Fleet Tire Inspection System Data Cloning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire inspection methods for vehicle fleets are inefficient and prone to subjective errors due to manual data recording and repeated data entry, leading to inconsistent results, which can compromise the accuracy of tire condition analysis and recommendations for repair or replacement.

Innovation Solution

A portable inspection system that includes a device for measuring tire pressure and tread depth, coupled with a hand-held data device for wireless data transmission, a server for data analysis, and a method for cloning previously entered data to streamline the inspection process, providing objective and consistent data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data recording and repeated data entry are used, then the inspection process can be performed with simple tools, but the data consistency and objectivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital copies of tire data stored in a database, allowing the same data to be accessed and analyzed multiple times without manual re-entry. This eliminates transcription errors and ensures data consistency across all inspections and analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection and transcription processes with electronic sensors and digital data transmission systems. This substitution eliminates human error in data recording and ensures objective, consistent data capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If technicians manually inspect and record tire data, then the inspection can be performed with minimal equipment, but the inspection speed and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection speedVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service inspection through automated sensors that independently measure tire pressure, temperature, and other parameters without requiring manual intervention. This automation significantly increases inspection speed while reducing the need for repeated manual data entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a multi-functional inspection system that can simultaneously measure multiple tire parameters (pressure, temperature, tread depth) with a single device, rather than requiring separate tools for each measurement. This universality improves inspection efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If paper records are used for tire inspection data, then the system remains simple and inexpensive, but data accuracy and analysis quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates and maintains digital copies of all tire inspection data in a centralized database, enabling precise storage, retrieval, and analysis of large volumes of data without the errors associated with manual transcription from paper records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a digital data transmission system as an intermediary between the inspection devices and the analysis system. This intermediary ensures accurate, error-free data transfer and enables sophisticated analysis of large datasets that would be impractical with paper records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If technicians subjectively evaluate tire condition, then the inspection process remains flexible and adaptable, but the evaluation consistency and objectivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation consistencyVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human evaluation with objective electronic sensors and automated analysis algorithms. This substitution ensures consistent, repeatable measurements and evaluations that are not influenced by individual technician judgment or variability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where inspection data is immediately analyzed and compared against established criteria, providing objective pass/fail determinations and recommendations. This feedback system ensures consistent evaluation standards are applied uniformly across all inspections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The system enables rapid, efficient, and accurate tire inspections by minimizing manual data entry, reducing subjectivity, and ensuring consistent data analysis, thereby improving the accuracy of tire condition assessments and maintenance recommendations.

Implementation Method 1

a portable inspection device that includes means for measuring a tire pressure, means for measuring a tread depth of the tire, and an antenna for wireless communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A hand-held data device includes a processor, memory and an antenna for wireless data transmission, in which the data device receives the measured tire pressure and the measured tread depth of the tire from the portable inspection device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectData storage:

Implementation Method 3

An analysis device is in electronic communication with the server for analysis of the data uploaded from the data device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectData analysis:

Data Source

PatentEP3640059B1Tire inspection system for vehicle fleets
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO
  • EP3640059B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3640059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3640059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an inspection system (8) for a tire (12) of a vehicle (10) in a fleet. The system (8) comprises a portable inspection device (22) including means for measuring a tire pressure, means for measuring a tread depth of the tire, and an antenna for wireless communication. Moreover, the system comprises a hand-held data device (26) including a processor, memory and an antenna for wireless data transmission, wherein the data device (26) is adapted to receive the measured tire pressure and the measured tread depth of the tire (12) from the portable inspection device (22); a server (34) remote from the data device (26); a first wireless transmission means (30) to upload the measured tire pressure and the measured tread depth of the tire (12) from the data device (26) to the server (34); an analysis device (36) in electronic communication with the server (34) for analysis of the data uploaded from the data device (26); and a second wireless transmission means to communicate cloned data sets from the server (34) to the data device (26). Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method for inspecting a tire (12) of a vehicle (10) in a fleet, the method comprising the steps of: determining if the inspection is a first inspection for the fleet.