WO2020154145A1

WO2020154145A1 - Tire structures including magnets and/or magnetically conductive material and related tire assemblies and tread monitoring systems

Info

Publication number: WO2020154145A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/013638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen W. BROOKS; Jesko Von Windheim; David Alan Koester; Daniel STEVENSON; James Barton Summers III; JR. Carl Ray PREVATTE; Michael STANGLER
Original assignee: Tyrata, Inc.
Priority date: 2019-01-22
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2020-07-30

Abstract

A tire may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire. According to some embodiments, the tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves, and at least one of the tread blocks may include a layer of a magnetically conductive material therein. According to some other embodiments, the tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves, and at least one of the tread blocks may include a plug therein, with the plug including a permanent magnet surrounded by a shell of a magnetically conductive material. According to still other embodiments, tread monitoring systems and tire assemblies are disclosed.

Description

TIRE STRUCTURES INCLUDING MAGNETS AND/OR MAGNETICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL AND RELATED TIRE ASSEMBLIES AND TREAD MONITORING SYSTEMS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/795,276 filed January 22, 2019, and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/882,436 filed August 2, 2019. The disclosures of both of the above referenced Provisional Applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to tires, and more particularly, to tire tread monitoring systems and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Currently, tire pressure sensors may be provided in vehicle tires. Such sensors may be used to automatically monitor tire pressure, and a warning (e.g., a warning light) may be provided to the driver when low pressure is detected. Other aspects of the tire, however, may require manual monitoring and failure to adequately monitor such aspects may cause issues relating to safety, tire life, etc. Accordingly, improved monitoring of vehicle tires may be desired.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of inventive concepts, a tire may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire. The tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves, and at least one of the tread blocks may include a layer of a magnetically conductive material therein.

According to some other embodiments of inventive concepts, a tread monitoring system may include a rollover structure, a magnet, a magnetic sensor, a layer of a magnetically conductive material, and a controller coupled with the magnetic sensor. The rollover structure may be configured to support a tire on a surface defined by the rollover structure, and the magnet may be adjacent the surface defined by the rollover structure. The magnetic sensor may be adjacent the surface defined by the rollover structure and spaced apart from the magnet. The magnet may be between the surface defined by the rollover structure and the layer of the magnetically conductive material, and the magnetic sensor may be between the surface defined by the rollover structure and the layer of the magnetically conductive material. The controller may be configured to generate information based on a magnetic field generated by the magnet that is coupled through the layer of the magnetically conductive material and through the tire.

According to still other embodiments of inventive concepts, a tire assembly may include a tire and a tread monitor on an inside surface of the tire. The tire may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, with the tread pattern including a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves. The tread monitor may include a magnet, a layer of magnetically conductive material, a magnetic sensor, a controller, and a communication interface. The magnet may be between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire. The magnetic sensor may be spaced apart from the magnet, wherein the magnetic sensor is between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire, and wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire. The controller may be coupled with the magnetic sensor, wherein the controller is configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor. The communication interface may be coupled with the controller, wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the information to a receiving device.

According to yet other embodiments of inventive concepts, a tire may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire. The tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves. In addition, at least one of the tread blocks may include a plug therein, with the plug including a permanent magnet surrounded by a shell of a magnetically conductive material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of inventive concepts. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating elements of a system used to measure tire tread according to some embodiments;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a magnetic circuit in an opposed system according to some embodiments;

Figure 3A is a schematic illustration of a magnetic circuit in a first adjacent system according to some embodiments;

Figure 3B is a schematic illustration of a magnetic circuit in a second adjacent system according to some embodiments;

Figure 4 is a graph illustrating a relationship between measured magnetic fields and tread depths for a Truck/Bus Radial TBR tire according to some embodiments;

Figures 5 A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a permanent magnet and an unmagnetized

ferromagnetic bar at different distances to show changes in field strength as the magnetic circuit approaches closure according to some embodiments;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tire including a magnetic plug in a tread block according to some embodiments;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tire with a magnetic plug on a rollover mat with a magnetic sensor according to some embodiments;

Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 are cross-sectional views illustrating tires including magnetic plugs according to some embodiments;

Figure 12 is a graph illustrating a correlation between tread depth and magnetic field measured using sensors according to Figures 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 according to some embodiments;

Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a tread monitoring device according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tire including a magnetic sensor according to some embodiments;

Figures 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views illustrating rollover structures according to some embodiments;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tire provided with a magnetic material according to some embodiments;

Figures 18 and 19 are views illustrating different orientations of the magnetic material of Figure 17 according to some embodiments; Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a rollover structure including Hall effect sensors according to some embodiments;

Figures 21 and 22 are cross-sectional views illustrating tires including magnetic plugs according to some embodiments;

Figure 23 is a graph illustrating a correlation between tread depth and a magnetic field measured using sensors according to Figure 20; and

Figures 24 and 25 are block diagrams illustrating elements of a rollover structure according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of present inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present/used in another embodiment.

The following description presents various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. These embodiments are presented as teaching examples and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, certain details of the described embodiments may be modified, omitted, or expanded upon without departing from the scope of the described subject matter.

The Hall Effect has been used for decades to characterize the electrical properties of materials, particularly in semiconductors. The Hall Effect is discussed by E.H. Hall in "On a New Action of the Magnet on Electrical Current," Amer. J. Math. 2, 287-292 (1879).

Characterization of properties of materials using the Hall Effect is discussed in "Test Methods for Measuring Resistivity and Hall Coefficient and Determining Hall Mobility in Single-Crystal Semiconductors," ASTM Designation F76, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 10.04 (2011). Instrumentation to make Hall Effect measurements has been in existence for years. More recently, basic Hall Effect sensing circuits have evolved at the chip level for use as magnetic field sensors. These low-cost chips are typically capable of measuring in the milli-Tesla range and may be easily integrated into standard Printed Circuit Board PCB designs.

Some embodiments of inventive concepts described herein may provide details regarding measurement of tire tread depth using one or more paired sets of sensing elements and magnetic materials.

Figure 1 illustrates a diagram of a system used to measure tire tread. In this system, the vehicle tire 111 may approach and roll onto (1.) the rollover mat 101 where tread measurements are made (2.). An image of a license plate of the vehicle may be captured and/or an

identification may be captured from in tire electronics (3.) using a vehicle recognition system 103, and this information may be used to identify the vehicle and/or tire (4.). The tread measurement(s) and identification information may be used to provide a tread wear report (5.) for/to a user (e.g., a driver/owner of the vehicle, a service technician, etc.) that may be provided via a user interface 105.

Some embodiment may be provided using a Magnetic Circuit (opposed) as discussed with respect to Figure 2.

Figure 2 provides a schematic illustration of a magnetic circuit in an opposed system using a rollover mat 201 (also referred to as a drive over mat). Note that the presence of a heavy steel belt 209 (such as those found in Truck and Bus Radial TBR tires) in tire 211 may tend to reduce/limit magnetic field penetration outside of the tire 211 and may interfere with system efficacy.

In Figure 2, a permanent magnet 203 with associated magnetic conductor 205 and sensor 207 are inside the tire 211, permanently attached to the tire liner. The magnetic field of this assembly may penetrate the steel belt 209 of the tire, extending into the surrounding space outside of the tire 211.

When the tire 211 rolls over a ferromagnetic (steel) mat 211 (i.e., the drive/rollover mat), it interacts with this field, closing a magnetic circuit. This interaction changes the field strength as measured by the sensor electronics 207 (also referred to as a sensor).

The degree of this interaction may be dependent on the separation distance between the plate and in-tire assembly, and hence the tread depth. Electronics inside the tire 211 (e.g., sensor electronics) may read the sensor and wirelessly transmit the reading to external electronics that compute the tread depth. Optionally, a unique identification ID may also be transmitted. The unique ID, or a license plate ID (e.g., captured optically by taking a picture of the license tag), may be used to pull archived data on an original sensor reading, and if required, tire make/model.

The magnetic conductor 205 can be a ferromagnetic alloy, or a rubber component impregnated with a ferromagnetic material such as Permalloy80 to realize the desired level of magnetic permeability.

According to some embodiments of Figure 2 (and Figure 13), a tire assembly may include tire 211, and a tread monitor including magnet 203, a layer of magnetically conductive material 205, a magnetic sensor 207/505 (e.g., a Hall effect sensor), a controller 501 coupled with magnetic sensor 207/505, and a communication interface 503 coupled with controller 501. Tire 211 may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, with the tread pattern including a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves. The tread monitor may be provided on an inside surface of the tire, with the magnet 203 between the layer of the magnetically conductive material 205 and the inside surface of the tire, with the magnetic sensor 207 spaced apart from the magnet 205, and with the magnetic sensor 207 between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire. In addition, the magnetic sensor 207/505 may be configured to detect a magnetic field between the layer of the magnetically conductive material 205 and the inside surface of the tire. Controller 501 is configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by magnetic sensor 207/505, and communication interface 503 is configured to transmit the information to a receiving device. Moreover, at least one of the tread blocks may include a layer of a

magnetically conductive material therein.

Some embodiment may be provided using a Magnetic Circuit (adjacent) as discussed with respect to rollover mats/structures of Figures 3 A and 3B.

Figure 3A provides a schematic illustration of a magnetic circuit in an adjacent system. Note that the presence of the steel belt 309 may complete the magnetic circuit. Heavy steel belts in TBR tires may make the system of this embodiment work more efficiently. A permanent/electro magnet 303 with associated magnetic conductor 305 (a magnetically conductive material) and sensor 307 are embedded in a rollover, non-magnetic mat 301. This assembly creates a magnetic field extending into the space above the mat 301.

As the tire 311 rolls over the mat 301, the steel belt 309 in the tire 311 interacts with this field, closing a magnetic circuit. This interaction changes the field strength as measured by the sensor 307.

The degree of this interaction is dependent on the separation distance between the mat 301 and steel belts 309, and hence the tread depth.

Electronics inside the mat 301 (also referred to as sensor electronics 307 or sensor) read the sensor and compute the tread depth. Optionally, in-tire electronics, such as a RFID (radio frequency identification) tag, can be interrogated by the drive-over system to be used for vehicle/tire identification.

The unique ID, or read license plate ID, may be used to pull archived data on the original sensor reading, and if required tire make/model.

The magnetic conductor 305 can be a ferromagnetic alloy, or a rubber component impregnated with a ferromagnetic material such as Permalloy80 to realize the desired level of magnetic permeability.

Figure 3B provides an alternative embodiment of a magnetic circuit (adjacent) system with a layer(s) of a magnetically conductive material 335 (such as rubber impregnated with ferromagnetic material, such as permalloy80) included in the tread block of the tire 331. The layer of the magnetically conductive material 335, for example, may be provided as a continuous laminated layer in the tread block(s), as a discontinuous mesh layer in the tread block(s), etc. By providing a discontinuous mesh layer, portions of the standard tire rubber/material may be continuous through gaps in the mesh layer, so that portions of the standard tire rubber/material may be continuous throughout the thickness of each tread block.

In Figure 3B, the permanent/electro magnet 303, the magnetic conductor 305 in the mat 301, and the magnetically conductive material 335 in the tread block(s) may provide a magnetic circuit (or portions thereof), and the sensor electronics 307 may be used to determine a thickness of the tire tread based on measuring the resulting magnetic field. According to some

embodiments, the magnetically conductive material 335 in the tread block(s) and the steel belts 309 of the tire 331 may both contribute to this magnetic circuit. In such embodiments, a layer of the magnetically conductive material 335 may be provided at a particular thickness/depth in the tread to provide a discrete indication that the tread has been worn to this thickness/depth when the layer of the magnetically conductive material 335 has been worn away. A plurality of such layers provided at respective different thicknesses/depths may be used to provide respective indications of wear to such thicknesses/depths as each layer is worn away.

According to some embodiments of Figure 3B, tire 331 may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire. The tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves, and at least one of the tread blocks may include a layer of a magnetically conductive material 335 therein.

The layer of magnetically conductive material 335 may include rubber impregnated with a ferromagnetic material and/or a powder of permalloy (e.g., permalloy80). The layer of the magnetically conductive material 335 may be provided as a continuous laminate layer across a width of the tread block, or the layer of the magnetically conductive material 335 may be provided as a mesh layer across a width of the tread block. A plurality of the tread blocks may include respective layers of the magnetically conductive material therein (e.g., first and second tread blocks may include respective first and second layers of the magnetically conductive material 335 therein separated by a tread groove).

Moreover, the at least one tread block may include first and second layers of tire material (e.g., rubber) without the magnetically conductive material on opposite sides of the magnetically conductive material. For example, the first layer of the tire material may be between the layer of the magnetically conductive material 335 and an inner surface of the tire, and the layer of the magnetically conductive material 335 may be between the second layer of the tire material and the inner surface of the tire.

The mats 301 of Figures 3A and 3B may include sensor electronics 307 implemented, for example, using a system similar to that discussed with respect to Figure 25. In such

embodiments, the magnetic sensor (Hall Effect Sensor) 1805 may be provided in the mat 301 between the magnetic conductor 305 and the tire 311/331, spaced apart from the

permanent/electro magnet 303 (which may alternatively be provided as an electromagnet or other magnetic source) as shown by the placement of the“Sensor Electronics.” As discussed with respect to Figure 25, other elements of the system may be placed in the mat 301 and/or outside of the mat 301. According to some embodiments of Figures 3A, 3B, and/or 25, a tread monitoring system may include a rollover structure 301, a magnet 303, a magnetic sensor 307/1805, a layer of a magnetically conductive material 305, and a controller 1801. Rollover structure 301 may be configured to support a tire 311/331 on a surface defined by the rollover structure, magnet 303 may be adjacent the surface defined by the rollover structure, and magnetic sensor 307/1805 may be adjacent the surface defined by the rollover structure and spaced apart from magnet 303. Magnet 303 may be between the surface defined by rollover structure 301 and the layer of the magnetically conductive material, and magnetic sensor 307/1805 may be between the surface defined by the rollover structure and the layer of the magnetically conductive material.

Controller 1801 may be coupled with magnetic sensor 307/1805, wherein controller 1801 is configured to generate information based on a magnetic field generated by magnet 303 that is coupled through the layer of the magnetically conductive material and through the tire.

Controller 1801 may be configured to generate information relating to a thickness of a tread of the tire based on the magnetic field, and/or to generate information based on the magnetic field being coupled through steel belts 309 of the tire and/or through a magnetically conductive layer 335 in tread blocks of the tire.

Figure 4 is a plot showing a relationship between measured magnetic field and tread depths, for a Truck Bus (steel belted) Radial (TBR) tire. Plots for two different magnet strengths are shown. Such a correlation may be used to determine tread thickness/wear based on a measured magnetic field.

Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a permanent magnet 551 and an un-magnetized ferromagnetic bar 553 at different distances showing field strength changes as the magnetic circuit approaches closure. In Figure 5 A, there is no ferromagnetic bar (i.e., the ferromagnetic bar is infinitely distant from the magnet, and the magnetic field is unaffected by the

ferromagnetic bar. In Figure 5B, ferromagnetic bar 553 is relatively close to magnet 551, and portions of the magnetic field are conducted through ferromagnetic bar 553. In Figure 5C, ferromagnetic bar 553 is very close to magnet 551, and substantially all of the magnetic field is conducted through ferromagnetic bar 553.

As discussed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/795,276 (filed on January 22, 2019), a magnet plug may be provided in a tread block of a tire tread. The disclosure of U.S.

provisional application No. 62/795,276 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a tire 611 showing a magnetic plug 613 (including discrete magnetic components) in a tread block 615 (between tread grooves 645). In addition, Hall effect sensor 617 may be provided on tire liner 619 on an inside surface of tire 611 in alignment with magnetic plug 613. As magnetic plug 613 wears down (i.e., thins) with tread block 615, a magnetic field generated by magnetic plug 613 may diminish, and changes in the magnetic field may be detected using Hall effect sensor 617 and used to determine a changing thickness of tread block(s) 615.

Some embodiment may be provided using a Magnetic Plug 703 (adjacent).

In some embodiments, a magnetic plug 703 (in a tread block) may be provided adjacent sensor electronics 707 in rollover mat 701 to measure a thickness of tread block(s) 715. Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a tire 711 (showing a magnetic plug 703 in a tread block 715) on a rollover mat 701.

In Figure 7, the magnetic plug 703 includes a small permanent magnet 703a embedded in a rubber shell 703b that is impregnated with a ferromagnetic powder such as Permalloy80, and the magnetic plug 703 is located in a tread block 715 of the tire tread 735 (with the tread including tread blocks separated by tread grooves).

A hall effect sensor (shown as sensor electronics 707 in Figure 7) is embedded in a rollover, non-magnetic mat 701.

The rubber shell 703b of the plug concentrates the magnetic field away from steel belts 709. And, since the sensor 707 and plug 703 are on the same side of the steel belt 709, interference from the steel belt 709 may be reduced/minimal with respect to the field experienced by the sensor 707.

As the tire 711 rolls over the mat 701, a field strength of plug 703 is measured by the sensor electronics 707. As the tire tread 735 and rubber plug 703b wear (thin) over time, a magnetic field pattern of plug 703 may become less concentrated in a fashion measurable by the hall sensor (provided in the sensor electronics 707).

Electronics inside the mat 701 (e.g., included in the sensor electronics 707) may compute the tread depth, based on the sensor reading. Optionally, in tire electronics, such as a RFID tag, can be interrogated by the drive-over system to be used for vehicle/tire identification.

The unique ID, or read license plate ID, may be used to pull archived data on the original sensor reading, and if required tire make/model. The mat 701 of Figure 7 may include sensor electronics implemented, for example, using a system similar to that discussed with respect to Figure 25 In such embodiments, the magnetic sensor (Hall Effect Sensor) 1805 may be provided in the mat 701 as shown by the placement of the“Sensor Electronics.” As discussed with respect to Figure 25 other elements of the system may be placed in the mat 701 and/or outside of the mat 701.

Some embodiments described herein may provide details of methods to measure tire tread depth using the Hall effect in conjunction with magnetic material integrated into the tread block of a tire.

A method/structure may be provided to detect changes in tire tread thickness by monitoring a change in magnetic field produced by a region of magnetic material integrated into the tread block of a tire as illustrated in Figure 8 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts.

• A Hall Effect sensor (also referred to as sensor electronics) 807 may be mounted to the inside surface of the tire 811, e.g., directly to the inner tire liner 819.

• A region of a tire tread block 815 (between tire grooves 843), directly in the same vertical axis (in the orientation of Figure 8) as the Hall sensor 807, is replaced with a magnetic plug 813 comprising a material providing a magnetic field. More generally, the axis through the magnetic plug 813 (including the material providing the magnetic field) and the Hall sensor 807 may be normal with respect to the surface of the inner tire liner 819.

• The wear of the tread (i.e., wear of tread block 815) over time results in a commensurate thinning of the magnetic material of magnetic plug 813 and reduction in total magnetic field as shown in Figure 11.

• The Hall Effect sensor 807 monitors and reports the change in magnetic field that may be directly correlated to a change in tread thickness as shown in the graph of Figure 12. Figure 8 is a cross section of tire showing the tire tread (grooves 843 and blocks 815), inner tire liner 819, and interior steel belt(s) 809. A magnetic plug 813 of magnetic material is mounted inside a tire tread block 815. A Hall sensor 807 is mounted directly below the magnetic plug 813 to provide increased/maximum sensitivity to the magnetic field produced by the magnetic plug. The sensor 807 may also be mated with any drive, sense, communication and/or power management electronics that may be useful to function in a wireless environment. The magnetic plug 813 may be provided in tread block 815 as a molded cylinder or plug of material.

As shown in Figure 9, the magnetic plug 813 may be provided as magnetic plug 813a containing magnetic particles. The magnetic particles may be magnetically aligned such that they provide a finite magnetic field observed by the Hall effect sensor 807 as shown in Figure 9.

As shown in Figure 10, the magnetic plug 813 may be provided as magnetic plug 813b containing discrete magnets. The discrete magnets may be stacked or they may be separated slightly. The discrete magnets may be fully encased in a rubber or plastic protective layer as shown in Fig. 10. As illustrated in the example of Figure 10, magnetic plug 813b may include a stack of 8 discrete magnets (black rectangles) that are separated by and surrounded by rubber and/or plastic.

In another embodiment, magnetic plug 813 may be provided as a solid metal cylinder containing aligned magnetic particles.

Magnetic plug 813 may be fully encased in a rubber or plastic protective layer.

Alternatively, magnetic plug 813 may be provided as a single large magnet.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of a tire 811 including magnetic plug 813a made of a rubber compound that contains magnetic particles aligned to provide increased/maximum magnetic field strength according to some embodiments of inventive concepts.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of a tire 811 including a magnetic plug 813b containing a discrete number of magnets aligned along a single axis with the Hall sensor 807 (with the axis being normal with respect to an inner surface of the tire 811) according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. Each discrete magnet may be isolated by and fully encapsulated in rubber or other protective material to protect it from abrasion and/or chemical attack.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of a tire 811 showing wear of the tire tread blocks 815 and erosion of the magnetic plug 813b according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. While magnetic plug 813b including discrete magnets is shown by way of example, similar wear may occur for magnetic plugs according to other embodiments (e.g., magnetic plug 813a including magnetic particles). With discrete magnets encased in protective material as with magnetic plug 813b, wear may result in exposure of an outermost one of the discrete magnets, but inner magnets may remain encased in the protective material. As the magnetic plug is worn down, a magnetic field generated thereby may be reduced, and changes/reductions in the magnetic field measured by Hall effect sensor 807 (also referred to as sensor electronics) may be used to determine thickness/wear of tread block 815.

According to some embodiments illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11, a tire 611/711/811 may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire.

Moreover, the tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks 615/715/815 separated by tread groves 643/743/843, and at least one of the tread blocks includes a plug 613/713/813/183a/813b therein, with the plug includes a permanent magnet surrounded by a shell of a magnetically conductive material. For example, the shell of the magnetically conductive material may include rubber impregnated with a ferromagnetic powder (e.g., Permalloy80).

Figure 12 is a plot showing a relationship between tread depth and measured magnetic field according to some embodiments of inventive concepts.

Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a tread monitoring device according to some embodiments of inventive concepts.

According to some embodiments, a tire assembly may include a tire and a magnetic material as shown in Figures 8-11, 21, and/or 22. The tire may include a tread pattern

surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, and the tire tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves. Moreover, a magnetic plug including magnetic material may be provided in one of the tread blocks. As shown in each of Figures 8-11, 21, and/or 22, the magnetic material may be provided in/as a plug of magnetic material mounted in the tread block, with a surface of the plug being exposed at a surface of the tread block.

In embodiments of Figure 9, magnetic plug 813a may include magnetic particles. The magnetic particles may be magnetically aligned, and/or the magnetic plug may include a solid metal cylinder with the magnetic particles therein.

In embodiments of Figure 10, the magnetic plug 813b may include a plurality of discrete magnets. For example, the plurality of discrete magnets may be stacked, and/or separation may be provided between each of the plurality of discrete magnets.

According to some other embodiments, the magnetic plug may include magnetic material provided as a single magnet. According to some embodiments of Figures 8-11, 21, and/or 22, a protective layer may encase the magnetic material of the magnetic plug. For example, the protective layer may include rubber and/or plastic.

According to some embodiments of Figures 8-11, 21 and/or 22, a tire assembly may include a tire 811/21112211 having a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, with the tire tread pattern including a pattern of tread blocks 815/2215 separated by tread grooves 843/2243. The tire assembly may also include a magnetic material

813/813a/813b/2113/2213 in one of the tread blocks.

The magnetic material include a plug of magnetic material mounted in the tread block, with a surface of the plug exposed at a surface of the tread block.

The magnetic material may include magnetic particles, with the magnetic particles being magnetically aligned. Moreover, the magnetic material may include a solid metal cylinder with the magnetic particles therein.

The magnetic material may include a plurality of discrete magnets, for example, with the plurality of discrete magnets being stacked and/or with separation being provided between each of the plurality of discrete magnets.

The magnetic material may be provided as a single magnet.

The tire assembly may also include a protective layer (e.g., rubber and/or plastic) encasing the magnetic material.

According to some embodiments of Figures 6-11, 21 and/or 22, a wear detection structure may be configured to support measurement of a tread of a tire. The wear detection structure may include a plug 613/703/813/813a/813b/2113/2213 of a magnetic material configured to be mounted in a tread block of the tread.

The plug of the magnetic material may include magnetic particles, which may be magnetically aligned. For example, the plug may include a solid metal cylinder with the magnetic particles therein.

The magnetic material may include a plurality of discrete magnets. For example, the plurality of discrete magnets may be stacked and/or separation may be provided between each of the plurality of discrete magnets in the plug.

The magnetic material may be provided as a single magnet. In addition, a protective layer (e.g., rubber and/or plastic) may be provided encasing the magnetic material. According to some embodiments of Figures 8-11, the tire assembly may include a tread monitor (shown as Hall sensor in Figures 8-11) on an inside surface of the tire. As shown in Figure 13, the tread monitor may include a magnetic sensor 505 (e.g., a Hall Effect sensor), a controller 501 coupled with the magnetic sensor, and a communication interface 503 (e.g., a wireless communication interface, such as a radio communication interface) coupled with the controller 501. In addition, a power supply 509 (such as a battery) may be coupled with the communication interface, the controller, and/or the magnetic sensor.

The magnetic sensor 505 may be a Hall effect sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnetic material (of Figure 8, 9, 10, or 11) through at least a portion of a thickness of the tire. The controller 501 may be configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor, and the communication interface 503 may be configured to transmit the information to a receiving device (such as a vehicle receiver or a maintenance system receiver outside the vehicle). For example, the communication interface may be configured to wirelessly transmit the information to a vehicle receiver in a vehicle using the tire, and/or to a maintenance system receiver outside the vehicle using the tire (e.g., in a service center, such as a tire service center). With a vehicle receiver, the information may be used by a vehicle control unit to generate a dashboard warning if low tread is detected based on the information. With a maintenance system receiver, an indication of tread thickness may be generated for use by service center personnel and/or the driver.

According to some embodiments, the information transmitted by communication interface 503 may include information regarding the magnetic field detected by the sensor. In such embodiments, the receiver (e.g., vehicle receiver and/or maintenance system receiver) may provide the information to a controller outside the tire that uses the information to determine tread wear and/or thickness.

According to some other embodiments, the controller 501 (in the tire) may be configured to generate information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 505, and the communication interface 503 may be configured to transmit the information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness to the receiving device.

According to some embodiments, the tire tread monitoring device of Figure 13 may be provided/manufactured separate from a tire, and then installed in the tire during manufacture of the tire or during installation of the tire on the vehicle. According to some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in Figure 2), the tread monitor may also include a magnet and a magnetic conductor (also referred to as a magnetically conductive layer).

According to some embodiments, the magnetic material/plug of Figures 8-11, 21, and/or 22 may be provided/manufactured as a wear detection structure separate from a tire, and then installed in the tire tread during manufacture of the tire or during installation of the tire on the vehicle. Accord to such embodiments, such a wear detection structure may be configured to support measurement of a tread of a tire, and the wear detection structure may include a plug of a magnetic material configured to be mounted in a tread block of the tread. Moreover, a protective layer (e.g., including rubber and/or plastic) may encase the magnetic material/plug.

According to some embodiments, the plug of the magnetic material/plug may include magnetic particles, and the magnetic particles may be magnetically aligned. For example, the magnetic material/plug may include a solid metal cylinder with the magnetic particles therein. According to some embodiments, the magnetic material/plug may include a plurality of discrete magnets. The plurality of discrete magnets may be stacked, and/or separation may be provided between each of the plurality of discrete magnets in the magnetic material/plug. According to some embodiments, the magnetic material/plug may be provided as a single magnet.

According to some additional embodiments, measurement of tire tread depth may be provided using one or more paired sets of sensing elements and magnetic materials.

According to some embodiments, a method may be provided to measure tire tread thickness as related to magnetic field strength sensed through the tire - using/requiring one or more elements internal and/or external to the tire:

• In-tire: Hall Effect sensor 1417 (or sensors) is (are) permanently mounted within the tire as shown in Figure 14, e.g., on an inner tire surface (e.g., inner tire liner 1419) of the tire 1411.

• External: A rollover structure 1561 shown in Figure 15 or a rollover structure 1661

shown in Figure 16 enclosing one or more of:

o Magnetic material 1565 mounted at or near a surface of the rollover structure 1561 where the tire 1411 contact will occur as the tire 1411 is driven over/on the rollover structure 1561. In Figure 15, magnetic material 1565 may be provide using magnetic material providing a permanent magnet. o Receiving electronics (a receiver) used to receive a signal(s) transmitted from the in-tire sensor 1417.

o Sensor hardware used/required to detect a vehicle

o Electronics (a processor) used to analyze the received signal(s)

o Transmitting electronics (a transmitter) used to transmit information to a user interface

o Power circuitry and/or components used to support the aforementioned electronics

• External: A user interface used to present measured data to the user

o The out-of-tire hardware may be triggered when a user’s vehicle is detected within a specified range of rollover structure 1561.

o Magnetic field measurements may be made using sensor 1417 and transmitted from in-tire to the receiver outside the tire 1411, for example, in rollover structure 1561.

o Analysis of measurements may take place within the rollover structure 1561 resulting in a thickness value, where magnetic field strengths may be directly correlated with previously established thickness values

o Transmission of the thickness calculations for each tire may be received by a PC or other electronic user device (e.g., a tablet computer, smartphone, etc.) used to provide thickness information to a user, for example, visually via an electronic display/screen.

According to some other embodiments, a method may be provided to measure tire tread thickness as related to magnetic field strength sensed through the tire - using/requiring one or more elements internal and/or external to the tire:

• In-tire: A Hall Effect sensor (or sensors) may be permanently mounted within the tire as shown in Figure 14, e.g., on an inner tire surface (e.g., inner tire liner 1419) of the tire 1411.

• External: A rollover structure 1661 shown in Figure 16 may enclose one or more of: o An electromagnetic assembly (including electromagnet 1665) mounted at or near a surface of the rollover structure 1661 where tire contact will occur as the tire 1411 is driven over/on the rollover structure 1661. o Receiving electronics (a receiver) used to receive a signal(s) transmitted from the in-tire sensor 1417

o Sensor hardware used/required to detect a vehicle

o Electronics (a processor) used to analyze the received signal(s)

o Transmitting electronics (a transmitter) used to transmit information to a user interface.

o Power circuitry and/or components used to support aforementioned electronics.

• External: A user interface used to present measured data to the user.

o The out-of-tire hardware may be triggered when a user’s vehicle is detected within a specified range of rollover structure 1661.

o Magnetic field measurements may be made using sensor 1417 and transmitted from in-tire to the receiver outside the tire 1411, for example, in rollover structure 1661.

o The electromagnetic assembly may be calibrated in order to maintain a specified and/or known magnetism (magnetic field)

o Analysis of measurements may take place within the rollover structure 1661 resulting in a thickness value, where magnetic field strengths may be directly correlated with previously established thickness values

o Transmission of the thickness calculations for each tire may be received by a PC or other electronic user device (e.g., a tablet computer, smartphone, etc.) used to provide thickness information to a user, for example, visually via an electronic display/screen

According to some embodiments of Figures 14, 15, and/or 16, a tire assembly may include tire and a tread monitor on an inside surface of the tire. Tire 1411 may have a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, with the tire tread pattern including a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves. The tread monitor may include magnetic sensor 505 (e.g., a Hall effect sensor), controller 501 coupled with magnetic sensor 505, and communication interface 503 coupled with controller 501. Magnetic sensor 505 may be configured to detect a magnetic field through at least a portion of a thickness of tire 1411.

Controller 501 may be configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor. Communication interface 503 may be coupled with the controller, with communication interface 503 being configured to transmit the information to a receiving device.

The receiving device may be a vehicle receiver and/or a maintenance system receiver, with the communication interface being a wireless communication interface configured to transmit the information to the vehicle receiver and/or to the maintenance system receiver. The information may include information regarding the magnetic field detected by the sensor.

Controller 501 may be configured to generate information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor, and the

communication interface may be configured to transmit the information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness to the receiving device.

According to still other embodiments of Figures 17, 18, 19, and/or 20, methods may be provided to measure tread 1944 thickness of tire 1911 as related to magnetic field strength sensed through the tire 1911 - using/requiring one or more elements internal and external to the tire 1911:

• In-tire: Magnetic material 1913 (e.g., a permanent magnet 1913a or 1913b) including one or more pieces mounted to an innermost surface of the tire 1911 (e.g., the inner tire liner 1919) at an angle zero or greater relative to the tire center as shown in Figures 17, 18, and/or 19. As shown in Figure 18, the magnetic material 1913a may be mounted inside the tire 1911 such that a lengthwise direction of the magnetic material 1913a is parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire. As shown in Figure 19, the magnetic material may be mounted inside the tire 1911 such that a lengthwise direction of the magnetic material 1913b is non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire 1911.

• External: A rollover structure 2061 shown in Figure 20 including/enclosing one or more of:

o Hall effect sensors 2017 mounted at or near a surface of the rollover structure 2061 where tire contact will occur as the tire 1911 is driven over/on the rollover structure 2061.

o Sensor hardware used/required to detect a vehicle.

o Electronics (a processor) used to analyze the measured signal. o Transmitting electronics (a transmitter) used to transmit information to a user interface.

o Power circuitry and/or components used to support aforementioned electronics.

• External: A user interface used to present measured data to the user.

o The hardware of/within the rollover structure 2061 may be triggered when a

user’s vehicle is detected within a specified range

o Magnetic field measurements may be made and transmitted from the rollover structure 2061.

o Analysis of measurements may take place within/at the rollover structure 2061 resulting in a thickness value, where magnetic field strengths may be directly correlated with previously established thickness values

According to some embodiments of Figure 17, a tire assembly may include tire 1911 and magnetic material 1913. Tire 1911 may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer

circumference of the tire, with the tire tread pattern including a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves, and magnetic material 1913 may be provided on an inside surface of the tire.

Magnetic material 1913a may include a block of magnetic material having a lengthwise direction, wherein the block of magnetic material is mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire.

Magnetic material 1913b may include a block of magnetic material having a lengthwise direction, wherein the block of magnetic material is mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being non-parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire. More particularly, magnetic material 1913 may be mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire. According to yet other embodiments, a method may be provided to measure tread thickness as related to magnetic field strength sensed through the tire - using/requiring one or more elements internal and external to the tire:

• In-tire: Magnetic material 2113/2213 may be embedded at one or more locations within the tread block 2115/2215 of a tire 2111/2211 as shown in Figures 21 and 22. In Figure 21, magnetic plug 2113 may be provided as discussed above with respect to magnetic plug 813 of Figure 8. In Figure 22, magnetic plug 2213 may be provided as discussed above with respect to magnetic plug 813b of Figure 10. According to other

embodiments, magnetic plug 2113 and/or 2213 may be provided as discussed above with respect to magnetic plug 813a of Figure 9.

• External: A structure shown in Figure 20 including/enclosing one or more of:

o Hall effect sensors 2017 mounted at or near a surface of the rollover structure 2061 where tire contact will occur as the tire 2111/2211 is driven over/on the rollover structure 2061.

o Sensor hardware used/required to detect a vehicle.

o Electronics (a processor) used to analysis the measured signal.

o Power circuitry and/or components used to support aforementioned electronics.

• External: A user interface used to present measured data to the user.

o The hardware of/within rollover structure 2061 may be triggered when a user’s vehicle is detected within a specified range of rollover structure 2061.

o Analysis of measurements may take place within/at the rollover structure 2061 resulting in a thickness value, where magnetic field strength may be directly correlated with previously established thickness values.

o Transmission of the thickness calculations for each tire may be received by a PC or other electronic user device (e.g., a tablet computer, smartphone, etc.) used to provide thickness information to a user, for example, visually via an electronic display/screen. In any of these embodiments of Figures 8-22, magnetic material may be provided as a single magnetic component/piece or as several magnetic components/pieces.

If multiple magnetic components/pieces are installed within the tire, each magnetic component/piece may have the same or different angle relative to the tire center and/or axis of rotation.

If multiple magnetic components/pieces are installed within an enclosure, each may have the same or different angle relative to the tire center and/or axis of rotation.

The region of a tread block containing magnetic material may be provided as a molded cylinder or plug of magnetic material that is embedded in the tread block.

The plug of magnetic materials may contain magnetic particles. The magnetic particles may be magnetically aligned such that they provide a finite magnetic field observed by the Hall effect sensor. Alternatively, the magnetic plug may contain discrete magnets. The magnets may be stacked or they may be separated slightly. They may be fully encased in a rubber or plastic protective layer. Alternatively, the magnetic plug may contain a solid metal cylinder containing aligned magnetic particles. The plug may be fully encased in a rubber or plastic protective layer. Alternatively, the plug may be a single large magnet.

In each of these embodiments, user identification may take place using camera recognition of a vehicle license plate, followed by look-up of vehicle meta data.

Figure 14 is a Cross sectional view of a tire 1411 showing a Hall Effect Sensor 1417 mounted on an inner surface (e.g., inner tire liner 1419) of the tire 1411. The sensor 1417 may be mated with a battery, electronics for measurement, and/or electronics for signal transmission.

Figure 15 a cross sectional view illustrating a drive over structure/enclosure 1561 with magnetic material adjacent 1565 (at/near) a surface thereof. Receiving electronics, sensing hardware for vehicle detection, analysis electronics, and/or enclosure power may be provided at/within drive over stmcture/enclosure 1561.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating a drive over structure/enclosure 1661 with an electromagnet 1665. Sensing hardware for vehicle detection, analysis electronics, and/or enclosure power may be provided at/within the drive over structure/enclosure 1661.

Figure 17 is a cross sectional view of tire 1911 with magnetic material 1913 mounted on an inner surface (e.g., inner tire liner 1919) of the tire 1913, where a lengthwise direction of the magnetic material 1913 may be parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire 1911. Figure 18 is a view of the magnetic material 1913a of Figure 17 on the inside surface of the tire 1911 mounted so that the lengthwise direction of the magnetic material is parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire.

Figure 19 is a view of the magnetic material 1913b of Figure 17 on the inside surface of the tire 1911 mounted so that the lengthwise direction of the magnetic material 1913b is non parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire 1911.

Figure 20 is a cross sectional view of a drive over structure/enclosure 2061 with a plurality of Hall effect sensors 2017 adjacent (at/near) a surface thereof. Sensing hardware for vehicle detection, analysis electronics, and/or enclosure power may also be provided at/within the driver over structure/enclosure.

Figure 21 illustrates a cross sectional view of tire 2111 showing a magnetic plug 2113 embedded in a tread block 2115.

Figure 22 illustrates a cross section of tire 2211 showing a magnetic plug 2213 (including discrete magnetic components) embedded in a tread block 2215.

Figure 23 is a plot showing a relationship between tread depth and measured magnetic field.

Figure 1 is a system diagram illustrating elements/operations that may be used according to embodiments discussed above with respect to Figures 14-23.

Figure 24 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a monitoring system using a rollover structure including a magnet.

Figure 25 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a monitoring system using a rollover structure including a magnetic sensor.

According to some embodiments illustrated in Figure 14, a tire assembly may include a tire 1411 and a tread monitor (shown as Hall effect sensor 1417 in Figure 14) on an inside surface (e.g., inner tire liner 1419) of the tire 1411. The tire 1411 may include a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, and the tire tread pattern may include a pattern of tread blocks 1415 separated by tread grooves 1443. The tread monitor (e.g., as discussed above with respect to Figure 13) may be provided on the inside surface of the tire as shown in Figure 14.

The tread monitor may include a magnetic sensor 505 (e.g., a Hall effect sensor), a controller 501 coupled with the magnetic sensor, a communication interface 503 (e.g., a wireless communication interface, such as a radio communication interface) coupled with the controller, and a power supply 509 (e.g., a battery) coupled with the communication interface, the controller, and/or the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor may be configured to detect a magnetic field through at least a portion of a thickness of a tire. The controller may be configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor. The communication interface may be configured to transmit the information to a receiving device, such as a vehicle receiver and/or a maintenance system receiver. For example, the communication interface may be a wireless communication interface configured to transmit the information to a vehicle receiver and/or to a maintenance system receiver. In embodiments of Figure 14, the magnetic sensor may be configured to detect a magnetic field from a roll-over structure of Figure 15 and/or Figure 16 (e.g., including a permanent magnet or an electromagnet) that may be provided in a service center, and the communication interface may be configured to transmit the information to a maintenance system receiver outside the vehicle.

According to some embodiments, the information (transmitted from the communication interface) may include information regarding the magnetic field detected by the sensor, so that thread thickness/wear is determined outside the tread monitor (e.g., in a vehicle controller coupled with a vehicle receiver and/or at a service system controller coupled with a maintenance system receiver. According to some other embodiments, the controller 501 may be configured to generate information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 505, and the communication interface 503 may be configured to transmit the information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness to the receiving device.

With a tread monitor provided on the inside of the tire as discussed above with respect to Figures 13 and 14, a tread monitoring system may be used as discussed with respect to Figure 24 together with Figure 15 and/or Figure 16. The tread monitoring system may include a rollover structure 1709, a communication interface 1703, a controller 1701 (coupled with communication interface 1703), a magnet 1705 (coupled with controller 1701 if the magnet is an electromagnet), and a detector 1711 (coupled with controller 1701), and a power supply 1713 (coupled with communication interface 1703, controller 1701, magnet 1705, and/or detector 1711).

The rollover structure 1709 may be configured to support a tire on a surface of the rollover structure, and the rollover structure may be further configured to generate a magnetic field at the surface. The wireless communication interface 1703 may be configured to receive information from a tread monitoring device (e.g., as discussed above with respect to Figure 13) in the tire on the surface of the rollover structure. The information may include information regarding a magnetic field detected at the tread monitoring device, information regarding tread wear of the tire determined at the tread monitoring device, and/or information regarding tread thickness of the tire determined at the tire monitoring device. The controller 1701 may be configured to process the information received from the tread monitoring device.

According to some embodiments, the rollover structure 1709 may include a magnetic material providing a permanent magnetic field at the surface of the rollover structure as shown in Figure 15. According to some other embodiments, the rollover structure 1709 may include an electromagnet providing a magnetic field at the surface of the rollover structure as shown in Figure 16. With an electromagnet, the detector 1711 may be coupled with the electromagnet, with the detector being configured to detect a presence of the tire and/or a vehicle including the tire, and the controller 1701 may be configured to turn the electromagnet on responsive to the detector detecting the presence of the tire and/or vehicle (e.g., to reduce power consumption when a tire is not present).

The controller 1701 may be configured to provide output for a user interface based on the information received from the tread monitoring device. For example, the output may include user output regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness of the tire, and/or the output may be provided by a wired or wireless interface for display on a screen of a user device. Moreover, the user device may include at least one of a smart phone, a personal computer, a table computer, and/or a laptop computer.

In the system of Figure 24, the various elements thereof may be provided inside or outside of the actual rollover structure of Figure 15 or Figure 16. For example, the

communication interface, controller, power supply, and/or detector may be provided outside of the rollover structure. Moreover, if the magnet 1705 is a permanent magnet, there may be no need to couple the magnet with either of the controller and/or the power supply.

According to some embodiments of Figures 17, 18, and/or 19, a tire assembly may include a tire 1911 and a magnetic material 1913 on an inside surface of the tire. The tire may include a tire tread pattern (tire tread 1944) surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, with the tire tread pattern including a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves, and a magnetic material on the inside surface of the tire may provide a magnetic field. According to some embodiments illustrated in Figure 18, the magnetic material may include a block of magnetic material 1913a having a lengthwise direction, and the block of magnetic material may be mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire as shown in Figure 18. According to some other embodiments illustrated in Figure 19, the magnetic material may include a block of magnetic material 1913b having a lengthwise direction, and the block of magnetic material may be mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire as shown in Figure 19.

The tire assembly of Figures 17, 18, and/or 19 may be used with a rollover assembly of Figures 20 and/or 25 including a magnetic sensor. In Figure 25, the tread monitoring system may include a rollover structure 1809 configured to support a tire on a surface of the rollover structure, a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) in the rollover structure, and a controller 1801 coupled with the magnetic sensor 1805. The magnetic sensor may be configured to detect a magnetic field from a tire (e.g., from a magnetic material on an inside surface of the tire and/or from a magnetic plug in a tread block) on the surface of the rollover structure. The controller 1801 may be configured to generate information based on the magnetic field from the tire detected by the magnetic sensor. In addition, a detector 1811 may be coupled with controller 1801, and a power supply 1809 may be coupled with communication interface 1803, controller 1801, magnetic sensor 1805, and/or detector 1811. The information may include information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 1805.

The detector 1811 may be configured to detect a presence of the tire and/or a vehicle including the tire, and the controller 1801 may be configured to generate the information responsive to the detector detecting the presence of the tire and/or vehicle.

The controller 1801 may be configured to provide output for a user interface based on the information received from the tread monitoring device, and the output may include user output regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness of the tire. The output, for example, may be provided by a wired or wireless interface for display on a screen of a user device (e.g., a smart phone, a personal computer, a table computer, and/or a laptop computer). In the system of Figure 25, the various elements thereof may be provided inside or outside of the actual rollover structure of Figure 20. For example, the communication interface, controller, power supply, and/or detector may be provided outside of the rollover structure. Moreover, the magnetic sensor 1805 may be provided as a plurality of magnetic sensors as shown in Figure 20 to increase the likelihood that the magnetic material of the tire is in alignment with one of the magnetic sensors as the tire rolls over the structure.

As used herein, the term magnetic material refers to a material that emits/generates a magnetic field that may be detected by a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor). For example, magnetic material may be provided as a permanent magnet that retains its magnetic properties in the absence of an inducing field or current.

In the above-description of various embodiments of present inventive concepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which present inventive concepts belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responsive", or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive", or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, "coupled", "connected", "responsive", or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another

element/operation. Thus, a first element/operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include", "including", "includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

The dimensions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Further, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or there may be an intervening element therebetween. Moreover, terms such as "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "above," "below," and the like are used herein to describe the relative positions of elements or features as shown in the figures. For example, when an upper part of a drawing is referred to as a "top" and a lower part of a drawing is referred to as a "bottom" for the sake of convenience, in practice, the "top" may also be called a "bottom" and the "bottom" may also be a "top" without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept (e.g., if the structure is rotate 180 degrees relative to the orientation of the figure).

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor (also referred to as a controller) such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry," "a module" or variants thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/or blocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of inventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tire comprising:

a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, wherein the tread pattern includes a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves, and wherein at least one of the tread blocks includes a layer of a magnetically conductive material therein.

2. The tire of Claim 1, wherein the magnetically conductive material comprises rubber impregnated with a ferromagnetic material.

3. The tire of Claim 2, wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises a powder of permalloy.

4. The tire of Claim 3, wherein the permalloy comprises permalloy80.

5. The tire of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the layer of the magnetically conductive material is provided as a continuous laminate layer across a width of the tread block.

6. The tire of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the layer of the magnetically conductive material is provided as a mesh layer across a width of the tread block.

7. The tire of any of Claims 1-6, wherein a plurality of the tread blocks include respective layers of the magnetically conductive material therein.

8. The tire of Claim 7, wherein first and second tread blocks include respective first and second layers of the magnetically conductive material therein separated by a tread groove.

9. The tire of any of Claims 1-8, wherein the at least one tread block includes first and second layers of tire material without the magnetically conductive material on opposite sides of the magnetically conductive material.

10. The tire of Claim 9, wherein the tire material comprises rubber.

11. The tire of any of Claims 9-10, wherein the first layer of the tire material is between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and an inner surface of the tire, and wherein the layer of the magnetically conductive material is between the second layer of the tire material and the inner surface of the tire.

12. A tread monitoring system comprising:

a rollover structure configured to support a tire on a surface defined by the rollover structure;

a magnet adjacent the surface defined by the rollover structure;

a magnetic sensor adjacent the surface defined by the rollover structure and spaced apart from the magnet;

a layer of a magnetically conductive material, wherein the magnet is between the surface defined by the rollover structure and the layer of the magnetically conductive material, and wherein the magnetic sensor is between the surface defined by the rollover structure and the layer of the magnetically conductive material; and

a controller coupled with the magnetic sensor, wherein the controller is configured to generate information based on a magnetic field generated by the magnet that is coupled through the layer of the magnetically conductive material and through the tire.

13. The tread monitoring system of Claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to generate information relating to a thickness of a tread of the tire based on the magnetic field.

14. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 12-13, wherein the controller is configured to generate information based on the magnetic field being coupled through steel belts of the tire and/or through a magnetically conductive layer in tread blocks of the tire.

15. A tire assembly comprising:

a tire including a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, wherein the tread pattern includes a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves; and a tread monitor on an inside surface of the tire, the tread monitor including, a magnet,

a layer of a magnetically conductive material wherein the magnet is between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire,

a magnetic sensor spaced apart from the magnet, wherein the magnetic sensor is between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field between the layer of the magnetically conductive material and the inside surface of the tire,

a controller coupled with the magnetic sensor, wherein the controller is configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor, and

a communication interface coupled with the controller, wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the information to a receiving device.

16. The tire assembly of Claim 15 wherein at least one of the tread blocks includes a layer of a magnetically conductive material therein.

17. A tire comprising:

a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, wherein the tread pattern includes a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread groves, and wherein at least one of the tread blocks includes a plug therein, wherein the plug includes a permanent magnet surrounded by a shell of a magnetically conductive material.

18. The tire of Claim 17, wherein the shell of the magnetically conductive material comprises rubber impregnated with a ferromagnetic powder.

19. The tire of Claim 18, wherein the ferromagnetic powder comprises Permalloy80.

20. A tire assembly comprising:

a tire including a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, wherein the tire tread pattern includes a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves; and a magnetic material in one of the tread blocks.

21. The tire assembly of Claim 20, wherein the magnetic material comprises a plug of magnetic material mounted in the tread block.

22. The tire assembly of Claim 21, wherein a surface of the plug is exposed at a surface of the tread block.

23. The tire assembly of any of Claims 20-22, wherein the magnetic material includes magnetic particles.

24. The tire assembly of Claim 23, wherein the magnetic particles are magnetically aligned.

25. The tire assembly of any of Claims 23-24, wherein the magnetic material includes a solid metal cylinder with the magnetic particles therein.

26. The tire assembly of any of Claims 20-22, wherein the magnetic material includes a plurality of discrete magnets.

27. The tire assembly of Claim 26, wherein the plurality of discrete magnets are stacked and/or wherein separation is provided between each of the plurality of discrete magnets.

28. The tire assembly of any of Claims 20-22, wherein the magnetic material is provided as a single magnet.

29. The tire assembly of any of Claims 20-28 further comprising:

a protective layer encasing the magnetic material.

30. The tire assembly of Claim 29, wherein the protective layer comprises rubber and/or plastic.

31. The tire assembly of any of Claims 20-30 further comprising:

a tread monitor on an inside surface of the tire, the tread monitor including,

a magnetic sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnetic material through at least a portion of a thickness of a tire,

32. The tire assembly of Claim 31, wherein the receiving device comprises a vehicle receiver and/or a maintenance system receiver, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to transmit the information to the vehicle receiver and/or to the maintenance system receiver.

33. The tire assembly according to any of Claims 31-32, wherein the information comprises information regarding the magnetic field detected by the sensor.

34. The tire assembly according to any of Claims 31-33, wherein the controller is configured to generate information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor, and wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness to the receiving device.

35. The tire assembly according to any of Claims 31-34, wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

36. A tire tread monitoring device comprising:

a magnetic sensor (505) configured to detect a magnetic field through at least a portion of a thickness of a tire; a controller (501) coupled with the magnetic sensor, wherein the controller is configured to generate information based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor; and

a communication interface (503) coupled with the controller, wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the information to a receiving device.

37. The tire tread monitoring device according to Claim 36, wherein the receiving device comprises a vehicle receiver and/or a maintenance system receiver, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to transmit the information to the vehicle receiver and/or to the maintenance system receiver.

38. The tire tread monitoring device according to any of Claims 36-37, wherein the information comprises information regarding the magnetic field detected by the sensor.

39. The tire tread monitoring device according to any of Claims 36-38, wherein the controller is configured to generate information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor, and wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness to the receiving device.

40. The tire tread monitoring device of any of Claims 36-39, wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

41. A wear detection structure configured to support measurement of a tread of a tire, the wear detection structure comprising:

a plug of a magnetic material configured to be mounted in a tread block of the tread.

42. The wear detection structure of Claim 41, wherein the plug of the magnetic material includes magnetic particles.

43. The wear detection structure of Claim 42, wherein the magnetic particles are magnetically aligned.

44. The wear detection structure of any of Claims 42-43, wherein the plug includes a solid metal cylinder with the magnetic particles therein.

45. The wear detection structure of Claim 41, wherein the magnetic material includes a plurality of discrete magnets.

46. The wear detection structure of Claim 45, wherein the plurality of discrete magnets are stacked and/or wherein separation is provided between each of the plurality of discrete magnets in the plug.

47. The wear detection structure of Claim 41, wherein the magnetic material is provided as a single magnet.

48. The wear detection structure of any of Claims 41-47 further comprising:

a protective layer encasing the magnetic material.

49. The wear detection structure of Claim 48, wherein the protective layer comprises rubber and/or plastic.

50. A tire assembly comprising:

a tire including a tread pattern surrounding an outer circumference of the tire, wherein the tire tread pattern includes a pattern of tread blocks separated by tread grooves; and

a tread monitor on an inside surface of the tire, the tread monitor including,

a magnetic sensor configured to detect a magnetic field through at least a portion of a thickness of a tire,

51. The tire assembly of Claim 50, wherein the receiving device comprises a vehicle receiver and/or a maintenance system receiver, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to transmit the information to the vehicle receiver and/or to the maintenance system receiver.

52. The tire assembly according to any of Claims 50-51, wherein the information comprises information regarding the magnetic field detected by the sensor.

53. The tire assembly according to any of Claims 50-52, wherein the controller is configured to generate information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor, and wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness to the receiving device.

54. The tire assembly according to any of Claims 50-53, wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

55. A tire assembly comprising:

a magnetic material on an inside surface of the tire.

56. The tire assembly of Claim 55, wherein the magnetic material comprises a block of magnetic material having a lengthwise direction, wherein the block of magnetic material is mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire.

57. The tire assembly of Claim 55, wherein the magnetic material comprises a block of magnetic material having a lengthwise direction, wherein the block of magnetic material is mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being non parallel with respect to an axis of rotation of the tire.

58. The tire assembly of Claim 57, wherein the block of magnetic material is mounted on the inside surface of the tire with the lengthwise direction of the block being non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire.

59. A tread monitoring system comprising:

a rollover structure (1709) configured to support a tire on a surface of the rollover structure, wherein the rollover structure is further configured to generate a magnetic field at the surface;

a wireless communication interface (1703) configured to receive information from a tread monitoring device in the tire on the surface of the rollover structure, wherein the information comprises information regarding a magnetic field detected at the tread monitoring device, information regarding tread wear of the tire determined at the tread monitoring device, and/or information regarding tread thickness of the tire determined at the tire monitoring device; and a controller (1701) coupled with the wireless communication interface wherein the controller is configured to process the information received from the tread monitoring device.

60. The tread monitoring system of Claim 59, wherein the rollover structure comprises a magnetic material providing a permanent magnetic field at the surface of the rollover structure.

61. The tread monitoring system of Claim 59, wherein the rollover structure comprises an electromagnet providing a magnetic field at the surface of the rollover structure.

62. The tread monitoring system of Claim 61 further comprising:

a detector (1711) coupled with the controller and coupled with the electromagnet, wherein the detector is configured to detect a presence of the tire and/or a vehicle including the tire;

wherein the controller is configured to turn the electromagnet on responsive to the detector detecting the presence of the tire and/or vehicle.

63. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 59-62, wherein the controller is configured to provide output for a user interface based on the information received from the tread monitoring device.

64. The tread monitoring system of Claim 63, wherein the output includes user output regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness of the tire.

65. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 63-64, wherein the output is provided by a wired or wireless interface for display on a screen of a user device.

66. The tread monitoring system of Claim 65, wherein the user device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a personal computer, a table computer, and/or a laptop computer.

67. A tread monitoring system comprising:

a rollover structure (1809) configured to support a tire on a surface of the rollover structure;

a magnetic sensor (1805) in the rollover structure, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field from a tire on the surface of the rollover structure; and a controller (1801) coupled with the magnetic sensor, wherein the controller is configured to generate information based on the magnetic field from the tire detected by the magnetic sensor.

68. The tread monitoring system of Claim 67, wherein the information comprises information regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor.

69. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 67-68, wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

70. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 67-69 further comprising: a detector (1811) coupled with the controller, wherein the detector is configured to detect a presence of the tire and/or a vehicle including the tire;

wherein the controller is configured to generate the information responsive to the detector detecting the presence of the tire and/or vehicle.

71. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 67-70, wherein the controller is configured to provide output for a user interface based on the information received from the tread monitoring device.

72. The tread monitoring system of Claim 71, wherein the output includes user output regarding tread wear and/or tread thickness of the tire.

73. The tread monitoring system of any of Claims 68-72, wherein the output is provided by a wired or wireless interface for display on a screen of a user device.

74. The tread monitoring system of Claim 73, wherein the user device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a personal computer, a table computer, and/or a laptop computer.

75. A method of monitoring a tire tread of a tire, the method comprising:

obtaining information regarding a magnetic field; and

determining a thickness and/or wear of a tire tread based on the information regarding the magnetic field.

76. The method of Claim 75, wherein obtaining the information regarding the magnetic field comprises obtaining the information based on a measurement of the magnetic field using a sensor.

77. The method of Claim 76, wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

78. The method of any of Claims 76-77, wherein the sensor is inside the tire and wherein the magnetic field is generated by magnetic material in the tire tread.

79. The method of any of Claims 76-77, wherein the sensor is inside the tire and wherein the magnetic field is generated by magnetic material in a rollover surface outside the tire.

80. The method of any of Claim 76-77, wherein the sensor is in a rollover surface outside the tire and wherein the magnetic field is generated by magnetic material inside the tire.

81. The method of any of Claims 76-78, wherein the sensor is in a rollover surface outside the tire and wherein the magnetic field is generated by magnetic material in the tire tread.