Bridgestone and Continental to Join Forces to
Develop Advanced Tire-Pressure Monitoring System for
Commercial Vehicles
System promises to increase safety and reduce vehicle
maintenance costs
Nashville, Tenn. (September
22, 2004) – Bridgestone Corporation,
parent company of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
(BSAH), announced today that it and Germany’s
Continental AG have agreed to join forces to develop
an advanced tire-pressure monitoring system for commercial
vehicles. The two companies aim to begin mass-producing
the system in 2007, and they hope to position the system
as a global standard. Tire-pressure monitoring systems
could help enhance safety and lower vehicle maintenance
costs by alerting drivers to improper air pressure in
tires. Improper air pressure accelerates tire wear,
reduces fuel efficiency and can cause tires to fail.
The pressure-monitoring technology
that Bridgestone and Continental will develop together
centers on a batteryless module for installation on
the inside surface of tires. That sensor will detect
air pressure and temperature, and it will contain a
readable and writable ID tag. Wheel arch modules will
pick up the measurements and, at the same time, supply
energy to the tire module. The two companies will also
develop peripheral technologies to enable drivers and
maintenance personnel to monitor the sensor readings.
In the future, truck drivers will receive early warning
of any loss in tire pressure, thus helping to prevent
tire blowouts and to reduce the danger of an accident.
Optimum tire pressure at all times also cuts fuel expenses.
Bridgestone and Continental are both
leaders in advanced tire technologies and they will
subsequently demonstrate the system for global customers
to call attention to its technological advantages and
to cultivate demand. The system will be on exhibit at
the Bridgestone booth at this year’s Tokyo Motor
Show. That event opens to the general public on November
3.
Supplementary Information:
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Indirect Sensing
Indirect-sensing systems extrapolate the tire air
pressure from the rotational speed of the wheels.
Indirect sensing is less expensive than direct sensing,
but it has room for improvement in regard to detection
of pressure loss that occurs in all four tires simultaneously
and in regard to measurement accuracy.
Direct Sensing
Direct-sensing systems detect the tire air
pressure with sensors mounted inside or outside the
tires. Direct sensing is more accurate than indirect
sensing, but it is also more expensive. Most of the
direct-sensing systems presently on the market use
battery-powered sensors mounted on the inner or outer
surfaces of the rims rather than on the tires, and
few of them have an ID tag function.
Features of the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System under Development at Bridgestone
- Direct sensing with sensors installed inside the
tires for accurate measurements.
- Batteryless sensors that are smaller and lighter
than battery-powered sensors and that require no maintenance.
- Sensors mounted directly on the inner surfaces of
the tires, rather than on the rims, for increased
accuracy in measurements.
- Read/write ID functionality that allows for identifying
each tire.
- A wireless communication function that complies
with regulations in the world’s principal markets.
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered
in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company.
In addition to tires for use in wide variety of applications,
it manufactures a broad range of diversified products,
which include industrial rubber and chemical products
and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150
nations and territories around the world.
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas
Holding, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone
Corporation. BSAH, through its subsidiaries, develops,
manufactures and markets a wide range of Bridgestone,
Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires
to address the needs of a broad range of customers,
including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle
original equipment manufacturers and those in the agricultural,
forestry and mining industries. The companies also produce
air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and
industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world’s
largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.
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