Optical Tyre Tread Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring tire tread depth are inaccurate and inefficient, particularly for assessing the entire surface of a tire, leading to potential safety and legal compliance issues, as they often rely on manual, single-point measurements or cumbersome devices that cannot detect uneven wear or confirm compliance with minimum tread requirements.
Innovation Solution
A portable system with multiple imaging means and light-emitting components that project an elongate pattern of light onto the tire surface, allowing for comprehensive tread depth measurement by imaging different regions of the tire, enabling accurate and efficient assessment of tread depth around the tire's circumference and width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a manual tread depth gauge is used for single-point measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient for comprehensive tread assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement with an automated optical system. A camera captures images of the tyre tread, and image processing algorithms automatically calculate tread depth by analyzing the position of the light pattern relative to the tread features. This eliminates the need for manual gauge placement and reading, significantly improving measurement precision and consistency while reducing operator-dependent variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the tyre tread surface by projecting a light pattern onto it and capturing the reflected light with a camera. The image serves as a digital replica of the tread surface, allowing for non-contact measurement and analysis. This copying approach enables comprehensive assessment of multiple tread locations simultaneously without physical contact, improving both measurement accuracy and operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If only a single line scan is performed across the tyre width, then the measurement time is reduced, but the reliability of detecting uneven wear and confirming circumferential compliance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tyre tread measurement into multiple scanning lines that collectively cover the entire tread width and circumference. Instead of a single line scan, the system performs multiple parallel scans across the tread width and rotates the tyre to capture additional lines at different circumferential positions. This segmentation approach ensures comprehensive coverage for detecting uneven wear patterns while maintaining efficiency through automated image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous scanning and imaging throughout the measurement process. The camera continuously captures images of the light pattern as it scans across the tread, and the system continuously processes these images to build a comprehensive map of tread depth variations. This continuous action ensures no wear patterns are missed while maintaining measurement efficiency through real-time data acquisition and processing.
3Loss of time
If a portable in situ measurement system is implemented, then the loss of time for wheel removal and rolling road usage is reduced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wheel removal and rolling road systems with a portable optical measurement device that can be applied directly to the tyre in situ. The system uses non-contact optical projection and imaging to measure tread depth while the tyre remains mounted on the vehicle. This substitution eliminates the need for wheel removal, rolling road equipment, and extensive garage space, significantly reducing inspection time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable measurement system is designed to be universally applicable to various tyre sizes and vehicle types without requiring specialized equipment for each case. The device can perform multiple functions including tread depth measurement, uneven wear detection, and compliance verification across different tyre configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifies the overall inspection process.
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 provides a compact, efficient, and accurate means to measure tire tread depth, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and detecting wear patterns, thereby enhancing safety and reducing unnecessary tire replacements.
Implementation Method 1
light-emitting means arranged to project an elongate pattern of light onto the rolling surface of the tyre; first and second imaging means arranged in use to image respective first and second regions of the rolling surface of the tyre
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and method for measuring the tread of a tyre on a vehicle, in which light emitting means (500, 502; 1500, 1502; 2500, 2502) generates an elongate pattern of light. One or more first mirrors (508, 510; 1508, 1510; 2508, 2510) are arranged to reflect light from the light emitting means onto the rolling surface of the tyre and/or one or more second mirrors (512; 1512, 1530; 2512, 2530) are arranged to reflect light from the rolling surface of the tyre towards imaging means (504, 506; 1504, 1506; 2504, 2506) that image a region of the rolling surface of the tyre. The apparatus may be hand-held or arranged such that a tyre to be imaged is driven onto or over it.