Vehicle Clear Vision Testing With Dynamometer Steering Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Clear vision, which determines if a steering wheel is centered and aligned with the vehicle's direction of travel, is not typically measured or tested during vehicle production, leading to potential steering issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving positioning a vehicle on a dynamometer, rotating drive wheels at predetermined speeds, actively adjusting the steering wheel to maintain straight travel, measuring steering wheel angle data, and outputting repair tickets or fault codes if the angle exceeds a predetermined range, using sensors and controllers to ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If clear vision testing is not performed during vehicle production, then production efficiency is maintained, but steering alignment quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements clear vision testing as a preliminary quality check during vehicle production, before the vehicle leaves the manufacturing line. By positioning the vehicle on a dynamometer and performing steering angle measurements at controlled speeds, the system detects alignment issues early, preventing defective vehicles from reaching customers while maintaining production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual steering alignment inspection with an automated measurement system using sensors, controllers, and data processing equipment. The system automatically measures steering wheel angles, compares them against specifications, and generates reports, eliminating the need for manual mechanical inspection while improving measurement precision and consistency.
2Measurement precision
If steering wheel angle is actively adjusted to maintain straight travel, then clear vision accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the measurement system continuously monitors steering wheel angles during vehicle operation on the dynamometer. The system actively adjusts the steering wheel position based on measured deviations from the expected straight-travel angle, using feedback loops to maintain accurate clear vision measurements while compensating for alignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the measurement sensors and the steering adjustment mechanism. The controller processes measurement data, determines required adjustments, and actuates the steering system accordingly, simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling precise active adjustment for accurate clear vision testing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of testing a vehicle includes positioning the vehicle on a dynamometer, operating a propulsion system to rotate drive wheels at a one or more predetermined speeds while actively adjusting a rotational position of a steering wheel to maintain straight vehicle travel on the dynamometer, measuring angle data of the steering wheel during the active adjusting of the rotational position of the steering wheel, checking the measured angle data to determine if it is outside a predetermined angular range, and outputting, in response to the angle data being outside the predetermined angular range, at least one of a repair ticket and a vehicle fault code.