Tire Double Detection via Wheel Area Ratio

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional double tire determination devices require detection light and reflected light to determine if a tire is a double tire, limiting their effectiveness in certain environments and time slots.

Innovation Solution

A double tire determination device that uses an image input unit to capture images of tires and a determination unit to assess the ratio between areas of wheel regions on either side of the tire's rotation center, allowing for double tire identification without applying detection light or detecting reflected light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If detection light is applied to the tire and reflected light is detected to determine double tire, then double tire determination can be performed, but the device is limited in placement location and operation time slot due to requirements for significant reflected light intensity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedouble tire determination capabilityVSAvoidplacement location and operation time slot flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical detection system (detection light and reflected light sensing) with an image processing system. The image input unit captures images of the tire, and the determination unit analyzes the images by calculating the ratio of areas of wheel regions on either side of the tire's rotation center to determine whether it is a double tire. This substitution eliminates the need for detection light and allows operation in various environments and time slots without light intensity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional light-based detection method is used, then double tire determination is possible, but the device cannot operate effectively in environments with insufficient ambient light or during night hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidoperational environment range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical detection system (detection light and reflected light sensing) with an image processing system. The image input unit captures images of the tire, and the determination unit analyzes the images by calculating the ratio of areas of wheel regions on either side of the tire's rotation center to determine whether it is a double tire. This substitution eliminates the need for detection light and allows operation in various environments and time slots without light intensity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If detection light intensity is increased to ensure sufficient reflected light, then double tire determination reliability improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical detection system (detection light and reflected light sensing) with an image processing system. The image input unit captures images of the tire, and the determination unit analyzes the images by calculating the ratio of areas of wheel regions on either side of the tire's rotation center to determine whether it is a double tire. This substitution eliminates the need for detection light and allows operation in various environments and time slots without light intensity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11175175B2Dual tire determination device and dual tire determination method

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A double tire determination device includes an image input unit and a determination unit. The image input unit receives input of a captured image including a tire mounted on a vehicle. The determination unit determines whether the tire is a double tire, based on a ratio between a first area and a second area. The first area is an area of a first wheel region that is a part of a region of a wheel holding the tire and that is located on a side in a first direction with respect to a position of a rotation center of the tire. The second area is an area of a second wheel region that is a part of the region of the wheel holding the tire and that is located on a side in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, with respect to the position of the rotation center.