Tire Uniformity Machine Characterization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire uniformity machines provide inconsistent test results due to unique force characteristics of components like rotating drums and spindle assemblies, which are not adequately characterized, leading to inaccurate filtering and potential misclassification of tire nonuniformity.
Innovation Solution
A system for characterizing tire uniformity machines includes spindle alignment assemblies and characterizing devices to align and measure forces of spindles, generating waveforms that adjust tire test results, ensuring consistent and accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tire uniformity testing is performed using conventional machines without component characterization, then the testing procedure is simple, but the test results are inconsistent and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing characterization of machine components (spindles, load wheel, rotating drum) before actual tire testing. Characterization waveforms are generated in advance to represent the force contributions of each component, which are then used to filter and correct test results. This preliminary characterization step enables consistent and accurate measurements without adding complexity to the actual testing procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses characterization waveforms as an intermediary element between the machine components and the tire testing process. These waveforms mathematically represent the force characteristics of spindles, load wheel, and rotating drum, serving as mediators that allow the system to compensate for component variations. The waveforms are subtracted from raw test data to isolate the true tire nonuniformity, enabling accurate measurements without directly modifying the physical testing setup.
2Measurement precision
If filtering is applied to test results to account for machine component variations, then measurement accuracy improves, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the complex filtering operation in advance by generating characterization waveforms during a one-time characterization process. These pre-computed waveforms are then simply subtracted from subsequent test results, transforming a potentially time-consuming filtering operation into a rapid calculation. This eliminates the need for iterative filtering during actual testing, maintaining high accuracy while minimizing testing time.
3Reliability
If multiple sampling and filtering are used to ensure test reliability, then measurement consistency improves, but the testing procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses characterization waveforms as intermediaries that encapsulate the effects of multiple samplings and machine variations into a single mathematical representation. By subtracting these waveforms from test data, the system achieves the reliability benefits of multiple sampling without actually performing repeated physical tests. This eliminates the need for complex multi-step testing procedures while maintaining high consistency and reliability of results.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire uniformity machine includes an apparatus for receiving and rotating a tire. The apparatus includes opposed spindles for receiving, inflating and rotating a tire, and a load wheel applied to the rotating tire to obtain tire test results. A spindle alignment assembly is associated with the opposed spindles to align the spindles with one another each time a tire is received. At least one characterizing device is associated with components of the apparatus to characterize forces of the opposed spindles and the characterized forces are used in adjusting tire test results.