US 12,111,229 B2
System for evaluating the state of the surface of a tire
Francois Mourougaya, Clermont-Ferrand (FR); Nicolas Roudel, Clermont-Ferrand (FR); and Florian Heck, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Assigned to COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Appl. No. 17/780,140
Filed by COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
PCT Filed Nov. 23, 2020, PCT No. PCT/FR2020/052147
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 26, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/105597, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 3, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 1913285 (FR), filed on Nov. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412844 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. G01M 17/02 (2006.01); H04N 23/56 (2023.01); H04N 23/90 (2023.01)
CPC G01M 17/027 (2013.01) [G01M 17/021 (2013.01); H04N 23/56 (2023.01); H04N 23/90 (2023.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for evaluating the surface of a tire, the system comprising:
a region for entry of the tire into the system, a capture region, and an exit region, distinct from the entry region;
means for moving and for holding a tire in position comprising one or more means selected from the group consisting of means for centering the tire comprising a centering roller, means for rotating the tire comprising a vertical roller, means for locking the tire comprising the vertical roller or a vertical shaft, and means for linear movement of the tire between the entry and exit regions, via the capture region, comprising a discharge belt;
means for illuminating the tire comprising one or more light sources, the means for illuminating the tire allowing the illumination of a sidewall of the tire and of a crown of the tire in the capture region;
means for acquiring a visual image of the tire in the capture region comprising one or more cameras;
means for automatically positioning the one or more cameras, as a tire enters into the capture region, comprising a rangefinder; and
means for processing the acquired image comprising a deep learning system or a conventional image processing system,
wherein at least one acquisition means is installed on a shaft that is movable with respect to the tire installed in the capture region.