Tire Tread Wear Plug With Conductive Break Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire wear monitoring systems face challenges in providing accurate and direct measurements of tire wear to vehicle electronic systems, as mechanical tread wear indicators are difficult to see and indirect estimation techniques are complex, while direct wear sensors are hard to install and maintain over the tire's lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A tire wear monitoring system that includes a tread wear plug with a conductive rubber composition and a sensor unit, where the plug's conductor breaks when the tire wears down, sending a signal to the sensor unit to indicate the minimum recommended tread depth, allowing for easy installation and durable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If mechanical tread wear indicators are used, then visual indication of wear is provided, but they are difficult for vehicle operators to see and do not provide data to electronic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical tread wear indicators with an electrical resistance-based sensing system. The conductor embedded in the tread element provides electrical signals to electronic systems, substituting the mechanical visual indication system with an electrical measurement system that can be accurately detected by vehicle electronics.
2Loss of information
If indirect wear estimation techniques are used, then wear data can be provided to electronic systems, but the techniques are complex and difficult to perform accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wear measurement function directly from complex estimation algorithms and implements it through a simple physical sensor - a conductor embedded in the tread element. This extracts the essential measurement capability from the complex indirect estimation system, providing accurate wear data through direct physical measurement rather than complex calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor in the tread element serves itself as both the structural component and the sensing element. As the tread wears, the conductor naturally experiences the same wear, providing self-contained wear measurement without requiring external power sources, complex electronics, or separate measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If direct wear sensors are used, then accurate wear measurement is provided, but they are difficult to install and cannot withstand the harsh operating environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductor with the tread element structure itself, embedding the sensing element directly into the rubber matrix during tire manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for separate installation steps and ensures the sensor becomes an inherent part of the tire structure, capable of withstanding the operating environment throughout the tire's lifespan.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive rubber composition is used in the chimney and tire component, then electrostatic discharge is enabled, but the electrical resistance must be maintained below a specific threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the conductive rubber composition, including electrical resistance less than 10 KΩ when formed into a wire 254 millimeters long and 2 millimeters in diameter. This parameter control ensures the material provides sufficient conductivity for electrostatic discharge while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties for tire construction.
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
The system provides a direct and accurate indication of tire wear to vehicle electronic systems, ensuring reliable operation and easy installation, maintaining precise wear measurement over the tire's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a tire component positioned in the tire adjacent to the tread and a chimney extending from the tire component through at least one tread element, wherein the tire component and the chimney comprise a rubber composition having an uncured or cured electrical resistance at 23°C less than 10 KΩ
Implementation Method 2
the tire component and the chimney comprise a rubber composition having an uncured or cured electrical resistance at 23°C less than 10 KΩ when formed into a wire 254 millimeters long and 2 millimeters in diameter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A tire tread wear depth sensing system is disclosed, the system comprising a tread wear plug including a shaft configured to be inserted in a channel extending from an inside surface of a tire through at least a portion of one of a plurality of tread elements of the tire, and a conductor embedded in the shaft, the conductor having a pair of ends terminating into a corresponding pair of sensor contacts in a flange positioned at a first end of the shaft, wherein a portion of the conductor is positioned in the shaft at a predefined distance from a second end of the shaft such that the portion of the conductor is disposed in a sacrificial portion of the tread element of the tire when the shaft is fully inserted into the channel, the conductor comprising a conductive rubber composition having an uncured or cured electrical resistance at 23°C less than 10 KΩ when formed into a wire 254 millimeters long and 2 millimeters in diameter. Also, a tire is disclosed comprising chimney, or a channel and a tread wear plug with a conductor embedded in a shaft, or a conductive component and a conductive insert, said chimney or conductor or conductive insert extending through at least one tread element and comprising a rubber composition having an uncured or cured electrical resistance at 23°C less than 10 KΩ when formed into a wire 254 millimeters long and 2 millimeters in diameter.