Passive Sensor Positioning via Movable Mounts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire testing machines face challenges with manual sensor positioning, resulting in inconsistent and potentially incorrect sensor placement due to the complexity and space requirements of known positioning devices, leading to unreliable test results.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device with two carriage units guided by a guide device, utilizing the kinematics of the tire testing machine's movable mounts to align the test sensor passively, eliminating the need for additional drives and ensuring accurate, reproducible sensor placement by coupling the sensor movement with the machine's existing parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual sensor positioning is used, then the positioning device can be simple, but the sensor position cannot be set reproducibly resulting in inconsistent test results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of sensor positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device utilizes the existing movable holders and guide device of the tire testing machine to automatically position the test sensor. The carriage units are guided by the guide device and coupled to the movable holders, allowing the sensor positioning to be performed automatically by the machine itself without requiring additional complex positioning mechanisms or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The movable holders of the tire testing machine serve dual functions: they support the tire during testing and simultaneously drive the carriage units to position the test sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning drives while achieving automated, reproducible sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If automated sensor positioning is implemented, then reproducible sensor placement is achieved, but the positioning device becomes complex in terms of control technology and mechanics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of sensor positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device utilizes the existing movable holders and guide device of the tire testing machine to automatically position the test sensor. The carriage units are guided by the guide device and coupled to the movable holders, allowing the sensor positioning to be performed automatically by the machine itself without requiring additional complex positioning mechanisms or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning function is merged with the existing holder movement system. The carriage units are mechanically coupled to the movable holders, combining the holder positioning function with the sensor positioning function into a single integrated system, thereby eliminating additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If additional drive mechanisms are added for sensor positioning, then automated positioning is achieved, but the mechanical complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of sensor positioningVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device utilizes the existing movable holders and guide device of the tire testing machine to automatically position the test sensor. The carriage units are guided by the guide device and coupled to the movable holders, allowing the sensor positioning to be performed automatically by the machine itself without requiring additional complex positioning mechanisms or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The movable holders of the tire testing machine serve dual functions: they support the tire during testing and simultaneously drive the carriage units to position the test sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning drives while achieving automated, reproducible sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3819621B1Positioning device for a test sensor of a tyre testing machine
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3819621B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3819621B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3819621B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a positioning device (10) for a test sensor (102) of a tire testing machine (100), comprising a guide device (12), a sensor carrier (14) to which the test sensor (102) can be attached, wherein the sensor carrier (14) is fixed to the guide device (12), and two slide units (16a, 16b) which are guided by the guide device (12) and can be moved linearly along the guide device (12), wherein the slide units (16a, 16b) each have a suspension structure (18a, 18b) by means of which the positioning device (10) can be suspended on movable supports (104a-104d) of the tire testing machine (100).