On a formula for sets of constant width in 2D (Q2415194)

A closed, bounded and convex set is of constant width $d$ iff any two parallel (and nonidentical) tangent planes to it have identical distance $d$ from each other. A family $F$ of lines in the plane is outwardly simple (see [\textit{P. C. Hammer} and \textit{A. Sobczyk}, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 4, 226--233 (1953; Zbl 0051.13502)]) if each point of the plane exterior to some circle (including points at infinity) lie on exactly one member of $F$ (so that in particular there is one member of $F$ in each direction). Every outwardly simple line family in the plane determines a continuous increasing function which maps $[0, \pi]$ into itself, and conversely. A formula introduced by Euler and recalled by Hammer-Sobczyk via outwardly simple line families allows to construct the boundary of any set of constant width in the plane. Applying some ideas suggested by Barbier and Blaschke, the authors modify the formula introducing some geometrical concepts, and prove that any set of constant width $d$ in the plane is described by this formula (Section 4). Besides, the existence of the following approximations for any set of constant width are proved (Section 5): (1) by Reuleaux polygons; (2) by sets of constant width $d$ with boundary made by circular arcs with curvature $1/d$; (3) by sets of constant width with $C^{\infty}$-boundary; and (4) by sets of constant width with analytic boundary. Finally, a proof of Barbier's theorem (namely, that all plane sets of constant width $2d$ have perimeter $2\pi d$) is also obtained. This very interesting paper presents new simpler proofs of a lot of classic results about sets of constant width that are obtained from a new point of view. It contains several pictures along the text that help the reader.