Patent ID: 9073392
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
1. A method of installing a tread wear sensor in a tire of the tire type comprising a tire carcass enclosing a tire cavity and a tire tread region on the a radially outward regions of the tire carcass, the tire further having a plurality of tread elements projecting from a base of the tire tread region, the method comprising: configuring a tread wear indicator to include at least one sacrificial resistive sensor element having a known resistance value; affixing the at least one resistive sensor element of the tread wear indicator to a selected tread element in a sensor element orientation placing the sensor element substantially parallel to a ground engaging surface of the tread element at a known sensor depth from the ground engaging surface; the at least one sensor element operative to sacrificially abrade and change in resistance responsive to progressive tread wear on the one tread element to the sensor depth; positioning a connector assembly within the tire carcass cavity radially opposite the one resistive sensor element; and inserting a needle projection of the connector assembly through the tire carcass radially outward from a tire cavity side, the needle projection extending to a position opposite the one resistive sensor element, and the connector assembly carrying conductive leads operative to engage and establish electrical contact with the one resistive sensor element; measuring a change in resistivity in the one sensor element; determining tread wear status of the one selected tread element based on the measured change in resistivity of the one sensor element.