1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a run-flat tire, and more particularly, to a run-flat tire and condition sensing assembly having a plurality of rounded objects.
2. Description of the Related Art
Suffering rapid or gradual deflation of one or more tires while driving a vehicle can result in potentially life-threatening situations. Several solutions have been sought to limit or reduce this potential while achieving cost efficiency in producing that solution as well as efficiency in operating the vehicle. Apart from improved construction of the tires themselves, the most popular solutions have been tire inserts and tire pressure sensors and monitors.
Currently, there are various types of tire inserts and tire assemblies that allow a driver to operate a vehicle with one or more deflated tires. Many of these inserts fit around the rim within the tire and are constructed of durable material in order to support the weight of the vehicle and undergo dynamic forces during rapid or gradual deflation. However, these inserts can be costly to manufacture and install due to their complex design and construction. Furthermore, such inserts require specialized wheel rims and tires or are generally specific to different wheel rim and tire types, resulting in decreased adaptability for wider use.
There are also various types of sensors and sensory systems employed to provide a driver of a vehicle with tire conditions. Generally, these sensor units, which are placed within the tires, are limited to providing air pressure conditions within the tire. A driver may be alerted by an auditory or visual signal while driving that indicates low air pressure in one or more of the tires. Although such a sensor may prevent further deflation by alerting the driver so that he may take steps to reduce further deflation, these sensors do not assist the driver once deflation has already occurred. In addition, if a severe blowout was to occur, the sensor would likely be damaged and its replacement may prove to be costly.
Consequently, a more efficient system is necessary to adequately address all of the aforementioned problems.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a run-flat tire and condition sensing assembly that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art above.
An object of the present invention is to provide a run-flat tire and condition sensing assembly with a plurality of rounded objects to support the tire during deflation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an indication of deflation the tire.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a run-flat tire assembly for use in a vehicle tire, the assembly comprising a plurality of rounded objects within the tire, wherein each rounded object comprises an interior, an interior surface and an outer shell. Also, the plurality of rounded objects comprise one or more sensor objects having at least one condition sensor that senses a condition and transmits a signal corresponding to the condition. Preferably, the rounded objects are substantially spherical in shape.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the condition sensor is situated within the sensor object and is operatively connected to the interior surface and the outer shell of the sensor object. Furthermore, the sensor detects pressure that is directed onto the outer shell of the object having the condition sensor, wherein the pressure is exerted by contact with one or more of the rounded objects.
According to other aspects of the present invention, the plurality of rounded objects is arranged within a net inside of the tire and each object further comprises a support structure situated within the rounded object, the support structure comprising a plurality of support bars. Each support bar radiates from the center of the object's interior and is affixed to the interior surface of the object. The support structure may be comprised of a polymer, metal or rubber.
According to one aspect of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the interior of each rounded object comprises pressurized gas, preferably helium. The interior can also comprise elastic material such as foam, rubber or plastic.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to further describe the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
In the drawings:
Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance with one or more embodiments.
Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
In
An alternative embodiment of the rounded, support object is illustrated in
Preferably, the support object 1 or 6 is spherical in shape and constructed of a lightweight, elastic material comprising a metal, a polymer, or rubber. Furthermore, the rounded, support objects are constructed of sufficient rigidity to be able to collectively support the distributed weight of a vehicle. The support objects of the present invention have a maximal diameter ranging from 20 mm to 150 mm. Generally, support objects with larger diameters correspond to larger vehicle tires. Furthermore, larger vehicle tires, such as for military vehicles, are preferably equipped with the alternative embodiment described above and shown in
Accordingly, the sensor detects pressure exerted on the sensor object 9 by contact with one or more support objects 1, as shown in
Alternatively, the sensor 10 can be similar to sensors described in related art regarding tire-monitoring systems. The sensor 10 can detect variations or loss of air pressure within the tire and transmit a signal to a computer, such as vehicle management system, to alert the driver of the change in air pressure. Alternatively, the sensor 10 can detect variations in air temperature within the tire that could result when the vehicle is traveling over extremely hot surfaces or when there is sufficient deflation so that the tire rim is in contact with the tire tread. The sensor 10 can wirelessly transmit a signal to alert the driver of deflation of the tire.
As vertical contraction occurs in a deflated wheel, the tread of the tire 80 is shifted to a level denoted by the dashed line âFâ and indicated by the upward directed arrow. Consequently, the plurality of rounded, support objects 1 and rounded, sensor objects 9 are collectively compressed, resulting in increased contact among the objects. The sensor 10 of the sensor object 9 detects the increase in pressure resulting from the increase in contact. Having detected a specific amount of pressure that corresponds to a specific amount of deflation, the sensor 9 transmits a signal to the driver of the vehicle of deflation within that tire.
The run-flat tire and condition sensing assembly of the present invention provides vehicle operators with a more efficient and safe alternative for run-flat tires. The support objects are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. With the decreasing cost of wireless transmitters and sensors, production of the sensor objects is relatively inexpensive as well. The present invention is also highly adaptable to various combinations of wheel rims and tires. Furthermore, the present invention allows for relatively easy installation and would not require major alterations to the either the vehicle rim or the tire. Most importantly, the present invention decreases the safety risks associated with deflated tires and allows a driver to safely drive with deflated tires to proper tire repair and changing locations.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing description of these embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Preferred embodiments were shown in the context of standard, pneumatic vehicle tires. In alternative embodiments, foam filled tires can be substituted for the present invention.