Method and device for tyre condition analysis
US10859468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/22
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for measuring the depth of tread of a tyre (5) on a wheel (2) of a vehicle (1) whilst the wheel is rotating and moving along the ground. A camera (3) captures images whilst the tyre rotates for at least the major part of its circumference. Light sources (L1 to L4) are spaced longitudinally and are directed at an acute angle to the path of the tyre, to illuminate the tyre whilst images are captured. The images are analysed by data processing apparatus (8) and the tread depth is determined from the length of shadows (12, 13) in the gaps (11) between tread blocks (10). The light sources are activated and de-activated sequentially in accordance with signals from longitudinally spaced sensors (S1 to S4) which detect the presence of the tyre, so that when an image is captured of a portion of the tyre tread, only one light source is activated to illuminate that portion of the tyre tread.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.