Portable Axle Alignment Measurement Using Four Wheel Hub Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel alignment systems for motor vehicles, particularly in motorsports, are costly and time-consuming, requiring numerous manual measurements and calculations, making them unsuitable for efficient use in racing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A portable wheel alignment system with four interconnected measuring heads that determine individual wheel hub tracks relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, calculating axle alignment parameters directly and efficiently using radiation emission and detection perpendicular to the wheel hubs, eliminating the need for additional reference markings and reducing the time required for measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary wheel alignment systems are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but cost and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary alignment system is segmented into portable measuring heads that can be independently positioned on wheel hubs. Each measuring head contains its own sensors and processing capabilities, allowing the system to be transported and deployed at different locations while maintaining measurement reliability through distributed measurement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical reference markings and physical measurement fixtures with optical measurement methods. Laser beams and optical sensors substitute for mechanical scales and reference plates, enabling portable operation while maintaining the precision previously achievable only with fixed mechanical systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If portable measuring systems with individual measurements are used, then portability is improved, but measurement time and complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple measuring heads are merged into a coordinated system that performs simultaneous measurements. The measuring heads are functionally coupled to exchange data, allowing multiple wheel hub parameters to be measured in parallel rather than sequentially, significantly reducing total measurement time while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring heads are pre-positioned on the wheel hubs in a predetermined arrangement before measurement begins. Reference geometries are established in advance through the fixed spatial relationships between measuring heads, eliminating the need for time-consuming reference marking during the measurement process itself.
3Measurement precision
If numerous individual measurements and calculations are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system performs self-evaluation through automated data processing. The measuring heads automatically capture measurement data and the system computes axle alignment parameters without requiring race engineers to manually record and calculate values, maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating manual computation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where measurement data is immediately processed and used to compute alignment parameters. The functional coupling between measuring heads enables real-time data exchange and coordinated computation, providing rapid feedback on wheel hub positions and axle geometry without manual intervention.
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 system allows for rapid, cost-effective wheel alignment with precise axle alignment parameters, reducing the time needed for calculations and eliminating the need for manual adjustments, thus improving efficiency in motorsports and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
determine, by means of emission and detection of radiation directed perpendicular to the wheel hubs, an individual track of each wheel hub
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable system (100) for axle measurement on a motor vehicle (200), in particular a racing car, which has a first side of the vehicle (205), an opposite second side of the vehicle (207), a front axle (209) with two front wheel hubs (201, 204) and a rear axle (211) with two rear wheel hubs (202, 203), wherein the system (100) has four measuring heads (3, 5, 7, 9) which together form a measuring device (1), wherein the measuring heads (3, 5, 7, 9) are configured to be installed in a predetermined relative position to the wheel hubs (201, 202, 203, 204).It is proposed that the measuring device (1) is configured to determine, by means of emission and detection of radiation (19) directed perpendicular to the wheel hubs (201, 202, 203, 204), an individual track (φVL, φVR, φHL, φHR) of each wheel hub relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, to determine the distances of the measuring heads in the direction of the wheel hubs (201, 202, 203, 204) for the front wheel hubs (201, 204) and the rear wheel hubs (202, 203), and to calculate a data set (Z) of axle measurement parameters (Z1, Z2, Z3) from the determined individual tracks (φVL, φVR, φHL, φHR) and the determined distances of the measuring heads and to make the data set (Z) available for display.