Intelligent tires for medium trucks. (Cover Story).The modern radial radial /ra·di·al/ (ra´de-al) 1. pertaining to the radius of the arm or to the radial (lateral) aspect of the arm as opposed to the ulnar (medial) aspect; pertaining to a radius. 2. medium truck tire has evolved to offer better tread tread injury to the coronet of the horse's hoof by treading on it by the opposite hoof, or by another horse when they are being worked in a team. If the coronary matrix is injured there may be a subsequent crack or deformity. wear, fuel economy, traction Traction Definition Traction is the use of a pulling force to treat muscle and skeleton disorders. Purpose Traction is usually applied to the arms and legs, the neck, the backbone, or the pelvis. and durability than ever before. Tire companies Manufacturer Country Est. Brands and Subsidiaries Aeolus Tyre China Alliance Tire Company Ltd. Israel 1950 Amtel-Povolzhye, Kirov; Amtel-Chernozemye, Voronezh Apollo Tyres Ltd. are constantly evaluating new designs and materials to give their customers better performance for their tire investment. However, regardless of new developments, there is one factor that greatly impacts a tire's performance. That factor is proper tire inflation. This article will discuss a new generation of tires that will make inflation easier to monitor, helping a trucking fleet maintain its tires better and reduce its overall operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales . The importance of inflation Inflation allows the tire to carry its load. When tires are run under-inflated, they cannot properly carry their rated load, and will result in tire damage or failure. In addition, low inflation impacts a number of other performance factors (ref. 1): * A 70 kilopascal (10-psi) loss in inflation, at a nominal 700 kilopascal inflation pressure, results in a 2% increase in rolling resistance Rolling resistance, sometimes called rolling friction or rolling drag, is the resistance that occurs when an object such as a ball or tire rolls. It is caused by the deformation of the wheel or tire or the deformation of the ground. . This translates to an increase of about 0.5% in fuel use for a typical tractor trailer. * This 70 kilopascal loss in inflation results in a 5% reduction in treadwear. * Over an extended running period, under-inflation will weaken the tire's structural integrity, reducing the ability to retread re·tread tr.v. re·tread·ed, re·tread·ing, re·treads 1. To fit (a worn automotive tire) with a new tread. 2. that carcass carcass, carcase 1. the body of an animal killed for meat. The head, the legs below the knees and hocks, the tail, the skin and most of the viscera are removed. The kidneys are left in and in most instances the body is split down the middle through the sternum and the vertebral . Intelligent tires Intelligent tires are tires that are able to sense and communicate useful information about their condition. In recent years, tire companies have worked to develop tires that monitor inflation pressure, temperature and have a unique identification number. In addition to these features, one familiar with tires and their usage can imagine many other parameters that would be desirable in an intelligent tire, whenever sensing technology could be developed to measure them. Many companies have based their intelligent tire development on the emerging radio frequency identification See RFID. (RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) A data collection technology that uses electronic tags for storing data. The tag, also known as an "electronic label," "transponder" or "code plate," is made up of an RFID chip attached to an antenna. ) industry, which uses a radio frequency signal to identify a product. A transponder A receiver/transmitter on a communications satellite. It receives a microwave signal from earth (uplink), amplifies it and retransmits it back to earth at a different frequency (downlink). A satellite has several transponders. , sometimes called a tag, replaces the printed bar code. Unlike a bar code, which must be seen to be read, an RFID transponder can be read whenever you are in range of its radio output. Goodyear's work on intelligent tires began when manufacturing engineers The profession of manufacturing engineer is defined as a person having the education and experience to understand and control manufacturing systems such as processes and/or automation, including industrial processes and equipment used to produce goods. , who wanted to use an ID for process tracking, met with design engineers, who saw benefits of a unique ID to truck tire customers. Many fleets brand their tires to track them through their life, as well as to prevent theft. An RFID would allow them to do this. Studies showed that the potential market would be much greater if pressure and temperature could be added features. So the challenge became to develop additional intelligence for the tire. Product development for the intelligent tire In addition to measuring pressure, temperature and ID, the intelligent tire must do so with the lowest life cycle cost. Performance and cost criteria are summarized in table 1. Analysis of these criteria led to the choice of "passive" technology, which does not require a battery with the transponder. A battery cannot survive the tire manufacturing process, adds significantly to the cost of a transponder and would probably not last the entire life of the truck tire carcass. In addition, it would require removal, or processing compromises, at the retreading stage. Passive technology Passive technology works when an inductor inductor, electric device consisting of one or more turns of wire and typically having two terminals. An inductor is usually connected into a circuit in order to raise the inductance to a desired value. coil in the reader (the device that reads the data) creates a radio frequency magnetic field. This field passes through space to the inductor coil in the transponder, creating a small voltage in the transponder circuit. This voltage powers-up the transponder, and sends a signal back to the reader, which interprets the data. A schematic A graphical representation of a system. It often refers to electronic circuits on a printed circuit board or in an integrated circuit (chip). See logic gate and HDL. of passive technology is shown in figure 1. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Passive technology contrasts with "active" technology, where a battery is attached to the transponder and supplies the power it needs. The biggest challenge to using passive technology in a tire is that the power at the transponder is limited by what can be sent from outside the tire. The FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. limits the power and frequencies that can be used. The RF signal must pass through the sidewall side·wall n. 1. A wall that forms the side of something. 2. A side surface of an automobile tire, between the edge of the tread and the wheel rim. Noun 1. , tread and, in the case of a radial truck tire, about 10 kilograms of steel wire comprising the carcass and belts. The energy reaching the transponder can be quite diminished. By having to power-up the transponder from outside the tire. there is less energy available. Generally, the read range is less than that of an active system, whose battery can power it to a higher level. Electronics development When this project began, commercial pressure sensors A pressure sensor measures the pressure, typically of gases or fluids. Pressure is an expression of the force required to stop a gas or fluid from expanding, and is usually stated in terms of force per unit area. A pressure sensor generates a signal related to the pressure imposed. required more energy than a passive transponder could provide. Therefore, a new sensor technology was required. In addition, there were no integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. capable of this task, so one would have to be developed in parallel with the sensor. Thorough design analysis defining key criteria for passive transponders for intelligent tires is summarized in table 2. Fortunately, electronics partners were found who could meet these needs. Case Western Reserve University's Micromachined Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) Tiny mechanical devices that are built onto semiconductor chips and are measured in micrometers. In the research labs since the 1980s, MEMS devices began to materialize as commercial products in the mid-1990s. ) program was the resource that developed the revolutionary sensor. Case developed a sensor that worked on the principle of capacitance capacitance, in electricity, capability of a body, system, circuit, or device for storing electric charge. Capacitance is expressed as the ratio of stored charge in coulombs to the impressed potential difference in volts. , which uses less power than existing sensors that are micromachined diaphragm diaphragm (dī`əfrăm'), term used to describe any of several large muscles, found in humans and other mammals, which separate two adjacent regions of the body. The most commonly known muscle of this class is the thoraco-abdominal diaphragm. devices, having variable resistances connected in bridge circuits. The capacitive sensor is micro-machined from a piece of silicon, using manufacturing technologies developed in the electronics industry. For the integrated circuit integrated circuit (IC), electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon. The circuit, often called a chip, is packaged in a hermetically sealed case or a nonhermetic plastic capsule, with leads extending from it for , Goodyear was fortunate to have an ongoing relationship with Phase IV Engineering, an RFID applications engineering firm that was founded to work on tire monitoring devices. In addition to the application engineering that they have done on this project, they assumed the development of the integrated circuit, as well. Factors for commercial acceptance Commercial success is comprised of more than just technical factors. Of course, the product must perform. Goodyear's intelligent tire is in its final stages of development, and prototype versions have been on the road in the U.S. and Europe for nearly three years, compiling com·pile tr.v. com·piled, com·pil·ing, com·piles 1. To gather into a single book. 2. To put together or compose from materials gathered from several sources: over 50 million kilometers. But the biggest success factor in the trucking market is a product's cost vs. benefits. Comparing the pricing of commercially available products (ref. 2) gives a perspective on the "cost" issue, summarized in figure 2. These products offer different features, so they cannot be compared directly. None is universally embraced, except in fleets with specific service needs. [FIGURE 2 OMITTED] How will the cost of intelligent tires compare? The early adopters will be technically progressive fleets, but this may not include the largest fleets, who face a large price tag to equip e·quip tr.v. e·quipped, e·quip·ping, e·quips 1. a. To supply with necessities such as tools or provisions. b. several thousand tractors and trailers. The cost/benefit analysis goes beyond the initial purchase and service life. As depicted de·pict tr.v. de·pict·ed, de·pict·ing, de·picts 1. To represent in a picture or sculpture. 2. To represent in words; describe. See Synonyms at represent. in figure 3, tire data are used throughout the tire's life. Analysis in table 3 lists the benefits in all areas. [FIGURE 3 OMITTED] Another factor in the commercial success of intelligent tires is the development of a "data infrastructure" to support them. Tire management software must be developed and adapted to capture this data and enable the fleets to make better business decisions. Today, the fleet management software business is highly fragmented, and many fleets use nothing at all. This is a place where computer consultants and the fleets themselves, using internal resources, will provide solutions. The variety of fleets and their practices also make the challenge of designing a reader system more complicated. Hand-held, drive-over, pass-by and on-board On board usually means to be traveling on some vehicle. For example, Baby On Board. Compare with overboard. Metaphorically, the term on-board is often used to refer to some piece of technology that is integrated in a moving vehicle, for example: Industry standards Industry standards are an issue with many products, including electronics. A well-known example is the Betamax vs. VHS (Video Home System) A half-inch, analog videocassette recorder (VCR) format introduced by JVC in 1976 to compete with Sony's Betamax, introduced a year earlier. . In the case of truck tires, standards are important to the customer because many fleets use tires provided by several tire companies. The fleet does not want to have a separate reader for each tire brand. As of this writing, there is no international standard for any RFID, let alone for tires. People implementing RFID typically work with one supplier to guarantee inter-operability. Establishing a standard is a difficult task. This author has participated in a work group to establish standards for intelligent off-the-road tires, sponsored by the Automotive Industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. Action Group. The work group, with representatives from OEMs, electronics firms and the tire companies, had the best intentions of reaching consensus. But the product being developed by tire company A was not compatible with the other firms' approaches, nor was the product of electronics company C, which had no guarantee of working in a tire. Each company was apprehensive about accepting another firm's solution, which might not work. In fact, this is the situation of standards on an international level. Countries can block a proposal that conflicts with product offerings made by local companies. However, as in the case of VHS and Betamax, once a product is introduced, customers will decide which protocol delivers the best value. And this will lead to a standard, even if it means combining features from two competing systems. The future Companies have been talking about intelligent tires for over ten years. Will they ever become a reality? External forces may accelerate their development. Congress has recently passed the TREAD act, which requires some type of inflation warning for vehicles. Companies are working on solutions, and awaiting the NHTSA NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (US government) interpretation of this act. Regardless of political pressure, there is every reason to believe that intelligent tires will be in the marketplace. There are just too many benefits to be gained. In fact, some "baseline intelligence" may become standard for every tire manufactured, much like the DOT code is today. Sophisticated sensors will be developed that can give tires a higher IQ, but there may be a limit to their value. Burdening customers with data, rather than real information, does not serve their best interests. The typical VCR VCR: see videocassette recorder. VCR in full videocassette recorder Electromechanical device that records, stores on a videotape cassette, and plays back on a TV set recorded images and sound. has so many features that few of us use them. A standard will be developed for intelligent tires, just like today there is a standard for wheel sizes. No matter how the intelligent tire evolves, and whatever the standard, this technology will definitely improve the way we interact with tires.
Table 1 - criteria for development of an
intelligent truck tire
Performance criteria Life cycle cost criteria
* Equal to existing products * Must be installed during
in durability and performance tire manufacturing; installation
after the tire is cured
* Electronics must withstand involves added costs
forces and impacts during
tire life * Must integrate electronics
into a single integrated circuit
* Electronic signal must
transmit through a steel * Battery must last life of tire
carcass RMT (radial medium
trucks) tire * Electronics must survive
retreading process
Table 2 - criteria for passive transponder for
intelligent truck tire
Criteria for pressure sensor Criteria for integrated circuit
* Minimum power requirements * Store a unique tire
- lower than commercially identification number
available sensors
* Convert the analog signals
* Ability to withstand of pressure and temperature
manufacturing temperatures to digital values
and pressures
* Modulate and send this
* Ability to withstand the data back to the reader
retreading process
* Electronic signal must
* Accuracy of [+ or -] 3% transmit through a steel
carcass RMT tire
Table 3 - benefits of intelligent transponder
Area Benefit
Manufacturing Track the tire through the production
process
Logistics Counting/verifying tires in shipping
and receiving
Electronic order processing
Inventory tracking
Eliminating mis-shipments
OEM Match tire, rim and vehicle to customer's
order
Production records
Customer Facilitate proper maintenance
Lower tire and fuel operating
costs
Reduce down-time due to over-the-road
failures
Better records of tire cost, service,
and mileage
ID gives theft deterrent
Track tire inventory
Retread/repair facility Track tire through retread/repair
process
Product development Allow engineers to obtain better
information about a tire's service
life
References (1.) "Heavy Truck Tire Engineering." Thomas L. Ford, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., The L. Ray Buckendale Lecture, Society of Automotive Engineers SAE International (SAE) is a professional organization for mobility engineering professionals in aerospace, automotive and the commercial vehicle industries. The Society is a standards development organization for the engineering of powered vehicles of all kinds, including , 1988. (2.) "Tire Pressure Monitors," Rich Cross, Commercial Carrier Journal. Nov. 1996. by Brian M. Logan, Goodyear Tire & Rubber |
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