Motorized Tire Rollers for In-Place Rotation and Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle tires deform and suffer from slow leaks or age-related wear when parked for extended periods, requiring manual effort to rotate and inspect, with risks of incomplete rotation and undetected issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing featuring an inclined ramp and adjustable rollers driven by motors, equipped with pressure and optical sensors to lift, rotate, and inspect tires, determining deformation, inflation, and material conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tires are manually rotated by hand or using jacks, then some rotation can be achieved, but it requires significant manual effort and may not complete full 360° rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical rotation with an automated motor-driven roller system. The roller, powered by a motor, rotates the tire automatically without requiring manual effort, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and rotation completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the tire to be rotated automatically through sensor detection and motor actuation. The device detects tire conditions and autonomously performs rotation, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring complete rotation.
2Reliability
If vehicles are driven periodically to prevent tire deformation, then tire deformation can be prevented, but it requires vehicle movement and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rotation of the tire before permanent deformation occurs. By detecting early signs of deformation and rotating the tire proactively, the system prevents permanent deformation without requiring the vehicle to be driven, thus saving time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for vehicle driving with a motorized roller system that rotates the tire in place. This substitution eliminates the time required for vehicle movement while still achieving the goal of preventing tire deformation.
3Reliability
If tires are inspected through regular use and maintenance, then issues can be detected, but slow leaks and age-related wear may go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated optical sensors and image processing systems. These sensors can detect subtle changes in tire dimensions, shape, and surface characteristics that are imperceptible to the human eye, thereby improving detection precision for slow leaks and age-related wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors tire conditions using sensors and provides feedback to detect changes over time. By comparing current measurements with historical data, the system can identify gradual degradation patterns indicative of slow leaks or age-related wear that would be missed in periodic manual inspections.
4Extent of automation
If a device with multiple sensors and motors is used to rotate and inspect tires, then automation and precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device: the motor-driven roller performs both rotation and support functions, while the optical sensors simultaneously measure tire dimensions, shape, and surface conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high automation.
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
Automates tire rotation and inspection, preventing deformation and detecting leaks/wear, reducing manual effort and ensuring complete 360° rotation with precise condition assessment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first optical sensor may be mounted on the upper surface of the housing for visually measuring dimensions and shape of the tire within the depression
Implementation Method 2
At least one pressure sensor may be mounted on the upper surface of the housing between the pair of spaced apart slots. The at least one pressure sensor may also be in communication with the controller such that the controller may determine a surface area of the tire that contacts the at least one pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The device for rotating and inspecting tires includes a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces, with a ramp portion of the upper surface being inclined and a support portion of the upper surface having a depression formed therein. A pair of spaced apart slots are formed through the upper surface within the depression. A pair of rollers are mounted within the housing beneath the pair of spaced apart slots. Each of the rollers has an adjustable height such that the pair of rollers may be selectively raised and lowered through the pair of spaced apart slots. The rollers are driven to rotate by motors or the like such that, in use, each tire may be lifted off the upper surface of the housing by raising the rollers, and the rollers may be driven to rotate the tire. Optical sensors are provided to inspect the tire.