Vehicle On-Road Behavior Simulation for Static Wheel Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wheel service machines and diagnostic devices do not provide adequate information for tyre service personnel to perform precise static adjustments of motor vehicles, leading to potential safety issues and increased tyre wear due to imperfect vehicle configurations.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that utilize a data storage module, control module, and processing module to simulate on-road vehicle behavior based on measured parameters, providing tyre service personnel with detailed information on necessary adjustments to optimize vehicle performance and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wheel service machines measure wheel conditions and vehicle attitude parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but the tyre service person still lacks sufficient information to make precise adjustment decisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel condition measurement precisionVSAvoidinformation for adjustment decision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures wheel conditions and vehicle attitude parameters, then feeds back simulation results showing the effect of different adjustment options on on-road behavior. This closed-loop feedback provides the tyre service person with actionable information linking measurements to adjustment outcomes, resolving the information gap despite precise measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A computer-based simulation system acts as an intermediary between measurement devices and the tyre service person. The simulation translates raw measurement data into predictive on-road behavior scenarios, providing the missing link between measurement precision and adjustment decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the tyre service person adjusts vehicle configuration based on experience and approximations, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of vehicle configuration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment process easeVSAvoidvehicle configuration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation system automatically calculates optimal adjustment configurations based on measured parameters, eliminating the need for the tyre service person to rely on experience-based approximations. The system serves itself by generating precise adjustment recommendations without human intervention in the calculation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical decision-making process (experience-based adjustment) with a computer-based simulation system. This substitution transitions from approximate human judgment to precise computational analysis, improving configuration precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If static adjustment is performed without simulating on-road behavior, then productivity is improved, but reliability of adjustment results deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment process speedVSAvoidadjustment result accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary simulation of on-road behavior before the actual adjustment is made. By predicting the effects of different adjustment configurations in advance, the system ensures reliable adjustment results while maintaining productivity, as the simulation is conducted computationally rather than through repeated trial adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation creates a virtual copy of the vehicle's on-road behavior based on measured parameters and proposed adjustments. This digital twin allows prediction of adjustment outcomes without physical testing, ensuring reliability while preserving productivity by eliminating the need for multiple iterative adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2327973B1Apparatus and method for supplying a person with information for statically adjusting a motor vehicle equipped with wheels fitted with tyres.
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 NEXION SPA
  • EP2327973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2327973B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for supplying a person with information for statically adjusting wheels (3), or tyres (4), of a motor vehicle (2) comprises: a data storage module (5) defining a model of vehicle (2) operation through a plurality of model parameters; a control module (6) adapted to set a parameter for evaluating the on-road behaviour of the vehicle and to receive values of measurement parameter correlated with the on-road behaviour of the vehicle (2) and measured on the vehicle wheels (3), in order to set values of model parameters defining a starting configuration of the model parameters; a processing module (7) adapted to perform simulations of the on-road behaviour of the vehicle (2) using said model, while varying the value of at least one of the model parameters in order to determine, according to the set evaluation parameter, a modified model parameter configuration corresponding to an on-road behaviour of the vehicle (2), a module (8) for presenting to the person service information for adjusting the vehicle (2) according to the given modified configuration of the model parameters.