The invention concerns a device and a method for detecting a tire on a vehicle to determine whether there is a single or twin tire on an axle. The device has an optical sensor for this purpose, the sensor detecting at least one region of a rim on which a tire to be determined is mounted. An evaluation unit is also provided which is designed to determine a shape of the area of the rim from the sensor signals and to generate a signal from the shape which represents the type of tire.

The invention concerns a device and a method for detecting a tire on a vehicle to determine whether there is a single or twin tire on an axle. The device has an optical sensor for this purpose, the sensor detecting at least one region of a rim on which a tire to be determined is mounted. An evaluation unit is also provided which is designed to determine a shape of the area of the rim from the sensor signals and to generate a signal from the shape which represents the type of tire.

A tyre T for adaptively adjusting to the tyre's rolling conditions, the tyre T comprising first and second side walls (1, 2) with a contact wall (3) extending therebetween and a heater 7 for heating one or more of the first side wall (1), second side wall (2) and contact wall (3), wherein plural chambers (4, 5, 6) are defined within the tyre T, at least one of the plural chambers (4, 6) being selectively inflatable for altering the external shape of the first side wall (1), second side wall (2) and/or contact wall (3).

Tire assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment a tire insert assembly includes an elastomeric tire insert constructed to be received within a tire, the tire having sidewalls and a tread portion. An upper crown surface of the tire insert and a lower surface of the tire define an outer chamber and the tire insert defines an inner chamber. The tire insert may be configured to support a substantial portion of the sidewall of the tire when the inner chamber is inflated.

Tire assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment a tire insert assembly includes an elastomeric tire insert constructed to be received within a tire, the tire having sidewalls and a tread portion. An upper crown surface of the tire insert and a lower surface of the tire define an outer chamber and the tire insert defines an inner chamber. The tire insert may be configured to support a substantial portion of the sidewall of the tire when the inner chamber is inflated.

A rapid inflation system is provided for the tires of a machine such as an agricultural machine which must periodically move between field conditions and road conditions. The system can relatively rapidly inflate the tires from a lower field ready state to a higher pressure road ready state by the use of a high pressure reservoir chamber defined within the tire.

The present application relates to a tire (6) comprising: a tread portion (8) and side walls (10), said tread portion (8) and side walls (10) defining a main air chamber (12); at least two auxiliary chambers (14, 16, 18) formed in the tread portion (8); and an air transfer device (28) for transferring air between the main air chamber (12) and each of the auxiliary air chambers (14, 16, 18).

Vehicle systems and components are set forth, which aim to reduce rolling friction caused in part by the contact between the vehicle's tires and the ground surface over which the vehicle is traversing. These systems and/or components thereof may increase the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. In the examples provided, the systems and/or components change the tread contact patch of one or more tires during movement of the vehicle.

Vehicle systems and components are set forth, which aim to reduce rolling friction caused in part by the contact between the vehicle's tires and the ground surface over which the vehicle is traversing. These systems and/or components thereof may increase the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. In the examples provided, the systems and/or components change the tread contact patch of one or more tires during movement of the vehicle.

A multi air chamber tire 1 includes a tread portion 4, a pair of bead portions 2, a pair of sidewall portions 3, and partition walls 30 respectively provided to half portions of a tire which are defined with respect to a tire equator plane, the partition walls 30 partitioning an inner cavity of the tire to form a plurality of air chambers disposed adjacent to each other. Each of the partition walls 30 includes a first coupling portion 9a and a second coupling portion 9b coupled with a tire inner wall surface. When the tire 1 is filled with fluid, a first air chamber 20 is formed in a space inward of the partition walls 30 in a tire width direction, and a second air chamber 21 is formed in a space between a partition wall 30 and the tire inner wall surface of a sidewall portion 3.