Optical 3D Deformation Measurement Utilizing Non-planar Surface for the Development of an “Intelligent Tire”

Abstract

Intelligent tires, also known as smart tires, are equipped with sensors to monitor the strain of the interior surface and the rolling radius of tire, and are expected to improve the reliability of tires and tire control systems such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS). However, the high stiffness of an attached sensor like a strain gauge causes debonding of sensors from tire rubber. In the present study, a novel optical method is used for the concurrent monitoring of in-plane strain and out-of-plane displacement (rolling radius) utilizing the non-planar surface of the monitoring object. The optical method enables noncontact measurement of strain distribution. The in-plane strain and out-of-plane displacement are calculated by using image processing with an image of the interior surface of tire that is taken with a single CCD camera fixed on a wheel rim. This new monitoring system is applied to an aluminum beam and a commercially available radial tire. As a result, the monitoring system provides concurrent measurement of in-plane strain, out-of-plane displacement and tire pressure, and is shown to be effective as the monitoring system for the intelligent tires.