Removable On-Car IMU Devices for High-Speed Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle balancers, both off-car and on-car, fail to accurately detect high-speed vibrational anomalies in tires and wheel assemblies, such as tire eccentricity and imbalance forces, due to limitations in mounting accuracy and operational difficulties, especially for vehicles like railcars.
Innovation Solution
A removably affixed on-car device equipped with IMUs is used to measure vibrational parameters while the vehicle is in operation, processing motion data to identify anomalies and determine corrective actions, enhanced by OBD-type communication and additional sensors for comprehensive analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If off-car balancers are used to balance wheel assemblies, then mounting accuracy can be controlled in a fixed environment, but high-speed vibrational anomalies cannot be detected because the wheel is not rotated at vehicle operating speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system of off-car balancers with a vehicle-based measurement system. Sensors mounted on the vehicle body measure vibrations while the wheel rotates at actual vehicle operating speeds, eliminating the need to mechanically rotate the wheel on a balancer and enabling detection of high-speed vibrational anomalies that only occur during actual vehicle operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediaries mounted on the vehicle body to indirectly measure wheel vibrations. Instead of directly measuring wheel rotation on a balancer, the sensors detect vibrations transmitted through the vehicle chassis, allowing measurement of high-speed vibrational characteristics without requiring direct wheel manipulation
2Measurement precision
If on-car balancers are used to detect vibrational anomalies at high speeds, then high-speed anomalies can be detected, but setup difficulties and operational limitations arise making the system complex and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can detect various types of vibrational anomalies (tire imbalance, wheel runout, bearing defects, drivetrain issues) using the same sensor assembly mounted on the vehicle. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for different specialized equipment and complex setup procedures for different measurement scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the vehicle itself to serve as the measurement platform, using its own motion and vibration characteristics to perform the balancing measurement. The vehicle's natural operation provides the test conditions, eliminating the need for external balancing equipment and complex setup procedures
3Productivity
If traditional off-car balancers are used, then the balancing process can be completed without vehicle operation, but the results do not reflect actual high-speed vibrational behavior during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements during normal vehicle operation before actual balancing is performed. The sensor assembly collects vibrational data during vehicle motion to identify high-speed anomalies, allowing the balancing process to be optimized based on actual operating conditions rather than theoretical low-speed 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
Accurately detects and corrects high-speed vibrational anomalies by providing precise measurements and recommendations, improving vehicle stability and reducing wear on components.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the one or more sensors include one or more IMU's mounted to the vehicle and configured to measure parameters that are used for calculating the vibrational anomalies when the vehicle is in operation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for detecting vibrational anomalies of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first device and a second device. The first device is removably attachable to a wheel assembly of the vehicle and includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to remotely collect acceleration data, and a microcontroller. The second device is also removably attachable to the vehicle, but is not attached to any of the wheel assemblies. The second device is configured to collect vibrational data. The microcontroller is configured to receive the remotely collected acceleration data and the vibrational data from the respective first and second devices, analyze the acceleration data from the first device to determine whether a vibrational anomaly exists in the wheel assembly, analyze the vibrational data from the second device to determine whether a vibrational anomaly exists, and compare the analyzed acceleration data from the first device and the analyzed vibrational data from the second device to identify a potential source of vibrational anomaly in the vehicle. When the analyzed acceleration data from the first device determines that there is negligible vibrational anomaly from the wheel assembly and the analyzed vibrational data from the second device determines the existence of a vibrational anomaly, the comparison identifies that the potential source of vibrational anomaly in the vehicle is in a part of the vehicle other than the wheel assembly.