Rotor Balancer Using IMU Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel balancers rely on expensive and prone-to-calibration-loss force sensors to detect unbalances in vehicle wheels, which are costly and require a stiff structure.
Innovation Solution
A balancer system using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) with accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect unbalances in vehicle wheels, eliminating the need for force sensors by measuring accelerations and angular speeds along multiple axes, and employing elastic elements for suspension to facilitate vibration-based detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors (piezoelectric sensors) are used to detect unbalances, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases and reliability deteriorates due to calibration loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical force sensor system with an inertial measurement system using IMUs (accelerometers and gyroscopes). Instead of directly measuring forces with piezoelectric sensors, the system measures accelerations and angular velocities, then derives unbalance information through signal processing. This substitution eliminates the calibration drift issues of force sensors while maintaining measurement capability through alternative physical measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces elastic elements as intermediaries between the shaft support and base. These elastic elements transmit vibration signals from the rotating shaft to the stationary base where IMUs are mounted, enabling indirect measurement of unbalance forces through vibration transmission rather than direct force sensing.
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to detect unbalances, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs low-cost IMU modules (accelerometers and gyroscopes) that are significantly cheaper than precision piezoelectric force sensors. These inertial sensors can be obtained from consumer electronics and require no expensive calibration infrastructure, making the overall system more cost-effective while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for wheel balancing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive mechanical force sensor system with an inertial measurement system using IMUs. Instead of directly measuring forces with piezoelectric sensors, the system measures accelerations and angular velocities, then derives unbalance information through signal processing. This substitution eliminates the calibration drift issues of force sensors while maintaining measurement capability through alternative physical measurements.
3Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to detect unbalances, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to stiff structure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the stiff structural requirements of force sensor systems with flexible elastic elements (such as rubber mounts or spring elements) that suspend the shaft support from the base. These elastic elements allow relative motion and vibration transmission while simplifying the overall structural design, eliminating the need for rigid, precision-machined sensor mounting structures.
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
Enables accurate detection of static and dynamic unbalances without force sensors, using low-cost IMUs and elastic suspension, maintaining calibration and reducing costs while providing effective balancing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elastic elements positioned between the shaft support and the base, such that the shaft support is elastically suspended over the base
Implementation Method 2
one or more Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) positioned between the shaft support and the base... configured to measure a first and/or a second and/or a third accelerations, and/or a first and/or a second and/or a third angular speeds
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 8
AI summary
A balancer (1) for balancing a rotor (5), particularly a vehicle wheel, comprises: - a base (2); - a shaft support (3) connected to the base (2); - a shaft (4) rotatable along a rotation axis (R) relative to the shaft support (3), configured such that the rotor (5) to be balanced can be mounted on the shaft (4); - a motor for actuating the shaft (4); characterized in that it further comprises: - one or more elastic elements (6) positioned between the shaft support (3) and the base (2), such that the shaft support (3) is elastically suspended over the base (2); - a first IMU (7) fixedly positioned on the shaft support (3) and configured to measure a first (az) and/or a second (ay) and/or a third accelerations (ax), and/or a first (ωz) and/or a second (ωy) and/or a third (ωx) angular speeds along three axes (x, y, z) of a reference frame integrally moving with the first IMU (7), and to generate signals representative of the same; - a second IMU (8) fixedly positioned on the shaft (4) at a radial distance from the shaft rotation axis (R), and configured to measure a first (az) and/or a second (ay) and/or a third accelerations (ax), and/or a first (ωz) and/or a second (ωy) and/or a third (ωx) angular speeds along three axes (x, y, z) of a reference frame integrally moving with the second IMU (8), and to generate signals representative of the same.