Tire Acoustic Monitoring for Pressure and Load Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring tire use parameters like pressure and load require costly and complex equipment, especially for heavy vehicles, making it difficult to obtain reliable information without expensive tools.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a microphone inside the tire to acquire and process acoustic responses to pulsed mechanical stress, identifying frequency spikes to determine deformation factors related to tire use parameters, using a computerized data processing unit, and optionally a wireless transmitter for data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex tools like pressure gauges and weighing machines are used to monitor tire parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire parameter measurementVSAvoidmonitoring equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems (pressure gauges, weighing machines) with an acoustic field-based detection system. A microphone captures acoustic signals from the tire cavity, and signal processing extracts tire parameter information, substituting mechanical tools with acoustic sensing and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary to indirectly measure tire parameters. Instead of directly measuring pressure or load, the system uses acoustic resonance frequencies within the tire cavity as a mediator that reflects the physical state of the tire, enabling parameter inference through non-contact acoustic detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If simple visual inspection methods are used to check tire wear, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire inspectionVSAvoidtire parameter detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated acoustic signal processing. The system uses a microphone to capture acoustic responses and employs computerized data processing to automatically extract tire parameters, eliminating the need for manual visual assessment while improving measurement precision through objective signal analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If costly equipment is used for heavy vehicle tire monitoring, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to maintenance and operational costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter monitoring accuracyVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs low-cost acoustic sensing components (microphone, speaker) that can be easily replaced if needed, replacing expensive specialized monitoring equipment. The system uses inexpensive transducers and computational methods to achieve reliable measurements without the high operational costs associated with traditional heavy-duty monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simple and inexpensive monitoring of tire use parameters by accurately determining deformation and load information through acoustic analysis, reducing the need for expensive equipment.

Implementation Method 1

acquisition, by a microphone arranged inside the tyre, of an acoustic response of said tyre obtained under the effect of a pulsed mechanical stress on said tyre

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic response: Acoustics

Implementation Method 2

two spectrum spikes situated on either side of a reference frequency corresponding to the first cavity mode of the tyre

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCavity mode resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

the reference frequency is defined as the ratio of the speed of sound in air to the average internal circumference of the tyre

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpeed of sound: Speed of Sound

Data Source

PatentUS11752812B2Method for checking and/or monitoring the use of a tire

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

A method for checking and/or monitoring the use of a tire (1) mounted on a vehicle (7), comprises the following steps: acquisition, by a microphone (10) arranged inside the tire, of an acoustic response of said tire (1) obtained under the effect of a pulsed mechanical stress thereon, and processing of said response in the frequency domain, characterized in that said processing identifies, in the response in the frequency domain, two spectrum spikes situated on either side of a reference frequency corresponding to the first cavity mode of the tire and, as a function of the frequency deviation between the two duly identified spikes, determines information relating to at least one parameter of use of the tire.