A new non-destructive rapid tyre deflation testing tool has been launched, named Te.Sense Bloom. Its developer, Koala Technologies LLC (KTL), says the system is fully compliant with FMVSS 110 and emerging EV stability test standards, is reusable, and allows passenger car OEMs and tyre manufacturers to optimise test programmes while reducing waste. The first US-specification kit has been delivered to the Transportation Research Center in Ohio for initial evaluations.
The purpose of rapid tyre deflation tests (such as with FMVSS 110) can be to ensure that tyres stay safely seated on the wheels after rapid deflation, or sometimes to measure and evaluate vehicle lateral stability criteria during tyre failure events.
Rapid tyre deflation tests often involve driving a vehicle over special roadway cleats at speeds defined by the engineering team. However, this method involves tyres being punctured and destroyed by the cleats, and the internal inflation pressure of the tyre under test is quickly reduced to atmospheric pressure.
The roadway cleats used typically destroy multiple tyres on a vehicle, even when only one tyre requires testing – for example, both tyres on the right-hand-side would be punctured by the same cleat. KTL say this costly and wasteful double-puncture effect not only destroys more tyres than needed, but it may also corrupt certain vehicle dynamics tests that call for a single, targeted tyre failure.
Te.Sense Bloom provides a non-destructive alternative that allows controlled, rapid deflation of individually selected tyres. The device uses a controllable central air ejector valve with a volume and flow capacity that simulates a sudden tyre pressure-loss event.
Using air valves in such a way for vehicle and tyre testing is not a new approach in itself. However, Te.Sense Bloom adds a repeatable set up method, easy in-car operation, and simple connectivity with data acquisition systems. KTL also offers a wheel setup service to simplify test preparations. The base kits start from $US20,000, for a transportable, reusable test system that allows full control of test schedules and methods.
Real-time data, in-car deployment
The system enables a rapid tyre deflation event to be triggered from inside the vehicle or remotely, further expanding test scenario possibilities. According to KTL it is suitable for testing tyre inflation pressures up to 100 PSI at speeds up to 140km/h (87mph). Te.Sense Bloom captures real-time tyre inflation pressure data at 100Hz, accurate to +/-0.1 PSI – enabling detailed analysis of tyre and vehicle responses during rapid (below 750ms) tyre deflations.
“We have significant experience with rapid tyre deflation tests, using all types of methods, and we’re looking forward to evaluating KTL’s Te.Sense Bloom, since it represents a turn-key, non-destructive solution,” said Kenneth Martin, head of tyre testing at the Transportation Research Center. “There’s definitely some baseline justification for test equipment like this because it fundamentally means consuming fewer tyres. But Te.Sense Bloom’s inherent connectivity opens some other doors also, since triggered and monitored rapid tyre deflations are becoming an area of interest for vehicle stability testing, especially in the EV space.”
Future-proof for EV vehicle stability tests
As well as meeting FMVSS 110 requirements, KTL says that Te.Sense Bloom is compliant with a number of emerging electric vehicle (EV) stability testing standards. EV lateral stability tests with failed tyres, with and without drive motor engagement, are already mandatory in some markets, such as China. Unlike cleat testing, which can affect multiple tyres, certain EV vehicle stability tests require the targeting of individual tyres to ensure fail-safe compliance. Te.Sense Bloom is already in use by Chinese OEMs and automotive system providers such as Huawei AITO, SAIC Motor Corp and GAC Motor for conducting regulatory tests such as GB/T 38796-2020 (“Performance Requirements and Test Methods of Automobile Blow-out Emergency Safety Device”).
Key performance specifications of Te.Sense Bloom
Vehicle speed range: 0 – 140km/h (87mph)
Tyre pressure range: 0 – 100 psi
Tyre pressure resolution: ± 0.1 psi
Tyre pressure data acquisition: 100Hz
