CA1258913A

CA1258913A - Method of surveying, selecting, evaluating, or servicing the tires of vehicles

Info

Publication number: CA1258913A
Application number: CA000527225A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John S. Vanhoose
Original assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
Current assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
Priority date: 1986-01-27
Filing date: 1987-01-13
Publication date: 1989-08-29
Also published as: EP0232213A3; US4773011A; EP0232213A2

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION

A METHOD OF SURVEYING, SELECTING, EVALUATING, OR SERVICING THE TIRES OF VEHICLES

A method of optimizing the operation of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles by gathering data, and utilizing a computer (20). The data includes the number and type of tire positions per vehicle, the types of tires at each position and the cost of such types of tires. The computer (20) is used to optimize the operation by determining at least one of the following: the type of tire to be used at each position, the suitable tread depths for removal of tires from one tire position to another, a tire rotation sequence for the transfer of tires. This method further provides for gathering data by surveying a fleet of vehicles through the use of a portable hand held computer (50).

Description

A MET~OD OF SURVEYING, SELECTING, EVALUATI~G, .
OR SERVICING THE TIRES OF VEHICLES
_ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.
This invention provides a method for surveying, selecting, evaluating and/or servicing the tires of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles. More specifically this invention provides a method for developing a service schedule for servicing the tires of a vehicle by optimizing the operation of the types of tires used and the manner in which they are used through the use of a computer. Furthermore, this invention provides a method for gathering vehicle data, including tire data, for a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles through the use of a portable hand held computer in the field.
In general in the past when the tire needs or requirements of a vehicle were to be evaluated an individual or individuals would visually inspect the tires or in a large fleet only a sampling of tires.
The inspection may or may not involve some checking of inflation pressures an~ tread depth measurements. The time re~uired to inspect a vehicle manually could be quite time consum;ng and usually resulted with only a summary of the numbers of tires that needed to be replaced. Tkere was usually no evflluation as to how the tlres were currently being used such as the type of tires to be used, when a tire was to be removed and the rotation sequence once removed, nor was there a detailed tabulation or summary of every vehicle within the fleet. This was because the amount o ~ime and ffort was prohibitive. Furthermore, the measurement,s of the tread depths and the air ~ressure when taken manually can also be quite time consuming and can . ~. ..

result in errors either in reading or in transcribin~
to a data sheet.
It is accordingly an object of this invention to eliminate the deficiencies of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following is a brief description of the drawings in which like parts bear like reference numerals and in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic of a computer system to be used in accordance with this invention.
Figures 2 through 6 show various examples of displays on the CRT Eor operation processing. Each vehicle illustrated therein is viewed from the top, these displays are part of a program and data base copyrighted by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Figure 7 is a flow chart showing a procedure to determine a tire rotation sequence.
Figure 8 is a schematic oE a tractor trailer viewed from the top for showing the steer, drive and trailer positions.
~?igure 9 is a schematic of a portable hcLnd held computer to be used in surveying a vehicle in accordance with this invention.
Figures 9A and 9B are a schematic of two transducers to be used with the portable hand-held computer of Fig 9.
Figure 10 is a schematic of a vehicle viewed from ~he top showing vàrious tire positions.
SU~MARY OF THE INVENTION
This inventi~n provides for a computerized method for use in evaluating the operation, usage or selection of tires with respect to motor vehicles. This . . .
, , .

g~

invention may be used to evaluate only one vehicle or a whole flee~ of vehicles, such as trucking companies, cab companies, etc.
This method provides for developing a schedule or S tabulation for servicing the tires of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles. This iq accomplished by gathering and inputting data into a computer which optimizes at least part of the operation of the vehicle or the ~leet of vehicles. This can be accomplished by determining the optimum types of tires to be used, andlor the suitable tread depths for removal of tires from one position to another, and/or d~termining a tire rotation sequence for the transfer of tires. This method further provide3 for a method of perfonming a survey of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles by gathering some of the data required above through the use of a portable hand held computer. This data can be transmitted to a main data ba~e and when compared to subsequent data may be used to determine wear rates for various types of tires and for other stati~tical analysis.
It i5, therefore, an object of an asp0ct o~ this invention:
1) to provide an ana].y~is for selecting tires to be used on ~ vahicle~;

2) ~o provide an analysis illustrsting the effects of changing current operating practices such a~ the tire rotation~

3) to provide a schedule for servicing vehicles by determining at ~east one of the following: the type o tires to be used at each tire position, the suitable tread depths for remo~al of tir~s from one tire position to another, a tire rotation seq~ence for the transfer of tires~ -

4) to reduce ~he time and increase the accuracy ofanalysing a fleet of vehicles;

~.~
1~

~5~3

5) to provide a method, utilizing a hand held computer, of surveying a fleet of vehicles:

6) establish a tire data base for future tire performance projections and statistical analysis;

7) transmitting data to a main database for analysis.
Various aspects of the invention are as follows:
A method of ~electing ox servicing the types of tires used by a vehicle or a fleet of v~hicles comprising the steps of:
(a) accumulating for each vehicle type the following data: number and type of tire positions per vehicle, types of tires at each such position, and cost of different types of tireæ such as new and recapped and used tire carcasses;
(b) accumulating for each vehicle type any of the following daka in any combination: fuel costs, number of the cost of repairing flats, cost of changing tires, the average distance traveled, tread depths of such new and recapped tires, wear rates of such tires, number of vehicles for each type, current tread depth for removal of tires from each such position, current rotation sequence used for the transfer of tire3;
(c) inputting such data into a computer;
(d) determining with the aid of said computer based upon the data of stepæ (a) and (b) at least one of the following: (1) type of tire to be installed at each such tire positions for a vehicle type, (2) suitable tread depths for a vehicle type for removal of new and recapped tires from each position for transfer to another of such positions, or for recapping a first or second time, or for scrapping~ and (33 a tire rotation sequence for the transfer of tires for a vehicle type including at least one of the following, the transfer of tires from one vehicle position to another, the removal 5~3 4a of tires for recapping and reinstalling in one of such positions, and the removal of tires for scrapping; and ~ e) determining a service schedule for a vehicle type including at least anyone of the following, replacing, installing, transferring, recapping, rotating and scrapping such tires based upon said determinations oP steps (d).
A method of selecting or servicing the types of tires used by a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles comprising the steps of:
(a) imposing on a portable hand held computer means for each vehicle, vehicle data including type of vehicle, number of tires and recommended inflation pressure;
(b) inputting tire data into such portable hand held computer including means, including the actual inflation pressure, tread depth, type and SiZQ of tires Eor each tire at each position of said vehicle in a predete~nined sequence, æaid sequence being determined by the hand held computer means based upon the number of tires and the vehicle type;
(c~ repeating ~t2ps (a) and (b) for each vehicle type;
(d) accumulating for each vehicle type the cost of different types of tixes, such a~ new and recapped and used tire carcas~es:
(e) accumulating for each vehicle type any of the following data in any combination: fuel costs, number of the cost of repairing flats, cost of Ghanging tires, the average distance traveled, tread depths of such new and recapped tires, wear rate~ of such tires, number of vehicles for each type, current tread depth for removal : of tires from each such position, current rotation seguence used for the transfer of tires;
(f) inputting such data into a computer of steps (a) through (e);

. : :

~:~5~ 3 4b (g) determining with the aid of said computer based upon -the data of steps (a) through ~e) at least one of the following: (1) type oP ~ire to be installed at each such tire positions for a vehicle type, (2) suitable tread depths for a vehicle type for removal of new and recapped tires ~rom each position for transfer to another of such positions, or for recapping a first or second time, or for scrapping, (3) a tire rotation sequence for the trans~er oP tires for a vehicle type including at least one of the following, the transfer of tires from one vehicle position to another, the removal of tires for recapping and reinstalling in one of such positions, and the removal of tires for scrapping;
(h) actuating said computer to tabulate and summarize the inflation of said tires; and (i) determining a service schedule for each vehicle type including at least anyone of the following, replacing, installing, transferring, recapping, inflating, rotating and scrapping such tires based upon said determinations of steps (d) and (h).
~ESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. A METHOD OF SEI~CTING OR SERVICING THE TYPES
OF TIRES USED BY VEHIC~ES
The method of selecting or servicing the types of tires used by a vehicle or a ~leet of vehicles in accordance with this invention includes accumulating data, inputting this data into a computer, and determining with the aid of the computer the types of tires to be installed at each position of the vehicle and/or how the tires should be serviced. This may include determining when a tire should be removed for transfer to another position or for recapping or for scrapping. This may also include a tire rotation sequence for the transferring of tires from one position to another, or for recapping and reinstalling, or for the removal of the tire for scrapping.

. ~

l~S13~3~3 4c The accumulated data may include overhead costs, vehicle d~ta, and tire data. The overhead costs may include such operating cost3 as the cost of fuel, the number of flats per year, the cost of repairing flats, and the cost of changing tires. The vehicle data may include the types of vehicles, such as automobiles, straight trucks, cabs, railers, etc., the average distance traveled per vehicle type, the number of tire positions per vehicle, the di~ferent typ~s of tire positions ~uch as steer, dr~ve, trailer, etc., and the ,~ .
"~'.. ~

~;2S~9~3 total number of vehicles for each vehicle type. The tire data m~y lnclude the types of tires, such as tlle si~e and/or brand type, currently used or to be considered to be used at each o~ the different tire positions, the cost o~ these tires, their tread depths and wear rates, and the cost of used tire carcasses.
The tire data may further include the tread depth at which ~ires are currently removed from each tire position and the current rotation sequence used for the transfer of tires. The types of tires may include new tires and those which have been recapped.
Once the data has been entered, the computer can be used to determine the cost of operating a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles. This cost can be used as a reference number in order to optimize the types o tires to be used. The operator may select a different type of tire to be used at one position, such as the steer position and actuate the computer to calculate the cost o~ operating a vehicle or a ~leet of vehicles in this manner. By comparing the operating costs of various types of tires, it can be determined which type of tire should be used at eacll tire position. In like manner, a different tire rotation sequence and/or different tread depth values may be selected. The computer then may be used to calculate an operating cost based upon thèse changes and compared with the previous cost. By comparing these operating costs, the optimum tire rotation sequence and/or tread depths ma~
be determined. With these known, a service schedule may be determined in order to remove, install, replace, transfer, recap, scrap and rotate the tires based upon these calculations.
Now, referring to Fig 1, a preferred computer system shown generally as reference numeral 20 may , ~L25~9~

include a minicomputer, having a central processing unit memory 21 and disk drives 22, a key board 23~ a display 24 and printer 25. A commercially marketable system currently is available using an International Business Machines P.C.-XT.
In the preferred embodiment the computer 20 will provide ror pictorial prompts for entering the initial vehicle data. Ini~ially a name, such as a fleet name, is en~ered into the computer through the keyboard 23.
A fleet description menu is provided for the different types of vehicles or flee~s of vehicles, such as straight, trucks, tractors and trailers, cars, vans, etc.
If the tractor menu is selecte~, the computer will provide prompts to build or model the fleet of vehicles. ~irst, the number of drive axles on the tractor is determined, Fig 2, then which axle is to drive the power unit or vehicle, Fig 3, and then the number of vehicles, Fig 4. Once the tractor modeling is complete, then the computer can be actuated to provide prompts to build or model -the trailers of the fleet associated with the first vehicle. First, the number and position of the axles is determined, Fig 5, and the number of trailers, Fig 6. This procedure can be continued for each vehicle type unt:il each has been modeled.
Now for each fleet of a given vehicle type, the following overhead data is to be entered into the computer. Usage, flats per year, vehicle miles per gallon, cost of fuel, average cost to fix each flat and the average cost of changing tires. IJsage, this is the average number of miles run per month by a vehicle.
Tire data must also be entered for each fleet. For the above example, there are three (3) different tire ~2~ 3 positions -- steer, ~rive and trailer. The types of tires used at each position may be new tires or tires which have been recapped a first or a second time. A
determination must be made as ~o which type of tire S wilL be used at each of these positions. Once this has been determined, the following data is entered with respect to each tire type: the si~e of the tire, the brand type, the cost of the tire, the wear rates and the initial tread depth of each type. The wear rate of the tire is the number of miles travelled for each 1/32 inch of wear of the tread.
Now referring to Figure 7, a tire rotation sequence is the path a tire takes from one tire position to another for reinstalling and/or recapping until the tire is eventually scrapped. The tire rotation sequence is determined for each type of tire at each tire position. This is done by first determining the type of tire to be used at each position as shown in block 26 and then at what point will the tire be removed fro~l this positlon. This may be determined by specifying that when the amount of remaining tread reaches a certain level the tire is to be removed as shown in block 27, Once the tire has been removed, there are three difEerent paths which it may take. It may be sold for its carcass or it may be transferred to another position to be worn out on or it could be recapped and reinstalled at another position. If the tire is not worn out, that ls there is enough remaining tread to operate safely, block 28, then it may be reinstalled at another tire position as shown in block 29. If the tire is worn out, then it is recapped for a first or second time or scrapped as shown in blocks 30 through 33. If the tire i5 recapped then it is reinstalled at another or same tire position as shown :

2 ~ 3 in block 29. A new determination is then made as to when the tire is to be pulled or removed, block 27.
This loop ls continued until the tire is eventually scrapped~ This is repeated for each tire at each position on the vehicle. This will result in a tire rotation sequence and/or a determination of the tread depths for the removal of the tiresO A tire rotation sequence wi~h suitable tread depths for the removal of the tires from each position of a tractor trailer is shown in Table 1, which is part of a program and data base copyrighted by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Compan~l.
Where the tread depth is in thirty seconds of an inch.

~2S~9~L~
g STEER ROTATION:
NEW STEER Tire - tread depth l9 tread used ln Steer Position 14 New Steer worn out on Trailer 3 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 CAPl TRAILER Tire - tread depth 14 tread used in Trailer Position 12 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 CAP2 TRAILER Tire - tread depth 14 tread used in Trailer Position 12 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 Remaining recappable Casing's Sold DRIVE ROTATION:
NEW DRIVE Tire - tread depth 19 tread used in Drive Position 12 New Drive worn out on Trailer 5 Remaining tread i9 ........................... 2.
CAPl TRAILER Tire - tread depth 14 tread uæecl in Trailer Position 12 Remai.ning tread i8 .......................... 2 CAP2 TRAILER Tire - tread depth 14 tread used in Trailer Position 12 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 Remaining recappable Casing' 9 Sold TRAILER ROTATION:
NEW TRAILER Tire - tread depth 19 tread used in Trailer Position 17 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 CAPl TRAILER Tire - tread depth 14 tread used in Trailer Position 12 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 CAP2 TRAILER Tire - tread depth 14 tread used in Trailer Position 12 Remaining tread is ........................... 2 Remaining recappable Casing's Sold .~ ~

125i8~3 Table l corresponds to the trac~or 34 and trailer 35 as shown in Figure 8. Initially in this case each tire located at the steer 36 and drive 37 positions of the tractor 34 and the trailer positions 38, of the trailer 35 will be new tires. Once the steer tires 40 have been worn 14t3~" the tires will be pulled to be reinstalled at one of the trailer positions 38, where it will be used until 2/32" of tread depth remain, at which point it will be recapped for the first time.
The tires 40 then will be reinstalled at one of the trailer positions 38 until worn out. The tire then will be recapped a second time and reinstalled at one of the trailer positions 38. The new drive tires 41 will be worn until 7/32" of tread depth remain at which point they will be pulled for installation at one of the trailer positions 38 until the remaining tread depth is 2/32". AEterwards the tires l~l will be pulled and used at one o the trailer positions until they are worn out aEter the second recapping as the steer 40 tires were. In like manner the new trailer tires 42 will be used at a trailer position 38 until they have been recapped twice.
After all the data has been entered, the computer is actuated to calculate an annual cost based on such ~5 data per vehicle or for the fleet. This cost may be optimized by substituting different types of tires for the original ones and changing data associated with these tires such as the wear rate, tread depth and cost data. The computer is actuated again to calculate a cost based on this new data and it is compared with the previous cost. Different tires may be substituted until the operating cost has been optimized. The rotation sequence may also be changed and the computer actuated to calculate the operating cost based on these . .

~2~ 3 changes until the operating cost has been optimized.
In like manner the depth at which a tire is removed Erom a posi~ion may be changed and the associated opera~ing cost~determined until suitable tread depths have been determined. The type of tires, the tread depths and the rotation sequence may either be modified one at a time or in combination. By lowering the operating cost the fleet operation is optimi~ed. Once this has been determined the computer is actuated to either store and/or print the tabularized schedule indicating the type of tires to be used, the number of replacement tires required at each position over a period of time, the tread depths for the removal from vehicle pos;tions and the rotation sequence to be used once the tire has been removed. The computer may also project when these tires are to be removed for rotating, recapping or scrapping. By using this schedule to remove, replace, rotate, recap or scrap the tires, the operation of the fleet will be optimized and thereby lower operations costs.
II. A TIRE SURVEY - ~n E~ample for Accumulating Data The method o selecting or servicing the types o~
tires used by a vehicle or a fleet o:E vehicles described herein requires the gathering of information including vehicle and tire data. This data may be gathered from service and purchase records or from the owner and/or operator o the vehicles. However, the following is a method for determining at least some of this data by surveying the fleet or a portion thereof.
, Fig 9 of the drawings illustrates a portable hand held computer device for performing a tire survey of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles and is shown generally by numeral 50. The portable hand held computer 50 is provided for use by an individual to assist him in ,. ~ .

5 8 ~ 3 ga~hering information. The portable han(3 held computer 50 includes an alphanumeric display means, a memory means and a data ent~y means. The alphanumeric display means, ~enerally des gnated as numeral 51, enables an individual to display information to assist him in accomplishing his tasks and ~o verify the entered data The memory means (not shown) contains a control program, coded data and a data storage means for temporarily storing data. The data entry means 52, which may be a keyboard, provides for entering data either as coded data or non-coded data into the hand held computer. The data storage means provides for storing the entered data. A portable electrical power means, such as a battery, is also included for supplying electrical power to the various components.
A control means is used to control and monitor the various components for transferring data into the storage means, for displaying information on the display means 51 and for transferring data from the storage means.
The portable hand helcl computer has an output means 53 for transferring stored data to an external device, such as the computer 20 of Figure 1. It also has an input means Sl~ for receiving electrical signals from an external device although the input 54 and output 53 means may be combined to form one input/output port.
These devices may send analog signals which may have to be converted to digital signals. Two such devices are a means 55 forimeasuring the air inflation pressure of the tire and a means 56 such as a pressure transducer for measuring the tread depth of the tires as shown in Fig 9B and 9A respectively. Either devices, 55 or 56, may be interfaced to the input means 54 by a cable 57 attached at one end 58 to a connector 59 on each ~ 3 device. The other end 60 of the cable 57 attaches to the input means 54. A commercially available hand held computer means 50, such as the "Portable Tele-Transaction Computer", "PTC 701", is available from Telxon Corporation, 3330 W Market Street, Akron, Ohio.
The tire survey of each vehicle is begun by entering vehicle data, including the type of vehlcle and the number of tires, into the por~able hand held computer. Each tractor, trailer, dolly, etc., is considered a separate vehicle. The hand held computer has nine types of vehicles stored in memory corresponding to a number code. After the hand held computer 50 has provided a prompt on the disp~ay means such as "VEHICLE TYPE" the corresponding code m]mber for the vehicle type is entered instead of the literal vehicle. The types o vehicles and -the code numbers are:

1 - Car 2 - Van 3 - Truck 4 - Dump Truck 5 - Cab Over Tractor 6 - Conventional Tractor 7 - Trailer

8 - Dolly

9 - Bus Other vehicle data may also be entered such as the vehicle identiication number, the manufacture of the vehicle, the odometer mileage and the hubometer mileage after a prompt from the hand held computer. Once the above information has been entered, tire data for each ,.~

.
.
:~ .

5~9 ~ 3 tire at each position on the vehicle is entered into the hand held computer.
The sequence or order in which the tire data is obtained for each tire at each position is determined by the hand held computer 50 based upon the vehicle type code and the number of tires. The computer wi.ll display on the alphanumeric display means 51 prompts, such as LF (left front) for guiding the individual in the sequence determined by the computer around the vehicle. Once all the tire data for a tire has been entered the computer will provide the next prompt corresponding to the tire data of the next tire to be entered. Table 2 shows the difierent sequences with the corresponding prompts for various combinations of vehicle type codes and the number of tires on the vehicle. Table 3 provides a definition for each prompt of Table 2 and a reference number corresponding to a tire position of a vehicle 61 illustrated in Figure 10.
The vehicle 61 as shown illustrates a vehicle having the maximum tire positions of 14.

., , . .

. . .

5 ~ ~ 3 No. of Type of Prompts Tire Vehicle Will Be . .
=2 LF RF
=4 LESS T~N 4 LF LR RR RF
=4 GREATER T~N 3 LRO LRI RRO RRI
=6 -4 LCO LRO LRI RRO RRI RCO
=6 =9 LCO LCI LRO RRO RCO RCI
=6 NOT 4 OR 9 LF LRO LRI RRO RRI RF
=8 =4 LF LCO LRO LRI RRO RRI
RCO RF
=8 =9 LF LCO LCI LRO RRO RCO
RCI RF
=8 NOT 4 OR 9 LCO LCI LRO I,RI RRO
RRI RCO RCI
=10 =4 LFO I.CO LCI LRO I.RI RP~O
RRI RCO RCI RFO

-10 NOT 4 LF LCO LCI LRO LRI RRO
RRI RCO RCI R.F
=12 =L LF LFO LCO I.CI LRO LRI
RRO RRI RCO RCI RFO RF
=12 NOT 4 LFO LFI LCO LCI LRO LRI
RRO RRI RCO RCI RFO RFI
=14 LF LFO LFI LCO LCI LRO
LRI RRO RRI RCO RCI RFO
RFI RF

Prompt D cription Reference Number LF = LEFT FRONT 62 LR = LEFT REAR --LRI = LEFT REAR IN 68 LRO = LEFT REAR OUT 67 LFO = LEFT FRONT OUT 63 LCI = LEFT CENTER IN 66 LCO = LEFT CENTER OUT 65 LPO = LEFT FRONT IN 64 RF = RIGHT FRONT 75 RR = RIGHT REAR --RRI = RIGHT REAR IN 70 RRO = RIGHT REAR OUT 69 RFO = RIGHT FRONT OUT 73 RFI = RIGHT FRONT IN 74 RCO = RIGHT CENTER OUT 71 RCI = RIGHT CENTER IN 72 "

89~3 -17~
The ~ire data to be obtained for each tire includes such data as the recommended inflation pressure and the tread depth of each tire. The tire data may also include such data as the type and/or size of ~he tire bead data, tread data 9 sidewall data, and valve cap data.
The tire data and mos~ of the vehicle data may be entered into the hand held computer either directly as literal non-coded data or as coded data. In the preferred embodiment, some data will be prestored in memory corresponding to coded data while some memory location corresponding to coded data will be clear.
This will allow the operation to enter coded data in place of non-coded data if available. It will also allow the operator to enter data as literal non-coded data to be stored in a clear memory location one ~ime and from that point on the individual will be able to enter the same data by using the corresponding coded data. This provides flexibility by allowing the indlvidual to build his own list of data for each survey. Tables 4 through 7 il].ustrate tread, sidewall, bead, and valve cap data stored in memory with a corresponding code while Tabl.e 8 illustrates having some data, for example, manu~acturers of vehicles, stored in memory with some empty ]ocations to be used by the individual to build his own list through the control program.

, ~, ~L~S~ 3 TREAD DATA

1 = OK
2 = CHAMFER WEAR
3 = RIVER/EROSION
4 = ERRATIC DEPRESSED WEAR
5 = CUT
6 ? = WIPEOUT
7 = HEEL & TOE
8 = GROOVE CRACK
9 = RIB TEAR
10 = OEIIP/CHUNK

11 = STONE DRILLING

12 = FULL SHLDR WEAR

13 - BRLT EDGE SEP

14 = HIGH/LOW ECCENTRIC OUT OF ROUND

15 = BASE LIJG CRACK

16 = CUPPING

17 = FOREIGN OBJECT

18 = FEATHER WEAR (TOE)

19 = ONE SIDED WEAR

20 = ALTERNATE LUG WEAR

21 = BRAKE SKID

22 = SHOULDER SCUFFING

.... . .

.
, . : .

. . .

9~3 SIDEWALL DATA

1 = Og 2 = SNAG
3 = SHOULDER SPLIT

5 = CUT
6 = RADIAL CRAC~ING
7 = BRANDING
8 a WEATUERING
9 = SIDEWALL DIAGONAL CRACKING

, . .

` .... ~ ., ,.. : :

-~

. ' ' ' ~

~'~S~3 BEAD DATA

1 = OK
2 = FLOW CRACKING
3 = CHIPPER SEPARATION
4 = PLY END SEPARATION
5 = CUT
6 = P~DIAL CRACKING
7 = CHAFING
8 = WEATHERING
9 = PLY BASE BREAK

, .~ .

.

5 8~ ~ 3 VALVE CAP DATA

1 = STEEI.
2 = NONE
3 = PLASTIC
4 = UNAVAILABLE
5 = NOT TAKEN
6 = METAL EXTENSION

9~ ~

MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLES

,1 = INT'L HARVESTER
2 = GENERAL MOTORS
3 = FREIGHTLINER
4 = CHEVROLET
5 = PETERBILT
6 = UTILITY TRAILER
7 = REO
8 = KENWORTH
9 = FORD
10 = MACK
ll = W~IITE

16 a 17 =~

,, 5 ~9

-23-Now again referring to Figure 10 once the vehicle data has been entered the tire data is entered. The tire survey starts at tire position 62. The hand held computer 50 will provide a prompt of LF TIRE SIZE. The individual will key in first a 1 and then the tire size such as llR24.5, thereby initializing the tire size code number 1 for that particular tire size. On any subsequent tires being this size the operator will only have to enter this code number. If, however, subsequent tires are different sizes then the individual can initialize the number 2 position, number 3 position and so forth as was done with the first one.
The next prompts will be LF Brand/Type, in whlch the brand or type of tire is entered as above by first initializing a coded position and then entering the literal name.
The computer 50 will provide prompts then for recording the recommended inflation pressure and the measured inflation pressure which may be followed by the tread, sidewall, bead and valve cap d~ta in which the coded numbers ar0 entered from Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. The tire pre~sure may be measured and manually keyed into the computer or may be measured using the pressure transducer 55, the cable 57 and the input means 54 of computer 50 as shown in Figure 9.
The computer may also provide prompts for measuring the tread depth of the tires. The tread depth of the first groove is measured at three different points and the lowest reading is recorded. This may be repea~ed for every groove on the tire. Once the tire data has been completed at this position 62, the computer 50 will provide the next prompt, which for vehicle 61 would be LFO TIRE SIZE, and the above sequence will be repeated for tire position 63. Once all the tire data has been ~2~8~3~3

-24-gathered at position 63, the computer will continue to provide prompts until every tire posltion has been covered. Other data which might be gathered at each tire position is the tread radius, the tire serial number, the construction number, the brand number, and additional notes on the tire or vehicle. Once all the data has been entered for this vehicle the procedure is repeated for all the vehicles to be surveyed.
The information gathered by the portable hand held computer is transferred to the mini computer 20 shown in Figure 1. The mini computer then is able to use this data for selecting or servicing the types of tires used by different types of vehicles. By taking another fleet survey at a later time and thereby acquiring a larger data base, the computer will be able to determine the wear rates for various types of tires used on this fleet. It may also be able to better determine the miles traveled by the fleet and if the rotation sequence and tread depth recommendations have been followed.
The minicomputer may also be actuated to tabularize and/or sum~arize the gathered data. It will be able to determine the number of tires which are properly inflated and those which are either under or over inflated and the projected cost in operating the tires in this manne'r. The computer will be able to determine the number of tires which must be replaced now and it could be used to determine how many will be needing replacement in the near future. The survey da~a will provide an up-to-date stat~s for each vehicle surveyed and thereby providing a current operating inventory.
With this data deficiencies~ as for example shown with the inflation pressures and/or wear, are brought to the owner and/or operator's attention for change, thereby improving his operation's operation and safety.

. .

~2S89~L3

-25-The data acquired during the fleet survey may also be sent to a main frame computer located at a remote location. This computer may receive data from numerous other hand held computers or mini computers. This will allow the main frame to acquire a large data base in which the wear rates or the performance of various types of tires can be determined or monitored. This data base may then be used to project future tire performances and other statistical ana]ysis.
These descriptions and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating this invention and that it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and/or modifications may be made ~herein wit~o~ut departing from the original spirit or scope of the invention.

. .
:, ~

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of selecting or servicing the types of tires used by a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles comprising the steps of:
(a) accumulating for each vehicle type the following data: number and type of tire positions per vehicle, types of tires at each such position, and cost of different types of tires such as new and recapped and used tire carcasses;
(b) accumulating for each vehicle type any of the following data in any combination: fuel costs, number of and cost of repairing flats, cost of changing tires, the average distance traveled, tread depths of such new and recapped tires, wear rates of such tires, number of vehicles for each type, current tread depth for removal of tires from each such position, current rotation sequence used for the transfer of tires;
(c) inputting such data into a computer;
(d) determining with the aid of said computer based upon the data of steps (a) and (b) at least one of the following: (1) type of tire to be installed at each such tire positions for a vehicle type, (2) suitable tread depths for a vehicle type for removal of new and recapped tires from each position for transfer to another of such positions, or for recapping a first or second time, or for scrapping, and (3) a tire rotation sequence for the transfer of tires for a vehicle type including at least one of the following, the transfer of tires from one vehicle position to another, the removal of tires for recapping and reinstalling in one of such positions, and the removal of tires for scrapping; and (e) determining a service schedule for a vehicle type including at least anyone of the following, replacing, installing, transferring, recapping, rotating and scrapping such tires based upon said determinations of step (d).

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
(f) performing at least some of the replacing, installing, transferring, recapping, rotating and scrapping of such tires based upon said schedule.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining the type of tires to be installed at each such tire position further comprises the steps of:
selecting a type of tire to be installed at each such position;
selecting for at least one such position at least one other type of tire to be installed;
actuating said computer to compare the types of tires selected at each position; and selecting a type of tire to be used at each position based upon such comparisons.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining suitable tread depths further comprises the steps of:
selecting a first set of suitable tread depths;
selecting at least another set of suitable tread depths;

actuating said computer to compare the sets; and selecting a set of tread depths for a vehicle type based upon such comparisons.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of determining a tire rotation sequence further comprises the steps of:
selecting a tire rotation sequence;
selecting at least one other tire rotation sequence;
actuating said computer to compare said sequences;
and selecting a tire rotation sequence based upon such comparison.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said computer has the capability of prompting and verifying said data and further capable of updating printing and displaying various portions of said data.

7. A method of selecting or servicing the types of tires used by a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles comprising the steps of:
(a) imposing on a portable hand held computer means for each vehicle, vehicle data including type of vehicle, number of tires and recommended inflation pressure;
(b) inputting tire data into such portable hand held computer including means, including the actual inflation pressure, tread depth, type and size of tires for each tire at each position of said vehicle in a predetermined sequence, said sequence being determined by the hand held computer means based upon the number of tires and the vehicle type;

(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for each vehicle type;
(d) accumulating for each vehicle type the cost of different types of tires, such as new and recapped and used tire carcasses;
(e) accumulating for each vehicle type any of the following data in any combination: fuel costs, number of and cost of repairing flats, cost of changing tires, the average distance traveled, tread depths of such new and recapped tires, wear rates of such tires, number of vehicles for each type, current tread depth for removal of tires from each such position, current rotation sequence used for the transfer of tires;
(f) inputting such data into a computer of steps (a) through (e);
(g) determining with the aid of said computer based upon the data of steps (a) through (e) at least one of the following: (1) type of tire to be installed at each such tire positions for a vehicle type, (2) suitable tread depths for a vehicle type for removal of new and recapped tires from each position for transfer to another of such positions, or for recapping a first or second time, or for scrapping, (3) a tire rotation sequence for the transfer of tires for a vehicle type including at least one of the following, the transfer of tires from one vehicle position to another, the removal of tires for recapping and reinstalling in one of such positions, and the removal of tires for scrapping;
(h) actuating said computer to tabulate and summarize the inflation of said tires; and (i) determining a service schedule for each vehicle type including at least anyone of the following, replacing, installing, transferring, recapping, inflating, rotating and scrapping such tires based upon said determinations of steps (d) and (h).

8. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
(a) performing at least some of the replacing, installing, transferring, recapping, inflating, rotating and scrapping of such tires based upon said schedule.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said portable hand held computer means for gathering vehicle tire data comprises, a housing;
a display means carried by said housing for visually displaying information;
a memory means having a control program and coded data wherein at least some of said vehicle data and tire data corresponds to said coded data;
a data entry means carried by said housing for enabling an individual to enter vehicle data either as said coded data or as non-coded data, a data storage means disposed within said housing for receiving data from said data entry means, an output means for transferring such data stored in said data storage means to an external device;
an electrical battery means disposed within said housing for providing a source of electrical power; and a control means responsive to said control program and electrically connected to said battery means and the other such means for performing at least one of the following, transferring such data into said storage means from said data entry means, for displaying information on said display means to assist an individual in collecting said data, displaying said inputted data, and transferring such data from said storage means via said output means;

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising at least one input means carried by said housing for receiving electrical signals;
wherein said data storage means further receives and stores such electronic signals from said input means; and a pressure transducer means capable of being electrically connected to said input means of said electronic means for measuring the pressure of a tire and providing an electronic signal corresponding to said pressure.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising a tread depth transducer means capable of being electrically connected to said input means of said electronic means for measuring the tread depth of such tires and providing an electronic signal corresponding to said tread depth.