Patent ID: 8059279
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A tire surface inspecting method comprising the steps of: placing a line camera at a predetermined position with respect to a surface of a tire to be inspected; setting an objective line on a part of the surface of the tire; projecting light toward the objective line; forming an image of a part of the surface of the tire corresponding to the objective line by the line camera; and analyzing images formed by the line camera to inspect the surface of the tire; wherein tire surface inspecting method further comprises the steps of: providing a first illuminating means including paired first light projectors for projecting light toward the objective line from opposite sides, respectively, with respect to the objective line, and a second illuminating means including paired second light projectors for projecting light toward the objective line respectively from opposite sides in an illuminating direction different from that in which the first illuminating means illuminates; alternately operating the first and second illuminating means to alternately illuminate a part of the surface of the tire corresponding to the objective line; operating the line camera to form an image of the part of the surface of the tire corresponding to the objective line for analysis in synchronism with the illuminating operations of the first and second illuminating means; repeating the step of alternately operating the first and second illuminating means and the step of operating the line camera with the objective line on the surface of the tire changed in position; using first linear light projectors extending parallel to the objective line set on the surface of the tire, as the paired first light projectors; and using second linear light projectors extending perpendicular to the objective line set on the surface of the tire, as the paired second light projectors, wherein the paired first light projectors and the paired second light projectors are arranged in a quadrilateral as viewed in a direction toward the surface of the tire.