DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention

The present invention refers to an apparatus for the analysis of real data in relation to the interface region between a pneumatic tyre and the road surface. In particular, this apparatus makes it possible to detect the region in contact with the ground, and/or the water expulsion profile of a pneumatic tyre, particularly on wet surfaces, under differing dynamic driving conditions (for example, rolling, braking and/or steering of the pneumatic tyre).

Background

Analyzing the behavior of a pneumatic tyre under differing dynamic driving conditions, such as rolling, braking and steering, on wet surfaces, is essential in order to evaluate the performance thereof and to ensure a high level of safety. In particular, the analysis of the interface region between the pneumatic tyre and the road surface, i.e., the region of contact between the pneumatic tyre and the road surface, makes it possible to obtain important information regarding how good the design of the pneumatic tyre is, such as the ability to evacuate water under conditions of driving on a wet road.

Analyzing the interface region in order to study the water expulsion profile, i.e., the streams of water expelled through the different grooves of the tread, is important in order to be able to evaluate, under differing dynamic driving conditions, the adhesion of the pneumatic tyre and the resistance thereof to the phenomenon of aquaplaning. In order to carry out these types of analyses it is possible to use theoretical simulation models but it is nonetheless preferable to perform the empirical analysis of the data relating to the actual behavior of the pneumatic tyre under differing dynamic driving conditions. In this case, in order to obtain data relating to the actual behavior of the pneumatic tyre it is necessary to resort to a road test. It is currently however not possible to perform the analysis of the interface region, especially of the expulsion profile and/or velocity of the water ejected through the different grooves of the tread, with a high degree of accuracy during pneumatic tyre tests on wet surfaces under dynamic driving conditions.

In general, for these tests, under differing dynamic driving conditions, the pneumatic tyre is made to roll, brake and/or steer in contact with a detection plate of measurement apparatus. Such a detection plate consists of a transparent and smooth layer of glass, resin or polymeric material. Below the detection plate there are sources of illumination and an image detection device, with the lens facing the detection plate in order to acquire a sequence of images of the interface region of the pneumatic tyre during the passage thereof.

Under particular test conditions however, for example under wet road test conditions, i.e. , in the presence of water on the road surface and therefore on the detection plate, when the pneumatic tyre is made to roll, steer or brake upon the detection plate, the images captured by the detection device are not completely usable and/or realistic, in particular due to the reduction of friction due to the presence of water upon the detection plate.

This renders the subsequent study of the expulsion profile and/or velocity of the water ejected through the different grooves of the tread of a pneumatic tyre difficult and less reliable, in particular - but not only - on wet surfaces.

DE102013107018 reveals a device for detecting a support surface of a component on a transparent contact loading plate, comprising at least one image acquisition system arranged below the load contact plate and aligned thereupon for detecting the support surface.

EP2554969 reveals a rotary drum used in a machine for testing pneumatic tyres which has a base material for the road surface that consists of an aluminum alloy and that is equipped with a road surface whereupon a pneumatic tyre is pushed.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus for the analysis of the behavior of a pneumatic tyre at the interface with the road surface, in particular on a wet road surface, under dynamic driving conditions, which makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

This is achieved by means of an apparatus as defined in claim 1. Secondary characteristics of the present invention are defined within the dependent claims.

The present invention, in overcoming the aforementioned problems, involves numerous and evident advantages.

In particular, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the surface of the detection plate which, in use, is in contact with the pneumatic tyre in motion (rolling, braking and/or steering), is implemented in such a way as to increase the friction of the pneumatic tyre with the detection plate in relation to the apparatus of the prior art.

In this way, by virtue of the increase in friction, the pneumatic tyre adheres more to the detection plate of the apparatus and avoids instead any slipping or sliding in relation to the latter, thereby allowing the image detection device to acquire sharper and more precise images of the water expulsion profile under differing dynamic driving conditions, and that also correspond and are closer to the actual behavior of the pneumatic tyre during normal use on the road.

The advantages, as well as the characteristics and usage methods of the present invention, will become clear from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given purely by way of non-limiting examples, making reference to the accompanying figures, wherein;

Figure 1 depicts a cross section of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Other advantages, characteristics and the usage methods for the present invention, will become clear from the following detailed description of some embodiments, given purely by way of non-limiting examples.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Various embodiments and variations of the invention will now be described, and this with reference to the figures introduced above.

The present invention refers to an apparatus for the analysis of the behavior of a pneumatic tyre at the interface region between a pneumatic tyre and the road surface, under differing dynamic driving conditions (for example, rolling, steering, braking and/or combinations thereof), and under different surface conditions, in particular when wet.

With specific reference to Figure 1 , the apparatus, generally indicated as a whole with 1 , comprises a detection plate 2 and a support frame 3, suitable for carrying the latter.

The detection plate 2 and the support frame 3 together form a substantially box-shaped hollow structure. Preferably, when the apparatus is in use, the detection plate 2 is located at the level of the road surface 200 while the support frame 3 is at least partially below ground. In particular, the detection plate 2 is surrounded and supported along the perimeter thereof by four side walls 31 , 32, 33, 34 of the support frame 3, positioned perpendicularly with respect thereto.

Thus, the box-like structure is closed by a bottom wall 35, parallel to the detection plate 2.

The detection plate 2 is multi-layered, i.e., it consists of at least two different layers overlapping one another.

A first layer of the multilayer detection plate is represented by the interface layer 4 which, in use, comes into contact with the pneumatic tyre 100 in motion. In order test the behavior of the pneumatic tyre on wet surfaces, the interface layer 4 can be covered with water.

This interface layer 4 consists of a material that is preferably plastic and rough, i.e., that has, on one of the surfaces thereof, micro-geometric irregularities such as grooves, wrinkles, ripples or granularity, at least at the interface with the pneumatic tyre 100, in such a way as to promote the adherence of the latter to the interface layer 4.

Preferably, the roughness Ra of the interface layer is between 16 pm and 160 pm. More preferably, the roughness Ra is between 32 pm and 140 pm, even more preferably approximately equal to 125 pm.

The interface layer 4 is at least partially transparent, preferably optically transparent, i.e., it allows most of the light that strikes it to be transmitted through it without being reflected.

The transparency of the interface layer 4 is greater when in contact with water than under dry conditions, i.e. , under wet conditions it allows more of the light that strikes it to be transmitted through it without being reflected than under dry conditions. The characteristic is particularly advantageous for the analysis of the behavior of a pneumatic tyre 100 at the interface region between a pneumatic tyre and the road surface, under differing dynamic driving conditions (for example, rolling, steering, braking and/or combinations thereof), in particular when wet.

The roughness range Ra of the interface layer 4 between 16 pm and 160 pm represents a window of best compromise between a roughness that is too low (under 16 pm), which would favor the transparency of the interface layer 4 but which would compromise the improved characteristics of adhesion with the pneumatic tyre 100, and a roughness that is too high (above 160 pm), which would increase the improved characteristics of adhesion with the pneumatic tyre 100 but which would reduce the transparency of the interface layer 4.

The surface having the roughness Ra is preferably obtained by means of molding.

The multilayer detection plate 2 further comprises a base layer 5. This layer 5 is directly coupled to the interface layer 4.

For the purposes of this coupling the interface layer 4 preferably has a smooth adhesive lower surface in direct contact with the base layer 5. This smooth lower surface is located on the opposite side of the surface having the roughness Ra of the interface layer 4.

The base layer 5 is made from a material that is at least partially transparent, preferably optically transparent, in such a way that most of the light that hits it can pass through it without being reflected. For example, the base layer 5 can be made of glass or plexiglas.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus (1 ) further comprises a layer of water upon the multilayer detection floor (2) in contact with the interface layer (4), This layer of water is preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 7 mm, even more preferably equal to about 2 mm.

The base layer 5 can advantageously be directly illuminated by at least one lighting element 7 positioned on the support frame 3. Preferably, in order to ensure uniform illumination, a plurality of lighting elements 7 is applied to the side walls 31 , 32, 33, 34 of the support frame 3.

Alternatively, or in addition, some of the lighting elements 7 can be applied to the bottom wall 35 of the support frame 3.

The apparatus may further comprise an image detection device 9 arranged in such a manner as to be able to frame and capture the base layer 5 directly (or indirectly by means of an appropriately placed mirror). Preferably, the image detection device 9 rests on the bottom wall 35 of the support frame 3, or is inserted within said wall, with the lens thereof pointing towards the base layer 5.

Furthermore, the image detection device 9 is preferably a high-speed camera.

By virtue of the illumination and transparency of the base layer 5 and the interface layer 4, the image detection device 9 can clearly acquire a sequence of images of the pneumatic tyre interface region 100 during the passage thereof upon the interface layer 4 of the detection plate.

The invention has heretofore been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may exist other embodiments that relate to the same inventive nucleus, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set out below.