Tyre Wear Detection via Water Spray Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring tire wear are infrequent, inaccurate, and labor-intensive, lacking continuous monitoring capabilities while the vehicle is in operation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a precipitation detection device and additional sensors to measure the quantity of water thrown up by tires, comparing it to standard values to determine tire wear, with options including rain sensors, structure-borne sound sensors, and capacitance sensors, and providing a warning when wear reaches a critical level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tread depth gauge is used to measure tyre wear, then measurement accuracy is improved, but continuous monitoring is not possible and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tread depth gauge with an optical measurement system using light beams and sensors. This substitution enables automated, continuous monitoring of tyre wear parameters without requiring manual intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and monitoring continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to automatically monitor tyre wear parameters without requiring external intervention. The system self-calibrates using reference surfaces and continuously measures wear data, eliminating the need for periodic manual measurements with tread depth gauges.
2Ease of manufacture
If visual inspection of tyre condition is performed by the vehicle owner, then no additional equipment is needed, but accuracy decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual inspection with an automated optical measurement system. The system uses light beams, sensors, and electronic evaluation units to objectively measure tyre wear parameters, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of light beams, sensors, and evaluation units that mediate between the tyre and the observer. This intermediary system provides accurate, objective measurements without requiring direct contact or subjective assessment by the vehicle owner.
3Productivity
If continuous monitoring of tyre wear is implemented with sensor systems, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the measurement system to perform multiple functions using a unified approach. The same optical components and sensors are used for both calibration and measurement phases, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous monitoring capability. The system can also detect various parameters including wear depth and surface characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration using reference surfaces before actual measurement. This preliminary action establishes baseline parameters and simplifies subsequent continuous monitoring by pre-configuring the measurement system, thereby reducing the complexity of real-time operations.
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 continuous, accurate monitoring of tire wear, providing timely warnings of wear thresholds, enhancing vehicle safety through real-time data comparison and standard value calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam is coupled into the windscreen, the light beam is totally reflected between the interior surface and exterior surface of the windscreen, and is coupled out of the windscreen again
Implementation Method 2
The water striking the outer shell of the vehicle causes mechanical pulses to be transmitted to the outer shell of the vehicle, and these are propagated in the form of structure-borne sound signals
Implementation Method 3
a sensor device may also be designed as a capacitance sensor, wherein for example the capacitance of the striking spray water may be measured between two electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for capturing the state of wear of at least one vehicle tyre on a vehicle wherein at least one measurement signal is captured with a least one sensor device of the vehicle it is provided as essential to the invention that a quantity of water striking at least one section of the vehicle is determined by means of at least one precipitation detection device, a measurement value of the water thrown up from the road by at least one tyre to be monitored is captured by means of at least one additional sensor device, and that at least one standard value for the measurement value of the water thrown up measured with the additional sensor device (7) is calculated from the quantity of water determined with the aid of the precipitation detection device. It is further provided as essential to the invention that the measured measurement value is compared with the calculated standard value, and a conclusion is drawn about the state of wear of at least one vehicle tyre from the comparison of the measured measurement value with the calculated standard value.