In order to detect a road surface condition, a road surface condition estimation device extracts a detection signal of a portion that detects vibration in a tire tangential direction in a vibration detection and power generation unit which is in a ground contact section, for example, a vibration power generation element. In this case, it is identified that the vibration detection and power generation unit is in the ground contact section, based on whether a centrifugal force acting on the vibration detection and power generation unit is generated, or not, and it is identified that a time when no centrifugal force is generated is in the ground contact section. As a result, even if a pulse level of an output voltage of the vibration detection generation unit changes according to a traveling speed of the vehicle, the ground contact section can be accurately identified.

In order to detect a road surface condition, a road surface condition estimation device extracts a detection signal of a portion that detects vibration in a tire tangential direction in a vibration detection and power generation unit which is in a ground contact section, for example, a vibration power generation element. In this case, it is identified that the vibration detection and power generation unit is in the ground contact section, based on whether a centrifugal force acting on the vibration detection and power generation unit is generated, or not, and it is identified that a time when no centrifugal force is generated is in the ground contact section. As a result, even if a pulse level of an output voltage of the vibration detection generation unit changes according to a traveling speed of the vehicle, the ground contact section can be accurately identified.

A computer-program product, system and method for designing a tread pattern for a target tire. A device obtains a footprint of the tire. A predictive equation is created for tire tread spacing from values of scalable parameters related to footprints of a collection of tires. A target tread pattern is evaluated by applying the predictive equation to the target tread pattern. The target tread pattern for the target tire is selected based on the evaluation. The creation of the predictive equation and its use in evaluating the target tread pattern can be performed on a processor.

The prediction model includes the steps of calculating a surface area S.sub.1 of a control mold, measuring the force F.sub.1 for demolding from the control mold, determining first and second test specimens with respective surface areas S.sub.0, S.sub.0, measuring the force F.sub.0 for demolding from the first test specimen, measuring the force F.sub.0 for demolding from the second test specimen, calculating the ratio of S.sub.0 and S.sub.0 so as to define a test specimen surface area ratio R.sub.se, calculating the ratio of the force F.sub.0 for demolding from the first test specimen and F.sub.0 for demolding from the second test specimen so as to define a force ratio R.sub.fe, measuring the molding surface area S.sub.m of a mold to be measured and calculating the force F.sub.m for demolding from the mold to be measured such that F.sub.m=F.sub.1S.sub.m/S.sub.1R.sub.fe/R.sub.se.

A non-pneumatic tire includes a generally annular inner ring that attaches to a wheel, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web between the generally annular inner ring and the generally annular outer ring. The interconnected web defines a plurality of openings circumferentially spaced around the tire and radially spaced at varying distances from an axis of rotation, so as to support a load by working in tension. The interconnected web includes a plurality of web elements having a varying thickness, including a first plurality of web elements above the axis of rotation and a second plurality of web elements below the axis of rotation. The varying thickness is configured to facilitate buckling of the interconnected web. When a load is applied, the first plurality of web elements are subjected to a tensile force while the second plurality of web elements buckle.

Systems and methods for analyzing tread surface data to assess tire tread parameters, such as irregular wear characteristics of a tire tread, are provided. For example, tread surface data, such as a tread surface map, can be processed to generate a convex hull for the tire. The convex hull can approximate the convex outer surface of the tire. The convex hull can be used as a reference for analyzing the tread surface data. In particular, irregular wear zones in the tire tread can be mathematically concave relative to the convex hull. Comparing the tread surface data to the convex hull can reveal information indicative of irregular wear characteristics of the tire. For instance, the local depth of the measured tread surface data relative to the convex hull can provide a quantitative measure of irregular wear characteristics of the tire.

A tire damage detection method includes a preliminary stage comprising: performing tests involving test tire impacts against/on different obstacles at different motor vehicle speeds; measuring/acquiring test-related wheel speeds during the performed tests; computing test-related normalized wheel speeds based on the test-related wheel speeds; and determining a predefined tire damage model based on the test-related normalized wheel speeds corresponding to the test tire impacts and of associated test-related average wheel speeds. A tire damage detection stage comprises: acquiring signals indicative of a motor vehicle wheel speed; computing, based on quantities indicative of the wheel speed, a normalized wheel speed indicative of a ratio of the wheel speed to an average wheel speed indicative of motor vehicle speed; and detecting potential damage to a tire of the wheel based on the predefined tire damage model and on the normalized wheel speed.

A device for preventing excessive increase of an internal pressure of a rolling assembly, the rolling assembly having a rotation axis and comprising a wheel and a tire, the tire being mounted onto the wheel creating an inner cavity surrounded by a wheel internal surface and a tire internal surface, comprises a cold spot placed in the inner cavity of the rolling assembly for condensing vapor contained in a gas filled in the inner cavity.

A device for measuring the liquid level inside a tire that includes a stem of a tire pressure valve that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an isolated part between the electrodes, a power source, and an electric circuit. The stem is fixed to the rim of the tire in a way that the electrodes' upper parts protrude outside the rim and the electrodes' lower parts protrude inside the rim. The lower parts are immersed inside the liquid inside the tire when the tire pressure valve faces the ground. The electrodes' upper parts are connected to the power source and to the electric circuit that measures an electric property of the liquid between the lower parts of the electrodes, and the intensity of this property represents the liquid level and can be used for calculation this level.

A device for measuring the liquid level inside a tire that includes a stem of a tire pressure valve that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an isolated part between the electrodes, a power source, and an electric circuit. The stem is fixed to the rim of the tire in a way that the electrodes' upper parts protrude outside the rim and the electrodes' lower parts protrude inside the rim. The lower parts are immersed inside the liquid inside the tire when the tire pressure valve faces the ground. The electrodes' upper parts are connected to the power source and to the electric circuit that measures an electric property of the liquid between the lower parts of the electrodes, and the intensity of this property represents the liquid level and can be used for calculation this level.