A tire tread depth detection device for multi-tire side-by-side vehicles

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of tire tread depth detection technology, specifically to a tread depth detection device for vehicles with multiple tires side-by-side. It includes a tread depth measuring instrument and a handheld retractable clamp, along with a USB-based remote control unit. The remote control unit is electrically connected to the tread depth measuring instrument via a wire. The handheld retractable clamp includes a handle, a telescopic rod, and a clamping component. The remote control unit is located inside the handle. The wire is located inside the telescopic rod connected to the handle, with its end extending from the side wall of the telescopic rod and connecting to the tread depth measuring instrument via a USB interface. The top of the telescopic rod is movably connected to the clamping component for holding the tread depth measuring instrument. This utility model achieves a simple and low-cost functional expansion of the remote control tread depth measuring instrument without affecting normal communication between the PC and the tread depth measuring instrument.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tire tread depth detection technology, specifically to a tire tread depth detection device for vehicles with multiple tires parked side by side. Background Technology

[0002] Current tire tread depth measuring instruments are relatively small (such as handheld measuring instruments), making it inconvenient to measure the tread depth of the inner tires when measuring the tread depth of multiple tires in parallel vehicles (such as single-sided or double-sided trucks or vans). Workers need to crawl under the car to complete the measurement, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

[0003] Furthermore, traditional USB hybrid devices, if they need to simultaneously support data transmission (such as HID - Human Interface Device Reporting) and button input, typically require two separate USB interfaces and endpoints on the device side, and a processing chip to handle different tasks separately. This technical solution has the following drawbacks: The hardware is complex and costly: it requires more components, including microcontrollers, buttons, USB, batteries, DC-DC chips, etc. High power consumption: The simultaneous operation of multiple functional modules increases the overall power consumption, which is detrimental to battery-powered devices; The design is complex: it occupies more PCB space, and the firmware needs to manage multiple interfaces and endpoints, which increases the complexity of development and debugging. Limited number of I / O: MCUs typically have only a few I / Os. To increase functionality, it is necessary to reuse as many I / Os as possible.

[0004] In view of the above, this utility model is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a tread depth detection device for multi-tire parallel vehicles. This device, based on existing measuring instruments, utilizes a handheld retractable clamp and a remote control unit designed based on a USB device to achieve the measurement of tread depth of tires over long distances, solving the problems of inconvenient measurement and low efficiency.

[0006] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: This utility model provides a tread depth detection device for multi-tread parallel vehicles, including a tread depth measuring instrument and a handheld telescopic clamp, and also includes a remote control unit based on a USB device. The remote control unit is electrically connected to the tread depth measuring instrument via a wire. The handheld telescopic clamp includes a handle, a telescopic rod, and a clamping component. The remote control unit is located inside the handle. The wire is located inside the telescopic rod connected to the handle, and the end of the wire extends from the side wall of the telescopic rod and is connected to the tread depth measuring instrument via a USB interface. The top of the telescopic rod is movably connected to a clamping component for clamping the tread depth measuring instrument. The remote control unit includes a battery, a button, a resistor, and a first USB device. The power output terminal of the battery P1 is connected to one pin of the button K1, and the other pin of the button K1 is connected to the USB device J1 through the resistor. The tire tread depth measuring instrument includes a USB device J3 and a level control circuit U1. The input terminal of the USB device J3 is connected to the output terminal of the USB device J1, and the output terminal of the USB device J3 is connected to the input terminal of the level control circuit U1. The KP pin of the level control circuit U1 is connected to the GPIO pin of the microcontroller MCU.

[0007] Furthermore, the button K2 is a dual-contact normally open button.

[0008] Furthermore, the VCC pin of the battery is connected to pin 4 / 3 of button K1, and pin 1 / 2 of button K1 is connected to pin SBU1 of USB device J1 through resistor R11, and also to pin SBU2 of USB device J1 through resistor R12. The SBU1 pin of USB device J1 is connected to the SBU1 pin of USB device J3, and the SBU2 pin of USB device J1 is connected to the SBU2 pin of USB device J3.

[0009] Furthermore, the handle is provided with a button corresponding to the position of button K1.

[0010] Furthermore, the level control circuit U1 includes an NMOS transistor. The gate of the NMOS transistor is connected to the SBU1 pin of the USB device J3 through a resistor R3. The gate of the NMOS transistor is also grounded through a resistor R4. The drain of the NMOS transistor is connected to the KP pin, and the source is grounded.

[0011] Furthermore, the tire tread depth measuring instrument also includes a button K2, and the 4 / 3 pin of the button K2 is connected to the KP pin.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects: This invention proposes a tire tread depth detection device for multi-tire parallel vehicles. The device utilizes a handheld retractable clamp and a designed USB-based remote control unit, building upon existing measuring instruments. This remote control unit requires only one battery, one button, and one USB plug for remote button operation. The device itself (tread depth measuring instrument) requires only one NMOS transistor and two resistors, enabling both functions and significantly reducing BOM costs and PCB design complexity. It eliminates the need for additional chips and microcontrollers, achieving a simple and low-cost functional expansion of the remote-controlled tire depth measuring instrument without affecting normal communication between the PC and the tire depth measuring instrument.

[0013] Specifically, the remote control unit's circuit design utilizes a single USB interface and endpoint, combined with level control circuitry, and employs a time-division multiplexing mechanism to dynamically switch the device's operating mode. This allows for hardware resource sharing between data communication and key input while ensuring a good user experience. It solves the problems of complex and costly traditional composite device designs, making it particularly suitable for embedded USB devices with stringent requirements for cost, power consumption, and space. The remote control unit's circuit design can also be extended to mini keyboards, remote controls, presenters, smart pens, and key-operated devices.

[0014] This invention also features reduced power consumption (in standby mode where only button functions are needed, the MCU can run the scanning program with low power consumption, conforming to the concept of green energy saving. At the control end, there is no power loss during standby); guaranteed functional integrity (through innovative circuit design, a mode switching mechanism is implemented, ensuring dedicated bandwidth and high reliability when data transmission is needed; and timely response when button input is required, providing a seamless user experience); and compatibility and flexibility (simple control eliminates the need for complex circuitry, achieving minimal cost). Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form part of this specification, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tire tread depth measuring instrument of this utility model being clamped on a handheld retractable clamp. Figure 2This is a circuit diagram of the remote control unit of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the level control circuit of this utility model.

[0018] Wherein: 1 is the tire tread depth measuring instrument; 2 is the handle; 3 is the telescopic rod; 4 is the clamping component; 5 is the button. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses consistent with some aspects of this invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0020] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] See Figures 1-3 This embodiment provides a tread depth detection device for multi-tread parallel vehicles, including a tread depth measuring instrument 1 and a handheld telescopic clamp, and also includes a remote control unit based on a USB device. The remote control unit is electrically connected to the tread depth measuring instrument 1 via a wire. The handheld telescopic clamp includes a handle 2, a telescopic rod 3, and a clamping member 4. The remote control unit is fixedly bonded inside the handle 2. The wires are arranged inside the telescopic rod 3 connected to the handle 2, and the ends of the wires extend from the side wall of the telescopic rod 3 and are connected to the tread depth measuring instrument 1 via a USB interface. The top of the telescopic rod 3 is movably connected to the clamping member 4 for clamping the tread depth measuring instrument 1. The remote control unit includes a battery, a button, a resistor, and a first USB device. The power output terminal of the battery P1 is connected to one pin of the button K1, and the other pin of the button K1 is connected to the USB device J1 through the resistor. The tire tread depth measuring instrument 1 includes a USB device J3 and a level control circuit U1. The input terminal of the USB device J3 is connected to the output terminal of the USB device J1, and the output terminal of the USB device J3 is connected to the input terminal of the level control circuit U1. The KP pin of the level control circuit U1 is connected to the GPIO pin of the microcontroller MCU.

[0022] In this embodiment, the handheld retractable clamp is as follows: Figure 1As shown, the telescopic rod 3 and the clamping component 4 are movably connected. The two are connected by a movable component, typically a gimbal / universal joint assembly (or a simplified "rotary joint"), which allows adjustment of the angle of the tire tread depth measuring instrument 1 to enable the imaging and detection of tire tread patterns. The structure and principle of the telescopic rod 3, clamping component 4, and movable connecting component are the same as those of selfie sticks or intelligent tracking devices.

[0023] Specifically, the remote control unit connects to the MCU's GPIO pins to receive user input. The USB SBU pins are reused externally to reduce the number of external I / O pins. Simultaneously, these internal I / O pins can be reused.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, button K2 is a dual-contact normally open button. The VCC pin of the power supply is connected to pin 4 of button K1, and pin 2 of button K1 is connected to pin SBU1 of USB device J1 through resistor R11, and also to pin SBU2 of USB device J1 through resistor R12. The SBU1 pin of USB device J1 is connected to the SBU1 pin of USB device J3, and the SBU2 pin of USB device J1 is connected to the SBU2 pin of USB device J3.

[0025] The battery provides a DC 3.3V voltage, resistor R11 has a resistance of 2kΩ, resistor R12 has a resistance of 2kΩ, and USB device J1 uses USB 2.0 or 3.0.

[0026] The ground terminal of USB device J1 is connected to the ground terminal of USB device J3.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, a button 5 corresponding to the position of button K1 is fixedly connected to the handle 2. Button K1 can be pressed by pressing button 5 on the handle 2.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the level control circuit U1 includes an NMOS transistor. The gate G of the NMOS transistor is connected to the SBU1 pin of the USB device J3 through a resistor R3. The gate G of the NMOS transistor is also grounded through a resistor R4. The drain D of the NMOS transistor is connected to the KP pin, and the source S is grounded.

[0029] Among them, USB device J3 uses USB 2.0 or 3.0, resistor R3 has a resistance of 2kΩ, and resistor R4 has a resistance of 47kΩ.

[0030] It should be noted that the tire tread depth measuring instrument 1 also includes a button K2 (which is a component that is present in every measuring instrument), and the 3rd pin of the button K2 is connected to the KP pin.

[0031] During implementation, when no button is pressed, the SBU pin is at a low level by default. The NMOS transistor cannot be turned on, so there is no button response. When a button is pressed, the SBU pin is at a high level, the NMOS transistor is turned on, and the button level on the device side (tire tread depth measuring instrument 1) is low, thus responding to the button press.

[0032] Because normal PC communication and remote button operation are time-division multiplexed, meaning that during normal use, the SBU pin is at a low level by default and does not participate in the operation, thus not affecting normal communication, the two usage scenarios do not interfere with each other.

[0033] By using the USB SBU pin on the device side, the IO level can be directly set, which can directly control the button level of the tire tread depth measuring instrument 1 and correctly generate button click operations. This setting process is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] This embodiment is based on the TreadEye S1 handheld tire tester from Kechi Technology, and has been practically verified. After the remote control unit circuit and the level control circuit U1 of the tire tread depth measuring instrument 1 are connected, remote control is achieved with simple external components, low cost, and few I / O operations. This eliminates the complexity of traditional microcontroller control and improves reliability. It also allows for expansion with different external functions.

[0035] Completing the above steps enables the handheld device to simultaneously perform time-sharing charging, communication, and remote control functions without increasing external interface I / O, greatly expanding its application scenarios.

[0036] It should be noted that the IO is not limited to the SBU port; the CC1 / VUSB port can also be selected for isolation switching in the same way.

[0037] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement it. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this utility model.

[0038] It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the content already described above, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this utility model is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tread depth detection device for multi-tread parallel vehicles, comprising a tread depth measuring instrument (1) and a handheld retractable clamp, characterized in that, It also includes a remote control unit based on a USB device, which is electrically connected to the tire tread depth measuring instrument (1) via a wire. The handheld telescopic clamp includes a handle (2), a telescopic rod (3), and a clamping member (4). The remote control unit is located inside the handle (2). The wire is located inside the telescopic rod (3) connected to the handle (2), and the end of the wire extends from the side wall of the telescopic rod (3) and is connected to the tire tread depth measuring instrument (1) via a USB interface. The top of the telescopic rod (3) is movably connected to a clamping member (4) for clamping the tire tread depth measuring instrument (1). The remote control unit includes a battery, a button, a resistor, and a first USB device. The power output terminal of the battery P1 is connected to one pin of the button K1, and the other pin of the button K1 is connected to the USB device J1 through a resistor. The tire tread depth measuring instrument (1) includes a USB device J3 and a level control circuit U1. The input terminal of the USB device J3 is connected to the output terminal of the USB device J1, and the output terminal of the USB device J3 is connected to the input terminal of the level control circuit U1. The KP pin of the level control circuit U1 is connected to the GPIO pin of the microcontroller MCU.

2. The tire tread depth detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button K2 is a dual-contact normally open button.

3. The tire tread depth detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The VCC pin of the battery is connected to pin 4 / 3 of button K1. Pin 1 / 2 of button K1 is connected to pin SBU1 of USB device J1 through resistor R11, and is also connected to pin SBU2 of USB device J1 through resistor R12. The SBU1 pin of USB device J1 is connected to the SBU1 pin of USB device J3, and the SBU2 pin of USB device J1 is connected to the SBU2 pin of USB device J3.

4. The tire tread depth detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The handle (2) is provided with a button (5) corresponding to the position of button K1.

5. The tire tread depth detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The level control circuit U1 includes an NMOS transistor. The gate of the NMOS transistor is connected to the SBU1 pin of the USB device J3 through a resistor R3. The gate of the NMOS transistor is also grounded through a resistor R4. The drain of the NMOS transistor is connected to the KP pin, and the source is grounded.

6. The tire tread depth detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tire tread depth measuring instrument (1) also includes a button K2, and the 4 / 3 pin of the button K2 is connected to the KP pin.

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