JP7688570B2 - tire - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to tires.

In recent years, with the development of the sharing economy in the transportation industry and the increased use of retread tires, technology to grasp the deterioration state of tires has been attracting attention. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tire in which the limit of use is clearly indicated by the difference in the degree of discoloration between the text part and the background part when the display part is exposed to light.

JP 2006-273260 A

However, the technology in Patent Document 1 only displays the expiration date of a tire that has been stamped on it, and the accuracy is insufficient to provide an objective indicator of the deterioration state of the tire and the rubber components that make up the tire.

In light of these circumstances, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a tire with an indicator function that makes it possible to determine the state of deterioration with high accuracy.

A tire according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an indicator unit from which color components are extracted by a deterioration state determination device having a deterioration determination model and a color change database to determine a deterioration state, and a main body unit to which the indicator unit is attached, and the indicator unit comprises a color pattern in which a plurality of colors having different sensitivities to deterioration factors are applied at different positions, and a medium layer on which an identifier is printed.
This configuration makes it possible to determine the deterioration state of a tire with high accuracy.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the indicator portion is provided on a side of the medium layer away from the main body portion and includes a protective layer that suppresses transmission of at least ultraviolet light.
This configuration allows the amount of UV light to be adjusted so that excessive fading is not caused by the UV light.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the indicator portion includes a permeation prevention layer provided between the medium layer and the main body portion, which prevents the permeation of ink.
This configuration makes it possible to suppress the functional deterioration of the antioxidant compounded in the tire rubber.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the color pattern is configured to include a plurality of color components that show different changes with respect to one of the deterioration factors.
This configuration improves the accuracy of estimating the amount of the deterioration factor, enabling a more accurate determination of the deterioration state of the tire.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deterioration factors include at least one of heat, oxygen, water, ultraviolet light, and ozone.
This configuration makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determining the deterioration state of tires used outdoors.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the medium layer is printed with a plurality of the color patterns.
With this configuration, even if a part of the color becomes unidentifiable due to dirt or the like, the deterioration factor can be identified from the remaining color.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a tire with an indicator function that allows the deterioration state to be determined with high accuracy.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a deterioration state determining device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a degradation state determination system including the degradation state determination device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the indicator. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first process included in a degradation state determination method executed by the degradation state determination device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the color change database. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second process included in the degradation state determination method executed by the degradation state determination device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the indicator database. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third process included in the degradation state determination method executed by the degradation state determination device of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram of a tire according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a tire according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

First Embodiment
The indicator will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. The indicator is used by a deterioration state determination device to determine the deterioration state of an object to which the indicator is attached. First, the deterioration state determination device will be described.

Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a deterioration state determination device 10. Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a deterioration state determination system 1 including the deterioration state determination device 10 of Figure 1. The deterioration state determination device 10 is a device that determines the deterioration state of an object based on the color of an indicator 31 attached to the object, which is the object to be determined for the deterioration state. In this embodiment, the object is described as a tire 30, but is not limited to the tire 30. The deterioration state of the tire 30 determined by the deterioration state determination device 10 may be used to present the user with a predicted service life, a suitable vulcanization method, etc., when, for example, re-treading the tire 30. The deterioration of the tire 30 includes deterioration that is difficult to see from the outside (hardening as an example), but can be determined with high accuracy by the deterioration state determination device 10. Here, retreading refers to scraping the tread rubber of the tire 30, attaching new rubber, and vulcanizing it to reuse it. In some cases, a pre-cure tread (PCT) is used. The user is a user of the tire 30 management facility 61 that performs retreading, etc., but in particular, the driver or owner of the vehicle 20.

The deterioration state determination device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 includes a data acquisition unit 131, a color change database generation unit 132, a deterioration determination model generation unit 133, a color selection unit 134, an identifier extraction unit 135, a color component extraction unit 136, a deterioration determination unit 137, and a determination result output unit 138. The deterioration state determination device 10 may have a hardware configuration such as a computer, such as a server. The components of the deterioration state determination device 10 will be described in detail later.

The deterioration state determination device 10 may constitute a deterioration state determination system 1 together with at least one of a terminal device 50, a printing device 51, and a server 60 connected via a network 40. The network 40 is, for example, the Internet, but may also be a LAN (Local Area Network).

The terminal device 50 is a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, but is not limited to such a mobile terminal as long as it has an imaging function and a display function. The terminal device 50 is used by the manager or user of the management facility 61 when the deterioration state of the tire 30 is determined, etc. The terminal device 50 may capture an image of the indicator 31 attached to the tire 30 using the imaging function and transmit the obtained image to the deterioration state determination device 10 via the network 40. The imaging function is realized, for example, by a camera provided in the terminal device 50. In addition, the terminal device 50 may obtain the deterioration state determination result from the deterioration state determination device 10 via the network 40 and display it to the user using the display function. The display function is realized, for example, by a display such as an LCD provided in the terminal device 50. Here, the terminal device 50 may have a touch panel display integrated with a touch sensor that detects contact by the user and identifies the contact position.

The printing device 51 is, for example, a color inkjet printer, but is not limited to a color inkjet printer as long as it is a device capable of printing multiple color components. The printing device 51 is used to print an identifier 32 and a color pattern 33 (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, on a printing medium such as paper, film (film-like resin) or rubber when creating an indicator 31 to be attached to the tire 30. In this embodiment, the printing device 51 obtains printing data from the deterioration state determination device 10 via the network 40 and the server 60, and performs printing to create the indicator 31. Here, the printing data is indicator data including data on the identifier 32 and the color pattern 33.

The server 60 is, for example, a computer separate from the deterioration state determination device 10. The server 60 is installed, for example, in the management facility 61, and in addition to relaying the indicator data to the printing device 51, may also manage data such as the retread and repair history of the tire 30.

The management facility 61 is a facility that manages the tires 30 attached to the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the management facility 61 performs repairs, replacements, retreads, etc. of the tires 30. Here, the deterioration state determination system 1 is capable of executing the deterioration state determination process regardless of the location of the vehicle 20, but in this embodiment, the deterioration state determination process is described as being executed when the vehicle 20 is visiting the management facility 61. In addition, the terminal device 50, the printing device 51, and the server 60 may be located within the management facility 61 or may be located away from the management facility 61.

Here, an overview of the deterioration state determination method executed by the deterioration state determination device 10 will be described. It is generally known that printed matter printed by a color inkjet printer or the like fades due to aging of the ink. Even in the same environment, the degree of fading varies depending on the color of the ink. Also, even in the same printed matter, the degree of fading varies depending on the deterioration factors (e.g., heat, ultraviolet rays, etc.) in the environment. In this embodiment, for example, when replacing the tire 30, an indicator 31 is attached to the new tire 30 (see FIG. 2). Thereafter, the deterioration state determination device 10 acquires an image of the indicator 31 and calculates the amount of the deterioration factor in the environment in which the tire 30 was used from the change in color of the indicator 31. Then, the deterioration state determination device 10 determines the deterioration state of the tire 30 based on the calculated amount of the deterioration factor.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the indicator 31 according to this embodiment. The indicator 31 has an identifier 32 and a color pattern 33 printed on a print medium. The indicator 31 can be produced inexpensively by printing using a printing device 51. In this embodiment, the identifier 32 is a two-dimensional code, but is not limited to a two-dimensional code as long as it allows the indicator 31 to be individually identifiable. The color pattern 33 is a pattern formed by applying a plurality of colors at different positions. In this embodiment, the color pattern 33 is arranged in a checkerboard pattern, but is not limited to such an arrangement. Based on the change in color of the color pattern 33, the deterioration state determination device 10 determines the deterioration state of the tire 30. The selection of the colors used in the color pattern 33 will be described later.

In the example of FIG. 2, the indicator 31 is provided on the sidewall of the tire 30, but the position where the indicator 31 is provided is not limited. As another example, the indicator 31 may be provided on the surface of the inner liner of the tire 30 to be retreaded. As another example, the indicator 31 may be provided on the bottom of the groove of the tread portion. Also, the indicators 31 may be provided in multiple locations on the tire 30. In this case, even if some of the indicators 31 are lost or soiled to the extent that they cannot be identified while the vehicle 20 is running, the remaining indicators 31 can be used to grasp the color change of the color pattern 33. In addition, by providing multiple indicators 31, even if some of the indicators 31 are intentionally heated by a third party to cause deterioration, the remaining indicators 31 can prevent tampering with the indicators. Also, by providing multiple indicators 31, it is possible to independently estimate the degree of deterioration of each component of the tire 30. Therefore, the robustness of the deterioration state determination can be improved.

Here, the deterioration state determination system 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the printing device 51 is connected to the network 40 via the server 60, but for example, the printing device 51 may be directly connectable to the network 40. In such a case, the deterioration state determination system 1 may be composed of the deterioration state determination device 10, the terminal device 50, and the printing device 51, omitting the server 60.

The components of the degradation state determination device 10 are described in detail below. The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication modules that connect to the network 40. The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports a wired LAN standard (1000BASE-T is one example). The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports a wireless LAN standard (IEEE802.11 is one example).

The memory unit 12 is one or more memories. The memory may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but is not limited to these and may be any memory. The memory unit 12 is, for example, built into the deterioration state determination device 10, but may also be configured to be accessed from outside the deterioration state determination device 10 via any interface.

The memory unit 12 stores various data used in the various calculations performed by the control unit 13. The memory unit 12 may also store the results and intermediate data of the various calculations performed by the control unit 13.

In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 includes a color change database 121, a deterioration determination model 122, and an indicator database 123. The color change database 121 includes data showing the relationship between the color change of the indicator 31 and the amount of a deterioration factor that deteriorates the tire 30. The deterioration determination model 122 is a model for determining the deterioration state of the tire 30 from the amount of the deterioration factor. The deterioration determination model 122 may be a mathematical model that inputs, for example, the amount of the deterioration factor and outputs a predicted useful life, or may be generated by machine learning or the like. The indicator database 123 includes data that associates the identifier 32 of the indicator 31 with information on the color pattern 33. The information on the color pattern 33 includes the colors used, the color components that constitute each color, and the like. The information on the color pattern 33 may also include the position of each color, the type of pattern of the color arrangement (e.g., a checkered pattern), and the like. The information on the color pattern 33 may also include the initial state of each color in gradation for each color component. Here, the initial state is the state at the time of creating the indicator 31.

The control unit 13 is one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a particular process, but is not limited to these and may be any processor. The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the deterioration state determination device 10.

Here, the deterioration state determination device 10 may have the following software configuration. One or more programs used to control the operation of the deterioration state determination device 10 are stored in the memory unit 12. When the programs stored in the memory unit 12 are loaded by the processor of the control unit 13, they cause the control unit 13 to function as a data acquisition unit 131, a color change database generation unit 132, a deterioration determination model generation unit 133, a color selection unit 134, an identifier extraction unit 135, a color component extraction unit 136, a deterioration determination unit 137, and a determination result output unit 138.

The data acquisition unit 131 acquires experimental data and images of the indicator 31 (described below) via the network 40 and the communication unit 11.

The color change database generating unit 132 generates the color change database 121 and stores the generated color change database 121 in the storage unit 12. The color change database generating unit 132 can generate the color change database 121 by extracting color information and deterioration factor information from the experimental data and generating data showing the relationship between color change and the amount of the deterioration factor.

The deterioration determination model generating unit 133 generates the deterioration determination model 122 and stores the generated deterioration determination model 122 in the memory unit 12. The deterioration determination model 122 is a model that inputs the amount of a deterioration factor and outputs an index of the deterioration state of the tire 30. The index of the deterioration state of the tire 30 is, for example, an index related to durability such as a useful life, and an index related to driving performance such as rolling resistance and wet grip, but is not limited to these. The deterioration determination model generating unit 133 may obtain performance data indicating the actual deterioration state of the tire 30 that can be obtained via the network 40 and the communication unit 11, and generate the deterioration determination model 122 based on the performance data. The performance data may be, for example, data obtained by actual driving or experiments of the vehicle 20, indicating the deterioration state when a specific amount of a specific deterioration factor is given to the tire 30. As a specific example, the performance data may indicate the actual service life of a specific type of new tire 30 when left for 10 to 10,000 hours in an environment with a temperature of 20 to 80°C and 20 to 80% oxygen. The deterioration determination model generation unit 133 may generate the deterioration determination model 122 by machine learning using the performance data as learning data.

The color selection unit 134 selects a color to be used for the indicator 31 so that the amount of the deterioration factor can be identified in the deterioration state determination performed by the deterioration determination unit 137. Then, the color selection unit 134 outputs indicator data (print data) so that a color pattern 33 including the selected color is printed by the printing device 51.

The identifier extraction unit 135 extracts the identifier 32 from the image of the indicator 31 acquired by the data acquisition unit 131. The identifier 32 extracted by the identifier extraction unit 135 is used to identify the indicator 31 in the deterioration state determination performed by the deterioration determination unit 137.

The color component extraction unit 136 extracts color components of the colors contained in the color pattern 33 from the image of the indicator 31 acquired by the data acquisition unit 131. The color components extracted by the color component extraction unit 136 are used to identify the amount of deterioration factors in the deterioration state determination performed by the deterioration determination unit 137. The color component extraction unit 136 may extract color component values of the RGB color space, HSV color space, and Lab color space at the position of each ink identified in the image, and perform a process of calculating an average value between color component values of the same color.

The deterioration determination unit 137 uses the deterioration determination model 122 to determine the deterioration state of the tire 30 based on the color change database 121 and the color components extracted from the image of the indicator 31 by the color component extraction unit 136. In detail, the deterioration determination unit 137 estimates (calculates) the amount of deterioration factors that have affected the tire 30 due to the usage environment by comparing the color components extracted from the image of the indicator 31 with the data in the color change database 121. The deterioration determination unit 137 then inputs the estimated amount of deterioration factors into the deterioration determination model 122, and sets the output index of the deterioration state of the tire 30 as the determination result.

In this embodiment, the deterioration determination unit 137 calculates the color component change by comparing the color components extracted from the image of the indicator 31 with the initial state. The deterioration determination unit 137 can obtain the initial state of the color components of the indicator 31 from the indicator database 123. The deterioration determination unit 137 estimates the amount of deterioration factors by comparing the color component change with the data in the color change database 121. In this embodiment, by determining the color component change by comparison with the initial state, the color change can be accurately determined even if there are individual differences (e.g. printing variations) when the indicator 31 is created, so the deterioration state of the object can be determined with even higher accuracy.

The judgment result output unit 138 outputs the judgment result of the deterioration state judgment performed by the deterioration judgment unit 137. The judgment result output by the judgment result output unit 138 is displayed on the display of the terminal device 50, etc. For example, if the server 60 is configured to be connected to another display, the judgment result may be displayed on a display connected to the server 60. For example, the manager of the management facility 61 can present the user with the predicted service life when replacing, repairing, or retreading the tire 30, the appropriate vulcanization method, etc. based on the judgment result.

The deterioration state determination method executed by the deterioration state determination device 10 will be described below with reference to a flowchart and the like. The deterioration state determination method includes a first process, a second process, and a third process. The first process is a process for generating the color change database 121 and the deterioration determination model 122, and is executed before the second and third processes. The second process is a process for creating (printing by the printing device 51) the indicator 31 to be attached to the tire 30, and is executed before the third process. The third process is a process for acquiring an image of the indicator 31 attached to the tire 30 and determining the deterioration state of the tire 30.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the first process included in the degradation state determination method.

The data acquisition unit 131 receives the experimental data (step S1). The experimental data is data obtained by experimentally applying a deterioration factor to an experimental indicator created by the printing device 51 in the same way as the indicator 31, to cause the color to fade. Like the color pattern 33 of the indicator 31, the experimental indicator has a pattern in which multiple colors are arranged. The experimental data includes color information and deterioration factor information. The experimental data may include an image of the captured experimental indicator and deterioration factor information, which is text information. The deterioration factor information indicates the amount of the deterioration factor applied experimentally, and may be information such as leaving the indicator in an environment with a temperature of 20°C and 20% oxygen for 20 hours.

The experimental data is transmitted to the deterioration state determination device 10 by, for example, the terminal device 50. An application installed on the terminal device 50 may associate the image of the experimental indicator with information on the deterioration factor and transmit the data as experimental data to the deterioration state determination device 10. Here, the terminal device 50 may be located in a different location from the management facility 61 (e.g., an experimental facility) and transmit the experimental data.

The color change database generation unit 132 extracts color information and deterioration factor information from the experimental data (step S2).

The color change database generation unit 132 generates data showing the relationship between color changes and the amount of deterioration factors, and associates these to generate the color change database 121 (step S3, color change database generation step).

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the color change database 121. In the example of Figure 5, the color change database 121 is made up of a data group that associates temperature, oxygen, the time left under the conditions, the color of ink used, and the color components (R, G, B) of the color used. The ink is represented, for example, as cyan, magenta, or yellow. The color components are represented in gradations from 0 to 255 for red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

In the example of FIG. 5, the first and second columns of the color change database 121 show that cyan, with color components G of 255 and B of 255, fades to G of 238 and B of 228 when left for 10 hours in an environment at a temperature of 80° C. and 20% oxygen. In this way, the color change database 121 shows the relationship between color change and the amount of deterioration factor. Using this relationship, when there is a color change (fading) in the color pattern 33 of the indicator 31, it is possible to estimate the amount of the deterioration factor that caused the fading by searching for data in the color change database 121 that shows a change in the same color components.

The deterioration determination model generating unit 133 generates the deterioration determination model 122 (step S4). As described above, the deterioration determination model 122 is a model that takes the amount of the deterioration factor as an input and outputs an index of the deterioration state of the tire 30. By generating the deterioration determination model 122 in addition to the color change database 121, it becomes possible to output an index of the deterioration state of the tire 30 from the fading of the color pattern 33 of the indicator 31, using the amount of the estimated deterioration factor as an intermediate parameter.

Here, the items in the color change database 121 are not limited to the example in FIG. 5. For example, the deterioration factors may include at least one of heat, oxygen, water, ultraviolet light, and ozone. By including these deterioration factors that may be expected in an outdoor environment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the deterioration state of objects used outdoors, including tires 30.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second process included in the deterioration state determination method. The second process is executed after the first process. The second process is executed, for example, when the vehicle 20 is replaced with a new tire 30 at the management facility 61.

The color selection unit 134 generates an identifier 32 to be printed on the indicator 31 (step S11). The identifier 32 is also used to associate the information of the indicator 31 with the color pattern 33 in the indicator database 123. The identifier 32 makes it possible to identify each indicator 31, making it possible to grasp the initial state and manage each indicator individually. The color selection unit 134 may use, for example, a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier).

The color selection unit 134 selects the color to be used for the indicator 31 so that the amount of the deterioration factor can be identified (step S12, color selection step). As described above, the degree of fading differs depending on the deterioration factor in the environment and the color of the ink. The color selection unit 134 may first select a color (highly sensitive color) that changes significantly due to the deterioration factor assumed in the usage environment of the tire 30. For example, when high temperature (for example, a temperature of 80°C) is assumed as a deterioration factor, the color selection unit 134 may select a color that fades significantly due to high temperature (for example, magenta). The color selection unit 134 may further select a color for comparison. For example, the color selection unit 134 may select a color that fades due to high temperature only under oxygen (for example, yellow) for comparison. For example, in the deterioration state judgment, if yellow does not fade and magenta fades significantly, it is possible to more accurately identify that the deterioration factor is high temperature and not oxygen. Here, the color selection unit 134 refers to the color change database 121 in selecting the color. The color selection unit 134 also specifies the color components of the color to be selected based on the data in the color change database 121 so that the amount of deterioration factor can be accurately identified in the deterioration state judgment. For example, the color selection unit 134 specifies magenta with R of 255 and B of 255. The color selection unit 134 also determines the arrangement of each color in the color pattern 33. The position where each color is arranged may be managed by coordinates.

In addition, for the control correction described below, the color selection unit 134 selects a color having color components that are less susceptible to fading and includes it in the indicator data.

In this embodiment, the color selection unit 134 selects multiple colors capable of identifying the same deterioration factor, and generates indicator data such that each of the multiple colors capable of identifying the same deterioration factor is applied to different positions on the indicator 31. By configuring the color pattern 33 in this manner, even if part of the indicator 31 becomes unidentifiable due to dirt or the like after it is applied to the tire 30, the deterioration factor can be identified from the remaining color. As in the example of FIG. 3, the color selection unit 134 may generate indicator data such that the multiple color patterns 33 are in different positions.

The color selection unit 134 outputs indicator data including data on the identifier 32 and color pattern 33 (step S13). The printing device 51 acquires the indicator data from the deterioration state determination device 10 as print data via the network 40 and the server 60, and creates the indicator 31 by printing. The created indicator 31 is attached to the tire 30. In this embodiment, the created indicator 31 is imaged by the terminal device 50, and the image is transmitted to the deterioration state determination device 10 as an indication of the initial state of the indicator 31.

The color selection unit 134 updates the indicator database 123 (step S14). That is, the information of the indicator data output by the color selection unit 134 is added to the indicator database 123. Information about the created indicator 31 is managed by the indicator database 123.

7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the indicator database 123. In the example of FIG. 7, the indicator database 123 is composed of a data group in which the identifier 32 (ID), the photographing date and time, the initial value flag, the ink (Ink), the color components (R, G, B), and the color position are associated. For a newly created indicator 31, the identifier 32 and the color position information are extracted from the indicator data, and the data is added with the initial value flag set to "1". As described above, an image of the indicator 31 created by the terminal device 50 is transmitted to the deterioration state determination device 10. The photographing date and time, the ink, and the color components of this image are extracted and added to the data of the newly created indicator 31. Here, the extraction of the ink and the color components may be performed by the color component extraction unit 136, and the color selection unit 134 may obtain the execution result of the color component extraction unit 136. In the indicator database 123, the data with the initial value flag set to "1" includes the initial state of the color of the indicator 31 having the identifier 32. Here, the data with the initial value flag set to "0" includes the color state of the indicator 31 having that identifier 32 after it is attached to the tire 30, and is added to the indicator database 123 by the third process.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third process included in the deterioration state determination method. The third process is executed after the second process. The third process is executed, for example, when maintenance of the tire 30 is performed at the management facility 61. Therefore, the third process may be executed multiple times.

The data acquisition unit 131 receives image data of the indicator 31 (step S21).

The identifier extraction unit 135 extracts the identifier 32 from the image data acquired by the data acquisition unit 131 (step S22).

The deterioration determination unit 137 identifies the indicator 31 based on the identifier 32 extracted by the identifier extraction unit 135. The deterioration determination unit 137 reads the indicator database 123 (step S23) and obtains data on the initial state of the color of the identified indicator 31, etc.

The color component extraction unit 136 performs shading correction on the image data acquired by the data acquisition unit 131 (step S24). The shading correction corrects the difference in the amount of light within the color pattern 33 that occurs due to the shooting environment.

The color component extraction unit 136 executes control correction (step S25). The control correction is performed to accurately measure the change in color of the indicator 31 from its initial state. The color component extraction unit 136 extracts a color component (as an example, the G component of cyan) that is less likely to fade and is included in the color pattern 33, and adjusts its gradation to the initial state. This process makes it possible to adjust the amount of light to the image of the indicator 31 at the time of creation.

The color component extraction unit 136 identifies the application positions of all inks (colors) contained in the color pattern 33 based on the data in the indicator database 123 (step S26). For example, the positions are identified for cyan, magenta, yellow, and at least some of the mixed colors thereof contained in the color pattern 33.

The color component extraction unit 136 extracts the color component values of each ink whose position has been identified (step S27, color component extraction step). For example, as in the example of FIG. 3, when multiple color patterns 33 are included, average values may be used as the color component values of each ink. Furthermore, when there is dirt or the like in a portion, the color component values of each ink may be extracted using only the color patterns 33 in the undirty areas. Although the deterioration determination may be performed using the extracted color component values of each ink themselves, in this embodiment, the deterioration determination is performed using the difference from the initial state. Therefore, the color component extraction unit 136 calculates the change from the initial state of the color component values of each ink using data from the indicator database 123.

Here, the color component extraction unit 136 updates the indicator database 123 (step S28) in the same manner as in step S14 of the second process. The configuration of the data added to the indicator database 123 is the same as in step S14 of the second process, except that the initial value flag is "0".

The deterioration determination unit 137 reads the color change database 121. The deterioration determination unit 137 also reads the deterioration determination model 122 (step S29).

The deterioration determination unit 137 uses the deterioration determination model 122 to determine the deterioration of the tire 30 based on the color change database 121 and the color components extracted from the image (step S30, deterioration determination step).

First, the deterioration determination unit 137 extracts data corresponding to changes in color component values from the initial state from the color change database 121, and estimates the amount of deterioration factors that the tire 30 has received from the environment. For example, if the initial color components of cyan, G 253 and B 253, fade (change) to G 236 and B 226, the deterioration determination unit 137 calculates the color component changes to G 17 and B 27. The deterioration determination unit 137 may extract data corresponding to such color component changes based on the color change database 121, and estimate the amount of deterioration factors to be "left for 10 hours in an environment with a temperature of 80°C and 20% oxygen." The deterioration determination unit 137 may make the estimate using a known method, such as regression analysis, using the data constituting the color change database 121.

The deterioration determination unit 137 may also calculate color component changes for multiple color components that show different changes for one deterioration factor, and identify the amount of the deterioration factor from the multiple color component changes. For example, the color change database 121 may contain data that indicates that R of magenta changes from 255 to 220 when "left for 10 hours in an environment with a temperature of 80°C and 20% oxygen." The deterioration determination unit 137 may, for example, calculate and compare the change in R of magenta in addition to cyan in the above example, thereby improving the accuracy of estimating the amount of the deterioration factor, and as a result, be able to determine the deterioration state of the tire 30 with higher accuracy.

The deterioration determination unit 137 inputs the amount of the deterioration factor into the deterioration determination model 122 to calculate an index of the deterioration state of the tire 30. The deterioration determination unit 137 may calculate multiple indexes of the deterioration state of the tire 30, including the useful life.

The judgment result output unit 138 outputs the judgment result by the deterioration judgment unit 137 (step S31). The manager of the management facility 61 may suggest to the user how to replace, repair, or retread the tire 30 based on the indicator of the deterioration state of the tire 30 shown as the judgment result.

As described above, the indicator 31, with the above configuration, makes it possible to determine the deterioration state of the target object with high accuracy.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the indicator 31 is created when the tire 30 is replaced and immediately attached to the new tire 30. However, the indicator 31 may be attached to the object after a certain amount of time has passed since the indicator 31 was created. The indicator 31 may also be attached during the manufacturing process of the object. That is, an object with the indicator 31 attached may be manufactured. Even in the distribution of such objects, an image of the initial state of the indicator 31 and an image at the time of determining the deterioration state can be uploaded to the deterioration state determination device 10 using, for example, a terminal device 50. In this case, the terminal device 50 may be a device owned by a user who wants to know the deterioration state, a seller of the object, or a manufacturer. The determination result by the deterioration state determination device 10 may be displayed on the terminal device 50 via the network 40. An application installed in the terminal device 50 may execute processes from uploading the image of the indicator 31 to displaying the determination result by the deterioration state determination device 10.

Here, the object manufactured with the indicator 31 may be a tire 30 that is to be replaced or that is to be mounted on the vehicle 20 from the beginning. The tire 30 according to this embodiment has the function of the indicator 31, and like the first embodiment, it is possible to determine the deterioration state of the tire 30. In order to avoid redundant explanation, the configuration that differs from the first embodiment will be explained below.

9 is a diagram showing the structure of the tire 30 according to this embodiment. The tire 30 includes an indicator portion 31a and a main body portion 71 (see FIG. 10). The indicator portion 31a functions in the same manner as the indicator 31 in the first embodiment, and has an identifier 32 and a color pattern 33. The main body portion 71 is a portion of the main body of the tire 30 that is composed of a rubber layer, a belt 74, a carcass, etc., and is provided with the indicator portion 31a. The main body portion 71 may have a known structure. After the main body portion 71 is manufactured by a known method, the tire 30 may be manufactured through a process in which the indicator portion 31a is attached to the main body portion 71 by bonding with an adhesive or by bonding with heat. Since the state of the indicator portion 31a after vulcanization can be used as an initial value, the indicator portion 31a may be attached in a molding process before vulcanization. The adhesive may be made of, for example, epoxy resin, silicone resin, urethane resin, etc., but is not limited to the examples.

As shown in FIG. 9, the indicator portion 31a may be located at the bottom of the groove 72 of the tread portion 73. The indicator portion 31a may be attached to the carcass on the inner portion of the belt 74. The indicator portion 31a may be located on the outer or inner portion of the sidewall portion 76 between the shoulder portion 75 and the bead portion 77. There may also be multiple indicator portions 31a, located in at least two or more of these positions. By having multiple indicator portions 31a in different positions, the deterioration state can be determined even if some of them are dirty.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the indicator portion 31a of the tire 30 in Figure 9, showing the layer structure of a cross section of a portion of the color pattern 33 such as A-A in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the indicator portion 31a of the tire 30 includes a permeation prevention layer 36, a medium layer 37, and a protective layer 38. The main body portion 71 of the tire 30 may be, for example, the bottom of the groove 72. The bottom surface of the permeation prevention layer 36 shown in Figure 10 may be an adhesive surface that is adhered to the main body portion 71 of the tire 30. As shown in Figure 10, the stacking direction may be used to describe the positional relationship of the layers, with the direction away from the object (the main body portion 71 of the tire 30 in this embodiment) being "up" and the direction approaching the object being "down."

A color pattern 33 and an identifier 32 are printed on the medium layer 37, in which multiple colors with different sensitivities to degradation factors are applied at different positions. The left diagram of FIG. 10 shows a case in which the printing device 51 uses dye ink. The dye ink penetrates and settles into the medium layer 37. On the other hand, the right diagram of FIG. 10 shows a case in which the printing device 51 uses pigment ink. The pigment ink settles on the surface of the medium layer 37. The printing device 51 may use dye ink, pigment ink, or both. The medium layer 37 may be paper, film, rubber, or the like.

The protective layer 38 is provided on the side of the medium layer 37 away from the main body portion 71, i.e., on the medium layer 37, and at least suppresses the transmission of ultraviolet light. The protective layer 38 has a function of adjusting the amount of ultraviolet light so that excessive fading due to ultraviolet light, which is one of the deterioration factors, does not occur. The protective layer 38 may also have a function of reliably separating multiple colors by filling in the gaps between adjacent colors in the color pattern 33. The function of the protective layer 38 to separate colors is particularly useful when pigment ink is used. The protective layer 38 may be a transparent acrylic resin or the like. Here, the indicator portion 31a may be configured without the protective layer 38.

Here, the word "on" in the expression "on the medium layer 37" does not only mean directly on the medium layer 37, but also includes the case where another layer exists between the medium layer 37 and the protective layer 38. For example, the protective layer 38 may exist directly on the medium layer 37, or may exist on another layer that exists directly on the medium layer 37.

The permeation prevention layer 36 is provided between the medium layer 37 and the main body portion 71, and prevents the permeation of ink. The permeation prevention layer 36 can suppress the deterioration of the function of the anti-aging agent mixed into the rubber for the tire 30. The permeation prevention layer 36 may be configured to include, for example, a urethane resin that absorbs ink. Here, the indicator portion 31a may be configured without the permeation prevention layer 36.

As described above, the tire 30 according to this embodiment has an indicator function that allows the deterioration state to be determined with high accuracy, similar to the first embodiment.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications or amendments based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or amendments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executed by a processor included in the device or a storage medium having a program recorded thereon. It should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

The image of the indicator 31 used to extract color components in the color component extraction step of the above embodiment is not limited to an image captured by irradiating visible light. For example, the image data of the indicator 31 may be an image captured by irradiating invisible light such as UV (ultraviolet) light. In an image captured by irradiating invisible light, the color change (sensitivity) to a specific degradation factor may be greater than when irradiating visible light. Therefore, an image captured by irradiating invisible light may be used when investigating the effect of a specific degradation factor in detail.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Deterioration state determination system 10 Deterioration state determination device 11 Communication unit 12 Memory unit 13 Control unit 20 Vehicle 30 Tire 31 Indicator 31a Indicator unit 32 Identifier 33 Color pattern 35 Adhesive layer 36 Permeation prevention layer 37 Medium layer 38 Protective layer 40 Network 50 Terminal device 51 Printing device 60 Server 61 Management facility 71 Main body 72 Groove 73 Tread portion 74 Belt 75 Shoulder portion 76 Sidewall portion 77 Bead portion 121 Color change database 122 Deterioration determination model 123 Indicator database 131 Data acquisition unit 132 Color change database generation unit 133 Deterioration determination model generation unit 134 Color selection unit 135 Identifier extraction unit 136 Color component extraction unit 137 Deterioration determination unit 138 Judgment result output section

Claims (6)

an indicator unit from which color components are extracted by a deterioration state determination device having a deterioration determination model and a color change database in order to determine a deterioration state;
a main body portion to which the indicator portion is attached,
The indicator portion of the tire includes a medium layer on which a color pattern in which a plurality of colors having different sensitivities to deterioration factors are applied at different positions and an identifier are printed. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the indicator portion is provided on the side of the medium layer away from the main body portion and includes a protective layer that suppresses transmission of at least ultraviolet light. The tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator portion is provided between the medium layer and the main body portion and includes a permeation prevention layer that prevents ink from permeating. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color pattern is configured to include multiple color components that show different changes to one of the deterioration factors. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deterioration factors include at least one of heat, oxygen, water, ultraviolet light, and ozone. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the medium layer is printed with a plurality of the color patterns.

Images