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 tire heating system for includes a wheel that may be attached to a vehicle. A tire is attached to the wheel and a charging unit is attached to the wheel. The charging unit produces an electrical current when the wheel is rotated. A heating unit is attached to the tire and the heating unit is electrically coupled to the charging unit. The heating unit heating the tire and the heating unit prevents ice formation on the tire.

A tire maintenance management device includes a travel environment obtainer and a maintenance timing determiner. The travel environment obtainer obtains a travel environment of a vehicle. The maintenance timing determiner determines a maintenance timing of a tire of the vehicle based on the travel environment obtained by the travel environment obtainer.

There is provided a computerized system comprising a processing unit and associated memory configured to obtain a three-dimensional dataset informative of at least part of a tread of a tire, and determine, using the three-dimensional dataset, data informative of tread depth of the tire.

A hand-held device for obtaining a three-dimensional topological surface profile of a tire includes: a base comprising an aperture; a light source arranged in use to generate an elongate pattern of light, and to project said pattern through the aperture onto a rolling surface of the tire; a detector arranged to image a region of the rolling surface of the tire; a plurality of pairs of guide wheels mounted on respective axles mounted on the base, wherein the guide wheels on adjacent axles are linked by gears; and a rotary encoder arranged to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of an axle.

A hand-held device for obtaining a three-dimensional topological surface profile of a tire includes: a base comprising an aperture; a light source arranged in use to generate an elongate pattern of light, and to project said pattern through the aperture onto a rolling surface of the tire; a detector arranged to image a region of the rolling surface of the tire; a plurality of pairs of guide wheels mounted on respective axles mounted on the base, wherein the guide wheels on adjacent axles are linked by gears; and a rotary encoder arranged to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of an axle.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for using multi-stage machine learning algorithms to optimize tire contact patches on a vehicle. Vehicle sensors first collect vehicle information for the vehicle, and input that data into a first machine learning algorithm. The first machine learning algorithm then outputs a lateral dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a diagonal dimension, which together identify a tire contact patch of at least one tire on the vehicle. The operator of the vehicle provides a human preference for how the vehicle operates, and a second machine learning algorithm is executed. The second machine learning algorithm inputs can include the plurality of vehicle information, the first machine learning algorithm outputs, and the human preference, and the second machine learning algorithm outputs can include a desired tire pressure of the at least one tire and an air suspension adjustment for the normal load of the vehicle.

A tire heating system for a vehicle, the heating system comprising an-electric power system configured to assume at-energy generating mode, an energy storage system electrically connected to the electric power system, a tire heating arrangement electrically connected to the electric power system and configured to heat tire of a wheel of the vehicle by electric power received from the electric power system, and control unit connected to the electric power system and to the energy storage system, the control unit comprising control circuitry configured to determine energy power absorption capability of the energy storage system; compare the energy power absorption capability with the electric power generated by the electric power system when electric power system assumes the energy generating mode; and control the electric power system to feed electric power to tire heating arrangement when the electric power generated in energy generating mode exceeds energy power absorption capability.

A device is disclosed, which includes: a charge portion with a plurality of piezoelectric elements embedded in a tire configured for a vehicle, a capacitor mechanically coupled to the tire and electrically coupled to the plurality of piezoelectric elements; a transmitter coil, mechanically coupled to the tire and electrically coupled to the capacitor through a discharge portion; wherein in response to an external radial pressure on the tire resulting from movement of the vehicle which causes a pressure on the plurality of piezoelectric elements, the plurality of piezoelectric elements produce an electrical charge on the capacitor, and wherein the discharge portion electrically connects the electrical charge on the capacitor to the transmitter coil to send electromagnetic power to the vehicle.

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.