Pirelli, Schrader prepare cyber tyre for launch
By David Shaw, ERJ staff
Geneva, Switzerland -Stephen
McClelland, managing director of Schrader Electronics said the partnership
between Schrader and Pirelli is already talking to car makers about introducing
its cyber tyre sensor on a limited scale in the next couple of years.
The sensor
is a tyre mounted unit and is currently being tested on a limited number of
high performance vehicles in the tuning
sector, operating at speeds in excess of 300 kph.
The cyber
tyre sensor comprises a sensor unit and a mounting capsule. The capsule is
fitted to the tyre as OE and a sensor is mounted within. When it comes to
replace the tyre at a later date, the tyre workshop fits a new capsule and
transfers the sensor across.
The
companies are currently taking to major vehicle makers about introducing the
senor as standard from around 2015 onwards.
Giorgio
Audisio, chief engineer at Pirelli's Tyre system unit said the system has been
completely redesigned in the last three years and is now nearly ready for
launch. Before the full launch the data
formats have to be agreed with the German VDA and other bodies.
McClelland
said the system offers added value to car makers and can deliver a wider range
of data than a conventional valve-mounted pressure sensor.
He said the car makers are currently deciding
which tyre pressure monitoring system to use after the new rules come into play
in 2012. He said his customers tell him that indirect systems do not meet the
EU standards, though this is disputed by Swedish company Nira Dynamics and its
parent, Audi.
McClelland
said car makers are today selecting direct systems based on valve stem pressure
sensors, and are discussing in detail the use of the new tyre mounted sensor
for introduction from around 2014 or 2015.
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