Tire Conductivity Testing Electrode Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for checking the electrical conductivity of vehicle tires are incomplete, inaccurate, and inefficient, failing to ensure that tires can discharge static electricity effectively, particularly when stationary, and are not compatible with high-speed production line requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using multiple pairs of electrodes spaced apart to check the electrical conductivity of vehicle tires, allowing for precise and complete verification of tire conductivity by applying voltage between specific portions of the tire, which are stationary with respect to the electrodes, and integrating this process into the tire production line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single electrode pair is used to measure electrical resistance between tread and bead, then the measurement process is simple, but the verification of tire conductivity is incomplete and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of conductivity verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of electrode arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single electrode pair is segmented into multiple electrode pairs positioned at different angular locations around the tire circumference. Each electrode pair measures conductivity in a specific sector, and the results are combined to provide complete verification of the entire tire's conductivity, resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and verification completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement approach transitions from a single point measurement to a distributed spatial arrangement of multiple electrode pairs around the tire circumference. This dimensional expansion from one location to multiple locations enables complete conductivity verification while maintaining the simplicity of individual measurement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If existing electrode arrangements are used, then the device structure is simple, but the checking process is too slow for high-speed production line requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of conductivity checkingVSAvoidtime required for conductivity verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrode pairs enable parallel measurement of different tire sectors simultaneously, creating continuous and comprehensive conductivity verification without time loss. The system maintains continuous measurement capability across all tire circumferential positions, eliminating the time penalties associated with sequential measurement of single electrode pairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If a single electrode pair measures average electrical conductivity, then the measurement process is fast, but it cannot detect local non-conductive areas in the tread

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of local conductivity defectsVSAvoidmeasurement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tread surface is segmented into multiple angular sectors, each measured by a dedicated electrode pair. This segmentation enables detection of local non-conductive areas while maintaining measurement speed, as each sector can be measured independently and simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each electrode pair is positioned to measure conductivity in a specific local sector of the tread, providing localized quality information. This local measurement approach enables detection of non-conductive areas without sacrificing overall measurement speed, as all local measurements occur in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides improved accuracy, completeness, and speed in verifying tire conductivity, ensuring that tires can discharge static electricity effectively and are suitable for integration into the production line, enhancing safety and efficiency by ensuring all tires meet regulatory standards.

Implementation Method 1

applying voltage between specific portions of the tire, which are stationary with respect to the electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

checking the electrical conductivity of tyres for vehicle wheels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConduction (electrical): Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3887811B1Method and apparatus for checking the electrical conductivity of tyres for vehicle wheels
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP3887811B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3887811B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3887811B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for checking the electrical conductivity of tyres for vehicle wheels comprises: associating a tyre (2) with a plurality of angularly spaced pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes comprising a radially internal electrode (19) and a radially external electrode (18), wherein the radially external electrode (18) rests against a tread (9) of the tyre (2) and the radially internal electrode (19) rests against a bead (7) of the tyre (2). The radially external electrode (18) and the radially internal electrode (19) are substantially aligned with each other along a radial direction of the tyre (2). The method further provides for generating a voltage between the radially external electrode (18) and the radially internal electrode (19) and obtaining an electrical resistance value between the radially external electrode (18) and the radially internal electrode (19) of each pair of electrodes.