Appeal No. 1997-2883
Application 08/379,443
BACKGROUND
The subject matter on appeal is directed to run flat tire actuation sensors for vehicles, and
particularly to a process for detecting when a tire has gone flat by sensing a resonance mode in the
vehicle acceleration of a tire support. When a vehicle acceleration sensor detects the presence of a
resonance mode in vehicle acceleration of the tire support it is determined that the run flat tire has been
activated (i.e., that the vehicle is then supported on a safety or security bearing which resides inside the
tire).
As indicated by appellants (see specification, page 2; Brief, page 3), it was conventional in the
prior art that a resonance mode between 10 and 20 Hz be detected in order to determine whether or
not support of a vehicle on a security bearing had taken place (i.e., the run flat tire had been actuated).
Appellants have recognized that interference occurs with respect to detection of resonance modes
lower than 100 Hz, and in particular between 10 and 20 Hz. This is brought out in appellants’
discussion of the Jones reference as admitted prior art in appellants’ specification (page 2).
Specifically, prior art detection devices such as Jones which detect resonance modes at frequencies
between 10 and 20 Hz do not properly and accurately detect actuation of safety bearings in tires, since
an actuation detection may be due to other causes such as tire overload or road noise (specification,
pages 2 to 3).
September 4, 1996 (which stated that the amendment would be entered upon the filing of an appeal), and by the
notation, "OK to Enter, 9-2-96" and the examiner’s initials appearing on the amendment itself.
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