Stationary Optical Wheel Profile Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle wheel service systems, such as wheel balancers, require frequent maintenance and recalibration due to the wear and misalignment of moving parts, leading to time-consuming and costly operations, especially when measuring wheel profiles using optical scanning methods.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that project a pattern of discrete optically detectable elements onto the wheel rim, allowing for the determination of dimensional parameters using an imaging sensor and processor, eliminating the need for synchronous movement of light sources and receivers, thus reducing maintenance and acquisition time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a scanning device includes a plurality of moving parts, actuators, and bearings to enable synchronous movement of light source and receiver, then the measurement capability is achieved, but the device is prone to wear and misalignment requiring periodic maintenance and recalibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with moving parts, actuators, and bearings with a stationary optical measurement system. The light source and receiver remain fixed in position, eliminating mechanical wear and misalignment issues while maintaining the capability to measure wheel profile parameters through optical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the light source and receiver synchronously to track wheel features, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the optical components stationary and allowing the wheel to rotate naturally. The measurement is achieved by capturing optical data at fixed positions while the wheel rotates, eliminating the need for complex synchronous movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If a scanning device uses synchronous movement of light source and receiver to measure wheel profile, then measurement accuracy is achieved, but the time required for scanned measurement is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the light source and receiver at optimal fixed locations before measurement begins. The wheel is mounted on the spindle and the optical system is configured in advance, allowing immediate measurement without requiring time-consuming synchronous movement sequences during the actual measurement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical scanning process with a stationary optical measurement system. By eliminating the need for synchronous movement of light sources and receivers, the measurement time is significantly reduced while maintaining precision through the fixed optical geometry and digital image processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a scanning device includes moving parts and actuators for optical scanning, then wheel profile measurement capability is achieved, but maintenance and recalibration are expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with moving parts and actuators with a stationary optical measurement system. This substitution eliminates the need for periodic maintenance and recalibration of mechanical components while preserving the wheel profile measurement capability through fixed optical sensors and digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary optical system requires no active maintenance or recalibration by operators. The system maintains its measurement capability automatically through its fixed optical geometry and robust sensor design, eliminating the need for periodic intervention for maintenance or recalibration activities.

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

This approach provides a cost-effective and reliable means to determine wheel parameters without the need for periodic recalibration, reducing operational time and maintenance costs while maintaining accurate measurements.

Implementation Method 1

projecting a pattern onto the wheel, the pattern including a plurality of discrete optically detectable elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS8111387B2Methods and systems for wheel profile measurement

Publication Date: 2012.02.07 HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY

AI summary

Methods and systems for determining a parameter of a vehicle wheel are provided. The vehicle wheel is mounted on a shaft having an axis of rotation. The method includes projecting a pattern onto the wheel wherein the pattern includes a plurality of discrete optically detectable elements and determining a dimensional parameter of the wheel utilizing at least two of the plurality of discrete elements.