Optical Wheel Dimensioning via Planar Light Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the geometrical dimensions of a vehicle wheel are not reliable and lack precision, especially in contact-less sensing and environmental variability.
Innovation Solution
A contact-less optical sensing system using digital cameras and triangulation methods to measure the wheel contour, integrating a light source that emits a planar light beam, focusing reflected light rays onto a two-dimensional sensor surface for precise sub-pixel resolution, and employing calibration techniques to account for environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If contact-less optical sensing is used to measure wheel dimensions, then measurement speed and non-contact capability are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to environmental variability and ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to environmental conditions by implementing real-time calibration procedures and adjustable exposure controls that respond to varying ambient light levels, allowing the optical sensing system to maintain measurement precision across different environmental conditions while preserving high measurement speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as light source intensity, detector exposure time, and filtering characteristics based on environmental conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains high measurement speed while compensating for environmental variability that would otherwise degrade measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If optical sensing systems are made more sensitive to detect fine wheel features, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity to ambient light and environmental conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of ambient light into a beneficial calibration reference. By using ambient light conditions as part of the calibration process, the system achieves high sub-pixel resolution capability while simultaneously compensating for and reducing the negative impact of ambient light interference through real-time environmental adaptation
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and light sources are added to improve measurement reliability in various conditions, then measurement reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes: the light source serves both illumination and calibration functions, the detector performs both measurement and environmental characterization, and the processing system handles both real-time measurement and calibration compensation. This universal approach improves measurement reliability across various conditions without proportionally increasing system complexity
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 and reliable determination of wheel dimensions and structural features with high precision, effective in various environmental conditions and reducing system sensitivity to ambient light.
Implementation Method 1
At each of the impingement points, the light beam is scattered in a plurality of light rays that are reflected
Implementation Method 2
The spacings and thus positions of the individual impingement points sensed at the wheel or the rim can then be determined by the triangulation method in dependence on the directions of the emitted and reflected light beams
Implementation Method 3
the light beam is scattered in a plurality of light rays that are reflected
Implementation Method 4
At least a plurality of these reflected light rays will be then concentrated or focused by a lens system or input pupil stripe-shaped projected image area on a two-dimensional photosensitive sensor surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus of determining geometrical dimensions of a motor vehicle wheel (rim/tyre assembly) 1 by contact-less sensing, wherein the wheel is fixed on wheel receiving means 8 of a tyre changer, that at least one planar light beam 3 is emitted on to the wheel or at least a part of the wheel, wherein the light beam reflected at the impingement area is detected, and wherein the directions of the emitted and reflected light beams are evaluated for determining the shape and/or position of the respective impingement area 4 on the wheel 1.