System for cleaning a reader sensor component driven over

Abstract

A system for cleaning a drive-through reader sensor component is provided. The system includes a drive-through reader, which in turn includes a housing. At least one sensor component is mounted in a wall of the housing, and a lens of the sensor component is mounted on the wall. The lens is disposed at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees with respect to a vertical plane of the drive-through reader. A fluid nozzle is optionally mounted to the housing proximate to the lens and oriented at the lens. When employed, the nozzle is fluidly connected to a source of liquid, and sprays the lens with liquid when flow of the liquid is actuated. A method for cleaning a drive-through reader sensor component is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to tire monitoring. More specifically, this invention relates to a system for sensing the tread depth of a vehicle's tires when a vehicle is driven past a reader or station (referred to as a drive-over reader). More specifically, this invention relates to a system for cleaning the sensor components of a drive-over reader to ensure optimal performance of the drive-over reader. Background Technology

[0002] Multiple tires support a vehicle and transmit driving and braking forces from the vehicle to the road surface. Regularly measuring tire wear is beneficial because it plays a significant role in vehicle factors such as safety, reliability, and performance. Tread wear refers to the loss of material from the tire tread, directly affecting these vehicle factors. Therefore, it is desirable to monitor and / or measure the amount of tread wear experienced by the tires, which is indicated as the tire wear condition. It should be understood that, for convenience, the terms "tread wear" and "tire wear" are used interchangeably.

[0003] One method for monitoring and / or measuring tire tread wear is to measure the tread depth of the tires mounted on the vehicle as the vehicle drives past a station and the tires pass a sensor mounted in the station. As described above, such a station is referred to in the art as a drive-by reader. Depending on the sensor used, the tread depth is measured when the tires are above or near the sensor.

[0004] The advantage of driving past a tire reader includes statically positioning the tire tread against the reader's contact surface for short time intervals, allowing for the determination of tread depth using contact or non-contact methods. Examples of such methods include ultrasonic, radar reflectivity, or other optical methods such as laser triangulation or optical sectioning, which produce images of the tire footprint or tread along lateral lines or sections. Tread depth is then determined from the image.

[0005] When using optical methods, the driver's pass reader can be equipped with sensor components, including a light source such as a laser and a recording sensor such as a camera. For example, a driver's pass reader configuration employing a laser and a camera can be used, as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,621,919 and owned by the same assignee as this invention, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

[0006] As with any wear measurement technology, the accuracy and repeatability of tread depth measurements performed by a driver-over-the-horizon reader are important considerations. Over time, dust or other contaminants can accumulate on the sensor components, and particularly on the lenses of the laser and / or camera. When dust or other contaminants accumulate on the lenses of the laser and / or camera, the accuracy and / or repeatability of the driver-over-the-horizon reader can be adversely affected.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system that cleans the driver's path over the reader sensor components to ensure optimal reader performance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system for cleaning a driver's pass reader sensor component is provided. The system includes a driver's pass reader comprising a housing. At least one sensor component is mounted in a wall of the housing, and a lens of the sensor component is mounted on the wall. The lens is disposed at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver's pass reader.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for cleaning a driver's pass reader sensor component system is provided. The method includes the step of providing a driver's pass reader including a housing. At least one sensor component is mounted in a wall of the housing, and a lens of the sensor component is mounted on the wall. The lens is positioned at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver's pass reader.

[0010] The present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0011] 1. A system for cleaning a driver-passage reader sensor component, characterized in that the system comprises:

[0012] Including the driver's license plate reader;

[0013] At least one sensor component mounted in the wall of the housing; and

[0014] The lens of the sensor component mounted on the wall is positioned at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver passing the reader.

[0015] 2. The system for cleaning a driver pass-through sensor component as described in Scheme 1, characterized in that the angle is approximately 7.5 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver pass-through sensor.

[0016] 3. The system for cleaning a driver's pass-through sensor component as described in Scheme 1, characterized in that the at least one sensor component includes a light source.

[0017] 4. The system for cleaning driver-passage sensor components as described in Scheme 3, characterized in that the light source includes a laser.

[0018] 5. The system for cleaning a driver-passage reader sensor component as described in claim 4, characterized in that the at least one sensor component includes a recording sensor.

[0019] 6. The system for cleaning the sensor component of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 5, characterized in that the recording sensor includes a camera.

[0020] 7. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver-driven reader as described in claim 6, characterized in that:

[0021] The laser and the camera are mounted in the wall of the housing;

[0022] The lens is mounted on the wall between the laser and the atmosphere; and

[0023] The lens is mounted on the wall between the camera and the atmosphere.

[0024] 8. The system for cleaning a driver pass-through sensor component as described in claim 1, characterized in that the wall of the housing is formed parallel to the vertical plane of the driver pass-through sensor, and the lens is mounted on the wall at an angle to achieve the angle.

[0025] 9. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in Scheme 1, characterized in that:

[0026] The wall includes a bottom surface that is flush with the bottom surface of the outer shell;

[0027] The wall includes a top surface that is aligned with or below the top surface of the housing;

[0028] The top surface of the wall is angled away from the vertical plane of the reader by the driver at the angle mentioned above; and

[0029] The lenses are uniformly mounted on the wall, thereby setting the lenses at the stated angle.

[0030] 10. The system for cleaning driver-passage sensor components as described in Scheme 1, characterized in that the lens is a single lens.

[0031] 11. The system for cleaning driver-passage sensor components as described in Scheme 1, characterized in that the lens comprises a plurality of lenses.

[0032] 12. The system for cleaning a driver-passing reader sensor component as described in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one fluid nozzle mounted to the housing near the lens and oriented at the lens, wherein the nozzle is fluidly connected to a liquid source and sprays the liquid onto the lens when the flow of the liquid is actuated.

[0033] 13. The system for cleaning a driver-passing reader sensor component as described in claim 12, characterized in that the fluid nozzle is mounted on the horizontal wall of the housing in a horizontally extending recess of the housing.

[0034] 14. The system for cleaning driver-passing sensor components as described in claim 12, characterized in that the fluid nozzle is detachably mounted to the housing.

[0035] 15. The system for cleaning driver-passing sensor components as described in claim 12, characterized in that the fluid nozzle is integrated into the housing.

[0036] 16. The system for cleaning driver-passage sensor components as described in claim 12, wherein the liquid comprises water.

[0037] 17. The system for cleaning driver-driven reader sensor components as described in claim 12, wherein the liquid comprises a wiping fluid.

[0038] 18. The system for cleaning a driver-passage sensor component as described in Scheme 1, characterized in that the at least one sensor component uses laser triangulation to determine the tire tread depth.

[0039] 19. A method for cleaning a driver-passage reader sensor component, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

[0040] Provides a driver's pass reader including a housing;

[0041] At least one sensor component is mounted in the wall of the housing;

[0042] The lens of the sensor component is mounted on the wall; and

[0043] The lens is positioned at an angle of approximately 5 to approximately 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver passing the reader.

[0044] 20. The method for cleaning the sensor component of a driver-driven pass-through reader as described in claim 19, characterized in that:

[0045] The at least one sensor component includes a laser and a camera;

[0046] The step of mounting at least one sensor component in the wall of the housing includes mounting the laser and the camera in the wall of the housing; and

[0047] The step of mounting the lens of the sensor component on the wall includes mounting the lens between the laser and the atmosphere, and between the camera and the atmosphere. Attached Figure Description

[0048] The present invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0049] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the system for cleaning a driver pass-through reader sensor component according to the present invention, showing the driver pass-through reader mounted on the ground and a vehicle approaching the reader;

[0050] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The system for cleaning the sensor components of the driver-driven reader shown is illustrated in the perspective cross-sectional view of the driver-driven reader; and

[0051] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The system shown is for cleaning the sensor components of the driver-driven reader, and a front cross-sectional view of the driver-driven reader.

[0052] Throughout the accompanying drawings, similar numbers refer to similar parts.

[0053] definition

[0054] "Axial" and "axially" refer to a line or direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire.

[0055] "Circumferential" refers to a line or direction that extends along the periphery of the surface of the annular tread, perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0056] "Center plane (CP)" refers to the plane that is perpendicular to the tire's axis of rotation and passes through the center of the tread.

[0057] "Traces" refer to the contact surface or area formed between the tire tread and a flat surface when the tire rotates or rolls.

[0058] "Inner side" refers to the side of the tire that is closest to the vehicle when the tire is mounted on the wheel and the wheel is mounted on the vehicle.

[0059] "Horizontal" refers to the axial direction.

[0060] "Lateral edge" refers to the line measured under normal load and tire inflation that is tangent to the outermost tread contact surface or imprint of the tire along its axial direction, and that line is parallel to the central plane of the equator.

[0061] "Net contact area" means the total area of ​​the tread elements that contact the ground between the lateral edges of the tire tread around the entire circumference, divided by the total area of ​​the entire tread between the lateral edges.

[0062] "Outer side" refers to the side of the tire that is furthest from the vehicle when the tire is mounted on the wheel and the wheel is mounted on the vehicle.

[0063] "Radial" and "radially" refer to directions that are radially toward or away from the axis of rotation of the tire.

[0064] "Tread strip" refers to a circumferentially extending rubber strip on the tire tread that is defined by at least one circumferential groove and a second such groove or lateral edge that is not separated laterally by full-depth grooves.

[0065] "Tread element" or "traction element" refers to a tread strip or tread block element defined by the shape of adjacent tread grooves. Detailed Implementation

[0066] refer to Figures 1 to 3 An exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader is indicated at point 10. System 10 can be used on any driver's pass reader 26 that includes a sensor component with a lens, as will be described in more detail below. Figure 1 As shown, the driver drives over the reader 26 to estimate the tread depth of each tire 12 supporting the vehicle 14. It should be understood that the vehicle 14 can be any vehicle type, and is shown as a commercial vehicle by way of example.

[0067] The tires 12 have a conventional structure, and each tire is mounted on a corresponding wheel 16, as is known to those skilled in the art. Each tire 12 includes a pair of sidewalls 18 extending to a circumferential tread 20, which wears down with age due to road wear. As each tire 12 rolls on the ground 24, it creates an imprint 22, which is the contact area between the tread 20 and the ground.

[0068] A driver override reader 26 is mounted in or on the ground 24. The driver override reader 26 includes a housing 28 and at least one sensor component 30 mounted within the housing, as will be described in more detail below. Preferably, multiple sensor components 30 are mounted within the housing 28. The driver of vehicle 14 guides the vehicle over the driver override reader 26, causing each tire 12 to roll over the reader. When the tire 12 is positioned above or near the sensor 30, an image of the imprint 22 along a lateral line or cross-section, or an image of the tread 20, is generated by the sensor using techniques such as ultrasound, radar reflectivity, laser triangulation, or optical sectioning. Preferably, laser triangulation is used. The depth of the tread 20 of the tire 12 is determined from the image.

[0069] As described above, U.S. Patent No. 8,621,919 describes by way of example a technique for generating an image and measuring the depth of the tread 20 from the image. Other techniques may be employed, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,312,766 and 7,942,048. All of the foregoing patents are owned by the same assignee as this invention, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and are incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] Turning Figure 2 and Figure 3 Each sensor component 30 includes a light source, such as a laser 32, which emits a ray fan towards the tire tread 20. Each sensor component 30 also includes a recording sensor, such as a camera 34, which records the signal of the ray fan reflected from the tire tread 20. The laser 32 and camera 34 are mounted in the housing 28, and more specifically, within the wall 36 of the housing 28. The wall 36 includes a bottom surface 38 aligned with the bottom surface 40 of the housing 28, and a top surface 42 aligned with or below the top surface 44 of the housing.

[0071] Each sensor component 30 also includes a lens 46 mounted on a wall 36 between the laser 32 and the atmosphere 48, and between the camera 34 and the atmosphere. The lens 46 may be a single lens or may include multiple lenses. The lens 46 enables the laser 32 to emit a light fan toward the tire tread 20 and enables the camera 34 to record the reflected light fan, while protecting the laser 32 and the camera 34.

[0072] To prevent dust or other contaminants from accumulating on lens 46, the lens is set at an angle 50. Preferably, the angle 50 is about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane 52 of the driver passing over the reader 26. More preferably, the angle 50 is about 7.5 degrees relative to the vertical plane 52 of the driver passing over the reader 26.

[0073] For the lens 46 positioned at an angle of 50°, the wall 36 may be formed parallel to the vertical plane 52 of the driver-driven over-the-reader 26, and the lens may be mounted at an angle within the wall to achieve a preferred angle. Alternatively, the wall 36 may be formed at an angle of 50°. For example, the top surface 42 of the wall may be angled away from the vertical plane 52 of the driver-driven over-the-reader 26 at an angle of 50°, and the lens 46 may be uniformly mounted within the wall, thereby positioning the lens at a preferred angle. By positioning the lens 46 at an angle of 50°, the system 10 reduces the adhesion of dust and other contaminants to the lens.

[0074] System 10 may optionally include at least one fluid nozzle 54. More specifically, when employed, the fluid nozzle 54 may be mounted on a horizontal wall 56 of the housing 28 in a horizontally extending recess 60 below the top surface 42 of the housing 28, near the lens 46. The fluid nozzle 54 may be detachably fixed or mounted to the housing 28. For example, the fluid nozzle 54 may be secured using a bracket 62 and mechanical fasteners such as bolts 64. Alternatively, the fluid nozzle 54 may be integrated into the housing 28.

[0075] Nozzle 54 is fluidly connected to a water source or other liquid source 66 and is oriented at lens 46. This orientation allows nozzle 54 to spray water or other liquid 66 onto lens 46 to selectively remove debris from the lens when the flow of water or other liquid is actuated. Angle 50 of lens 26 allows water or other fluid 66 to drip or flow off lens 26, thereby preventing water from remaining on the lens and keeping the lens clean. Fluids other than water may be used and can be used at cold ambient temperatures, including wiping fluids that freeze at temperatures lower than water.

[0076] In this manner, the system 10 of the present invention for cleaning the sensor components of a driver pass-through reader 26 cleans the sensor components 30 of the driver pass-through reader 26 to reduce the accumulation of dust or other contaminants on the lens 46 of the sensor components. The system 10 includes a lens 46 positioned at a predetermined angle 50, which reduces the adhesion of dust and other contaminants to the lens, and optionally includes a fluid nozzle 54 that selectively sprays water or other fluid 66 onto the lens to remove debris. By reducing the accumulation of dust or other contaminants on the lens 46, the system 10 ensures optimal performance of the driver pass-through reader 26.

[0077] The present invention also includes a method for cleaning a driver-driven sensor component. The method includes the steps described above and... Figures 1 to 3 The steps described are shown in the figure.

[0078] It should be understood that, without affecting the overall concept or operation of the present invention, the steps and auxiliary structures of the above-described system 10 and method for cleaning the driver's pass sensor component of the present invention may be modified or rearranged, or components or steps known to those skilled in the art may be omitted or added.

[0079] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Others will conceive of potential modifications and variations upon reading and understanding this specification. It should be understood that all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning components of a driver's pass reader sensor, characterized in that... The system includes: Including the driver's license plate reader; At least one sensor component is mounted in the wall of the housing; The lens of the sensor component mounted on the wall, wherein the lens is positioned at an angle of approximately 5 to approximately 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver-driven reader; and At least one fluid nozzle is mounted to the housing near the lens and oriented at the lens, wherein the nozzle is fluidly connected to a liquid source and sprays the lens with the liquid when the flow of the liquid is actuated, the liquid comprising at least one of water and a wiping fluid, wherein the angle of the lens allows the liquid to flow down from the lens.

2. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The angle is approximately 7.5 degrees relative to the vertical plane through which the driver passes the reader.

3. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The at least one sensor component includes a light source.

4. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 3, characterized in that... The light source includes a laser.

5. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 4, characterized in that... The at least one sensor component includes a recording sensor.

6. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 5, characterized in that... The recording sensor includes a camera.

7. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The laser and the camera are mounted in the wall of the housing; The lens is mounted on the wall between the laser and the atmosphere; and The lens is mounted on the wall between the camera and the atmosphere.

8. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The wall of the housing is formed parallel to the vertical plane of the driver driving over the reader, and the lens is mounted on the wall at an angle to achieve the angle.

9. The system for cleaning the sensor component of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The wall includes a bottom surface that is flush with the bottom surface of the outer shell; The wall includes a top surface that is aligned with or below the top surface of the housing; The top surface of the wall is angled away from the vertical plane of the reader by the driver at the angle mentioned above; and The lenses are uniformly mounted on the wall, thereby setting the lenses at the stated angle.

10. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The lens is a single lens.

11. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The lens includes multiple lenses.

12. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The fluid nozzle is mounted on the horizontal wall of the housing within a horizontally extending groove in the housing.

13. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The fluid nozzle is detachably mounted to the housing.

14. The system for cleaning the sensor components of a driver's pass reader as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The fluid nozzle is integrated into the housing.

15. The system for cleaning a driver-passage reader sensor component as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that... The at least one sensor component uses laser triangulation to determine the tire tread depth.

16. A method for cleaning a driver-passage reader sensor component, characterized in that... The method includes the following steps: Provides a driver's pass reader including a housing; At least one sensor component is mounted in the wall of the housing; The lens of the sensor component is mounted on the wall; The lens is positioned at an angle of approximately 5 to approximately 10 degrees relative to the vertical plane of the driver passing the reader; At least one fluid nozzle is mounted near the lens to the housing and oriented at the lens; Connect the nozzle fluid to the liquid source, and When the flow of the liquid is actuated, the lens is sprayed with the liquid, which includes at least one of water and a wiping fluid, wherein the angle of the lens allows the liquid to flow down from the lens.

17. The method for cleaning a driver-passage reader sensor component as described in claim 16, characterized in that: The at least one sensor component includes a laser and a camera; The step of mounting at least one sensor component in the wall of the housing includes mounting the laser and the camera in the wall of the housing; and The step of mounting the lens of the sensor component on the wall includes mounting the lens between the laser and the atmosphere, and between the camera and the atmosphere.

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