Micro Stepper Motor Sensing Device for Wheel Service Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel service machines face limitations in accuracy and complexity due to manual or stepper motor-driven pivotal movements, which restrict resolution and are sensitive to impurities, requiring time-consuming alignment of components.
Innovation Solution
A wheel service machine equipped with a micro stepper motor-driven sensing device, including an optical sensing unit and accelerometer sensors, for precise geometrical dimension measurement, featuring a compact design with integrated components and wireless data transmission to enhance accuracy and simplify construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a stepper motor with fixed increment or pitch is used to drive the sensing device, then the device can be operated automatically, but the resolution of the scan is restricted and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional stepper motor with fixed pitch with a micro stepper motor that enables continuous adjustment of the pivotal movement. This substitution allows the sensing device to achieve high-resolution scanning by eliminating the fixed increment limitation, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining automatic operation.
2Measurement precision
If a reduction gear is added to increase scan resolution, then the number of scan points increases, but the device complexity increases and additional vibrations are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the reduction gear by using a micro stepper motor that directly drives the sensing device. This removes the need for additional mechanical transmission elements, reducing device complexity and eliminating the vibrations that would be introduced by gears, while still achieving high scan resolution through precise motor control.
3Measurement precision
If a reduction gear is added to increase scan resolution, then the measurement accuracy improves, but additional counterweights or springs are required to balance the additional weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the reduction gear with a micro stepper motor, eliminating the need for additional counterweights or springs. The micro stepper motor is designed to directly drive the sensing device without requiring mechanical advantage, thereby reducing the moving weight and eliminating the complexity of balancing additional components.
4Measurement precision
If manual alignment of sensing device components is performed after assembling, then the components can be adjusted to each other, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features directly into the carrier element design, allowing sensing device components to be pre-aligned during assembly. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustment after assembly, while ensuring precise component alignment for accurate measurements.
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 solution enables high-resolution scanning without additional mechanical elements, reducing vibrations and complexity, improving measurement accuracy, and simplifying the machine's design, while minimizing the need for counterweights and reducing the risk of damage and measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensing unit (10) for sensing or scanning the wheel (W), wherein the first sensing unit (10) is mounted on the carrier element (30)
Implementation Method 2
a second sensing unit for sensing the angular position of the sensing device (1), wherein at least the first sensing unit (10) and the second sensing unit are commonly mounted on the carrier element (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a wheel service machine and a method for servicing a wheel. The wheel service machine (50), like a tyre changer or a wheel balancer, for servicing a wheel (W), like a vehicle wheel, comprising a rotary mounting including a shaft (S) to which the wheel (W) is mounted, a frame work for carrying at least the rotary mounting and a sensing device (1) mounted to the frame work, for determining geometrical dimensions of the wheel (W), or parts of the wheel (W), the sensing device (1) comprises a carrier element (30) and a first sensing unit (10) for sensing the wheel (W) and computing means for determining the geometrical dimensions of the wheel (W) based on the data received from the sensing device (1), the first sensing unit (10) being mounted on the carrier element (30), the wheel service machine further comprises a drive means (20) for enabling a pivotal movement of the sensing device (1) wherein the drive means (20) is a micro stepper motor.