Spoke Sensor Wheel Balancing Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual positioning of spoked wheels in wheel balancing devices is time-consuming and laborious, requiring manual rotation to align spokes with a predefined reference position for attaching balancing weights.

Innovation Solution

A wheel balancing device with a rotatable holding device and a spoke sensor, such as an ultrasonic or optical sensor, to detect the number and positions of spokes during wheel rotation, eliminating the need for manual alignment and ensuring non-contact detection to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual rotation and positioning of the wheel is used to align spokes with reference position, then the spoke positions can be determined, but the process becomes time-consuming and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoke position determinationVSAvoidbalancing operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical rotation and positioning system with an automated sensor-based detection system. The spoke sensor automatically detects spoke positions during wheel rotation, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining precise measurement of spoke positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel balancing system performs self-positioning through automated detection. The control unit automatically processes sensor signals to determine spoke positions without requiring operator intervention for manual wheel rotation or positioning, enabling the system to serve itself in the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a mechanical spoke sensor is used to detect spokes, then spoke positions can be detected, but damage to and aesthetic deterioration of the spokes may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoke detection accuracyVSAvoidspoke damage and aesthetic deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based spoke detection with non-contact optical or acoustic sensing. The sensor detects spoke positions through electromagnetic or acoustic fields without physical contact, thereby eliminating mechanical damage and aesthetic deterioration of the spokes while maintaining accurate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If manual input of spoke number and manual rotation is required, then the wheel balancing device can operate, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalancing operation speedVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the number of spokes and their positions through sensor detection and control unit processing. The wheel needs to be rotated only once through a full revolution for the sensor to automatically count spokes and record positions, eliminating the need for manual input operations and significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 rapid and convenient determination of spoke positions, simplifying and expediting the balancing process while protecting the spokes and balancing weights from external mechanical effects.

Implementation Method 1

The spoke sensor may be an acoustic sensor, in particular, an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

or an optical sensor, in particular, a light reflection sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10302518B2Wheel balancing device

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SICAM SRL

AI summary

A wheel balancing device for balancing spoked wheels, includes a rotatable holding device that is configured to receive and rotatably support a spoked wheel to be balanced, as well as at least one spoke sensor that is configured to detect the spokes of the wheel.