Palm-held Laser Scanner for Tire Tread Depth Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire tread depth measurement methods, including handheld devices and drive-over systems, require frequent checks and lack efficiency in predicting tire wear and maintaining proper inflation levels, affecting safety and fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
A palm-held tire tread depth scanner combined with a smartphone, utilizing two single-point triangulation lasers, Wi-Fi telecommunications, and a user interface, allows technicians to efficiently measure tread depth by moving the scanner over the tire surface, communicating data to a cloud-based system for analysis and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If handheld devices or drive-over devices are used for tire tread depth measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but productivity is reduced due to frequent manual checks and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (tread depth, wear patterns, inflation assessment) into a single integrated laser scanning device that can be mounted on vehicles, eliminating the need for multiple separate measurement tools and reducing overall system complexity while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The laser measurement device performs multiple functions including tread depth measurement, wear pattern analysis, and inflation level assessment through a single unified system, allowing one device to replace several specialized tools and significantly improving measurement efficiency
2Measurement precision
If visual inspection or manual measurement methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision is insufficient for accurate wear prediction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical measurement probes with optical laser triangulation technology, achieving high-precision 3D surface mapping and tread depth measurement without physical contact, thereby significantly improving measurement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms physical tread depth measurements into digital 3D point cloud data through laser scanning, enabling precise quantitative analysis of wear patterns and providing accurate predictions of tire end-of-service life through computational processing
3Ease of operation
If drive-over devices are used for measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but ease of operation is reduced due to requiring vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the vehicle over a stationary measurement device, the patent inverts the approach by mounting the measurement device on the vehicle itself, allowing the technician to perform measurements while the vehicle remains stationary, thereby eliminating time loss from repositioning and improving operational convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The mounted device enables the vehicle to serve as its own measurement platform, with the technician able to conduct comprehensive tire assessments immediately without requiring external measurement equipment or vehicle movement, significantly reducing time loss and improving ease of operation
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
This solution enhances productivity and accuracy by leveraging natural hand movement and dexterity, providing quick data acquisition and reporting, while reducing the need for car movement and improving the assessment of tire wear and alignment, thus enhancing safety and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a laser line generator generates an elongate pattern of light. Mirrors are arranged to reflect light from the laser line generator onto the rolling surface of the tyre. A mirror is arranged to reflect light from the rolling surface of the tyre towards the camera
Implementation Method 2
utilizing two single-point triangulation lasers
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire tread depth measurement system includes a scanner and smart phone that fit into the palm of a user either directly or attached to a glove. The technician obtains tread depth data by moving her hand holding the scanner over a tire profile. The scanner communicates with a nearby control box that uploads the data to a server for determination of tread depth, tire wear pattern and wheel alignment. The tire tread analysis is downloaded to the control box and reported to the technician via the smart phone. The smart phone is programmed to identify the vehicle and related information about it based on the license plate or vehicle identification number by interpreting the license number or VIN and interrogating various data bases via the internet. Wear and analysis results are forwarded for printing the entire report.