Hand-Held Tire Scanner With Optical 3D Tread Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting the surface profile of tires lack the capability to efficiently and accurately obtain a three-dimensional topological profile, particularly for assessing tread depth and wear patterns.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held device equipped with a light source to project an elongate pattern of light onto the tire surface, a detector to image the reflected light, and a rotary encoder to track the device's movement, allowing for the generation of a three-dimensional topological surface profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual inspection methods are used to measure tire tread depth, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and three-dimensional surface profile capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact measurement systems with an optical projection system. A light source projects a known pattern onto the tire surface, and a detector captures the deformed pattern to calculate three-dimensional surface profile through optical processing, eliminating complex mechanical contact sensors while achieving high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the tire surface by projecting a light pattern that conforms to the surface topology. The detector captures this optical copy, and through image processing and comparison with the original projected pattern, the three-dimensional surface profile is reconstructed without direct physical contact
2Ease of operation
If a hand-held device is used to scan the tire surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but ensuring consistent scanning speed and position accuracy becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotary encoder that continuously monitors the rotation position of the guide wheels and provides feedback signals. This feedback is used to precisely determine the scanning position and speed, allowing the system to compensate for variations in manual scanning motion and maintain accurate three-dimensional surface profile measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide wheels with rotary encoders as intermediary components between the hand-held device and the tire surface. These intermediaries translate manual scanning motions into precise digital position data, decoupling the ease of manual operation from the precision of measurement
3Ease of operation
If guide wheels are used to move the device over the tire surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to gear linkages
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wheels serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide the device along the tire surface, provide mechanical support, and through their rotary encoders, provide precise position and speed measurement data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while managing complexity
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 measurement of tire surface topology, including tread depth and wear patterns, facilitating compliance with safety standards and optimizing tire performance.
Implementation Method 1
Projecting an elongate pattern of light onto a rolling surface of the tire and imaging a region of said surface enables the surface topology of the tire
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held device for obtaining a three-dimensional topological surface profile of a tire includes: a base comprising an aperture; a light source arranged in use to generate an elongate pattern of light, and to project said pattern through the aperture onto a rolling surface of the tire; a detector arranged to image a region of the rolling surface of the tire; a plurality of pairs of guide wheels mounted on respective axles mounted on the base, wherein the guide wheels on adjacent axles are linked by gears; and a rotary encoder arranged to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of an axle.