Vehicle Joint Play Detection Using Localized Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for checking the play of vehicle joints are inaccurate, require significant structural measures, and are costly, as they often involve vibrating entire assemblies, making it difficult to precisely locate defective joints.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with a vibration-generating eccentric motor connected via an extension element to a contact element, allowing targeted vibration of specific components, measured by an acceleration sensor for amplitude analysis, enabling easy and precise detection of joint play without disassembling the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire assembly is made to vibrate to detect faulty components, then the detection coverage is improved, but the localization precision deteriorates and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vibration excitation into targeted segments rather than vibrating the entire assembly. The contact element applies vibration locally to specific components or joint regions, enabling both comprehensive detection through systematic scanning and precise localization by isolating vibration to specific areas at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by concentrating vibration energy at specific locations using the contact element. This allows the vibration to be applied precisely where needed (at the component or joint under inspection) rather than distributing it throughout the entire assembly, thereby improving localization precision while maintaining detection effectiveness.
2Power
If a powerful vibration motor is used to vibrate the entire wheel suspension, then the vibration intensity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration generation function from a large, powerful motor system and implements it through a compact eccentric motor. This smaller motor generates sufficient vibration intensity when applied locally to components, eliminating the need for a powerful motor that would be required to vibrate the entire suspension assembly, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mechanical vibration generated by an eccentric motor to create the necessary oscillations for detecting joint play. The eccentric motor produces controlled vibrations that are transmitted through the contact element to the component being inspected, providing adequate vibration intensity for detection without requiring a powerful motor system.
3Ease of manufacture
If acoustic detection methods are used to identify defective joints, then the equipment cost is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic detection methods with direct mechanical vibration measurement. Instead of relying on acoustic emissions or human sensory detection, the system uses a contact element to mechanically vibrate the component and measures the resulting motion, providing more precise and objective measurement while keeping equipment costs relatively low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a contact element as an intermediary between the vibration source and the component being inspected. This intermediary transmits the vibration mechanically and allows for precise measurement of the component's response, replacing the need for acoustic detection methods and improving measurement precision.
4Device complexity
If the contact element is placed directly on the component without an extension element, then the device simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to hard-to-reach areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an extension element that can be positioned at various angles and orientations to reach components in hard-to-access areas. The asymmetric positioning capability of the extension element allows the contact element to be brought into contact with components that would otherwise be inaccessible, enhancing adaptability without significantly complicating the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension element serves as an intermediary between the main device body and the contact element. This intermediary extends the reach of the device, allowing the contact element to access hard-to-reach areas while keeping the main device body positioned in more accessible locations, thereby improving adaptability without excessive complexity.
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 reliable and cost-effective detection of defective joints by analyzing vibration amplitudes, reducing the need for powerful motors and minimizing assembly vibration, allowing access to hard-to-reach areas with improved precision and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first device (20) for generating vibrations, which is connected via an extension element (30) to a contact element (40) for contacting the device (10) to a component to be measured
Implementation Method 2
a second device (50) for absorbing the vibrations generated in the component
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device (10) has an eccentric motor (20) for producing vibration, and connected with an installation device (40) over an extension unit such as rod (30). The installation device installs the device (10) at a component to be measured and transfers the vibration to the component. The motor is electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven, and the frequency and the amplitude of the motor are variable. An acceleration sensor (50) receives the vibration produced by the component. An independent claim is also included for a method for verifying the play of articulation at a vehicle.