Tire Water Drainage Evaluation Using Transparent Plate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively evaluate the micro-level water drainage performance of tire surfaces, which is crucial for ice grip performance, as they do not account for the removal of water films by irregularities on the tire surface.
Innovation Solution
A method involving shooting a video of a tire rolling on a transparent plate with a water film, processing the images to distinguish between the actual grounded area, water film area, and void space, and calculating the ratio of these areas to assess the water drainage performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tire rolls on a glass plate and is shot from below using a video camera, then the grounded state of the tire can be observed, but the micro-level water drainage performance of irregularities on the tire surface cannot be evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent plate is introduced as an intermediary between the tire and the camera. This plate allows light to pass through while supporting the water film, enabling the camera to capture images of the grounded state from below. The plate acts as a mediator that makes the micro-level interactions between the tire irregularities and water film visible without interfering with the measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes brightness changes in the captured images to distinguish between different regions. The grounded part appears darker while the water film part appears brighter, allowing for automatic segmentation and evaluation of water drainage performance. This optical contrast enables precise measurement of the micro-level grounded state.
2Measurement precision
If the water film thickness is increased to improve visibility, then the measurement of actual grounded part becomes less accurate, but if the water film thickness is decreased, then the visibility of the water drainage performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated image processing. A computer automatically segments the snapshot images into grounded part and water film part regions based on brightness thresholds, eliminating the need for manual judgment and providing objective, precise measurements of the grounded part area ratio.
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 method allows for the quantitative evaluation of micro-level water drainage performance, enhancing ice grip by identifying the speed of water film removal between the tire and road surface, thereby improving tire traction on icy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
shooting a video of a tire rolling on a transparent or translucent plate provided with a water film from below the transparent or translucent plate
Implementation Method 2
processing a snapshot image of the shot video into regions of an actual grounded part, a water film part, and a void space
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3A
Figure 3B~4A
AI summary
Provided is a method capable of evaluating micro-level water drainage performance of irregularities on the tire surface and a tire with excellent ice grip performance. The method of evaluating the water drainage performance of tires includes shooting a video of a tire rolling on a transparent or translucent plate provided with a water film from below the transparent or translucent plate; processing a snapshot image of the shot video into regions of an actual grounded part, a water film part, and a void space; and calculating a ratio of the actual grounded part and the water film part.