Single Spoke Wheel Balancing via Vector Weight Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for balancing automotive vehicle wheels with radially extending spokes require additional labor and increase the chance of weight placement errors due to the need for two weights behind spokes, and current single spoke weight methods are limited by residual imbalance errors and restrictions on usage conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines imbalance characteristics in multiple planes and translates components to allow for single spoke weight placement, reducing residual static imbalance and enabling balancing in all instances without restricting the method to specific imbalance conditions or spoke arrangements, by determining vector components and combining them to achieve balanced wheel assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two weights are applied behind two spokes using the conventional split method, then the wheel balance accuracy is improved, but the labor time and complexity of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of two separate balance weights into a single weight by calculating an equivalent single weight value that produces the same balancing effect. The control unit computes the vector sum of the two split weights and displays a single weight magnitude and angle, allowing the operator to apply only one weight while achieving the same balance accuracy as the two-weight method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts one of the two balance weights from the conventional split method and combines it mathematically with the remaining weight. By resolving the vector components of the two original weights and recalculating an equivalent single weight, the system eliminates the need for the second weight while preserving the balancing effect.
2Ease of operation
If a single weight is applied behind one spoke, then the operator labor is reduced, but residual imbalance errors increase and the method becomes restricted to certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the computational parameters by calculating the exact magnitude and angular position of a single equivalent weight that will produce the desired balancing effect. The control unit resolves the vector components of the original two weights, combines them, and determines the optimal single weight parameters (magnitude and angle) to minimize residual imbalance, thereby maintaining high precision while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically placing two separate weights with a computational method that calculates a single equivalent weight. The system uses vector mathematics and control algorithms to determine the optimal single weight parameters, substituting complex mechanical placement with intelligent computational design.
3Device complexity
If computational methods are used to determine single spoke weight placement, then the balancing process is simplified, but the method is limited to specific imbalance conditions and spoke arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal balancing method that can handle all types of wheel imbalance conditions and spoke arrangements. The control unit uses general vector mathematics and iterative optimization algorithms that adapt to any input configuration, making the single-weight method applicable universally across different wheel designs and imbalance scenarios rather than being restricted to specific cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic computational approach where the control unit iteratively adjusts the single weight parameters based on the specific imbalance characteristics and spoke geometry of each wheel. The system dynamically calculates the optimal weight magnitude and angle by resolving vector components and optimizing for minimum residual imbalance, allowing adaptation to any condition rather than relying on fixed rules.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for reducing imbalance in a wheel assembly are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a first plane, determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a second plane, and translating a component of the imbalance characteristic from the first plane to the second plane.