Below-road Tread Scanner Resolving Multi-Tire Optical Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically based tire tread depth scanners struggle to accurately measure tires on vehicles with multiple tires in close proximity, such as 3 axle HGV trailers, as one tire blocks the view of another.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that involves a light source illuminating the tire, an obstruction casting a shadow perpendicular to the tire's tread, and a camera capturing the illuminated section, using reflective optical elements like mirrors to direct reflected light, allowing for accurate measurement of tread depth even when tires are close together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scanner is provided above the road surface to measure tread depth, then the measurement can be performed for most vehicles, but the scanner cannot accurately measure tires on vehicles with multiple tires in close proximity as one tire blocks the view of another
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is inverted from the conventional above-road-surface position to a below-road-surface position. The light source and camera are placed underneath the road surface, illuminating and viewing the tire from below as it passes over the scanner. This inversion allows the optical path to clear adjacent tires, enabling measurement of all tires on multi-axle vehicles without blockage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner is placed below the road surface to avoid tire blockage, then all tires can be measured, but the lighting and viewing geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system operates in a different spatial dimension by placing components below the road surface rather than above. This dimensional change creates an unobstructed optical path that clears adjacent tires, allowing all tires to be measured simultaneously without the blockage problems encountered with above-surface scanners.
3Device complexity
If existing above-surface scanners are used, then the device configuration is simple, but they cannot measure tires on HGVs with 3 axles as tires block each other's view
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the scanner configuration to operate from below the road surface, the patent resolves the measurement blockage issue for HGV tires while maintaining a relatively simple device configuration. The inversion allows the optical path to clear adjacent tires on multi-axle vehicles, enabling accurate tread depth measurement for all tires including those on 3-axle HGVs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate measurement of tire tread depth across multiple tires, including those on HGVs, by creating a sharp shadow pattern that indicates tread depth, suitable for vehicles with axle loads up to 10 tons and suitable for outdoor use.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arranged to illuminate the tyre... An obstruction is provided such that the obstructions block part of the light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
blocking the light emitted by the light source in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction such that a shadow is cast on the tyre
Implementation Method 3
viewing the illuminated section of the tyre with a camera... The image recorded by the camera will include the illuminated section of the tyre and the shadow which is cast onto the tyre
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring tread depth of tyres, wherein in use a tyre can be driven over the device in a first direction, the device comprising: a light source arranged to illuminate the tyre; an obstruction extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and arranged to partially block the light emitted from the light source such that a shadow is cast on the tyre when the tyre is located above the device, and such that the shadow is cast on the tyre in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tread of the tyre; and a camera arranged to view an illuminated section of the tyre.