Automated Steering Wheel Leveling via Machine Vision and Servo Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheel leveling systems suffer from measurement errors due to the vertical change of the rubber packing's fixed position, leading to inconsistencies in zero-point calibration, as they adhere to both the steering wheel and the window glass, causing vehicle leaning issues.
Innovation Solution
An automated steering wheel leveling system utilizing machine vision to photograph the steering wheel, motor cylinders to secure the wheel, and a servo motor to adjust the steering wheel to a precise zero-point, eliminating the need for glass adherence and enabling robotic alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual rubber packing adherence method is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vertical position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adherence method with an automated robotic system. The robot arm positions and adheres the rubber packing at precise locations, eliminating human error and vertical position variations. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with automated robotic control directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-positioning capabilities where the robot automatically determines the correct adherence position through vision systems or sensors, eliminating the need for manual positioning judgment. The system serves itself by automatically compensating for position variations, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising operational simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If automated robotic system is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed to perform multiple functions: positioning, adherence, and potential repositioning of the rubber packing. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by consolidating multiple operations into a single automated platform, thereby improving measurement precision while making the complexity worthwhile through operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as vision systems, sensors, and control algorithms that mediate between the robot arm and the adherence task. These intermediaries enable precise positioning and measurement while managing the complexity through modular design, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision without overwhelming structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If robot arm is used to position components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors and vision systems continuously monitor the position of components and the robot arm. This real-time feedback allows for automatic adjustments and corrections, maintaining high manufacturing precision while simplifying operation through automated control loops that eliminate the need for manual precision adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm performs preliminary positioning actions before final adherence, pre-establishing accurate component positions. This preliminary action ensures high manufacturing precision is achieved in advance, and the system can then proceed with simplified automated operations without requiring complex manual intervention for positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an automated steering wheel leveling system and method. Particularly, the automated steering wheel leveling system includes a machine vision, a plurality of motor cylinders, a motor, and a robot, each operated by a process PC. The machine vision photographs a steering wheel to obtain position information of the steering wheel and determines a stroke of a motor cylinder and a grip position of a gripper using the position information. The plurality of motor cylinders move a plurality of grippers to steering wheel to secure the steering wheel. The motor rotates the steering wheel in order to adjust a zero-point of the steering wheel. The robot then moves the machine vision, the motor cylinder, and the motor to the steering wheel to align a shaft of the servo motor with a shaft of the steering wheel.