Tire Eccentricity Detection Using Planar Light Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire eccentricity detection systems for vehicle wheels are mechanically complex and costly, making them unsuitable for widespread use in maintenance operations, and previous solutions have high costs due to the need for complex sensors and electronics.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a planar light beam to illuminate a limited linear portion of the tire tread, focusing the reflected light on a single optical sensor point to calculate the average radial distance, allowing for eccentricity detection without complex systems, using a compact and inexpensive setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a point-like light beam is used for tire scanning, then the apparatus can be simpler without motors and moving structures, but it cannot scan the entire tire surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a point-like light beam into a planar light beam by introducing a cylindrical lens that expands the beam in one dimension. This dimensional change allows the light to illuminate an entire cross-section of the tire tread simultaneously, enabling full surface scanning without mechanical movement while maintaining a simple apparatus structure
2Productivity
If a two-dimensional sensitive surface sensor is used, then the entire tire strip can be scanned simultaneously, but the cost of instrumentation becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task by using a one-dimensional linear array of sensors instead of a two-dimensional sensor array. The planar light beam illuminates the entire tire cross-section, and the linear sensor array captures reflected light from multiple points along the illumination line, achieving efficient scanning with lower-cost components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the light beam from point-like to planar by using optical elements (cylindrical lens). This parameter change allows a single line of illumination to cover the entire tire width, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple points with a simpler, less expensive sensor configuration
3Measurement precision
If motors and moving structures are added to scan the tire surface, then the entire tire can be scanned, but the apparatus becomes mechanically complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical complexity by transforming the light beam into a planar configuration that illuminates the entire tire cross-section at once. This dimensional change in the light beam allows complete tire surface scanning without requiring motors or moving structures, achieving both comprehensive measurement and mechanical simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system (motors and moving structures) with an optical solution using a planar light beam. The optical field substitution eliminates the need for mechanical movement while maintaining the ability to scan the entire tire surface, reducing device complexity and cost
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
Enables precise and reliable detection of tire eccentricity during maintenance, reducing production and maintenance costs while maintaining a simple and compact apparatus structure, allowing for simultaneous detection during or after maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating a linear portion of a tread of the tire with a planar beam of light, wherein said linear portion has an axial width smaller than an axial width of the tread and greater than an axial width of grooves of said tread; capturing a light beam reflected by the tread
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the maintenance of wheels of vehicles, like a balancer or a device for mounting/dismounting tires, comprises a support adapted to support a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. A device for detecting the eccentricity of a tire of the wheel is mounted on the support. Such device comprises an optical system configured to capture a light beam reflected by a tread of the tire and focus it on a point of an optical sensor. The optical sensor emits a signal indicative of an average value of a radial distance of the linear portion from the main axis. A control unit processes a plurality of average values corresponding to different linear portions of the tread and obtained during the rotation of the tire, and detects the eccentricity of said tire.