Tire Tread Rib Edge Detection for Vibration Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The interaction between tire tread rib edges and rain grooves causes unwanted vibratory motions in vehicles due to varying lateral force variations, which existing technologies have not effectively managed, necessitating a method to determine and manipulate the position of tread rib edges for reduced vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus using a sensor array to obtain a tire footprint, determine the intensity profile, locate tread rib edges, and assess the tire quality by applying geometric transformations and cropping the footprint to enhance resolution and accuracy in identifying rib edge positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the position of tread rib edges is manipulated to reduce vibrations from rain groove interactions, then vehicle vibratory motions are suppressed, but the complexity of tire design and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the position and dimensions of tread rib edges to optimize vibration suppression. Different tread patterns with specific rib edge configurations are designed to avoid resonant interactions with rain grooves, thereby reducing vehicle vibrations while maintaining manufacturability through controlled parameter variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform tread rib edge positions and widths at specific locations on the tire tread. Rather than uniform design, local variations in rib geometry are introduced to针对性地 address vibration issues at particular frequencies or road conditions, allowing optimization of vibration suppression without redesigning the entire tire structure.
2Measurement precision
If sensor array resolution is increased to accurately locate tread rib edges, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dimensionality change by capturing tire footprint images at multiple angular orientations rather than relying on a single high-resolution measurement. By taking measurements from different angles and combining them through image processing, the system achieves high precision in locating tread rib edges using moderate-resolution sensors, thereby avoiding the need for extremely high-resolution (and complex/expensive) single-point sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by preprocessing the footprint images through geometric transformations, alignment, and enhancement techniques before analyzing tread rib edge positions. These preliminary processing steps improve the effective resolution and accuracy of edge detection, allowing the use of simpler sensor arrays that would otherwise be insufficient for precise measurement.
3Measurement precision
If geometric transformations and image processing are applied to enhance footprint resolution, then tread rib location accuracy improves, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by applying geometric transformations and image processing selectively to enhance only the critical regions of the footprint image where tread rib edges are located. Rather than processing the entire image at maximum resolution, the system focuses computational resources on relevant areas, achieving high measurement precision while reducing overall processing time and computational burden.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, an apparatus and a computer-program product for determining a quality of a tire. The apparatus includes a sensor array configured to obtain a footprint of the tire, and a processor. The processor determines an intensity profile of the footprint, locates an edge of a tread rib of the tire from the change in intensity, and determines from the location of the tread rib edge a relative quality of the tire.