A tire defect detection system for detecting defects in a tire. The system includes at least one infrared camera, a pneumatic source and a computing device. The pneumatic source inflates the tire to a predetermined pressure. After inflation, the infrared camera captures a reference frame of a section of the tire. A period of time after capturing the reference frame, the infrared camera captures a subsequent frame. The subsequent frame is compared to the reference frame to detect a portion of the section of the tire that has a lower temperature. The lower temperature is caused by an escape of air from the tire through a defect. The escaping air cools the area of the tire around the defect, so a decrease in temperature indicates the defect.

A vibration monitoring system includes a plurality of encoders and an analyzer. The encoders are configured to generate multiple pulse train signals for multiple wheels. Each encoder is coupled to a respective one of the multiple wheels and generates a single one of the pulse train signals. The analyzer is coupled to the encoders and is configured to generate multiple pulse per revolution signals and multiple angular velocity signals for the wheels in response to the pulse train signals. Each pulse per revolution signal conveys a single pulse per rotation of the respective wheel. The analyzer is further configured to generate an input phasor array representative of the pulse per revolution signals, generate a response phasor array in response to the angular velocity signals for the wheels, and generate a report that identifies at least one vibrating wheel in response to the input phasor array and the response phasor array.

The tire sensing and analysis system may comprise a measurement device and local application software. The measurement device may make contact with a tire of a vehicle such that the measurement device is positioned at a specific distance and orientation relative to the tire. The measurement device may capture multiple images of the tire using an RGB camera and a pair of infrared cameras. The local application software may analyze the images and may construct a 3D mesh describing the 3-dimensional contours of the tread. The local application software may determine a tread depth, tread issues, and tire condition and may display status and warning messages on a display unit that is coupled to the measurement device. The measurements may be communicated to remote application software for additional analysis. As non-limiting examples, the remote application software may detect specific tire wear patterns and may transmit a report to share results of the analysis.

A method of testing a tire is employed in an enclosed system having a drum enclosure connected to a tire enclosure by flexible bellows, the enclosed system configured such that a tire inside the tire enclosure abuts a drum inside the drum enclosure. The method includes rotating the drum at a first angular velocity, thereby causing the tire to rotate at the first angular velocity. The method further includes measuring a temperature at a first location adjacent the tire and blowing cool air into the tire enclosure when the measured temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold. The method also includes measuring a humidity level at a second location and adding moisture in the tire enclosure when the measured humidity level falls below a predetermined humidity threshold.

The present invention provides an unique ID electronic (UID) tag for a tire, which is suitable to be mounted on a surface of tire or embedded in a tire, comprising: a tag unit; a pliable protective layer; and a vulcanizable bonding layer. The pliable protective layer provided on two opposite sides of the tag unit. The vulcanizable bonding layer provided on one or each of the two opposite sides of the pliable protective layer to bond the UID tag tightly to the tire during a vulcanization process. Further, the tag unit comprises a circuit substrate provided with an antenna circuit, and an integrated circuit (IC) chip electrically connected to the antenna circuit.

The present invention provides an unique ID electronic (UID) tag for a tire, which is suitable to be mounted on a surface of tire or embedded in a tire, comprising: a tag unit; a pliable protective layer; and a vulcanizable bonding layer. The pliable protective layer provided on two opposite sides of the tag unit. The vulcanizable bonding layer provided on one or each of the two opposite sides of the pliable protective layer to bond the UID tag tightly to the tire during a vulcanization process. Further, the tag unit comprises a circuit substrate provided with an antenna circuit, and an integrated circuit (IC) chip electrically connected to the antenna circuit.

A method for displaying an image of a surface of a tire includes: taking an image of a surface of a tire formed with a mark having a protrusion and a recess; acquiring waveform data from the taken image of the surface; creating a histogram from the waveform data; determining, based on the histogram, a first bin threshold to distinguish a surface luminance of the protrusion of the mark, and a second bin threshold to distinguish a surface luminance of the recess of the mark; and displaying the image of the surface of the tire including the mark on a screen by representing a region equal to or higher than the first bin threshold, a region lower than the first bin threshold and higher than the second bin threshold, and a region equal to or lower than the second bin threshold in the histogram in three attributes of color.

In an embodiment, a system for wear monitoring, includes a wear surface, a metallic reflector embedded in the wear surface, a radio-wave transmitter, and a radio-wave receiver. The metallic reflector reflects radio waves transmitted by the radio-wave transmitter for detection by the radio wave receiver. Attenuation of the radio waves between transmission by the radio-wave transmitter and detection by the radio-wave receiver indicates a degree of wear of the wear surface.

The device for rotating and inspecting tires includes a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces, with a ramp portion of the upper surface being inclined and a support portion of the upper surface having a depression formed therein. A pair of spaced apart slots are formed through the upper surface within the depression. A pair of rollers are mounted within the housing beneath the pair of spaced apart slots. Each of the rollers has an adjustable height such that the pair of rollers may be selectively raised and lowered through the pair of spaced apart slots. The rollers are driven to rotate by motors or the like such that, in use, each tire may be lifted off the upper surface of the housing by raising the rollers, and the rollers may be driven to rotate the tire. Optical sensors are provided to inspect the tire.

This invention relates to a tyre support device comprising an inclined structure with means for supporting and rotating a tyre at a controlled speed on its axis, avoiding vibrations and deformation thereof during rotation.