Method for determining uneven tread wear on a vehicle tire

Abstract

A procedure with the following steps is proposed: a) Providing a vehicle with a large number of vehicle tires, wherein a sensor for measuring radial accelerations (1) is arranged in each of the vehicle tires, b) Regular measurement of the radial accelerations (1) at the vehicle tires while driving, c) Determination of profile depth by measuring radial accelerations (1), d) Recording and analyzing the tread depths determined from the radial accelerations for individual vehicle tires, e) Comparing the specified tread depth of one vehicle tire with at least one other specified tread depth of another vehicle tire on the same vehicle, f) Analyzing the comparison of the determined profile depths, where a certain deviation from a target value indicates uneven tread wear on a vehicle tire.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining uneven tread wear on a vehicle tire.

[0002] It is known to use tire pressure monitoring systems in vehicle tires to reliably detect pressure loss.

[0003] Furthermore, there are different approaches to determining the tread depth or uneven wear on a vehicle tire. However, most of the existing concepts have not been implemented due to various disadvantages.

[0004] The invention was based on the objective of providing a method with which irregular abrasion on a vehicle tire can be detected in a simple manner.

[0005] The problem is solved using a procedure with the following steps: a) Providing a vehicle with a large number of vehicle tires, wherein a sensor for measuring radial accelerations is arranged in each of the vehicle tires, b) Regular measurement of radial accelerations at the vehicle tires while driving, c) Determination of profile depth by measuring radial accelerations, d) Recording and analyzing the tread depths determined from the radial accelerations for individual vehicle tires, e) Comparing the specified tread depth of one vehicle tire with at least one other specified tread depth of another vehicle tire on the same vehicle, f) Analyzing the comparison of the determined profile depths, where a certain deviation from a target value indicates uneven tread wear on a vehicle tire.

[0006] One advantage of the invention is particularly evident in the fact that irregular wear on a vehicle tire can be detected easily using the new method.

[0007] Irregular wear on a vehicle tire means that, for example, more wear has occurred in the outer areas of the tire tread than in the center. Normally, an indirect measurement using a tire sensor mounted on the inside of the tire cannot detect irregular wear. However, the new method allows for the simple detection of irregular wear by comparing measurements taken on individual tires. If a significant deviation is detected in one of the tires, then irregular wear is highly likely on that particular tire.

[0008] In an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that when analyzing the comparison of the measured or determined tread depths, the vehicle tires that are mounted on the same vehicle axle are considered.

[0009] Normally, tires mounted on the same axle wear evenly. If a significant deviation in the measured values ​​is detected for one of the tires, this indicates uneven tire wear.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the respective tire position on the vehicle is taken into account when analyzing the comparison of the measured tread depths.

[0011] Normally, tire wear is greatest on a drive axle. Therefore, when analyzing the measurement data, it should also be taken into account whether the vehicle tire is mounted on a drive axle.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the mileage of the vehicle tires is measured and recorded, where the mileage of the vehicle tires is taken into account when analyzing the comparison of the measured tread depths.

[0013] The mileage can be used to estimate the tire wear on a vehicle tire.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the measurement data are evaluated using an automated method in which a machine learning method is employed.

[0015] This method can significantly accelerate the evaluation and analysis of the data.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that additional information such as the tire dimensions and / or the tire type is taken into account during the analysis.

[0017] The tire size and tire type have a significant influence on tire wear.

[0018] The invention will be described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0019] It shows: Fig. 1: A diagram showing an acceleration measurement from a tire sensor.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a diagram with multiple acceleration measurements by a tire sensor located on the inside of a vehicle tire.

[0021] The radial acceleration is measured using an accelerometer located in the tire pressure sensor or tire module. Curve 1 shows the radial acceleration for different tread depths on the vehicle tire. The x-axis represents the radial acceleration, and the y-axis represents the angular position of the tire pressure sensor while driving on a road surface. Shortly before the tire pressure sensor enters the contact patch, the signal curve 2 rises to a maximum. Upon entering the contact patch, the radial acceleration value drops rapidly and approaches zero. As the tire pressure sensor leaves the contact patch, the radial acceleration value rises again and approaches a maximum once more.

[0022] In the transition regions between signal waveforms 2, 3, and 4, corresponding tangents 6 or 7 are drawn to the curves. These tangents can be calculated through an iteration.

[0023] The slope of the tangents is a measure of the tread wear that has occurred on a vehicle tire. Tangent 7 shows the tangent curve for a new tire. This new tire has not yet experienced any tread wear.

[0024] Tangent 6 has a steeper slope than tangent 7.

[0025] Tangent 6 indicates that the vehicle tire has experienced tread wear. The slope of the tangent is a measure of the amount of tread wear that has occurred.

[0026] The new method determines the tread wear of individual tires on the vehicle by measuring the radial acceleration signal. Irregular tire wear can occur for various reasons. This irregular wear cannot be directly determined by measuring the curve on a single tire.

[0027] To determine irregular wear on a vehicle tire, the measured values ​​of the individual vehicle tires are compared with each other.

[0028] If a significant deviation from other tires on the same vehicle is measured, this indicates uneven wear for that particular tire. When comparing measurements, tires mounted on the same axle are preferentially compared. The mileage covered by each tire is also taken into account in the comparison.

[0029] The new method makes it easy to detect irregular wear on certain vehicle tires. Reference symbol list 1 Curve of radial acceleration for different tread depths on vehicle tires 2 Signal path before entering the ground contact area 3 Signal progression upon entering the ground contact area 4 Signal progression after entering the ground contact area 5 Radial acceleration 6. Tangent with large slope angle: Shallow profile depth 7 Tangent with small slope angle: High profile depth

Claims

[1] Method for determining uneven tread wear on a vehicle tire comprising the following steps: a) Providing a vehicle with a plurality of vehicle tires, wherein a sensor for measuring radial accelerations (1) is arranged in each of the vehicle tires, b) Regular measurement of the radial accelerations (1) at the vehicle tires while driving, c) Determination of profile depth by measuring radial accelerations (1), d) Recording and analyzing the tread depths determined from the radial accelerations for individual vehicle tires, e) Comparing the specified tread depth of one vehicle tire with at least one other specified tread depth of another vehicle tire on the same vehicle, f) Analyzing the comparison of determined tread depths, whereby uneven tread wear on a vehicle tire is detected when there is a certain deviation from a target value. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that when analyzing the comparison of specific tread depths, the vehicle tires that are mounted on the same vehicle axle are considered. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that when analyzing the comparison of the specific tread depths, the respective tire position on the vehicle is taken into account. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the mileage of the vehicle tires is measured and recorded, taking into account the mileage of the vehicle tires when analyzing the comparison of the determined tread depths. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the measurement data are evaluated using an automated process that employs a machine learning method. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the analysis takes into account further information such as the tire dimensions, tire type and / or vehicle axle.

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