Radio Wave Tire Tread Depth Measurement via Accelerometer Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring tire tread depth are inadequate as they do not provide a reliable and efficient way to determine the remaining tread life of a tire, which is essential for maintaining proper vehicle performance and extending tire service life.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize radio waves to measure tread depth by transmitting and receiving waves through the tire, determining the depth based on elapsed time or phase differences, and using an accelerometer to align measurements with the tire's rotation, generating a distance data set that averages the smallest value to accurately represent tread depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radio waves are transmitted through the tire to measure tread depth, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits radio waves periodically rather than continuously, only when the tire rotates to a specific position detected by the accelerometer. This periodic measurement approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ultra-wideband radio waves with bandwidth greater than 500 MHz, which provide superior depth resolution and measurement precision. By optimizing the radio wave parameters (frequency, bandwidth), the system achieves high measurement precision while managing energy consumption through selective transmission.
2Reliability
If multiple radio waves are transmitted to account for road conditions, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radio wave transmissions are performed periodically during specific tire rotation intervals rather than continuously. The accelerometer detects when the tire reaches the measurement position, triggering a series of radio wave transmissions to gather multiple distance readings for reliability while minimizing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the accelerometer to determine when to transmit radio waves, and uses feedback from multiple distance measurements to identify and exclude outliers caused by road conditions. This selective feedback approach improves reliability without requiring continuous energy-intensive measurements.
3Measurement precision
If measurements are taken during tire rotation to account for position variations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer serves as an intermediary device that detects tire rotation position and triggers radio wave transmissions at the appropriate moments. This simple intermediary component enables position-aware measurements without requiring complex control systems, maintaining measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire's own rotation serves the dual purpose of positioning the measurement device and triggering the measurement process. By utilizing the natural rotation of the tire and detecting it with the accelerometer, the system achieves position-dependent measurements without requiring external positioning systems or complex synchronization mechanisms.
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 provides a precise and efficient method for determining tire tread depth, reducing energy consumption and accounting for variations in road conditions, thereby improving tire maintenance and extending tire service life.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting at least one radio wave from a transmitter through a tread of the tire. The at least one radio wave reflected from a road surface is received with a receiver
Implementation Method 2
measuring an elapsed time between when the at least one radio wave was transmitted by the transmitter and when the at least one radio wave reflected from the road surface was received by the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A method of measuring a tread depth of a tire includes transmitting at least one radio wave from a transmitter through a tread of the tire. The at least one radio wave reflected from a road surface is received with a receiver. The tread depth of the tire is determined based on comparing the at least one radio wave reflected from the road surface with the at least one radio wave from the transmitter.