Brake Test Stand Roller Pair Segmentation for Wheel Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake test stands lack accuracy in measuring brake forces and tire conditions due to the influence of one wheel on the measurement of the other when tested separately, leading to potential misalignment and imbalance issues.

Innovation Solution

A brake test stand with a pair of rollers arranged side by side on a common axis, equipped with sensing devices positioned between the rollers to scan the tire surface in an undeformed condition, allowing for accurate measurement of tire patterns and tread depth, and a processing unit to correlate data from both wheels, considering wheel alignment and balance, and adjust accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If wheels are tested separately on a single roller or pair of rollers, then the testing process is simplified, but the brake force measurement accuracy deteriorates due to mutual influence between wheels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting process complexityVSAvoidbrake force measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The test stand is divided into two independent pairs of rollers (first pair and second pair), with each pair dedicated to testing one wheel. This segmentation eliminates the mutual interference between wheels during braking tests, as each wheel operates on its own isolated roller pair, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the two separate wheel testing systems. It independently controls and measures brake forces on each wheel through its respective roller pair, preventing cross-contamination of measurement data while integrating the overall testing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sensing devices are positioned to scan the tire surface, then tire condition detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire condition detection accuracyVSAvoidsensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing devices positioned between the rollers serve multiple functions: they detect tire tread depth, identify tire patterns, and monitor tire surface conditions. By integrating these diverse measurement capabilities into a single sensing system location, the patent improves tire condition detection accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tire itself serves as the scanning surface for the sensing devices. As the tire rotates on the rollers, its own movement brings different portions of the tire surface into the sensing zone, eliminating the need for complex mechanical scanning mechanisms and reducing system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the accuracy of brake force measurements and tire condition assessments, enabling precise detection of irregularities and alignment issues, leading to improved wheel alignment and balance decisions.

Implementation Method 1

A light emitter is arranged in front of the tire and emits light in an acute angle to the tire. A sensor which may be a two-dimensional camera, detects the reflected light and creates a tread profile.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2487477B1Brake test stand
Publication Date: 2015.05.13 SNAP ON EQUIP SRL
  • EP2487477B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2487477B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2487477B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a brake test stand (10) for testing vehicle brakes and for determining the brake forces acting on the respective vehicle wheel. The brake test stand comprises at least a first and a second pair of rollers (20,22;24,26) for positioning the two wheels mounted on a common axis of a vehicle thereon, wherein the rollers of each pair of rollers are arranged opposite to each other and the pairs of rollers are provided side by side. The brake test stand further comprises a control unit for controlling the test stand and first sensing devices positioned respectively below and between the rollers of each pair of rollers for sensing at least the pattern of the running surface of each of the tires of the wheels mounted on the common axis. The brake test stand is characterized by a processing and calculation unit being adapted to process the data obtained by the first sensing devices for calculating tire conditions on the basis of a correlation of the data of the tires of the wheels mounted on the common axis.