Lightweight Wheel Alignment Adaptors for Convex and Concave Hubs

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional precision rim-clamping adaptors for vehicle wheel alignment measurements are cumbersome and difficult to use on heavy-duty trucks with large diameter wheels, especially those with raised or recessed central hub surfaces, due to their size, weight, and requirement for precise axial alignment.

Innovation Solution

Development of lightweight adaptor assemblies with spring-biased clamp systems and adjustable wheel clamp arms that can be secured to large diameter vehicle wheels without precise axial alignment, including a raised-hub adaptor for convex surfaces and a recessed-hub adaptor for concave surfaces, allowing for easy attachment and stable measurement acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional precision rim-clamping adaptors are used on large diameter wheels, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the adaptors become large, heavy, and difficult to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment measurement accuracyVSAvoidease of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor is divided into separate functional components: a rim-clamping mechanism with jaws that engage the rim edge, a tire-clamping mechanism with independent jaws that engage the tire bead, and a mounting structure for the measurement device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor incorporates self-aligning features where the rim-clamping jaws and tire-clamping jaws automatically position themselves relative to the wheel assembly during attachment. The centering mechanism uses the geometry of the rim and tire to establish the correct mounting position without requiring precise manual alignment by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If traditional precision rim-clamping adaptors are used on wheels with raised or recessed hub surfaces, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but attachment time increases and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment measurement accuracyVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor uses adjustable and movable components including adjustable centering mechanisms that can accommodate different hub configurations (raised or recessed). The clamping jaws are positioned and adjusted dynamically during attachment to establish proper engagement without requiring precise pre-alignment, significantly reducing attachment time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If traditional precision rim-clamping adaptors are used on large diameter wheels, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the adaptors become awkward and require precise axial alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment measurement accuracyVSAvoidalignment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor incorporates self-aligning features where the rim-clamping jaws and tire-clamping jaws automatically position themselves relative to the wheel assembly during attachment. The centering mechanism uses the geometry of the rim and tire to establish the correct mounting position without requiring precise manual alignment by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor is divided into separate functional components: a rim-clamping mechanism with jaws that engage the rim edge, a tire-clamping mechanism with independent jaws that engage the tire bead, and a mounting structure for the measurement device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The lightweight adaptors provide stable and efficient attachment to heavy-duty vehicle wheels with varying hub configurations, reducing the time and error associated with traditional methods while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-biased clamp assembly coupled to the annular base by a pair of linkages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10252682B2Method and apparatus for securing alignment measurement components to large diameter wheels

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY

AI summary

A set of light-weight adaptor assemblies suitable for use with optical targets, angle sensors, or other instrumentation. A first configuration of adapter assembly within the set is easily secured against the outboard surfaces a large-diameter vehicle wheel assembly having a highly convex raised central hub region, without concern for precise axial alignment or centering, while a second configuration of adapter assembly within the set is easily secured against the outboard surfaces of a large-diameter vehicle wheel assembly having a highly concave recessed central hub region, without concern for precise axial alignment or centering.