Tire Sensor Placement Device for Automated Cord Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting tire cords inside a tire are inefficient and cannot accommodate tires of varying shapes and sizes, nor can they handle features projecting from the inside surface, making it difficult to automate the inspection process for multiple tires.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pair of sensor supports, each comprising a sensor, a substrate, a bracket, and support arms that pivot and rotate, along with rollers and a biasing element, allowing sensors to be inserted and deployed along both sidewalls of the tire, accommodating different tire sizes and features, and enabling rotation for comprehensive scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in contact with the inside surface of the tire to detect cord breaks, then measurement precision is improved, but the device cannot accommodate tires of varying shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor support assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components including extendable arms with telescopic sections, adjustable positioning mechanisms, and flexible mounting structures that allow the sensor to adapt its position and orientation to accommodate different tire dimensions and shapes while maintaining contact with the inside surface for accurate cord break detection
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal sensor placement system that can be applied to various tire types and sizes through standardized interfaces combined with adjustable positioning mechanisms, allowing the same device to serve multiple tire inspection functions across different applications
2Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in contact with the inside surface of the tire, then detection capability is improved, but projecting features on the inside surface can damage or interfere with the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is mounted on a support assembly with extendable arms and positioning mechanisms that act as intermediaries between the sensor and the tire inside surface, allowing the sensor to maintain detection contact while the support structure absorbs or bypasses interference from projecting features through adjustable positioning and protective design
3Productivity
If the tire is rotated during inspection to scan the entire sidewall, then inspection completeness is improved, but the sensor placement device must accommodate rotation without being damaged by inside surface features
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor support assembly incorporates movable joints, articulating arms, and flexible mounting structures that enable the sensor to dynamically adjust its position and orientation as the tire rotates, accommodating the rotational motion while navigating around projecting features on the inside surface
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is divided into multiple articulated segments and independent positioning mechanisms that can move and adjust relative to each other, allowing different parts of the assembly to independently accommodate rotation and navigate around obstacles on the tire inside surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A device is provided for placing one or more sensors along the inside surface of a tire. The device can accommodate tires of different shapes and sizes as well as projecting features along the inside surface of the tire. In one embodiment, sensors can be inserted into the interior of the tire and simultaneously deployed along the inside surface of both sidewalls. This embodiment of the device allows for repeated insertion and withdrawal of the sensors over a range of tire sizes so as to automate steps in the inspection process.