Laser triangulation to measure the carcass deflections of a rolling tire

Tire sensors are powerful tools to study tire behavior and to evaluate the tire operating state. A laser tire sensor (LTS) is introduced in this paper. It is based on a laser triangulation sensor, which can measure the carcass deflections of a rolling tire. The sensor principle is explained and a special tire sensor module is introduced. The results are shown for several wheel loads and inflation pressures, which have linear influence on both the tire radius mean value and radius amplitude. Results from more complex driving situations are also covered, including soil deformation and aquaplaning. It was possible to observe tire penetration into the soft soil. An aquaplaning study shows significant influence of hydrodynamics forces on tire carcass behavior. Also the influence of inflation pressure on aquaplaning is shown.