Pneumatic Tire Radial Bending Sensor Aquaplaning Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting aquaplaning in vehicle tires are complex and unreliable, as they primarily focus on deformation in the circumferential direction, which does not accurately predict the risk of aquaplaning.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic vehicle tire with a sensor element attached radially inside the circumferential groove that detects bending changes, transmitting signals to evaluation electronics for early detection of aquaplaning risk, featuring a three-layer structure with a tensile and pressure-resistant layer, a rubber spacer, and an electrically conductive bending sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If deformation of profile elements in the circumferential direction is detected, then aquaplaning detection can be performed, but the detection reliability is insufficient and the system construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaquaplaning detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sensor element from the complex tread structure and places it exclusively inside the circumferential groove. This simplifies the system by removing the need for transmitters embedded in the tread and separate receivers, while improving reliability by focusing measurement on the critical groove area where water pressure directly affects tire bending

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from detecting circumferential deformation to detecting radial bending of the tire inside the groove. This dimensional change in measurement approach provides more accurate aquaplaning detection by measuring the actual bending caused by water pressure buildup in the groove

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If transmitters are embedded in the tread and separate receivers are used, then distance changes can be recorded, but the construction becomes unnecessarily complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance change recordingVSAvoidsystem construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the transmitter and receiver into a single integrated sensor element that is attached exclusively inside the circumferential groove. This eliminates the need for separate transmitters embedded in the tread and distinct receivers, simplifying the construction while maintaining measurement precision through direct bending detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor element serves dual functions: it detects the bending of the tire and inherently provides the measurement signal without requiring separate transmitter-receiver pairs. The sensor element itself becomes both the measurement target and the detection device, reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 reliable and early detection of aquaplaning by monitoring bending changes within the tire, triggering safety alerts or interventions before the tire begins to float, improving driver safety and preventing accidents.

Implementation Method 1

the bending sensor layer (12) consists of a material which changes its electrical resistance when stretched

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive Effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

The second layer (11), located further radially inwards, is a rubber layer which causes the tensile and pressure-resistant layer (10) to bend as an elongation into the third Layer... The rubber layer (11) also performs the function of a spacer and an electrical insulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3318425B1Pneumatic tyre for a vehicle and method for detecting the risk of aquaplaning
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3318425B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A pneumatic tire for vehicles has a profiled tread (1) with at least one circumferential groove (8), a belt structure (2), a radial carcass (3), and an inner layer (7) forming the inner surface (7a) of the tire. The pneumatic tire has at least one sensor element (9) mounted radially on the inner surface (7a) of the tire within the course of the circumferential groove (8), which detects lateral bending of the tire in this area and transmits signals corresponding to the respective bending to an evaluation electronics unit installed in the tire, wherein the evaluation electronics send signals to a display system in the vehicle or a safety system of the vehicle depending on predefined evaluation criteria.