US 2014O180534A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0180534 A1 Son (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 26, 2014

(54) TREAD TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND Publication Classification DAGNOSTICS FOR IN-VEHICLE DISPLAY (51) Int. Cl. (71) Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., B60C23/20 (2006.01) (US) (52) U.S. Cl. CPC ...... B60C23/20 (2013.01) (72) Inventor: Young Son, Glenview, IL (US) USPC ...... 701/34.4; 701/1 (57) ABSTRACT (73) Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE A temperature sensing and display apparatus, sys SYSTEMS, INC., Auburn Hills, MI tem and method are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a (US) temperature sensor, a controller and a display. The sensor is configured to be mounted to a vehicle and to sense tire tread temperature. The controller is configured to receive and pro (21) Appl. No.: 13/725,941 cess temperature measurements and to communicate to a display, the display configured to display temperature related information in response to communication from the control (22) Filed: Dec. 21, 2012 ler.

100 Patent Application Publication Jun. 26, 2014 Sheet 1 of 6 US 2014/0180534 A1

FIG. 1 Patent Application Publication Jun. 26, 2014 Sheet 2 of 6 US 2014/0180534 A1

102 102 110 104 104 k

FIG. 2 FIG. 3

502

102

102

406 FIG. 4 FIG. 5 Patent Application Publication Jun. 26, 2014 Sheet 3 of 6 US 2014/0180534 A1

102

602 104 604 104 606

FIG. 6 FIG. 7

102 p 802 104 804 /k 806

FIG. 8 FIG. 9 Patent Application Publication Jun. 26, 2014 Sheet 4 of 6 US 2014/0180534 A1

1000 M DISPLAY 1010

MEASUREMENTRECEIVE -1102 PROCESSOR 1006 1004 ANALYZE 1104 READABLEMEDIUMCOMPUTER 1008 DAGNOSE 1106

FIG 10 FIG. 11

Text Display Option

Front Average 197.7 F Rear Tires Average 168.8F Front Tires are hotter than the Rear. Vehicle is Pushing/ Understeering. Problem I Solution: (1) Front Spring or Sway Bartoo stiff or not enough stiffness in Rear Spring or Sway Bar (2) Front air pressure too low or Rear air pressure too high (3) Front Tires are too narrow or Rear Tires are too Wide

FIG. 12 Patent Application Publication Jun. 26, 2014 Sheet 5 of 6 US 2014/0180534 A1

FIG. 13 Patent Application Publication Jun. 26, 2014 Sheet 6 of 6 US 2014/0180534 A1

99% grip available 71% grip available

1912 FAVG 202.2 FAVG

FIG. 14 US 2014/01 80534 A1 Jun. 26, 2014

TIRE TREAD TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND mentis Substantially reduced attemperatures approaching the DAGNOSTICS FOR IN-VEHICLE DISPLAY glass transition temperature of the compound. However, it will be understood that although all-season tires are designed BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS and compounded to mitigate the loss of traction at lower temperatures at the cost of optimal traction at higher tempera 0001 For a more complete understanding of the disclo tures, the phenomenon of reduced traction in lower tempera sure, reference should be made to the following detailed tures and increased traction at higher temperatures nonethe description and accompanying drawings wherein: less affects all-season tires, albeit to a lesser degree. 0002 FIG. 1 comprises a schematic top view of a fitted 0012. In addition, when some tires become too hot, they with temperature measuring devices; become slippery or greasy thus also loosing traction. For 0003 FIGS. 2-5 comprise schematic side views of various example, for Street tires the maximum operating temperature exemplary configurations oftemperature measuring devices; is generally below 180F for DOT-R tires the typical recom 0004 FIGS. 6-9 comprise schematic top views of various mended operating temperature is between 180-200F, for rac various exemplary configurations of temperature measuring ing slicks the maximum operating temperature is over 200F. devices; It should be understood that the preceding operating ranges 0005 FIG. 10 comprises a schematic view of a system for are only examples. Actual operating temperatures depend on processing temperature measurements; the manufacturer, design, and tire compound used. 0006 FIG. 11 comprises a schematic view of the method 0013 Since tire traction is an important characteristic of for processing temperature measurements; the tire, it is desirable to measure or estimate this tire charac 0007 FIG. 12 comprises an exemplary text display screen; teristic at least based on measurements of factors that affect it, 0008 FIG. 13 comprises an exemplary pictorial display Such as, for example, temperature, and more precisely tire Screen; temperature, tire tread temperature, driving Surface tempera 0009 FIG. 14 comprises a partial advanced exemplary ture, or otherwise. pictorial display Screen. 0014 With reference to FIG.4, one way of sensing the tire 0010 Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the temperature is through the use of mounted sensors 408, figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not Such as, for example, tire pressure monitoring system necessarily been drawn to Scale. For example, the size dimen (TPMS) sensors which sense or measure, often among others, sions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the temperature and pressure of the gas inflating the tire and the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to transmit the data to a receiver for potential analysis. While, help to improve understanding of various aspects of the this method is often very convenient, it does not serve as a present invention. Also, common but well-understood ele good indicator of the temperature of the tire tread and espe ments that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible cially the tire tread surface, which is chiefly responsible for embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less tire traction, because tire compounds and inflation gases are obstructed view of these various aspects of the present inven good thermal insulators. tion. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that certain actions (0015 With reference to FIG.5, another way of sensing the and/or steps may be described or depicted in aparticular order tire tread temperature is by using a tire pyrometer probe 504. of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand The tire pyrometer probe 504 after being inserted into the that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually treadblocks are often the most accurate tire tread temperature required. It will also be understood that the terms and expres sensors. However tire pyrometer probes can be typically sions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to inserted only when the tires are not moving, for example Such terms and expressions with respect to their correspond while stopped at red lights or during pit stops. Nonetheless, ing respective areas of inquiry and study except where spe because this method is so accurate it may be desirable to cific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. utilize it regardless of its drawbacks by automating probe insertion when the vehicle is stopped. DETAILED DESCRIPTION (0016. With renewed reference to FIG. 4, yet another way 0011 Tire traction is often dependent on the temperature of sensing the tire tread temperature is embedding thermo of the tire and the road Surface. Although all-season tires are couples 406 inside the tire and transmitting signals indicative compounded to provide adequate traction over a wide range of the temperature, for example wirelessly or otherwise. of temperatures they do not provide optimal traction in envi Optionally, the thermocouples may be communicatively ronments where the temperature of the tire can be maintained coupled to TPMS sensors 408 to improve the quality of the within a relatively narrow range. For example, in high per tire tread temperature data. The TPMS sensors may in turn formance , sports cars, and racing applications, the tire evaluate the data or relay it on to another system either wire used is rarely an all-season tire. Instead, these applications lessly or otherwise. often utilize high performance or three-season tires which (0017. With reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 6-9, yet another provide significantly higher levels of traction albeit within way of sensing the tire tread temperature is measuring the relatively narrow ranges. For instance, while such tires per tires infrared emissivity. The infrared emissivity may be form extremely well in relatively high temperatures, such as, sensed by a contactless temperature sensor 104, for example for example, in the range of about 194F to about 212F, these by an infrared or laser thermometer, an infrared camera, or tires perform extremely poorly when the tire tread tempera otherwise. ture is low. For most three-season Street tires, anything below (0018. With reference to FIG. 1, in an example, the tire 102 40F is often considered unsafe. However, for a DOT-R racing temperature sensor 104 is mounted to the vehicle 100. In an tire or a racing slick, the danger threshold for cold tempera aspect, the temperature sensor 104 is configured to measure ture is significantly higher. This is because the coefficient of the temperature while the vehicle is in operation. In an aspect, friction between the compound in the tire tread and the pave the temperature sensor 104 is configured to measure the tire US 2014/01 80534 A1 Jun. 26, 2014 tread temperature while the vehicle is driving. In another mounted to the vehicle. In an example, the display is config aspect, the temperature sensor 104 is configured to measure ured to be disposed within the vehicle. In an aspect, the the tire tread temperature while the vehicle is stopped. In an display is configured to be mounted to the vehicle. aspect, the temperature data is transmitted for displaying of 0027. In another aspect, the controller 1102 may be con relevant tire tread temperature related information, for figured to be a part of a feedback loop system which will allow exampletire tread temperatures, to a driver, another operator, the exhaust to heat the tires. In this aspect, the system funnels or otherwise. a small portion of the exhaust gas onto the tires until the tires 0019. With continued reference to FIG. 1 and reference to 102 at least start approaching race temperature. FIG. 3, a separate temperature sensor 110 may be directed at the ground to gather driving Surface temperature. However, 0028. With reference to FIG. 11, in an aspect, the control with reference to FIG. 2, the same sensor 104 that senses the ler 1004 receives 1102 and analyzes 1104 the measurements tire tread temperature may also be configured to sense the to arrive at percentage of the maximum traction available or ground temperature, for example by pivoting to a downward the relative safety of driving on the type of tires mounted direction. under the particular conditions for displaying 1108 to the 0020. With reference to FIG. 5, in an example, the sensor driver. The controller may also be configured to optionally 104 comprises a tire pyrometer system comprising a pyrom diagnose the temperature measurements for displaying 1108 eter probe 504 and an actuator 502. The pyrometer probe 504 of the diagnosis to the driver, or otherwise. is inserted by the actuator 502 into the tire 102 tread blocks (0029. With reference to FIGS. 12-14, in an example, of when the stop. In this example, the vehicle wheel-well relevant tire tread temperature related information is dis houses the pyrometer probe 504, which is extended by and played in real time, for example on in-cockpit information. actuator 502 at precise locations and times to sense tire tread 0030. With reference to FIG. 13, the driver is informed of temperature. the temperature of each tire. In an aspect, the tire tread tem 0021. With reference to FIGS. 6-9, in an example, mea perature indicators are color coded depending on the tiretread Surements of at least three areas of each tire are taken: the temperature so that the driver can quickly glance and gather inside tread, the center tread and the outside tread. In an tire tread temperature data. Accordingly, the driver can adjust aspect, the inside and outside tread temperature measure his/her driving style while driving, without having to get out ments are taken of the area about 1 inch from the treads of the car to take a tire tread temperature measurement. In an shoulders and the center measurement is taken of the area in aspect, the driver is notified that the front tires are hot (red). In the center of a treadblock. However, it is contemplated that in response to the notification the driver may adjust the driving Some examples measurements of more or less than three areas to make the car understeer less or oversteer more. In another of each tire tread are taken. aspect, the driver is notified that all the tires are hot (red). In 0022. With reference to FIGS. 6-7, in an example, the response to the notification the driver may slow down in the temperature sensor 104 is in a pivoting FIGS. 6 or laterally corners, brakes less, or accelerate slower to allow the tires to moveable FIG. 7 relationship with the tire 102. In an aspect, cool down until they reach optimum temperature. In yet the relative movement of the sensor 104 with respect to the another aspect, the driver is notified that all the tires are too tire 102 is used either to measure multiple areas 602-606 and cold (blue). In response to the notification the driver may load 702-706 respectively or to account for the lateral displace the tires more before pushing or racing the vehicle ment of tire, for example during a turn. In an aspect, a single 0031. With reference to FIG. 14, in addition to the tem temperature sensor 104 sweeps the tire 102 by pivoting FIG. perature data the driver is informed of the percentage of the 6 or moving laterally FIG. 7 with respect to the tire 102. maximum available traction is available. In another example 0023. With respect to FIG. 8, in another aspect, each area the driver is informed whether it is safe or unsafe to drive on 802-806 of the tire 102 is measured by a dedicated sensing the type of tires mounted under the particular driving condi element of the sensor 104. tions. 0024. With respect to FIG. 9, in an aspect, the sensor 104 is configured to measure temperatures in all areas 902-906 of 0032. With reference to FIG. 12, in an example, a system the tire 102 concurrently. provides diagnosis and suggests possible corrective actions 0025. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 1, the tire tread on the basis of at least the tire tread temperature measure temperature measurement system 1000 comprises a control ment. A listing of exemplary mappings of tire tread tempera ler 1004 communicatively coupled to the measurement ture measurements to diagnoses and potential corrective device 1002. The measurement device 1002 comprises at actions is provided herein: least one temperature sensor 104 and optionally a driving 0033. The center of the tread being hotter than the inside surface temperature sensor 110. The controller 1004 com and outside of the tread suggests that the tire pressure is prises at least one processor 1006 communicatively coupled too high. The tire pressure should be reduced by 1 psi for to a computer readable medium 1008, the computer readable each 5F delta. medium not being a transient signal, the medium configured 0034. The inside and outside of tread being hotter than to store data or instructions for processing the measurements. the center of the tread Suggests that the tire pressure is The controller 1004 is optionally communicatively coupled too low. The tire pressure should be increased by 1 psi to a display 1010, the display 1010 configured to display tire for each 5F delta. tread temperature related information, for example tire tread temperature, road temperature, temperature diagnosis, warn 0035. The inside of the tread being hotter than the out ings, or otherwise, to the driver, in response to communica side of the tread suggests too much negative camber. tion from the controller. 0036. The outside of the tread being hotter than the 0026. In an example, the controller is configured to be inside of the tread suggests not enough negative camber disposed within the vehicle. In an aspect, the controller is or too much toe-in. US 2014/01 80534 A1 Jun. 26, 2014

0037 Tire tread temperature below the ideal tempera 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tem ture range suggests that the tire pressure is too high, the perature sensor comprises a thermocouple embedded in the tire is too wide, or the springs or Sway bars are too stiff tire's tread. on the particular . 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tem 0038 Tire tread temperature above the ideal tempera perature sensor comprises an actuator for positioning the ture range Suggests that the tire pressure is too low, the sensing element relative the tire's tread. tire is too narrow, or the springs or Swaybars are too soft 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the sensing on the particular axle. element comprises a tire pyrometer probe. 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tem 0039. The front tires’ treads being hotter than the rear perature sensor is configured to sense temperature of at least tires’ treads Suggests that the car is understeering (push three areas of the tire's tread. ing). The front springs or Sway bar may be too hard, the 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least rear springs or Sway bar may be too soft, the front tire three areas comprise the inner, the outer and the center tread. pressure may be too low, the rear tire pressure may be too 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the display high, the front tires may be too narrow, or the rear tires is configured to display the individual tire's tread tempera may be too wide. ture. 0040. The rear tires treads being hotter than the front 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the indi tires’ treads suggests that the car is oversteering (loose). vidual tire's tread temperature is displayed as a color. The rear springs or Sway bar may be too hard, the front 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the individual tires springs or Swaybar may be too soft, the rear tire pressure tread temperature comprises temperature of at least three may be too low, the front tire pressure may be too high, areas of the tire's tread. the rear tires may be too narrow, or the front tires may be 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the display too wide. is configured to display tire traction information. 0041. It should be understood, that although such diag 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising noses and potential corrective actions may be displayed to the a temperature sensor configured to sense driving Surface tem driver in real-time, some of the issues may not be correctable perature. with a mere change in driving style and may require equip 14. A method of diagnosing tire tread temperature com ment adjustments or changes, for example during a . prising: 0042 Some other warnings that may be displayed to the receiving tire's tread temperature measurement from a driver based on tire or driving surface temperature include: Vehicle mounted measurement device; 0043. If a tire or the driving surface temperature is analyzing the tire's tread temperature measurement; below 40F, the display may display or flash a warning diagnosing vehicle State based on the analysis; that the temperature is too low for safe driving. displaying information based on the diagnosis of the 0044) If a tire is too hot the display may display or flash vehicle state. a warning that the temperature is too high for safe driv 15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the infor ing. mation is a warning that the tire's tread temperature is not safe 0045 Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide for driving. variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be 16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the infor made with respect to the above described embodiments with mation is indicative of percentage of maximum traction avail out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and able. that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to 17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the infor be viewed as being within the scope of the invention. Further, mation is indicative of a condition not correctable with a those skilled in the art will recognize that the approaches change in driving style. described herein may also be used in Systems sensing, ana 18. A system of diagnosing tire tread temperature compris lyzing and diagnosing temperature of movable devices and ing: Surfaces other than tires and driving Surfaces. a vehicle comprising at least one tire; What is claimed is: a measurement device comprising a temperature sensor, 1. A tire tread temperature sensing apparatus comprising: the temperature sensor mounted to the vehicle, the tem a measurement device comprising a temperature sensor, perature sensor further configured to sense the tempera the temperature sensor configured to be mounted to a ture of the tire's tread: vehicle, the temperature sensor further configured to a controller disposed in the vehicle, the controller config sense temperature of a tire's tread; ured to receive and process temperature measurements a controller, the controller configured to receive and pro and to communicate with a display; and cess temperature measurements and to communicate to a display configured to display temperature related infor a display; and mation in response to communication from the control a display configured to display temperature related infor ler. mation in response to communication from the control 19. The system as recited in claim 18 further comprising a ler. temperature sensor configured to sense driving Surface tem 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tem perature. perature sensor comprises an infrared thermometer. 20. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the controller 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tem and the display are mounted to the vehicle. perature sensor comprises a thermal camera. k k k k k