Tyre Wear Detection Using Embedded Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for detecting and indicating tire wear, such as the penny test and embedded wear indicators, are not reliable for predicting when a tire has reached the rethreading level, potentially leading to unsafe driving conditions due to reduced traction and increased risk of tire blowouts.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensors located at the rethreading level of the tire that generate data upon contact with the ground surface, which is transmitted to a control module and displayed on the dashboard or indicators to alert the driver of wear, using various types of sensors like touch, pressure, and optical fiber sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wear indicators are embedded in the tyre threads, then visual indication of tyre wear is provided, but the indication is only available after the tyre has already worn down to the rethreading level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetyre wear detection reliabilityVSAvoidtime for manual checks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by placing sensors at the rethreading level position on the tyre before wear occurs. These sensors continuously monitor the tyre tread thickness and generate alerts before the tyre actually reaches the dangerous wear level, allowing preventive maintenance rather than reactive detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring tyre wear through embedded sensors and providing real-time information to the driver via dashboard alerts. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for manual checks and ensures the driver is immediately notified when tyre wear approaches critical levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the number of tyre rotations is calculated to detect wear, then wear indication is provided, but huge processing power and time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetyre wear informationVSAvoidprocessing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex computational method of counting rotations and calculating wear with a direct physical sensing approach. Sensors embedded at the rethreading level directly detect when the tyre tread reaches critical thickness, eliminating the need for continuous rotation counting and complex processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The tyre wear detection system performs self-service by using the tyre's own structure as part of the sensing mechanism. The sensors are positioned to detect the physical presence or absence of tread material itself, rather than requiring external systems to calculate wear based on rotation data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual penny test method is used to check tyre thread depth, then tyre safety can be assessed, but the method is not reliable and requires frequent manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread depth measurementVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring tyre wear without requiring driver intervention. The embedded sensors continuously assess tread depth and the system autonomously generates alerts when wear reaches critical levels, eliminating the need for manual penny tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical penny test with an electronic sensing system. Instead of physically inserting a coin to measure tread depth, the system uses embedded sensors that electronically detect tread thickness, providing more precise and reliable measurements.

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

Provides a reliable and timely alert to the driver about tire wear, ensuring safer driving by indicating when the tire has reached the rethreading level, thus preventing accidents and the need for manual checks.

Implementation Method 1

using various types of sensors like touch, pressure, and optical fiber sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS9862238B2Method and system for indicating wear of tyre in a vehicle and a tyre therof

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 AHMED MUMSHAD FARAZ

AI summary

A tire of a vehicle is disclosed having at least one sensor, a control module and one or more indicators. The at least one sensor is located at a re-threading level of the tire to sense contact with ground surface. Upon contact with the ground surface, the at least one sensor generates data. The control module receives the data from the at least one sensor. Upon receiving the data, the control module determines a predefined condition. The control module transmits the data to a dashboard upon determining the predefined condition. The transmitted data is displayed on the dashboard which is communicatively connected to the control module for indicating wearing of the tire. In an embodiment, the dashboard provides signal relating to the displayed data. The one or more indicators is communicatively connected to the dashboard to receive signal relating to the data for indicating wearing of the tire.