Handheld Tire Groove Measurement for Stable Depth Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire groove measurement devices are fixed to the ground, requiring vehicles to be positioned at a specific location and angle for measurement, and fail to effectively process laser displacement sensor output for managing groove depth.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held tire groove measuring device with a distance sensor and processing unit that calculates groove depths by detecting candidate grooves, selecting the deepest main groove, and correcting for tilt and vibration, allowing measurement at arbitrary locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed ground-mounted measuring device is used, then measurement stability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to required vehicle positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning system with an optical measurement system. Instead of requiring the vehicle to be positioned at a specific location relative to a fixed device, the handheld device uses optical sensors to measure groove depths directly on the tire surface, eliminating the need for mechanical positioning arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device performs self-positioning through its handheld design, allowing the operator to directly place the device on the tire groove and obtain measurements without requiring external positioning infrastructure or specific vehicle placement
2Measurement precision
If a fixed ground-mounted measuring device is used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to location constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed measurement system into a dynamic handheld system. The device can be moved to different tires and locations while maintaining measurement precision through its portable design and direct contact measurement approach
3Device complexity
If laser displacement sensor output is not processed, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases regarding groove depth management
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device analyzes laser displacement sensor output data to calculate groove depths and provides feedback information about tire groove conditions. This transforms raw measurement data into actionable information for tire maintenance management
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 convenient and accurate measurement of tire groove depths without the need for precise vehicle positioning, improving user experience and enabling effective tire condition management.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor that detects a distance between the tire and the tire groove measuring device
Data Source
AI summary
A tire groove measuring device that a user moves along a tread of a tire to measure grooves provided in the tread of the tire. The tire groove measuring device includes: a distance sensor that detects a distance between the tire and the tire groove measuring device; and a processing device that calculates depths of the grooves based on output data of the distance sensor. The processing device is configured to: detect candidate grooves based on output data of the distance sensor; select a first groove with a deepest depth from among the plurality of candidate grooves; select, as candidate main grooves, grooves whose depth is within a first predetermined value Q with respect to the depth of the first groove from among the candidate grooves; and select a shallowest depth value from among depths of the candidate main grooves.