Tire Uniformity Machine Characterization via Control Tire Waveforms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire uniformity machines provide inconsistent test results, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in distinguishing between acceptable and non-acceptable tires due to the need for repetitive testing and filtering of results to account for machine-specific influences.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the characterization of the tire uniformity machine's components, specifically the load wheel and spindle, through the use of control tires with known spring-rates to generate waveforms that adjust test tire waveforms, thereby isolating and correcting for machine-induced variations, ensuring accurate and quick tire testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tire uniformity testing is performed using conventional machines, then test results can be obtained, but the results are inconsistent and unreliable due to machine-specific imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates machine-induced waveform characteristics from the test measurements by using control tires with known uniform properties. The machine's waveform signature is identified and removed from subsequent test tire measurements, allowing the true tire uniformity to be measured without machine interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being measured by comparing test tire waveforms against control tire waveforms obtained under identical machine conditions. This differential measurement approach eliminates machine-specific parameters and isolates the actual tire uniformity characteristics.
2Reliability
If repetitive testing and filtering procedures are applied to account for machine influences, then measurement reliability may improve, but testing time and process complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of the machine's waveform signature using control tires before actual tire testing. This pre-established machine signature is then used to correct all subsequent test measurements without requiring repetitive filtering operations, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reference copy of the machine's waveform characteristics using control tires. This reference waveform serves as a template for correcting all test tire measurements, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative filtering and statistical analysis.
3Reliability
If filtering procedures are applied to test results, then some machine-induced errors may be reduced, but there is risk of excluding acceptable tires or including non-acceptable tires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the machine's harmful waveform interference into a beneficial correction factor. By measuring the machine's signature with control tires, the previously harmful machine-induced waveforms become known quantities that can be subtracted from test tire measurements, improving both reliability and precision simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tire uniformity machine includes an apparatus for receiving and rotating a tire. The apparatus includes opposed chuck assemblies for receiving, inflating and rotating the tire and a load wheel applied to the rotating tire to obtain tire test results. At least one characterizing device is associated with components of the apparatus to characterize forces of at least one of the components and the characterized forces are used in adjusting the tire test results.