Method and an apparatus for the inspection of the surface of a tire

• US 7,260,983 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Inventors: Steinbichler, Marcus, Steinbichler, Hans, Nösekabel, Ernst-Heinrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J.
• Application Number:
  US11/219,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20060083347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 378/61, 374/45
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/25 by projecting a pattern, e.g. one or more lines, moiré fringes on the object G01B11/255 takes precedence ; image analysis for depth or shape recovery G06T7/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/027 using light, e.g. infrared, ultraviolet or holographic techniques

Abstract

An apparatus for the inspection of the surface (1) of a tire (2) or the like comprises a projector (3) for the projection of a pattern onto the tire (2) and a camera (4) for the taking of an image of the pattern projected onto the tire. A simplified apparatus of this type comprises an apparatus for the rotation of the tire (2) about its axis (5).

Claims

1. A method for the inspection of the surface (1) of a tire (2) comprising projecting a pattern onto the tire (2);

taking an image of the pattern projected onto the tire (2) to form a first image of the pattern on the tire;

rotating the tire (2) about its axis (5);

taking a further image of the pattern projected onto the rotated tire (2) to form an image of the pattern on the rotated tire; and

comparing the first and further images with one another.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pattern projected onto the tire (2) is a stripe pattern.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein a difference image is formed from the images.

4. An apparatus for the inspection of the surface (1) of a tire (2) comprising a projector (3, 3′

) for the projection of a pattern onto the tire (2) and a camera (4, 4′

) for the taking of an image of the pattern projected onto the tire (2), and

an apparatus for the rotation of the tire (2) about its axis (5).

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the pattern projected onto the tire (2) is a stripe pattern.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized by an image processing device for the comparison of two images taken at different positions or rotations of the tire (2).

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the image processing device forms a difference image from two images taken at different positions of rotation of the tire (2).

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the projector (3, 3′

) comprises a flashlight source.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the flashlight source is synchronized with the apparatus for the rotation of the tire (2) and with the camera (4, 4′

).

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the projector (3, 3′

) projects the pattern onto a partial surface of the tire (2).

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the projector projects the pattern onto the total tire surface.

12. An apparatus in accordance with with claim 4, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of projectors (3, 3′

) and/or a plurality of cameras (4, 4′

).

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the apparatus respectively comprises at least one projector (3, 3′

) and at least one camera (4, 4′

) on two sides of the tire (2).

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized by one or more adjustment devices (15, 17) for the adjustment of the projector (3, 3′

) and/or of the camera (4, 4′

).