Patent ID: 9376118
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B60C,B60W,G07C

Claim Text:
1. A method of assessing a condition of a tire on a vehicle, the tire belonging to a tire model, the method comprising: providing at least one temperature sensor in the tire; collecting data associated with a plurality of operating parameters over time during usage of the tire as the tire is exposed to actual operating conditions, wherein the collecting further includes: calculating a belt edge temperature at a belt edge area within the tire over time during usage of the tire as the tire is exposed to actual operating conditions, based on a first formula using the cavity air temperature and ambient air temperature, thereby generating a belt edge temperature history during usage of the tire, wherein the first formula is the following: wherein T be is the belt edge temperature, T cav and T amb are the cavity air temperature and the ambient air temperature that have been measured periodically, and a and b are tire model-specific coefficients determined during a tire characterization of the tire model prior to exposure of the tire to actual operating conditions; determining a tire health parameter for the tire that provides an indication of accumulated damage and wear for the tire based upon a second formula using the belt edge temperature history and the duration of usage of the tire during usage of the tire as the tire is exposed to actual operating conditions as well as additional tire-model specific coefficients determined during the tire characterization of the tire model; displaying the tire health parameter to an operator or owner of the vehicle to provide a predictive indication of when maintenance will be required on the tire.