshold, and thereby avoid excessive gas temperature in the vehicle tire that may otherwise cause a tire rupture or sudden tire rupture, there may still be weaknesses or faults in the vehicle tire that need to be addressed in order to avoid future tire ruptures. Therefore, by utilizing the status data for the temperature reduction action of the vehicle tire to perform a vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture or a future vehicle tire rupture, such a weakness or failure of the vehicle tire can be addressed or at least partially addressed. The predetermined temperature threshold typically corresponds to a temperature that is extremely high or close to extremely high, where there is a risk of a sudden tire rupture, such as 80°C or 90°C.

[0006] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is configured to receive sensor data of the gas temperature in the vehicle tire before the temperature reduction action of the temperature reduction unit and after the temperature reduction action of the temperature reduction unit. The processing circuit can be configured to continuously receive sensor data of the gas temperature in the vehicle tire, for example. The sensor data of the gas temperature can be transmitted from the gas temperature sensor in the vehicle tire. Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the state data is based on or corresponds to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire after the temperature reduction action.

[0007] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to perform a vehicle response action by at least generating data with instructions that inform an operator of the vehicle of a temperature reduction action in a vehicle tire and / or status data of the temperature reduction action. Technical advantages may include avoiding future vehicle tire ruptures because the operator is aware of the temperature reduction action, and / or status data of the temperature reduction action. Therefore, the operator of the vehicle can adjust the operation of the vehicle accordingly and, for example, plan maintenance of the vehicle or the vehicle tire. For example, the processing circuit can be configured to transmit the generated data together with the instructions to an operator display, such as a display within the vehicle. The generated data may, for example, include data of a maintenance event for the vehicle tire displayed on the operator display. According to an example, the processing circuit can be configured to transmit the generated data with the instructions in the form of an alarm message.

[0008] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to: classify the status data as a successful status in response to the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire after the temperature reduction action being below a predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value, and classify the status data as an unsuccessful status in response to the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire after the temperature reduction action being above the predetermined temperature threshold or below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value; and in response to the status data being classified as the successful status, perform a first vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire, and in response to the status data being classified as the unsuccessful status, perform a second vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire, the second vehicle response action being different from the first vehicle response action. Technical advantages may include adjusted vehicle response actions according to the classified status data. Thus, in response to the status being successful (the status data being classified as the successful status), i.e., the temperature reduction unit managed to reduce the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire to at least below the predetermined temperature threshold by the first predetermined value, a first type of vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire is performed by the processing circuit, for example, generating data with instructions that inform an operator of the vehicle of the successful temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire. Accordingly, in response to the state being unsuccessful (the state data is classified as an unsuccessful state), i.e., the temperature reduction unit fails to manage to reduce the gas temperature in the vehicle tire below the predetermined temperature threshold, or manages to reduce the gas temperature in the vehicle tire below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value, instead of reducing at least the first predetermined value, a second type of vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire is performed by the processing circuit, for example, generating data with instructions that inform the operator of the vehicle of the unsuccessful temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire, or even control the vehicle to reduce speed or stop, as will be further described later. The processing circuit can, for example, be configured to access a lookup table including classification criteria. For example, the first predetermined value can be 15°C, which means that in the case of a predetermined temperature threshold of 80°C, in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire after the temperature reduction action being below 65°C, the state data is classified as successful data. Accordingly, the second predetermined value can be 5°C, which means that in the case of a predetermined temperature threshold of 80°C, in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire after the temperature reduction action being above 80°C, or reduced by at most 5°C to 75°C or above, the state data is classified as unsuccessful data.

[0009] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to: classify the state data as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being below the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the third predetermined value being between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and perform a third vehicle response action in response to the state data being classified as the intermediate state. Technical advantages may include improved adjusted vehicle response actions according to the classified state data. Thus, in response to the state being intermediate (the state data being classified as the intermediate state), i.e. the temperature reduction unit managed to reduce the gas temperature in the vehicle tire to below the predetermined temperature threshold, but not below the first predetermined value, and not as bad as below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most the second predetermined value, but by reducing the gas temperature in the vehicle tire by a value between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value, a third type of vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire is performed by the processing circuit. This may be, for example, generating data with instructions that inform an operator of the vehicle of the intermediate temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire, or even control the vehicle reduction speed. For example, if the first predetermined value is 15°C, the predetermined temperature threshold is 80°C and the second predetermined value is 5°C, the third predetermined value is between 5°C and 15°C, which means that if the temperature reduction unit manages to reduce the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire to a temperature between 65°C and 75°C, the status data is classified as intermediate data.

[0010] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the third vehicle response action is at least the transmission of data for limiting the vehicle speed. Technical benefits may include avoiding future vehicle tire ruptures, because limiting the speed of the vehicle generally results in a reduction in the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire. In addition, the processing circuit may be configured to not transmit data for limiting the speed of the vehicle in response to the state data being classified as success data. Therefore, adaptive measures in response to the state data of the temperature reduction action can be implemented because the processing circuit is configured to first transmit data for limiting the speed of the vehicle when the state of the temperature reduction action is an intermediate state. For example, the processing circuit may also be configured to perform a third vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire ruptures by: at least transmitting data with instructions to limit the speed of the vehicle to a vehicle speed control unit; or generating data with instructions that notify the operator of the vehicle to limit the speed of the vehicle, such as via the aforementioned operator display.

[0011] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the second vehicle response action is at least the transmission of data for stopping the vehicle. Technical benefits may include avoiding future vehicle tire ruptures, because stopping the vehicle generally results in a reduction in the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire. In addition, the processing circuit may be configured to not transmit data for stopping the vehicle in response to the state data being classified as successful data or intermediate data. Therefore, adaptive measures in response to the state data of the temperature reduction action can be implemented, because the processing circuit is configured to first transmit data for stopping the vehicle when the state of the temperature reduction action is an unsuccessful state. For example, the processing circuit may also be configured to perform a second vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire ruptures by: at least transmitting data with instructions to the vehicle speed control unit to reduce the speed of the vehicle to zero; or generating data with instructions, the instructions notifying the operator of the vehicle to stop the vehicle, such as via the aforementioned operator display. As a further alternative, the processing circuit may be configured to transmit data with instructions to a control unit that handles an emergency stop to stop the vehicle. The stopping of the vehicle may be associated with stopping the vehicle within a predetermined stopping time, for example, or associated with stopping the vehicle at an upcoming safe stopping location.

[0012] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling a wheel suspension of a vehicle tire to reduce the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire. Technical advantages may include an efficient method of reducing the temperature of a vehicle tire. The wheel suspension may be coupled to a vehicle suspension arrangement configured to control the wheel suspensions of a plurality of wheels and associated tires of a vehicle. The processing circuit may be configured to control a vehicle suspension arranged to reduce the load of a vehicle tire (affected by the temperature reduction action) relative to the road at the expense of increasing the load of at least another tire of the vehicle relative to the road. Thereby, at least a sudden tire rupture of a vehicle tire (affected by the temperature reduction action) may be achieved. The processing circuit may be configured to transmit data to the wheel suspension or the vehicle suspension arrangement having instructions for reducing the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling. Thus, the temperature reduction unit may be a wheel suspension of a vehicle tire.

[0013] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling a central tire inflation unit to control the air pressure of a vehicle tire, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire. Technical advantages may include an efficient method of reducing the temperature of a vehicle tire. For example, if the air pressure in a vehicle tire decreases (e.g., below a predetermined air pressure threshold), but may not decrease enough to trigger a low tire pressure warning, the friction between the vehicle tire and the road may increase, thereby causing the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire to increase, for example, above a predetermined temperature threshold. Therefore, by increasing the air pressure in the vehicle tire by the central tire inflation unit, the friction between the vehicle tire and the road may be reduced, thereby reducing the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire. The processing circuit may be configured to transmit data to the central inflation unit, the data having instructions for increasing or decreasing the air pressure in the vehicle tire. Therefore, the temperature reduction unit may be a central tire inflation unit of the vehicle tire. The central tire inflation unit may be configured to increase or decrease the air pressure in the vehicle tire.

[0014] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling an air convection unit to direct a cooling air flow to the outside of a vehicle tire. Technical advantages may include an effective method for reducing the temperature of a vehicle tire. The air convection unit may, for example, be arranged in a vehicle to direct a cooling air flow to the outside of a vehicle tire, and the processing circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the air convection unit, for example by controlling a valve in or upstream of the air convection unit. The air convection unit may be fluidly coupled to the AC system of the vehicle and may therefore be configured to direct the AC-controlled air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire. The processing circuit may be configured to transmit data to the air convection unit having instructions for directing the cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire, for example by operating the valve described above. Thus, the temperature reduction unit may be an air convection unit of a vehicle tire.

[0015] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the processing circuit is further configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling a water treatment device to direct a spray of cooling water to the outside of a vehicle tire. Technical advantages may include an effective method for reducing the temperature of a vehicle tire. The water treatment device may, for example, be arranged in a vehicle to direct a spray of cooling water to the outside of a vehicle tire, and the processing circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the water treatment device, for example by controlling a valve in or upstream of the water treatment device. The water treatment device may be coupled to an AC system of the vehicle and may be configured to use condensate from the AC system as cooling water, thereby directing a spray of AC condensate to the outside of the vehicle tire. The processing circuit may be configured to transmit data to the water treatment device having instructions for directing a spray of cooling water to the outside of the vehicle tire, for example by operating the valve described above. Thus, the temperature reduction unit may be a water treatment device for a vehicle tire.

[0016] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the temperature reduction unit is at least one of the previously mentioned examples. For example, the temperature reduction unit is at least one of a wheel suspension of a vehicle tire, a central tire inflation unit of a vehicle tire, an air convection unit of a vehicle tire, and a water treatment device of a vehicle tire. It should be understood that the temperature reduction action of the temperature reduction unit is usually performed when the vehicle is driving, and the vehicle tire moves along the road on which the vehicle is driving. It should be noted that the state data of the temperature reduction action can be combined with the sensor data of the air pressure in the vehicle tire. Therefore, a vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture can be performed in response to the state data and the sensor data of the air pressure in the vehicle tire. For example, if the air pressure in the vehicle tire is higher than a predetermined air pressure threshold, the processing circuit can also be configured to perform a vehicle response action by generating data with instructions, which informs the operator of the vehicle of the air pressure in the vehicle tire. The predetermined air pressure threshold usually corresponds to an extremely high or near-extremely high air pressure, and there is a risk of sudden tire rupture. However, it should be noted that even if the air pressure of the vehicle tire is not above the predetermined air pressure threshold, the gas temperature may at least temporarily rise above the predetermined temperature threshold, thereby increasing the risk of sudden tire rupture (eg, blowout).

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle comprising the computer system of the first aspect of the present disclosure. The second aspect of the present disclosure may seek to solve the same problem as described for the first aspect of the present disclosure. Therefore, the effects and features of the second aspect of the present disclosure are largely similar to those described above in conjunction with the first aspect of the present disclosure. The vehicle may, for example, include a temperature sensor arranged in a vehicle tire, the temperature sensor being configured to measure the temperature in the vehicle tire and to send sensor data of the gas temperature to the processing circuit of the computer system.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes: determining, by a processing circuit of a computer system, a gas temperature in a vehicle tire; controlling, by the processing circuit, a temperature reduction unit to perform a temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold; determining, by the processing circuit, a state of the temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire, the state indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to the temperature threshold; and performing, by the processing circuit, a vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire in response to the determined state.

[0019] The third aspect of the present disclosure may seek to solve the same problems as described for the first aspect of the present disclosure. Therefore, the effects and features of the third aspect of the present disclosure are largely similar to those described above in conjunction with the first aspect of the present disclosure, and are not repeated here. The processing circuit is, for example, the processing circuit of the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the method further includes: the processing circuit performs a vehicle response action by at least generating data having instructions, wherein the instructions notify an operator of the vehicle of the temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire and / or status data of the temperature reduction action.

[0021] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the method further includes: the processing circuit determines the state as a successful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than a predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, and determines the state as an unsuccessful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being higher than the predetermined temperature threshold or lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value; and the processing circuit executes a first vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining the state as a successful state, and the processing circuit executes a second vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining the state as an unsuccessful state.

[0022] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the method further includes: determining, by the processing circuit, the state as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than a predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the third predetermined value being between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and executing, by the processing circuit, a third vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining the state as the intermediate state.

[0023] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the third vehicle response action includes at least limiting the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, the method may include controlling the speed of the vehicle in response to determining that the state is an intermediate state.

[0024] Optionally, in some examples, including at least one preferred example, the second vehicle response action at least includes stopping the vehicle. Therefore, the method may include controlling the stopping of the vehicle in response to determining that the state is an unsuccessful state.

[0025] Optionally, in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the method further includes: performing a temperature reduction action by the processing circuit by controlling at least one of: a wheel suspension of the vehicle tire to reduce the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire; a central tire inflation unit to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire to reduce the temperature of the vehicle tire; an air convection unit to direct a cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire; a water treatment device to direct a cooling water spray to the outside of the vehicle tire.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising program code, the program code being used to perform the method of the third aspect of the present disclosure when executed by a processing circuit. The processing circuit is, for example, the processing circuit of the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions is provided, wherein when the instructions are executed by a processing circuit, the processing circuit causes the processing circuit to perform the method of the third aspect of the present disclosure. The processing circuit is, for example, the processing circuit of the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] The fourth to fifth aspects of the present disclosure can seek to solve the same problems as described for the first aspect of the present disclosure. Therefore, the effects and features of the fourth to fifth aspects of the present disclosure are largely similar to those described above in conjunction with the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed aspects, examples (including any preferred examples), and / or the accompanying claims may be appropriately combined with each other. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein.

[0030] 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

[0031] Figure 1 is an exemplary 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 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 3c and Figure 3d are exemplary illustrations of vehicle tires according to various examples.

[0034] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method according to an example.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer system for implementing the examples disclosed herein, according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] 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.

[0037] The disclosed technology can solve problems related to tire ruptures such as tire leaks or blowouts due to tire fatigue or too high gas temperatures in vehicle tires. For situations where the gas temperature in the vehicle tire is actively reduced to below a predetermined temperature threshold (typically the temperature at which sudden tire rupture is considered likely to occur), a future or near-future tire rupture due to tire fatigue and / or other faults in the vehicle tire may still occur. Therefore, a gas temperature in the vehicle tire at least temporarily above a predetermined temperature threshold may be an important indication that immediate maintenance of the vehicle or vehicle tire is required. Therefore, even if the temperature reduction action can reduce the temperature in the vehicle tire to below the predetermined temperature threshold and thereby avoid excessive gas temperatures in the vehicle tire that may otherwise cause tire rupture or sudden tire rupture, there may still be weaknesses or faults in the vehicle tire that need to be addressed in order to avoid future tire ruptures. Therefore, by the disclosed technology, a reduced risk of at least future or near-future tire ruptures is provided.

[0038] Figure 1A vehicle 1 is shown in the form of an exemplary heavy truck. The vehicle 1 includes an engine or motor 10, which may be a combustion engine, such as an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor for propelling the vehicle 1. The electric motor is typically powered by electricity supplied by at least one energy storage or conversion device, such as a battery or fuel cell, and the combustion engine is typically powered by a fuel stored in a fuel tank (not shown), such as a gaseous fuel, such as hydrogen, or a liquid fuel, such as diesel. However, the vehicle 1 may also be a hybrid vehicle, which includes at least one electric motor (as an electric traction machine) and a combustion engine. The engine or motor 10 is coupled to other components of the drivetrain of the vehicle 1, such as a transmission, a drive shaft and wheels 12, 14. In Figure 1 , two wheels 12, 14 are shown, namely a front wheel 12 of a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel 14 of a pair of rear wheels. Each of the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 14 includes a corresponding wheel hub 12a, 14a and a surrounding vehicle tire 12b, 14b. The vehicle tire 12b, 14b is usually filled with pressurized gas to reduce rolling resistance between the wheels 12, 14 and the road 50 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle tire 12b may suffer a tire rupture, for example, due to tire fatigue or excessive gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b, thereby causing the tire to deflate.

[0039] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the vehicle 1 is a tractor vehicle and may optionally include two pairs of rear wheels. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 may be a truck provided with one or more trailer units connected to the tractor vehicle. Furthermore, a towing platform may be arranged, for example, between the tractor vehicle and the trailer unit. The vehicle may also include one or more liftable wheel axles, wherein the wheels of such axles may be raised above the ground during operation. Therefore, when a tire rupture of a vehicle tire is described below, it should be readily understood that this may occur on any one or each of the vehicle tires provided to a particular type of vehicle, such as a vehicle tire of a tractor vehicle, a towing platform and / or a trailer. Therefore, the system exemplified herein, including any component associated with a vehicle tire configured to reduce the risk of a tire rupture, may be associated with any one or each of the vehicle tires provided to a particular type of vehicle.

[0040] The vehicle 1 comprises processing circuitry 17, typically comprised in a computer system or control unit of the vehicle 1. The processing circuitry 17 is configured to control at least some operations of the vehicle 1, as will be described below.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In more detail, Figure 1The front wheel 12 of FIG. 1 (before the vehicle tire 12 b ruptures). The front wheel 12 includes a temperature sensor 20 that is arranged in the vehicle tire 12 b and is configured to measure the temperature in the vehicle tire 12 b and send sensor data 101 of the gas temperature to the processing circuit 17. However, the gas temperature of the vehicle tire 12 b may be determined by other means besides the temperature sensor 20, such as by using an estimate of the gas pressure in the vehicle tire 12 b. Therefore, the front wheel 12 may include a pressure sensor (not shown) as an alternative or in addition to the temperature sensor 20.

[0042] The processing circuit 17 is configured to receive the sensor data 101 of the gas temperature of the vehicle tire 12b, and in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, control the temperature reduction unit 30 to perform a temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire 12b. Thus, since the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b can be reduced by the temperature reduction action, the tire rupture caused by the excessively high gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b can be avoided. Therefore, the processing circuit 17 can be configured to compare the gas temperature of the sensor data 101 with the predetermined temperature threshold, and determine whether the gas temperature of the sensor data 101 is higher than the predetermined temperature threshold. In the case of determining that the gas temperature of the sensor data 101 is higher than the predetermined temperature threshold, the processing circuit 17 can transmit the data 103 with the instruction to the temperature reduction unit 30, and thereby control the temperature reduction unit 30 to perform the temperature reduction action.

[0043] The processing circuit 17 is further configured to receive status data 105 for the temperature reducing action for the vehicle tire 12b. The status data 105 indicates a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire 12b relative to a temperature threshold. That is, the status data 105 indicates a success of the temperature reducing action performed by the temperature reducing unit 30.

[0044] The processing circuit 17 is further configured to perform a vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture in response to the status data 105. The vehicle response action may, for example, include generating data 107a, 107b, 107c with instructions that inform an operator of the vehicle 1 of a temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire 12b and / or the status data 105 of the temperature reduction action. For example, the processing circuit 17 may be configured to transmit the generated data 107a, 107b, 107c together with the instructions to an operator display 18 (e.g., a display device 100) arranged in the vehicle 1. Figure 1). The generated data 107a, 107b, 107c may, for example, include data of recommended maintenance of the vehicle tire 12b displayed on the operator display 18. Thus, when the operator of the vehicle 1 is aware of the temperature reduction action and / or the status data 105 of the temperature reduction action, future vehicle tire ruptures may be avoided. Thus, the operator of the vehicle 1 may adjust the operation of the vehicle 1 accordingly and, for example, plan maintenance of the vehicle 1 or the vehicle tire 12b.

[0045] The processing circuit 17 may be configured to classify the state data 105. For example, the processing circuit 17 may classify the state data 105 as a successful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b being below the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value after the temperature reduction action. That is, in response to making the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b below the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value, the state of the temperature reduction action is classified as successful. For example, the state data 105 may be based on sensor data from the temperature sensor 20, which sensor data includes the gas temperature of the vehicle tire 12b after the temperature reduction action. In addition, the processing circuit 17 may classify the state data 105 as an unsuccessful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b being above the predetermined temperature threshold or below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value. That is, in response to not being able to make the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b below the predetermined temperature threshold, or at least not being able to make it below the predetermined temperature threshold by more than a second predetermined value, the state of the temperature reduction action is classified as unsuccessful. Again, the state data 105 may be based on sensor data from the temperature sensor 20, the sensor data including the gas temperature of the vehicle tire 12b after the temperature reduction action. In addition, the processing circuit 17 may classify the state data 105 as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b being below the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the third predetermined value being between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. That is, in response to causing the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b to be below the predetermined temperature threshold by at least the second predetermined value but not greater than the first predetermined value, the state of the temperature reduction action is classified as an intermediate state. Again, the state data 105 may be based on sensor data from the temperature sensor 20, the sensor data including the gas temperature of the vehicle tire 12b after the temperature reduction action. Therefore, the state data 105 may correspond to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b after the temperature reduction action.

[0046] The processing circuit 17 can be configured to perform different vehicle response actions in response to the classified status data 105. For example, in response to the status data being classified as a successful state, the processing circuit 17 can be configured to perform a first vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture, and in response to the status data being classified as an unsuccessful state, the processing circuit 17 can be configured to perform a second vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture, the second vehicle response action being different from the first vehicle response action. Thus, the vehicle response action can be adjusted in response to the classified status data. In addition, for an example in which the status data is classified as an intermediate state, the processing circuit 17 can be configured to perform a third vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture, the third vehicle response action being different from at least one of the first vehicle response action and the second vehicle response action.

[0047] For example, in response to the status being successful (i.e., the status data being classified as a successful status), the processing circuitry 17 may generate a first set of data 107a with instructions that inform an operator of the vehicle 1 of a successful temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire 12b. Thus, even though the temperature reduction action has reduced the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b to below the predetermined temperature threshold by a first predetermined value, thereby avoiding excessive gas temperatures in the vehicle tire 12b that might otherwise cause a sudden tire rupture (e.g., a tire explosion), there may still be a weakness or fault in the vehicle tire 12b that needs to be addressed to avoid future tire ruptures, and the operator of the vehicle 1 is made aware of the weakness or fault by the first vehicle response action and the first set of generated data 107a. Of course, instead of transmitting the first set of generated data 107a to the operator of the vehicle 1, the data 107a may be sent to a control unit of the vehicle, for example, for automatically planning maintenance of the vehicle tire 12b.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, in response to the status being unsuccessful (i.e., the status data being classified as an unsuccessful status), the processing circuit 17 may generate a second set of data 107b having instructions to inform the operator of the vehicle 1 of the unsuccessful temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire 12b, or having instructions to automatically control the vehicle 1 to reduce the speed of the vehicle 1 or to stop the vehicle 1. Therefore, since the temperature reduction action failed to manage to reduce the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b below the predetermined temperature threshold, or only reduced the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value, the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b may be considered to be too high, with a high risk of sudden tire rupture. In response thereto, the processing circuit 17 may transmit a second set of generated data 107b notifying the operator of the vehicle 1 to stop the vehicle 1, or for automatically stopping the vehicle 1. Thereby, future vehicle tire ruptures may be avoided, because stopping the vehicle 1 generally results in a reduction in the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b, and thereby reduces the risk of vehicle tire ruptures. For example, the processing circuit 17 may be configured to transmit the second set of generated data 107 b to a vehicle speed control unit to reduce the speed of the vehicle to zero, or to a control unit processing an emergency stop to stop the vehicle 1. The stopping of the vehicle 1 may, for example, be associated with stopping the vehicle 1 within a predetermined stopping time, or with stopping the vehicle 1 at an upcoming, potentially predefined, safe place to stop along the road 50.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, in response to the state being intermediate (i.e., the state data being classified as an intermediate state), the processing circuit 17 may generate a third set of data 107c having instructions for notifying the operator of the vehicle 1 of an intermediate temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire 12b, or having instructions for automatically controlling the vehicle 1 to reduce the speed of the vehicle 1. Therefore, since the temperature reduction action does not manage to reduce the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b to below the predetermined temperature threshold by the first predetermined value, but only reduces the third predetermined value, the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b may be considered to be at a dangerous level (at least if it remains at such a temperature for too long), with an increased risk of sudden or future tire rupture. In response thereto, the processing circuit 17 may transmit the third set of generated data 107c, which notifies the operator of the vehicle 1 to reduce the speed of the vehicle 1, or for automatically limiting the speed of the vehicle 1. Thereby, future vehicle tire ruptures may be avoided, because reducing the speed of the vehicle 1 generally results in a reduction in the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b, and thereby reduces the risk of vehicle tire ruptures. For example, the processing circuit 17 may be configured to transmit the third set of generated data 107c to the vehicle speed control unit to limit the maximum speed of the vehicle 1.

[0050] According to one example, the first vehicle response action is to transmit a first set of data 107a having instructions to notify an operator of vehicle 1 of a successful temperature reduction action in vehicle tire 12b, the second vehicle response action is to transmit a second set of data 107b having instructions to automatically control vehicle 1 to stop vehicle 1, and the third vehicle response action is to transmit a third set of data 107c having instructions to automatically control vehicle 1 to reduce the speed of vehicle 1.

[0051] The processing circuit 17 may, for example, be configured to access a look-up table comprising classification criteria and vehicle response actions to be performed in response to the classified status data.

[0052] Go to Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 3c and Figure 3d , various temperature reducing units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d for performing a temperature reducing action on a vehicle tire 12b are shown.

[0053] exist Figure 3a , a wheel suspension 30a of the front wheel 12 is shown. The wheel suspension 30a is configured to adapt the suspension of the front wheel 12 and thus the load of the vehicle tire 12b relative to the road 50. The wheel suspension 30a may be coupled to a vehicle suspension arrangement configured to control the wheel suspension of at least another wheel of the vehicle, such as, for example, the rear wheel 14.

[0054] The processing circuit 17 may be configured to perform a temperature reducing action by controlling the wheel suspension 30a to reduce the load of the vehicle tire 12b relative to the road 50, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. This may be achieved by transmitting data 103a with instructions to the wheel suspension 30a to reduce the load of the vehicle tire 12b relative to the road 50. Therefore, the temperature reducing unit that performs the temperature reducing action may be the wheel suspension 30a of the vehicle tire 12b. The processing circuit 17 may be configured to control the vehicle suspension 12b to reduce the load of the vehicle tire 12b relative to the road 50 at the expense of increasing the load of at least another tire of the vehicle 1 (such as the vehicle tire 14b of the rear wheel 14b) relative to the road 50.

[0055] exist Figure 3b , a central tire inflation unit 30b of the front wheel 12 is shown. The central tire inflation unit 30b is configured to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire. The central tire inflation unit 30b can be configured to increase or decrease the air pressure in the vehicle tire 12b.

[0056] The processing circuit 17 may be configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling the central tire inflation unit 30b to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. This may be achieved, for example, by transmitting data 103b with instructions to the central tire inflation unit 30b to increase the air pressure of the vehicle tire 12b. Thus, the temperature reduction unit that performs the temperature reduction action may be the central tire inflation unit 30b of the vehicle 1.

[0057] exist Figure 3c 1 shows an air convection unit 30c of the front wheel 12. The air convection unit 30c is configured to direct the cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire 12b. The air convection unit 30c may be fluidly coupled to the AC system of the vehicle 1 and thus may be configured to direct the AC controlled air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire 12b.

[0058] The processing circuit 17 may be configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling the air convection unit 30c to direct the cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. This may be achieved by transmitting data 103c with instructions to the air convection unit 30c to activate the air convection unit 30c, for example, by operating a valve that controls the cooling air flow leaving the air convection unit 30c. Thus, the temperature reduction unit that performs the temperature reduction action may be the air convection unit 30c of the vehicle tire 12b.

[0059] exist Figure 3d A water treatment device 30d is shown for the front wheels 12. The water treatment device 30d is configured to direct a spray of cooling water to the exterior of the vehicle tires 12b. The water treatment device 30d may be fluidly coupled to the AC system of the vehicle 1 and may therefore be configured to direct a spray of AC condensed water to the exterior of the vehicle tires 12b.

[0060] The processing circuit 17 may be configured to perform a temperature reduction action by controlling the water treatment device 30d to direct a spray of cooling water to the outside of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. This may be achieved by transmitting data 103d with instructions to the water treatment device 30d to activate the water treatment device 30d, for example, by operating a valve that controls the spray of cooling water leaving the water treatment device 30d. Thus, the temperature reduction unit that performs the temperature reduction action may be the water treatment device 30d of the vehicle tire 12b.

[0061] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a computer-implemented method for reducing the risk of or even avoiding a vehicle tire rupture. The method can be implemented by controlling the previously described temperature reduction units 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. Therefore, further reference will be made below to Figures 1 to 3d Features described in .

[0062] In a first action or step S10, the processing circuit 17 of the computer system determines the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire 12b. The first action or step S10 may include receiving, by the processor circuit 17, a reference Figure 2 Sensor data 101 of temperature sensor 20 are described.

[0063] In a second action or step S20, the temperature reducing unit 30 is controlled by the processing circuit 17 to perform a temperature reducing action on the vehicle tire 12b in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature reducing unit 30 may be a reference Figures 3a to 3d Any one of the temperature reducing units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d described. Therefore, in a first optional sub-step or sub-action S22 of the second action or step S20, a temperature reducing action is performed by controlling the wheel suspension 30a of the vehicle tire 12b by the processing circuit 17 to reduce the load of the vehicle tire 12b relative to the road 50 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. In a second optional sub-step or sub-action S24 of the second action or step S20, a temperature reducing action is performed by controlling the central tire inflation unit 30b by the processing circuit 17 to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. In a third optional sub-step or sub-action S26 of the second action or step S20, a temperature reducing action is performed by controlling the air convection unit 30c by the processing circuit 17 to guide the cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. In a fourth optional sub-step or sub-action S28 of the second action or step S20, a temperature lowering action is performed by controlling the water treatment device 30d by the processing circuit 17 to direct a cooling water spray to the outside of the vehicle tire 12b, thereby lowering the temperature of the vehicle tire 12b. The first to fourth sub-steps or sub-actions S22, S24, S26, S28 can also be combined in various combinations.

[0064] In a third action or step S30, a status of the temperature reduction action of the vehicle tire 12b is determined by the processing circuit 17, the status indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire 12b relative to the temperature threshold. In a first optional sub-step or sub-action S32 of the third action or step S30, the status is determined as a successful status by the processing circuit 17 in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b after the temperature reduction action being below the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value, and the status is determined as an unsuccessful status in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire 12b after the temperature reduction action being above the predetermined temperature threshold or below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value. In a second optional sub-step or sub-action S34 of the third action or step S30, the status is determined as an intermediate status by the processing circuit 17 in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire after the temperature reduction action being below the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value, the third predetermined value being between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value.

[0065] In a fourth action or step S40, a vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture is performed by the processing circuit 17 in response to the determined state. In a first optional sub-step or sub-action S42 of the fourth action or step S40, a vehicle response action is performed by the processing circuit 17 by generating at least data with instructions, the instructions notifying the operator of the vehicle of the temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire and / or the state data of the temperature reduction action. In a second optional sub-step or sub-action S44 of the fourth action or step S40, a first vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture is performed by the processing circuit 17 in response to determining that the state is a successful state, and a second vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture is performed by the processing circuit 17 in response to determining that the state is an unsuccessful state. In a third optional sub-step or sub-action S46 of the fourth action or step S40, a third vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture is performed by the processing circuit 17 in response to determining that the state is an intermediate state. The first vehicle response action, the second vehicle response action, and the third vehicle response action may be different from each other. For example, the first vehicle response action may include notifying the operator of the vehicle 1 of a successful temperature reduction action by the processing circuit 17, the second vehicle response action may include stopping the vehicle 1, and / or the third vehicle response action may include limiting the speed of the vehicle. Any of the second optional sub-step or sub-action S44 and the third optional sub-step or sub-action S46 may be combined with the first optional sub-step of sub-action S42.

[0066] although Figure 4 The method is described with reference to the front wheel 12 of the vehicle 1, but the relevant features (structural and functional features) can be implemented for any or all other wheels of the vehicle (such as the rear wheels 14, or the wheels of a trailer or trailer).

[0067] Figure 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, such as reference Figure 4 The method described. The computer system 500 may 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. In addition, such devices may communicate with each other or with other devices through various system architectures (such as directly or via a controller area network (CAN) bus, etc.).

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The hard-coded or soft-coded computer code may be provided in the form of one or more modules. The module 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-available 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.

[0072] 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 as needed.

[0073] 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 so that a processor performs 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.

[0074] Example List

[0075] Example 1. A computer system comprising a processing circuit configured to: receive sensor data of a gas temperature in a vehicle tire; in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, control a temperature reduction unit to perform a temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire; receive status data of the temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire, the status data indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to the temperature threshold; and perform a vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire in response to the status data.

[0076] Example 2. A computer system as described in Example 1, wherein the processing circuit is also configured to perform the vehicle response action by at least generating data having instructions, wherein the instructions notify an operator of the vehicle of the temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire and / or the status data of the temperature reduction action.

[0077] Example 3. A computer system as described in any of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: classify the status data as a successful status in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, and classify the status data as an unsuccessful status in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being higher than the predetermined temperature threshold or lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value; in response to the status data being classified as a successful status, execute a first vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture, and in response to the status data being classified as an unsuccessful status, execute a second vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture, the second vehicle response action being different from the first vehicle response action.

[0078] Example 4. A computer system as described in Example 3, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: classify the state data as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the third predetermined value being between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and in response to the state data being classified as an intermediate state, perform a third vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture.

[0079] Example 5. The computer system of Example 4, wherein the third vehicle response action is at least transmitting data for limiting a speed of the vehicle.

[0080] Example 6. The computer system of any of Examples 3 to 5, wherein the second vehicle response action is at least transmitting data for stopping the vehicle.

[0081] Example 7. A computer system as described in any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling a wheel suspension of the vehicle tire to reduce the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire.

[0082] Example 8. A computer system as described in any of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling a central tire inflation unit to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire.

[0083] Example 9. The computer system of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling an air convection unit to direct a cooling air flow to the exterior of the vehicle tire.

[0084] Example 10. The computer system of any of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling a water treatment device to direct a spray of cooling water to the exterior of the vehicle tire.

[0085] Example 11. A vehicle comprising a computer system as described in any one of Examples 1 to 10.

[0086] Example 12. A computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes: determining, by a processing circuit of a computer system, a gas temperature in a vehicle tire; controlling, by the processing circuit, a temperature reduction unit to perform a temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire in response to the gas temperature being above a predetermined temperature threshold; determining, by the processing circuit, a status of the temperature reduction action for the vehicle tire, the status indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to the temperature threshold; and performing, by the processing circuit, a vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of the vehicle tire in response to the determined status.

[0087] Example 13. The method as described in Example 12 also includes: the processing circuit performs the vehicle response action by at least generating data with instructions, and the instructions notify the operator of the vehicle of the temperature reduction action in the vehicle tire and / or the status data of the temperature reduction action.

[0088] Example 14. The method as described in any one of Examples 12 to 13, further includes: the processing circuit determining the state as a successful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, and determining the state as an unsuccessful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being higher than the predetermined temperature threshold or lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value; and the processing circuit executing a first vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining that the state is a successful state, and the processing circuit executing a second vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining that the state is an unsuccessful state.

[0089] Example 15. The method as described in Example 14 also includes: the processing circuit determines the state as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, and the third predetermined value is between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and the processing circuit performs a third vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining that the state is an intermediate state.

[0090] Example 16. The method of Example 15, wherein the third vehicle response action includes at least limiting a speed of the vehicle.

[0091] Example 17. A method as described in any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the second vehicle response action includes at least stopping the vehicle.

[0092] Example 18. The method as described in any one of Examples 12 to 16 further includes: the processing circuit performing the temperature reduction action by controlling at least one of: a wheel suspension of the vehicle tire to reduce the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire; a central tire inflation unit to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire to reduce the temperature of the vehicle tire; an air convection unit to direct a cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire; a water treatment device to direct a cooling water spray to the outside of the vehicle tire.

[0093] Example 19. A computer program product comprising program code for performing the method according to any one of Examples 12 to 18 when executed by a processing circuit.

[0094] Example 20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method according to any one of Examples 12 to 18.

[0095] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific aspects and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "a kind of" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated enumerated items. It should also be understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used herein clearly indicate the presence of the features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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 should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, the element may be directly connected or 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.

[0098] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled 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.

[0099] 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 comprising a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit is configured to: - receiving sensor data of the air temperature in the vehicle tires, - in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, controlling a temperature reducing unit to perform a temperature reducing action on the vehicle tire, - receiving status data of the temperature reducing action for the vehicle tire, the status data indicating a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to the temperature threshold value, and - In response to the status data, executing a vehicle response action for avoiding a rupture of a vehicle tire.

2. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the vehicle response action by at least generating data having instructions that notify an operator of the vehicle of the temperature reduction action in the vehicle tires and / or the status data of the temperature reduction action.

3. The computer system of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: - in response to the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire after the temperature reducing action being below the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value, classifying the status data as a successful status, and in response to the temperature of the gas in the vehicle tire after the temperature reducing action being above the predetermined temperature threshold or below the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value, classifying the status data as an unsuccessful status, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value, - In response to the status data being classified as a successful status, performing a first vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture, and in response to the status data being classified as an unsuccessful status, performing a second vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture, the second vehicle response action being different from the first vehicle response action.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: - classifying the state data as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being below the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reducing action, the third predetermined value being between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value, and - In response to the state data being classified as an intermediate state, performing a third vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the third vehicle response action is at least transmitting data for limiting a speed of the vehicle.

6. The computer system of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second vehicle response action is at least transmitting data for stopping the vehicle.

7. A computer system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling a wheel suspension of the vehicle tire to reduce the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire.

8. The computer system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling a central tire inflation unit to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire.

9. The computer system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling an air convection unit to direct a cooling air flow to the exterior of the vehicle tire.

10. The computer system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to perform the temperature reducing action by controlling a water treatment device to direct a spray of cooling water to the exterior of the vehicle tire.

11. A vehicle comprising the computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A computer-implemented method comprising: - the temperature of the gas in the vehicle's tires is determined by the processing circuitry of the computer system, - controlling, by the processing circuit, a temperature reducing unit to perform a temperature reducing action on the vehicle tire in response to the gas temperature being higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, - determining, by the processing circuit, a status of the temperature reducing action for the vehicle tire, the status being indicative of a temperature reduction in the vehicle tire relative to the temperature threshold, and - executing, by the processing circuit in response to the determined condition, a vehicle response action for avoiding a vehicle tire rupture.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The vehicle response action is performed by the processing circuitry by generating data having at least instructions that inform an operator of the vehicle of the temperature reducing action in the vehicle tires and / or the status data of the temperature reducing action.

14. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, further comprising: The processing circuit determines the state as a successful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at least a first predetermined value after the temperature reducing action, and determines the state as an unsuccessful state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being higher than the predetermined temperature threshold or lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by at most a second predetermined value after the temperature reducing action, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value; and the processing circuit executes a first vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining the state as a successful state, and executes a second vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining the state as an unsuccessful state.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: The processing circuit determines the state as an intermediate state in response to the gas temperature in the vehicle tire being lower than the predetermined temperature threshold by a third predetermined value after the temperature reduction action, and the third predetermined value is between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and the processing circuit performs a third vehicle response action for avoiding vehicle tire rupture in response to determining that the state is an intermediate state.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the third vehicle response action comprises at least limiting a speed of the vehicle.

17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the second vehicle response action comprises at least stopping the vehicle.

18. The method of any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising: The temperature reducing action is performed by the processing circuit by controlling at least one of: a wheel suspension of the vehicle tire to reduce the load of the vehicle tire relative to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, thereby reducing the temperature of the vehicle tire; a central tire inflation unit to control the air pressure of the vehicle tire to reduce the temperature of the vehicle tire; an air convection unit to direct a cooling air flow to the outside of the vehicle tire; a water treatment device to direct a cooling water spray to the outside of the vehicle tire.

19. A computer program product comprising program code which, when executed by a processing circuit, performs the method of any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method of any one of claims 12 to 18.

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