Tire inspection system and tire inspection program

Abstract

To provide a tire inspection system and a tire inspection program which can efficiently inspect a tire for the tire groove depth.SOLUTION: The tire inspection system includes: a data acquisition unit 25b; a tire groove depth determination unit 25c; and a notification processing unit 25d. The groove depth acquisition unit 25b acquires data of a tire groove depth formed in such a manner that a tire groove depth measuring unit 10 measured the groove depth of the tire equipped to a vehicle more than one time on a thread-by-thread basis. The tire groove depth determination unit 25c determines whether the difference in the groove depth of each thread acquired by the data acquisition unit 25b is at least a predetermined value. The notification processing unit 25d notifies of the necessity of re-measuring the tire groove depth if the tire groove depth determination unit 25c has determined that the difference is at least a predetermined value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire inspection system and a tire inspection program for inspecting the groove depth of a tire mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a tire wears according to the driving state, driving distance, etc., and the amount of wear also varies depending on the axle position where the tire is mounted. When the depth of the groove provided in the tire becomes less than a predetermined amount, maintenance such as replacement becomes necessary.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a conventional tire management system. This tire management system includes a management server that manages information regarding tires mounted on a plurality of vehicles registered in advance, and an operator terminal that an operator carries and inputs information measured during tire inspection of a vehicle to the management server by an input operation. The operator terminal includes a vehicle search unit that searches for the corresponding vehicle based on the license plate number of the vehicle to be inspected imaged on site, a measurement information acquisition unit that acquires the remaining groove depth information of each tire in the vehicle to be inspected measured using a depth gauge in association with the tire mounting position from the depth gauge, and an input unit that inputs the acquired remaining groove depth information of the tire and the tire mounting position into the information regarding the tires of the searched vehicle in the management server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The tire management system described in Patent Document 1 acquires and manages groove depth information measured at multiple locations using a depth gauge, in association with the tire mounting position. However, when measuring the groove depth at locations where small stones or other debris are lodged in the tire groove, it is not possible to accurately inspect the groove depth. Furthermore, after measuring the groove depth of all tires mounted on the vehicle, it becomes time-consuming to remeasure, which reduces work efficiency.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a tire inspection system and a tire inspection program that can efficiently perform inspections of tire groove depth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A tire inspection system according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires groove depth data obtained by measuring the groove depth of a tire mounted on a vehicle multiple times on a groove-by-groove basis using a groove depth measuring device; a groove depth determination unit that determines whether the difference in groove depths obtained by the data acquisition unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; and a notification processing unit that notifies the system that the groove depth should be remeasured if the groove depth determination unit determines that it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a tire inspection program. The tire inspection program is characterized by causing a computer to perform the following steps: a data acquisition step of acquiring groove depth data measured multiple times on a groove-by-groove basis for a tire mounted on a vehicle; a groove depth determination step of determining whether the difference in groove depths obtained by the data acquisition step is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; and a notification processing step of notifying the computer that the groove depth should be remeasured if the groove depth determination step determines that it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, tire groove depth inspection can be performed efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the tire inspection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the tire management server device. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a tire inspection device. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the procedure for measuring tread depth using a tire inspection system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of axle arrangement information. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of image display on the display unit during groove depth measurement. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of image display on the display unit after groove depth measurement. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7, based on preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the dimensions of the members in each drawing will be enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Additionally, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiments will be omitted from the drawings.

[0012] (Embodiment) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a tire inspection system 100 according to an embodiment. The tire inspection system 100 comprises a groove depth measuring instrument 10, a tire inspection device 20, and a tire management server device 60. The tire inspection system 100 acquires data on the inspected groove depth for each tire 7 mounted on multiple vehicles managed by the tire management server device 60.

[0013] The tire inspection device 20 acquires information on the tires 7 mounted on the vehicle and automatically determines the accuracy of the groove depth data, which has been measured multiple times per groove by the groove depth measuring device 10 for each tire. The tire inspection device 20 transmits the measured groove depth data for each tire to the tire management server device 60. The tire management server device 60 stores the groove depth data of the tires 7 on each vehicle that it receives from the tire inspection device 20.

[0014] The tires 7 are mounted on multiple vehicles, such as transport trucks, which are managed by transportation companies, for example. Transportation companies can acquire tire tread depth data stored in the tire management server device 60 for the multiple tires 7 mounted on each vehicle and use it for tire maintenance.

[0015] The groove depth measuring device 10 is, for example, a depth gauge and is capable of transmitting measured data via communication. The groove depth of each groove in the tread portion of the tire 7 mounted on the vehicle is measured multiple times per groove by an operator using the groove depth measuring device 10. The groove depth of the tire 7 is repeatedly inspected at predetermined intervals (e.g., several months) and stored in the tire management server device 60. Alternatively, the groove depth measuring device 10 may automatically measure the depth of each groove in the tire 7 using a scanner, stereo camera, or the like.

[0016] The groove depth of tire 7 is measured at four points in the width direction, for example, if there are four grooves extending circumferentially in the tire tread, and then at three more points in the circumferential direction of the same groove, for example, at 120° intervals. This allows for obtaining uneven wear data in the width direction or circumferential direction of the tire.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tire management server device 60. The tire management server device 60 includes a communication unit 61, an information processing unit 62, and a storage unit 63. Each unit in the tire management server device 60 can be realized hardware-wise by electronic elements such as a computer's CPU and mechanical parts, and software-wise by a computer program or the like. Here, however, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combinations of hardware and software.

[0018] The communication unit 61 communicates with the tire inspection device 20 by communicating with the communication network 8 through wireless or wired communication.

[0019] The information processing unit 62 receives a transmission request for information regarding the vehicle and the tire 7 from the tire inspection device 20 via the communication unit 61. In the transmission request for information regarding the vehicle and the tire 7 from the tire inspection device 20, for example, the identification information of the vehicle is specified. The information processing unit 62 reads out the axle arrangement information 63b and the tire identification information 63c from the storage unit 63 for the vehicle or the like specified in the transmission request, and transmits them to the tire inspection device 20. The information processing unit 62 acquires the groove depth data of the tire 7 from the tire inspection device 20 via the communication unit 61, and stores and accumulates it in the storage unit 63 as the tire groove depth data 63d.

[0020] The storage unit 63 is a storage device composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or the like. The storage unit 63 stores the vehicle management information 63a, the axle arrangement information 63b, the tire identification information 63c, and the tire groove depth data 63d.

[0021] Vehicle management information 63a is information about multiple vehicles whose operation is managed by, for example, a transportation company, and includes the names of the vehicles and vehicle identification information assigned to each vehicle. Axle arrangement information 63b is information indicating the position of the axles and tires 7 to be mounted on each vehicle included in the vehicle management information 63a.

[0022] The tire identification information 63c is information such as a serial number assigned to each tire 7, and for example, the tire identification information is stored in a readable format in an RFID embedded in the tire 7. The tire identification information may also be stored in the storage unit 63 in association with the vehicle on which the tire 7 is mounted and the axle position on which it is mounted on that vehicle.

[0023] The tire groove depth data 63d is data on the groove depth of each tire 7 transmitted from the tire inspection device 20, and is stored in the storage unit 63 along with the date and time of measurement, etc.

[0024] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tire inspection device 20. The tire inspection device 20 comprises a communication unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25, and is used for measuring the groove depth of the tire 7. The tire inspection device 20 acquires groove depth data of the tire 7 from the groove depth measuring instrument 10 and transmits it to the tire management server device 60.

[0025] Each part of the tire inspection device 20 can be realized in hardware terms using electronic elements and mechanical parts, including the CPU of a computer, and in software terms using computer programs, etc. However, what is depicted here is a functional block realized through the cooperation of these elements. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combining hardware and software.

[0026] The communication unit 21 connects to the communication network 8 via wireless or wired communication and communicates with the tire management server device 60. The communication unit 21 also connects to the groove depth measuring instrument 10 via wireless or wired communication and acquires data on the groove depth of the tire 7.

[0027] The operation unit 22 is an operable input device such as a touch panel, switch, keyboard, and mouse. By operating the operation unit 22, the operator obtains information about the vehicle and the tire from the tire management server device 60 regarding the measurement of the tire groove depth 7.

[0028] The display unit 23 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 23 displays information related to the axle arrangement and groove depth data of the tire 7 being measured.

[0029] The storage unit 24 is a storage device composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, etc. The storage unit 24 stores computer programs executed by the control unit 25, vehicle axle arrangement information and tire identification information of the tire 7 obtained from the tire management server device 60, and data on the groove depth of the tire 7.

[0030] The control unit 25 includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 25a, a data acquisition unit 25b, a groove depth determination unit 25c, and a notification processing unit 25d. The vehicle information acquisition unit 25a requests the tire management server device 60 to transmit information about the vehicle and tires selected by, for example, the operator's operation unit 22, and acquires axle arrangement and tire identification information transmitted from the tire management server device 60.

[0031] The data acquisition unit 25b acquires groove depth data from the groove depth measuring device 10 for each tire 7 mounted on a single vehicle, which is measured sequentially. The data acquisition unit 25b acquires groove depth data measured multiple times per groove by the groove depth measuring device. For multiple grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the tire in the tread portion of a single tire 7, the data acquisition unit 25b acquires groove depth data measured at three locations in a single groove, for example, at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The data acquisition unit 25b sequentially acquires groove depth data measured at three locations for other grooves located adjacent to the tire width. After acquiring groove depth data for all grooves on one tire 7, the data acquisition unit 25b then proceeds to acquire groove depth data for each tire in the vehicle using the same procedure.

[0033] The groove depth determination unit 25c determines whether the difference in groove depth for each groove, acquired by the data acquisition unit 25b, is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The groove depth determination unit 25c calculates the difference (maximum value) between multiple groove depth data measured for one groove of a single tire 7, and determines whether the value of the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set to a value in the range of 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, for example, but is not limited to this range and may be determined according to the tire and the size of the grooves formed in the tire.

[0034] If the groove depth determination unit 25c determines that the difference (maximum value) between each data point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it determines that there was an error in the groove depth measurement and that the same groove needs to be measured again, and outputs a determination result that remeasurement should be performed to the notification processing unit 25d. The data acquisition unit 25b then acquires the groove depth data of the tire again for the same groove. If the groove depth determination unit 25c determines that the difference (maximum value) between each data point is less than the predetermined value, it determines that the groove depth measurement was performed correctly, and the data acquisition unit 25b acquires the groove depth data for the next groove.

[0035] The notification processing unit 25d notifies the outside that the groove depth should be remeasured. When the notification processing unit 25d receives a determination result from the groove depth determination unit 25c that remeasurement is necessary, it displays an image prompting remeasurement on the display unit 23. Based on the image prompting remeasurement on the display unit 23, the operator measures the groove depth again using the groove depth measuring device 10 for the same groove.

[0036] When the notification processing unit 25d receives a determination result from the groove depth determination unit 25c indicating that remeasurement is necessary, it may output an alarm sound or message from a speaker (not shown) to prompt remeasurement. The notification processing unit 25d may also prompt remeasurement by vibrating the groove depth measuring device 10. Based on the voice prompt or vibration, the operator will measure the groove depth again using the groove depth measuring device 10 for the same groove. The notification processing unit 25d may also notify the outside that the groove depth should be remeasured by both displaying an image and outputting an audio signal.

[0037] Next, the operation of the tire inspection system 100 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for measuring groove depth by the tire inspection system 100. The vehicle information acquisition unit 25a of the tire inspection device 20 is assumed to have previously acquired axle arrangement and tire identification information, etc., from the tire management server device 60 for the vehicle whose tire groove depth is to be measured. The data acquisition unit 25b of the tire inspection device 20 selects the tire mounting position to be measured based on the operator's operation on the operation unit 22 (S1).

[0038] The data acquisition unit 25b selects a groove in the tire 7 selected in step S1 and acquires groove depth data measured at three locations in the circumferential direction of the tire for each groove (S2). The groove depth data is measured by an operator using the groove depth measuring device 10 and transmitted from the groove depth measuring device 10 to the tire inspection device 20.

[0039] The groove depth determination unit 25c determines whether the difference (maximum value) of the groove depth data for each groove is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S3). In step S3, if the difference (maximum value) of the groove depth data is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S3: YES), the notification processing unit 25d notifies the operator that the groove depth should be remeasured (S4). The data acquisition unit 25b acquires the remeasured groove depth data (S5).

[0040] The data acquisition unit 25b determines whether groove depth measurement has been completed for all grooves of the tire 7 (S6). If it determines that measurement has been completed for all grooves (S6:YES), the process ends. If it determines in step S6 that measurement has not been completed for all grooves (S6:NO), the data acquisition unit 25b selects the next groove and returns to step S2 to repeat the process. Also, if it determines in step S3 that the difference (maximum value) of the groove depth data is smaller than a predetermined value (S3:NO), the process moves to step S6.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of axle arrangement information 63b. The axle arrangement information 63b shown in Figure 5 represents the three axles A1, A2, and A3 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as well as the tire mounting positions B11, B12, etc. on each axle, with a total of 10 tires mounted on the axles. Based on the operator's operation on the control unit 22, the data acquisition unit 25b selects the tire mounting position to be measured and acquires groove depth data based on the flowchart shown in Figure 4. Once the acquisition of all groove depth data for one tire is complete, the next tire mounting position is selected and groove depth data is acquired. By repeating this process, groove depth data is acquired for all tires mounted on the vehicle.

[0042] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image display on the display unit 23 during groove depth measurement. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image display on the display unit 23 after groove depth measurement. In the example shown in Figure 6, a certain tire 7 has grooves 1 to 5, and the position of each groove in the tire width direction is represented by Sh (shoulder), Me (medium), and Ce (center).

[0043] For groove 1, the data (in mm) obtained from measuring the groove depth at three locations in the circumferential direction of the tire is displayed within a rectangular frame. For groove 1, since the difference in groove depth data exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., 1 mm), the notification processing unit 25d notifies the operator to perform two remeasurements by displaying two empty rectangular frames on the display unit 23. At this time, the notification processing unit 25d may also prompt the operator to perform remeasurements by outputting an alarm sound or message.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 7, the groove depth measurement results for grooves 1 through 5, including a remeasurement of groove 1, and the calculated average groove depth for each groove are displayed.

[0045] For example, if, after measuring the groove depth of all the tires on a vehicle, it is decided to remeasure the groove depth data because it was found to be incorrect, the worker would have to move back to the mounting position of the tire 7 on the vehicle and prepare the groove depth measuring device 10 and tire inspection device 20, which would be time-consuming.

[0046] The tire inspection system 100 uses a groove depth determination unit 25c to determine whether the acquired difference in groove depth is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If it determines that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the notification processing unit 25d notifies the outside that the groove depth should be remeasured. This allows the tire inspection system 100 to correct errors in groove depth measurement for each groove of the tire 7, enabling efficient inspection of the tire groove depth.

[0047] In the example described above, after measuring each groove, the notification processing unit 25d notifies the outside that the groove depth should be remeasured. The tire inspection system 100 may also be configured such that, after measuring the groove depth of all grooves on a single tire, the groove depth determination unit 25c determines the measurement data for each groove, and the notification processing unit 25d notifies the outside which grooves require remeasurement. Furthermore, the data acquisition unit 25b can improve the reliability of the data by acquiring data for at least two groove depths during the remeasurement of the groove depth.

[0048] The notification processing unit 25d of the tire inspection device 20 can notify the operator of the need for remeasurement by displaying an image, making it visually easy for the operator to understand. Alternatively, the notification processing unit 25d may also notify the operator by outputting an alarm sound or message, making it auditorily easy for the operator to understand that remeasurement is necessary.

[0049] Next, the features of the tire inspection system 100 and tire inspection program according to the embodiment will be described. The tire inspection system 100 comprises a data acquisition unit 25b, a groove depth determination unit 25c, and a notification processing unit 25d. The data acquisition unit 25b acquires groove depth data obtained by measuring the groove depth of the tire 7 mounted on the vehicle multiple times on a groove-by-groove basis using a groove depth measuring device 10. The groove depth determination unit 25c determines whether the difference in groove depth on a groove-by-groove basis, acquired by the data acquisition unit 25b, is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the groove depth determination unit 25c determines that the groove depth is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the notification processing unit 25d notifies that the groove depth should be remeasured. This allows the tire inspection system 100 to efficiently perform inspections of the tire groove depth.

[0050] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 25d provides notification by displaying an image. This allows the tire inspection system 100 to visually and clearly inform the operator that remeasurement is necessary.

[0051] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 25d provides notification by outputting sound. This allows the tire inspection system 100 to clearly and audibly inform the operator that remeasurement is necessary.

[0052] Furthermore, the groove depth data is measured at different locations in the circumferential direction of the tire 7. This allows the tire inspection system 100 to correct errors in groove depth measurement for each groove of the tire 7.

[0053] Furthermore, the data acquisition unit 25b acquires at least two groove depth data points during the remeasurement of groove depth. This allows the tire inspection system 100 to improve the reliability of the groove depth measurement data.

[0054] The tire inspection program has a computer perform a data acquisition step, a groove depth determination step, and a notification processing step. The data acquisition step acquires groove depth data measured multiple times for each groove on the tire 7 mounted on the vehicle. The groove depth determination step determines whether the difference in groove depth obtained in the data acquisition step is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The notification processing step notifies that the groove depth should be remeasured if the groove depth determination step determines that it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. This tire inspection program allows for efficient inspection of tire groove depth.

[0055] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and that such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Accordingly, the descriptions and drawings herein should be treated as illustrative rather than limiting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 7 Tires, 10 Groove depth measuring instrument, 25b Data acquisition unit, 25c Groove depth determination unit, 25d Notification processing unit, 100 Tire inspection system.

Claims

1. A data acquisition unit that acquires data on multiple groove depths measured at different positions in the circumferential direction of a tire mounted on a vehicle, using a groove depth measuring device used by an operator, A groove depth determination unit determines whether the difference in groove depth data for each groove acquired by the data acquisition unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, When the groove depth determination unit determines that the groove depth is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a notification processing unit notifies that the groove depth should be remeasured. A tire inspection system characterized by having the following features.

2. The tire inspection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification processing unit provides notification by displaying an image.

3. The tire inspection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification processing unit provides notification by outputting sound.

4. The tire inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the data acquisition unit acquires at least two groove depth data in the remeasurement of groove depth.

5. A data acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of groove depth data measured at different positions in the circumferential direction of a tire mounted on a vehicle, using a groove depth measuring instrument used by an operator, A groove depth determination step that determines whether the difference in groove depth data for each groove obtained in the data acquisition step is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, If the groove depth determination step determines that the groove depth is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a notification processing step is performed to notify that the groove depth should be remeasured. A tire inspection program characterized by having a computer execute the following.

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