Tyre Endurance Detection via Acoustic Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current durability tests for tires often detect shape anomalies too late, leading to safety risks and equipment damage, as well as difficulties in analyzing the root cause of failure, due to the high-speed nature of the tests and late-stage detection of tire failure.

Innovation Solution

Analyzing the sound generated by the tire during the test using high-frequency sound detection with a high sampling frequency, preferably from a far-field microphone, to identify early signs of tire failure through changes in sound level and spectral analysis, allowing for earlier intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If shape analysis probes are used to detect tyre anomalies during endurance testing, then the tyre can be monitored for shape changes, but the detection occurs too late (often at very late stage or when tyre bursts)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanomaly detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/optical shape detection probes with acoustic sensing. Microphones detect sound waves generated by tyre failures, enabling early detection before shape anomalies become visible. This substitution allows detection at an earlier stage (before tyre bursts) while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary indicator of tyre failure. Instead of directly measuring tyre shape changes, the system detects acoustic emissions that precede visible anomalies. This intermediary approach enables earlier warning of tyre failure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If high-speed endurance testing is conducted (e.g. 150-300 km/h peripheral speed), then the tyre can be tested under realistic driving conditions, but safety risks increase and root cause analysis becomes difficult when failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest speedVSAvoidtesting safety
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements acoustic feedback monitoring during high-speed testing. Microphones continuously detect sound patterns that indicate developing tyre failures. This feedback system allows operators to stop tests before catastrophic failures occur, maintaining safety while enabling high-speed testing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary detection of tyre failure through acoustic signals before actual failure occurs. By detecting sound patterns indicating tyre degradation, the system allows preventive intervention at high speeds without risking safety or equipment damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If conventional probes are used for detecting tyre shape anomalies, then the testing equipment can monitor tyre condition, but the root cause of failure cannot be analyzed when failure occurs at very late stage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre condition monitoringVSAvoidroot cause information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses acoustic emissions as an intermediary that preserves information about tyre failure mechanisms. Different failure modes produce distinct sound patterns, allowing root cause analysis even when failures occur during high-speed testing. This intermediary approach captures diagnostic information that shape probes miss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical shape measurement with acoustic sensing that captures dynamic failure processes. The acoustic signals provide information about the mechanisms causing failure (e.g., tread separation, belt detachment) that are not visible through shape monitoring alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 the reliable and early detection of tire failure, preventing accidents and equipment damage by identifying changes in sound patterns indicative of endurance limits being reached, thereby allowing for timely intervention in the testing process.

Implementation Method 1

detecting sound generated by the tyre making a rolling contact with the movable surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound detection: Sound

Implementation Method 2

transducing the sound generated by the tyre to a signal using a microphone arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentEP4379345A1A method and a device for evaluating endurance of a tyre
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 NOKIAN TYRES
  • EP4379345A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4379345A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4379345A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

A method for evaluating endurance of a tyre, comprising rotating the tyre with respect to a movable surface to generate sound, transducing the sound to a signal using a microphone arrangement and a sampling frequency of at least 20 kHz, and determining from the signal that an endurance of the tyre has been exceeded. A device for performing the method. A computer program for generating a second signal indicative of an endurance of a tyre having been exceeded based on a signal transduced from the sound. A method for teaching a data-driven model for the purpose of determining from a signal an endurance of a tyre.