Magnetic Release Mechanism for Viscoelastic Tire Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement devices for viscoelastic characterization of tires are operator-dependent, costly, and cumbersome, as they rely on manual release of load, leading to inconsistent potential energy and inaccurate material index calculations.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a tubular shell, sliding rod, displacement sensor, and magnetic mechanism ensures consistent potential energy application by mechanically detaching a ferromagnetic base from a magnet, allowing for precise viscoelastic characterization with adjustable spring rigidity and temperature control, while minimizing components for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual release of load is used in measurement devices, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to operator dependency and inconsistent potential energy application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical release system with an automated magnetic release mechanism. The magnetic field holds the load in position and releases it automatically when activated, eliminating operator dependency and ensuring consistent potential energy application. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic release mechanism is self-actuating and does not require manual intervention during the critical measurement phase. The system automatically maintains and releases the load with precise control, making the measurement process independent of operator skill and ensuring repeatable results.
2Measurement precision
If complex test benches are used for viscoelastic characterization, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex test benches and implements it in a simplified portable device. By isolating the critical measurement components (magnetic release, displacement sensor, spring-mass system) and removing unnecessary complexity, the device achieves accurate viscoelastic characterization while being portable and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the simplified device to achieve measurement precision comparable to complex systems. By carefully controlling parameters such as magnetic field strength, spring rigidity, and displacement measurement sensitivity, the portable device delivers accurate storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor values without requiring elaborate test bench infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spring rigidity is changed to vary potential energy, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves adaptability in potential energy adjustment by changing the physical parameter of spring rigidity rather than adding multiple components. Different spring constants can be selected or the same spring can be pre-compressed to different degrees, allowing variation of potential energy while maintaining a single spring component in the device structure.
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
The device provides nondestructive, operator-independent viscoelastic characterization with consistent results, allowing for precise calculation of storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor values, and enables variation of test conditions to define tire viscoelastic features accurately.
Implementation Method 1
after pressing the button (3) said magnet (7) comes in contact to said base of ferromagnetic material (8), thus fastening it by magnetic attraction
Implementation Method 2
a first spring (20) configured to push said ferrule (11) of said rod (2) outwards, from the side of said lower base (12)
Implementation Method 3
a second push spring (6), with elastic rigidity greater than said first spring (20) configured to push said button (3) to the upper portion of said tubular shell (1)
Implementation Method 4
a displacement sensor (10) configured to read the displacement of said first rod (2) while sliding along the tubular shell (1)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for nondestructive viscoelastic characterization of materials, comprising: a tubular shell, having inside a through-recess provided with at least a first and a second shrinkage; a first rod, provided with a base of ferromagnetic material (8), sliding inside said shell between a first position, in which said ferrule does not project to the lower base of said shell, and a second position, in which said ferrule projects to said lower base; a first spring configured to push said ferrule outwards; a displacement sensor configured to read the displacement of said first rod; a button, sliding-between a stroke greater than the one of said first rod, and integral to a second rod provided with a magnet and coaxial to said first rod; a second spring.