Electronic Stagger Stick for Direct Tire Circumference Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring tire circumference, such as using tape measures or stagger sticks, are labor-intensive, prone to errors, and inconvenient, especially in dirty environments, and often require tires to be removed or elevated, while also failing to directly measure circumference.
Innovation Solution
A device with slidably engaged members and a variable electrical circuit that calculates tire circumference using a processor and displays the measurement on a numeric interface, allowing for quick and accurate measurement of both tires and calculation of stagger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tape measure is used to measure tire circumference, then the measurement can be obtained, but the tire must be removed from the chassis or elevated, and considerable labor and time are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tape measure system with an electronic measurement system comprising a variable electrical circuit, processor, and numeric display. The mechanical act of wrapping a tape measure around the tire is substituted by positioning a measurement device between two arms that contact the tire tread, with the measurement automatically calculated and displayed electronically.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device performs automatic calculation and display of tire circumference based on the physical measurement between the arms. The system self-calculates the circumference from the measured diameter without requiring manual computation or conversion, and the numeric display automatically presents the result in the desired units.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional stagger stick is used to measure tire diameter, then the measurement can be obtained, but the gauge can be obscured by dirt, the end of the outer tube may fall between imprinted measure marks, and conversion of diameter to circumference is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gauge with imprinted marks with an electronic variable electrical circuit that provides a numeric display. This eliminates the problems of dirt obscuring the gauge and the measurement end falling between marks, as the electronic system provides continuous, precise numerical readings without physical markings that can be obscured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from diameter (as provided by conventional stagger sticks) to direct circumference calculation. The processor automatically calculates circumference from the measured diameter using the formula C = πd, providing the final circumference value directly without requiring manual conversion by the user.
3Measurement precision
If conventional stagger stick measurements are taken, then the diameter of each tire can be measured, but the measurements must be recorded discrete and subsequently compared to determine stagger outside of the use of the stagger stick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: measurement of both tires, automatic recording of both measurements, automatic calculation of circumference for both tires, and automatic computation of the stagger difference. This eliminates the need for separate recording and comparison steps that are required when using conventional stagger sticks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by automatically displaying the stagger calculation result on the numeric display after both tire measurements are taken. The processor continuously monitors the measurements and provides real-time computation and display of the stagger value, eliminating the need for separate post-measurement analysis.
4Measurement precision
If a conventional stagger stick is used, then the gauge provides a measure of diameter, but the circumference measurement is discrete from the stagger stick and requires conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gauge that provides only diameter measurement with an electronic system that automatically calculates and displays circumference. The variable electrical circuit and processor substitute for the manual conversion process, automatically computing the circumference from the measured diameter and presenting the final result directly on the numeric display.
Data Source
AI summary
Generally, a device to measure the circumference of circular objects. Specifically, a device including a pair of slidingly engaged members disposed between a pair of arms configured to be engaged with tread on a tire at about the midline of a wheel, an electrical circuit which varies in output voltage based on the distance between the pair of arms, and a processor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a program which correlates the output voltage of the electrical circuit to a unit measure of distance between the pair of arms and calculates tire circumference.