Chassis Testing Using Image Correlation Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chassis testing methods for motor vehicles, particularly shock absorbers, are costly and provide limited useful parameters due to the need for expensive sensor systems for dynamic wheel contact force measurements.
Innovation Solution
The use of image-based correlation sensors for precise and cost-effective measurement of body and wheel motion during chassis testing, allowing for accurate vibration behavior evaluation and objective shock absorber assessment, potentially combined with video and force measuring sensor systems, and processed by a low-cost microcontroller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive sensor systems are used for dynamic wheel contact force measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical sensor systems with an optical measurement system using image-based correlation sensors. The correlation sensors capture images of the wheel and body, and through image correlation algorithms, calculate displacement and velocity without requiring direct mechanical contact or complex force measurement sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image-based correlation sensors to create optical copies (images) of the wheel and body surfaces. By tracking the movement of these optical copies across consecutive images, the system measures displacement and velocity indirectly, avoiding the need for expensive direct measurement sensors.
2Device complexity
If image-based correlation sensors are used for measuring body and wheel motion, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical sensor systems with an optical image correlation system. The correlation sensors capture sequential images of the wheel and body, and through digital image correlation algorithms, precisely calculate displacement and velocity by tracking pixel-level movements between frames, achieving high measurement precision with low-cost components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct mechanical measurement to optical field measurement by capturing two-dimensional image data. The correlation algorithm analyzes pixel intensity distributions across image frames to extract one-dimensional displacement and velocity information, adding an optical dimension to the measurement process.
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
This approach provides accurate and meaningful measuring results with reduced costs, avoiding interfering influences and enabling high-resolution, real-time displacement measurements, suitable for various test configurations and setups.
Implementation Method 1
The correlation sensors compute a correlation between two image regions recorded at immediately consecutive points in time
Data Source
AI summary
A chassis testing unit (2) according to the present invention, in particular a shock absorber testing unit, for a vehicle on a test set-up (4) includes at least one correlation sensor (14-18), having an associated lens, situated at the side of the test set-up (4). The correlation sensor (14-18) is directed toward the test set-up (4), and is designed to detect a time sequence of images of a section of a motor vehicle (6), in particular of the body of the motor vehicle (6) and of the motor vehicle wheel, moving on the test set-up (4), and to determine directional velocity components therefrom. The chassis testing unit also includes a data processing unit which is connected to the correlation sensor or correlation sensors (14-18), and which is designed to determine the motion of the motor vehicle, in particular of the body of the motor vehicle (6) and of the motor vehicle wheel, on the basis of the directional velocity components of the correlation sensor or correlation sensors (14-18).