CTIS Rotary Joint Sensor Network for Torque Estimation and Wear Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wheel hubs for off-highway vehicles with central tire inflation systems lack the ability to monitor sealing gasket wear and accurately estimate torque delivery, which affects the reliability and efficiency of the driveline.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensorized components, including a rotary joint with sealing gasket wear detection and a network of sensors communicating through a bus system, allowing for real-time monitoring and estimation of torque, efficiency, and operational status of the driveline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensorized components are integrated into the wheel hub and driveline, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driveline is divided into multiple segments with sensors placed at specific locations (transmission output, differential, axles, wheel hubs). Each sensorized component measures local parameters independently, and the controller integrates these segmented measurements to calculate overall torque estimation, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through modular deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The sensorized wheel hub integrates multiple functions: it monitors sealing gasket wear in the CTIS rotary joint, measures wheel speed via encoder, and provides torque estimation data. This multi-functional approach consolidates several monitoring tasks into one component, improving overall measurement capability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Reliability
If a network of sensors is integrated into the driveline components, then reliability is improved through continuous monitoring, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor parameters (wheel speed, transmission speed, torque estimates) and feed this data back to the controller. The controller processes this feedback to detect anomalies, predict failures, and provide real-time torque estimation, thereby improving reliability through continuous monitoring and adaptive control
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing gasket wear detection system provides preliminary warning of potential failures before they occur. By monitoring wear trends in advance, the system enables proactive maintenance scheduling, preventing catastrophic failures and improving overall driveline reliability
3Loss of time
If sealing gasket wear detection is implemented in the rotary joint, then maintenance scheduling is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wear detection system replaces traditional periodic mechanical inspection with continuous electronic monitoring. Sensors detect wear through electrical contact changes or other physical phenomena, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and visual inspection, thereby improving maintenance scheduling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The wear detection system is integrated into the rotary joint structure itself, with sensors that monitor their own operating environment. The system automatically detects and reports wear conditions without external intervention, enabling the component to essentially monitor itself and providing seamless maintenance data
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system and a network of sensorized components for a driveline is provided. The rotary joint comprises a sealing gasket wear detection system and a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity. The network of sensorized components comprises a sensorized wheel hub, a transmission speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensorized wheel hub and the transmission speed sensor through a communication bus. A method of utilizing a network of sensorized components to analyze a driveline and a method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint is also provided.