Device for checking the tire profile depth and profile type, and the speed and ground clearance of vehicles in motion

• US 7,797,995 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schäfer, Frank H.
• Original Assignee: Schäfer, Frank H.
• Inventors: Schäfer, Frank H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J
• Application Number:
  US12/094,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20080256815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 73/8, 731/46, 731/465, 340/426.33
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/22 for measuring depth
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/027 using light, e.g. infrared, ultraviolet or holographic techniques

Abstract

A device for detecting a profile depth and/or a profile type of a vehicle tire has a profile-measuring device, a camera system for detecting the vehicle, an evaluating unit, which couples the profile-measuring device and the camera system to one another; and further having at least one of the components: a speed-measuring device for detecting the vehicle speed; a direction of travel-measuring device for detecting the steering situation or movement direction of the vehicle, wherein the evaluating unit is designed to produce a measuring signal for the current acceleration of the vehicle and the control is designed to permit an evaluation only when the vehicle is situated in a preset frame at a relatively uniform speed; and wherein a measuring signal for the movement direction of the vehicle can be produced by the evaluating unit and the measuring signal is provided for control of the evaluation of the profile measurement and the control is designed to permit an evaluation only when the vehicle is situated in a preset frame when traveling in a straight line.

Claims

1. Device for detecting a profile depth and/or a profile type of a profile of a vehicle tire during travel on one vehicle moving relative to the device out of a plurality of vehicles, in particular in flowing traffic, said device comprising:

a profile measurement means;

a camera system for recording the vehicle;

an evaluation unit which couples the profile measurement means and the camera system to one another;

a speed measurement means for detecting vehicle speed;

a direction of travel measurement means for detecting a steering state or direction of motion of the vehicle,

the evaluation unit being configured to produce a measurement signal for measuring a current acceleration of the vehicle, and a control system configured to allow an evaluation of the one of the plurality of vehicles only if the vehicle is situated in a predetermined frame at a relatively uniform speed; and

a measurement signal for detecting the direction of motion of the vehicle being produced by the evaluation unit, the measurement signal being provided for controlling the evaluation of the profile measurement, and the control system further being configured to allow the evaluation of the one of the plurality of vehicles only if the vehicle is situated in a predetermined frame and is traveling in a straight line.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the camera system is designed to detect a number plate of the vehicle.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device is designed for contact-free speed measurement of the vehicle.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured for speed measurement of the vehicle with contact.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit records a measurement signal produced by a sensor rail for speed detection.

6. Device according to claim 3, wherein the device is configured to activate detection of the profile depth only for vehicles which are moving within a predetermined speed range.

7. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for controlling measurement sensors with regard to their operating status and/or with regard to their spatial arrangement and/or their measuring range.

8. Device according to claim 1, further comprising an evaluation means for evaluating measured values and/or for comparing stored theoretical values and/or for comparing the measured values.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein detection can be activated only for a previously selected width of a vehicle tire.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured to make a width of the vehicle tire and/or a width of a twin set of vehicle tires measurable before the detection of the profile depth.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to allow evaluation only if the vehicle is situated in said predetermined frame and is traveling in a non-accelerating, and non-decelerating manner.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement signal for measuring acceleration is produced by means of a sensor rail.

13. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a module comprising evaluation software by means of which dirt can be identified.

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to make environmental conditions detectable by means of at least one sensor, which environmental conditions are selected from the group consisting of temperature, rain, atmospheric humidity, and dew.

15. Device according to claim 1, wherein an automated recording of a monitored vehicle is produced following negative profile measurement.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein an automated recording of a monitored vehicle is produced before a profile measurement.

17. Device according to claim 1, further having a number of sensor rails arranged one behind another.

18. Device according to claim 1, further having means for providing a speed measurement for traffic monitoring and for producing a notice of a fine.

19. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a transportable device having a releasable connection for coupling to a base which receives the device.

20. Device according to claim 1, further having a display device to display measured values and/or to display information determined by the evaluation unit.

21. Device according to claim 1, further having means for producing an acoustic signal when at least one measured value deviates to an undesirable extent from previously determined values.

22. Device according to claim 1, further having a printing device for printing results determined by the measuring means and/or the evaluation unit.

23. Device according to claim 1 further comprising a guide means for directing the vehicle to at least one measuring point.

24. Device according to claim 1, further having at least one protection device for protecting sensors and/or electronic components.

25. Device according to claim 24, wherein the at least one protection device has a defined standard to calibrate the sensors and/or the profile measurement means.

26. Device according to claim 1, further having a sample database with tire profiles.

27. Device according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured to identify a type of tires, to identify summer tires and/or to identify winter tires.

28. Device according to claim 1, further having means for issuing a notice of a fine if the set of tires does not correspond to a season and/or to the weather.

29. Device according to claim 1, further having means for issuing a warning and/or informing users when the vehicle has a set of tires which does not correspond to the season/weather.

30. Device according to claim 29, wherein the warning issuing, and/or informing means comprises at least one of an optical device and an acoustic device.

31. Device according to claim 1, wherein the camera system includes a camera to record one side of the vehicle and to record a tire.

32. Device according to claim 1, wherein the profile measurement means is a height profile measurement means and/or profile type measurement means.

33. Device according to claim 1, further having a control means for controlling measuring sensors with regard to their operating status and/or with regard to their spatial arrangement and/or with regard to their measuring range.

34. Device according to claim 1, wherein a height profile of a vehicle floor can be evaluated in accordance with a minimum height.

35. Device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is configured for evaluating measured values and/or for comparing stored theoretical values and/or for comparing the measured values.

36. A system having a means for recording at least one of a ground surface, a driving surface, and a mounting frame and/or being driven over by a vehicle and at least one profile measurement means of the device according to claim 1 being integrated in the recording means or being arranged on the recording means.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the recording means is arranged perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle.

38. The system according to claim 36, wherein the recording means is arranged obliquely to a direction of travel of the vehicle.