Patent Publication Number: US-2022219416-A1

Title: Assembly for placement of sensors within tire

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention relates to an assembly capable of inserting sensors into a tire to ascertain the condition of elements within the tire. More particularly, the present application involves an assembly that utilizes actuators and sensors for evaluating the structural integrity of the beads and shoulders of a tire during a tire retreading process. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Commercial truck tires, such as heavy truck tires, are commonly retreaded after their tread wears to its end of life. Retreading is an economical process because the carcass of the tire can be preserved and reused while only the tread of the tire is replaced. However, certain structural elements of the carcass such as reinforcement cords or support elements may be damaged and require repair. Inspection of these elements is thus conducted during the retreading process to ascertain their condition. The damage or wear may be internal to the tire so sensors have been developed for detecting cord breaks or other damage to these internal elements that would not otherwise be ascertainable from a visual inspection of the tire. 
     The sensors are typically positioned inside of the tire during the inspection process, and this placement poses certain challenges. The profile and width can vary from tire to tire, and the size of the opening through which the sensors are placed can likewise vary between different tires. Also, the tires or sensors will need to be rotated during the inspection so that the entire 360 degree area of the tire is inspected. Further, multiple sensors that measure different areas of the tire may be utilized. It would be beneficial for efficiency to position all of these sensors simultaneously within the tire during the retread process. Although sensors for evaluating the structural integrity of tires are known, positioning multiple sensors at the sidewall/shoulder position and at the bead position at the same time is not known. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tire. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an assembly for sensing a tire in a home position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the assembly swung into position so that a portion of the assembly is inside of the tire. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the assembly with the first actuator actuated so that the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors are positioned closer to the inner surface of the tire. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the assembly with the second actuator actuated so that the first and second bead sensors are positioned into the tire. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the assembly with the third actuator actuated so that the first bead sensor and the second bead sensor are moved in the radial direction and closer to the inner surface of the tire. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the assembly with the fourth and fifth actuators actuated so that the bead and sidewall/shoulder sensors are moved into position against to proximate to the tire. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the sidewall/shoulder sensors and the fifth actuator in an unactuated position. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of various actuators and associated components in the actuated positions. 
     
    
    
     The use of identical or similar reference numerals in different figures denotes identical or similar features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations. 
     The present invention provides for an assembly  10  that can be used to check the condition of a tire  12  during a retreading process. The assembly  10  carries bead  14 ,  16  and sidewall/shoulder  18 ,  20  sensors. These sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are moved into positions inside of the tire  12  by way of a series of actuators  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  that actuate to move the sensors in radial  24  and axial  28  directions. Once the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are properly positioned they can take readings of the tire  12  to determine its condition, and then the actuators  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  may actuate in reverse sequence in order to move the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  out of the tire  12 . The assembly  10  places the sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20 , and the first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16  in the proper measurement locations in the tire  12  for sensing of the tire  12 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a tire  12  that is a heavy duty truck tire  12 . In this regard, the tire  12  is not designed for nor used with a car, motorcycle, or light truck (payload capacity less than 4,000 pounds), but is instead designed for and used with heavy duty trucks such as  18  wheelers, garbage trucks, or box trucks. The tire  12  may be a steer tire, a drive tire, a trailer tire, or an all position tire. The tire  12  includes a casing  58  onto which a tread  60  is disposed thereon. The tread  60  can be manufactured with the casing  58  and formed as a new tire  12 , or the tread  60  can be a retread band that is attached to the casing  58  at some point after the casing  58  has already been used to form a retreaded tire  12 . This is the case with all of the designs shown and described herein. They may all be tread designs of a brand new tire  12 , or may be tread designs of a tread  60  for use in a retread tire  12 . The central axis  26  of the tire  12  extends through the center of the casing  58 , and the axial direction  28 , which could be called the lateral direction  28 , of the tire  12  is parallel to the central axis  26 . The radial direction  24 , referred to also as the thickness direction  24 , of the tire  12  is perpendicular to the central axis  26  and the tread  60  is located farther from the central axis  26  in the thickness direction  24  than the casing  58 . The tread  60  extends all the way around the casing  58  in the circumferential direction  22 , also referred to as the longitudinal direction  22 , of the tire  12  and circles the central axis  26  360 degrees. The tread  60  includes a series of grooves and ribs that form a tread pattern. A rolling tread width extends in the axial direction  28  from one shoulder tread edge  62  of the tread  60  to an opposite shoulder tread edge  64 . The rolling tread width represents that portion of the tread  60  that engages the ground through normal operation of the tire  12 , and the shoulder tread edges  62 ,  64  may engage the ground as well as the area between these locations in the axial direction  28 . 
     The tread  60  can be part of a tire  12  or a retread band that is produced and subsequently attached to a casing  58  to form a retread tire  12 . The same tread pattern can repeat throughout the entire longitudinal length of the tread  60  in the longitudinal direction  22 . The surface of the tread  60  forms part of the exterior surface  50  of the tire  12 . Additionally, a portion of the exterior surface  50  is formed by the exterior sections of the casing  58 . The exterior surface  50  is the portion of the tire  12  that is visible when the tire  12  is mounted onto a wheel of a vehicle. The interior surface  52  of the tire  12  is that portion of the tire  12  that is not visible when the tire  12  is mounted onto the wheel of the vehicle. The interior surface  52  can be accessed through the opening of the casing  58  that is on either side of the tire  12  in the axial direction  28 . The interior surface  52  is formed by the interior of the casing  58  both at the sidewalls of the casing  58  and at the crown portion onto which the tread  60  is positioned. The tread  60  pattern illustrated on the tire  12  in  FIG. 1  is directional and includes grooves that extend from the shoulder tread edges  62 ,  64  and terminate at some point along the width of the tread  60 . However, it is to be understood that the tread  60  pattern is but one example and can be variously configured in accordance with other embodiments. 
     The tire  12  includes a bead  54  and a bead  56  that seat onto the rim of the wheel and function to help hold the tire  12  onto the wheel. The boundaries between the exterior surface  50  and the interior surface  52  may be located at the beads  54 ,  56 . The beads  54 ,  56  may become damaged through the life of the tire  12  and are inspected during a retread process to make sure they are in serviceable condition so that they can be used in the casing  58  that is retreaded. Likewise, belts and other elements in the casing  58  below the tread  60  are also inspected during the retread process to make sure they are in good shape for reuse in a retread tire  12 . If these inspected elements are damaged they could be repaired before the retread tire  12  goes out onto the road, and if they are in too bad of shape and are not reparable then the casing  58  may have to be put out of service. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembly  10  that is employed for positioning sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  into the tire  12  to inspect the beads  54 ,  56 , belts, and other elements for damage when retreading. The tire  12  is positioned onto a base  68  that includes rollers and posts that help hold the tire  12  into an upright position. The tire  12  is cut away in the figures so that the interior surface  52  can be more easily seen and so that the interactions with the tire  12  and the assembly  10  can be more easily visualized. The assembly is composed of a series of actuators, sensors, and frame elements and can be positioned at a station adjacent to or even attached to the base  68 . A control panel  66  is present and is in communication with the sensors, actuators, and other elements of the assembly  10  to control movements of the actuators and to provide feedback on the sensor readings. The control panel  66  could be located at or even attached to the base  68  or other elements of the assembly  10  and hardwired to these components, or may be a wireless control panel  66  that is located remotely from the base  68  and tire  12  and provides input to and receives output from various elements of the assembly  10 . 
     The assembly  10  is illustrated in the home position and includes a frame  40  that carries the various actuators and sensors. The frame  40  is mounted to a post  42  in a pivoting connection and can swivel about the post  42 . A frame actuator  44 , which in one embodiment is a pneumatic cylinder, can be actuated to pivot the frame  40  and the various components it carries about the post  42 . This pivoting can be clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the direction of actuation of the frame actuator  44 . In other embodiments, the frame  40  can be in pivoting engagement with the post  42 , but a fame actuator  44  is not present. In these instances, an operator can manually push or pull the frame  40  to pivot it about the post  42 . 
     With the assembly  10  in the home position, a tire  12  can be loaded onto the base  68  in an upright position so that it rests upon rollers that allow it to rotate about its central axis  26  while on the base  68 . The tire  12  can be of any size and made for any type of vehicle, and in some embodiments may be heavy truck tires that can be used on 19.5-24.5 inch rim/wheel diameters. Rollers and other members may be present to help hold the tire  12  onto the base  68 . In the home position all of the components of the assembly  10  are located outside of the tire  12  and none are in the interior of the tire  12 . The frame actuator  44  can be actuated to rotate the frame  40  about post  42  so that the assembly  10  assumes the positioned illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A stop could be present up against which the frame  40  engages to properly position the assembly in  FIG. 3 , or the frame actuator  44  can be fully actuated to a known location of frame  40  and other components into the  FIG. 3  position. In  FIG. 3 , the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  are positioned inside of the tire  12 , while other components of the assembly  10 , such as the first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16 , remain outside of the interior of the tire  12 . The assembly  10  includes a wheel post  46  with wheels  48  on its end that are likewise inserted into the interior of the tire  12  upon rotation of the frame  40  about the post  42 . The movement from the home position in  FIG. 2  to the position shown in  FIG. 3  where the sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  are first inserted into the tire  12  is accomplished by rotational movement of the frame  40  and sensors  18 ,  20  so that movement in the axial direction  28  is made, but no movement in the radial direction  24 . 
     The next step in the measurement process is the actuation of the first actuator  30  and is shown with reference to  FIG. 4 . The first actuator  30  may be a pneumatic cylinder carried by the frame  40  that pivots with the frame  40  when the frame  40  pivots about the post  42 . The first actuator  30  is arranged on the frame  40  so that it actuates to extend in the radial direction  24  of the tire  12 . Actuation of the first actuator  30  causes movement in the radial direction  24  of a significant number of components of the assembly  10 . These components include the second through fifth actuators  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 , the wheel post  46  and wheels  48 , and the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , along with other portions of the frame  40  that support these components. The first actuator  30  actuates to move these components until the wheels  48  engage the interior surface  52  at which point the first actuator  30  stops to stop further movement of the various components in the radial direction  24 . A sensor could be present to detect when the wheels  48  engage the interior surface  52 , or the wheels  48  and wheel post  46  could be designed with some level of play so the first actuator  30  actuates to a level generally expected to engage the interior surface  52 . Still further, the control panel  66  could be used by an operator to actuate the first actuator  30  until the operator sees the wheels  48  are in engagement with the interior surface  52  at which time the operator ceases actuation of the first actuator  30 . 
     The next step in the positioning process involves actuation of the second actuator  32 , which in the illustrated embodiment is a pneumatic slide. The assembly  10  is shown in this next step in  FIG. 5  with the second actuator  32  actuated to cause the first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16 , the fourth actuator  36 , and some portions of the frame  40  supporting these elements to all move in the axial direction  28 . The second actuator  32  does not move any of these components in the radial direction  24 , but instead moves them only in the axial direction  28 . Actuation of the second actuator  32  does not cause movement of the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20 , the first actuator  30 , the third actuator  34 , or the fifth actuator  38 . The first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16  are moved in the axial direction  28  until they are within the tire  12 , and in some instances may be at the same axial position as the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20 . The second actuator  32  may be sized and located so that it can fully extend and once doing so reaches the position shown in  FIG. 5 . In this position, a portion of the fourth actuator  36  may be within the interior of the tire  12  while a portion of it is outside of the interior of the tire  12 . Alternatively, in the position shown in  FIG. 5 , the entire fourth actuator  36  could be outside of the interior of the tire  12 . 
     The next movement of the assembly  10  involves the actuation of the third actuator  34 , which in the illustrated embodiment is a servomotor and this next step is shown in  FIG. 6 . The third actuator  34  may be an electric servo drive/lift, or could be any type of actuator capable of linear movement. The third actuator  34  moves the first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16  and the second and fourth actuator  32 ,  36  and associated frame  40  supporting elements in the radial direction  24  but not in the axial direction  28 . This movement in the radial direction  24  is 180 degrees opposite to the previously described radial direction  24  movement of the first actuator  30 . The third actuator  34  does not move the sensors  18 ,  20 , wheels  48 , wheel post  46 , or actuators  30 ,  38 . The frame  40  components that are moved upward/outward in the radial direction  24  by the third actuator  34  carry a light sensor  70  that is likewise moved upon actuation of the third actuator  34 , and upon reaching a particular point determines that the bead sensors  14 ,  16  have been properly positioned. The light sensor  70  could be in communication with the control panel  66  and once the light sensor  70  informs the control panel  66  that the bead sensors  14 ,  16  are moved into the desired spot, the actuation of the third actuator  34  can cease to stop further movement of the bead sensors  14 ,  16 . Alternatively, any other mechanism of stopping the third actuator  34  could be employed, and likewise light sensors  70  could be used in association with the other actuators  30 ,  32 ,  36 ,  38 ,  44  to indicate that it is time to stop their movement. The first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16  are moved in the radial direction  24  until they are at the same radial location as the beads  54 ,  56  in the radial direction  24 , although they are at the midpoint of the beads  54 ,  56  in the axial direction  28 . 
     The next step in the positioning process is illustrated with reference to  FIG. 7  in which both the fourth actuator  36  and the fifth actuator  38  are actuated. The fourth actuator  36  may be a pneumatic cylinder, and actuation of the fourth actuator  36  causes the first bead sensor  14  and the second bead sensor  16  to move away from one another in the axial direction  28 . The fourth actuator  36  actuates and moves only in the axial direction  28 , and not the radial direction  24 , and a linkage translates this axial motion to the first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16 . The linkage is arranged so that both of the bead sensors  14 ,  16  move relative to the tire  12  in that the first bead sensor  14  moves toward the bead  54 , and the second bead sensor  16  moves toward the bead  56  in the axial direction  28 . It is thus the case in the disclosed arrangement that both bead sensors  14 ,  16  move relative to the tire  12  in the axial direction  28 , and not the case that only one of the bead sensors  14  or  16  moves relative to the tire  12  in the axial direction  28  while the other bead sensor  14  or  16  remains stationary relative to the tire  12  in the axial direction  28 . The fourth actuator  36  actuates to put the first bead sensor  14  into engagement with the bead  54 , and the second bead sensor  16  into engagement with the bead  56  on the interior surface  52 . In other arrangements, the bead sensors  14 ,  16  are not moved into engagement with the beads  54 ,  56  but instead are moved only into close proximity to the beads  54 ,  56 . 
     The first and second sidewal/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  are initially in a scissor configuration with one another so that portions of one sensor  18  are located on opposite sides of other portions of the other sensor  20 . The fifth actuator  38  actuates to cause the first sidewall/shoulder sensor  18  and the second sidewall/shoulder sensor  20  to move away from one another in the axial direction  28 . The sensors  18 ,  20  both move relative to the tire  12  in the axial direction  28 , and it is not the case that the sensors  18 ,  20  in the illustrated embodiment are arranged so that one remains stationary relative to the tire  12  in the axial direction  28  while the other one moves relative to the tire  12  in the axial direction  28 . The fifth actuator  38  can be a pneumatic cylinder and upon actuation extends only in the axial direction  28  and not the radial direction  24 . A linkage connects the end of the piston rod of the fifth actuator  38  to the pair of sensors  18 ,  20  and translates the one directional linear motion of the piston rod to the sensors  18 ,  20  so that they move opposite to one another in the axial direction  28 . The sensors  18 ,  20  are moved out of their initial, scissor orientation so that the first sidewall/shoulder sensor  18  moves in the same direction as the rod of the fifth actuator  38  and engages the interior surface  52  of the sidewall and shoulder of the tire  12 . The second sidewall/shoulder sensor  20  moves in an opposite direction to the first sidewall/shoulder sensor  18  in the axial direction  18 , and thus opposite to the direction of extension of the rod of the fifth actuator  38 . The second sidewall/shoulder sensor  20  moves into engagement with the interior surface  52  at the sidewall and shoulder of the tire  12 . In some embodiments the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  do not engage the interior surface  52  upon actuation of the fifth actuator  38 , but instead are moved into proximity to the interior surface  52  at the sidewall and shoulder and not in engagement with the interior surface  52 . 
     Although described as actuating simultaneously, it may be the case that the fourth actuator  36  actuates before or after the fifth actuator  38 . In some instances, the fourth and fifth actuators  36 ,  38  may be on the same pneumatic line as one another and when fluid pressure is applied therethough they both actuate at the same time, or one actuates before the other based upon the sizes and resistances of the actuators  36 ,  38  as the pneumatic fluid will function to actuate one before the other even when simultaneously applied to both on the same line. 
     Once the assembly  10  is in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  can be activated to begin sensing the tire  12  at the beads  54 ,  56 , and sidewall/shoulder areas to determine if there is damage to these regions. This data can be communicated from the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to the control panel  66 . The tire  12  may rest upon rollers of the base  68  and the tire  12  may be rotated about its central axis  26  in order to rotate the tire  12  360 degrees. The wheels  48  also engage the interior surface  52  and can stabilize the tire  12  upon rotation. As the tire  12  rotates about the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  readings are taken so that the entire beads  54 ,  56  and sidewall/shoulders are sensed along the entire longitudinal/circumferential direction  22  of the tire  12 . To rotate the tire  12 , an operator may manually spin the tire  12  about its central axis  26 . Alternatively, a wheel or roller of the base  68  in engagement with the tire  12  can rotate and this rotation can be imparted onto the tire  12  to cause it to likewise rotate about the central axis  26 . Additionally or alternatively, the wheels  48  could be driven by a motor to turn and this rotation could be imparted on the interior surface  52  to drive the tire  12  to rotate about its central axis  26 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the fifth actuator  38  in an unactuated state along with the portion of the frame  40  that carries the wheel post  46 , wheels  48 , first sidewall/shoulder sensor  18 , and second sidewall/shoulder sensor  20 . The sensors  18 ,  20  are nested with one another into a scissor configuration such that their posts cross and engage the linkage attached to the rod of the fifth actuator  38 . A design similar to that disclosed for positioning the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 9,927,326 entitled “Device for Sensor Placement Within a Tire for Repeated Sensor Insertion and Withdrawal”, issued Mar. 27, 2018 the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. The wheel post  46  and wheels  48  are located between the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  in the axial direction  28  when the fifth actuator  38  is not actuated. The configuration of the portion of the assembly  10  in  FIG. 8  may be the same as that previously described with reference to  FIGS. 3-6  when the fifth actuator  38  is not actuated. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of that shows the first actuator  30 , third actuator  34 , fourth actuator  36 , and fifth actuator  38  and associated frame  40  elements that carry these components. The various actuators  30 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  are in the actuated positions and the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  are likewise in the actuated positions they would be in when measuring the tire  12  and as previously described when discussing the  FIG. 7  orientation of the assembly  10 . 
     Once the readings from the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  have been taken and the tire  12  has been measured, the assembly  10  is then returned to the home position in  FIG. 2 , and a subsequent tire  12  can be loaded onto the base  68  for measurement. In order to return the assembly  10  to the home position, the previously described order of steps can be executed in reverse order. First, the fourth and fifth actuators  36 ,  38  can be actuated to cause them to move in the axial direction  28  to return the sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to the retracted positions shown with reference to  FIG. 6 . Next, the third actuator  34  is actuated to move the fourth actuator  36  and other components into the  FIG. 5  orientation. Subsequently, The first and second bead sensors  14 ,  16  are moved in the axial direction  28  outside of the interior of the tire  12  via actuation of the second actuator  32  to put the assembly  10  into the position shown in  FIG. 4 . The first actuator  30  is then actuated and the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  are moved in the radial direction  24  to be able to clear the sidewalls of the casing  58 . From here, the assembly  10  is swung or otherwise moved completely out of the interior of the tire  12  to the home position shown in  FIG. 2  by an operator, or by actuating the frame actuator  44 . 
     The various actuators  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  44  can be any mechanism capable of moving another components. The actuators could be linear actuators in that the movement they effect is only in the linear direction. Examples of actuators that may be incorporated into the assembly  10  include but are not limited to pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic slides, and servomotors. 
     The first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  have been described as sensing a portion of the tire  12  that includes the sidewall and the shoulder. However, the sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  as used herein may check for damage and thus sense only the sidewall of the tire  12  and not the shoulder of the tire  12 . Alternatively, the sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  may check for damage and thus sense only the shoulder of the tire  12  and not the sidewall of the tire  12 . Still further the sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  may check both the sidewall and the shoulder of the tire  12 . One of the sensors  18  could check the sidewall and/or the shoulder, and the other sensor  20  could check the sidewall and/or the shoulder in various embodiments. Any type of sidewall/shoulder sensors  18 ,  20  could be employed. For example, the sidewall/shoulder sensors shown and described in patent publication number WO 2010/117855 entitled “Tire Metallic Cable Anomaly Detection Method and Apparatus” which published on Oct. 14, 2010 can be used, and the contents of this patent publication are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. Likewise, any type of bead sensors  14 ,  16  could be used in the assembly  10 . The sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  employed may detect deterioration or damaged cables/wire in the tire  12 . The sensors  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  could detect damage or deterioration of other components of the tire  12 , but in some exemplary embodiments only detect cable or wire damage or deterioration. 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments and methods thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be apparent.