Non-Contact Wheel Assembly Condition Assessment Using 3D Surface Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the condition of wheel assemblies, including tires and rims, lack effectiveness in non-contact, comprehensive analysis, particularly in identifying wear patterns and deformations across the entire surface, leading to potential safety issues due to incomplete or inaccurate assessments.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact measurement system utilizing radiation emission and detection, combined with data processing, to generate a three-dimensional representation of the wheel assembly's surface, allowing for color-coded height analysis and identification of wear patterns and deformations across the tire and rim surfaces, including sidewalls and tread areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-based measurement methods are used to assess wheel assembly conditions, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the complexity of the device increases and comprehensive surface analysis becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical measurement systems with an optical measurement system. A radiation emitter directs radiation onto the wheel assembly surface, and radiation detectors receive the reflected radiation to determine surface characteristics. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact, reducing device complexity while enabling comprehensive non-contact analysis of the entire wheel assembly surface including tires and rims.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system is designed to universally assess multiple components of the wheel assembly (tires, rims, and other surfaces) using the same radiation emission and detection mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows comprehensive surface analysis without requiring separate specialized devices for each component, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If non-contact radiation-based measurement is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation improves, but measurement precision and comprehensiveness may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances measurement comprehensiveness by capturing three-dimensional surface information through optical radiation. The system determines not only two-dimensional surface profiles but also height variations and depth characteristics by analyzing reflected radiation patterns. This dimensional enhancement allows precise detection of wear patterns, deformations, and surface irregularities across the entire wheel assembly without mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates data processing that analyzes the received radiation signals and generates detailed surface condition information. The feedback mechanism processes the optical data to identify wear patterns, inflation status, and deformations, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while operating in a non-contact manner. The processed information provides comprehensive assessment feedback to the user.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive surface scanning is performed across the entire wheel assembly, then measurement completeness improves, but the time required for assessment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation emitter and detectors are configured to periodically scan different regions of the wheel assembly surface. By using periodic radiation pulses or sequential scanning of multiple detector positions, the system efficiently captures comprehensive surface information across tires, rims, and other components. This periodic action reduces the total assessment time compared to continuous scanning while maintaining complete surface coverage and measurement completeness.
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 precise and comprehensive assessment of wheel assembly conditions, facilitating early detection of uneven wear, over- or under-inflation, and deformations, thereby enhancing safety and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an emitter source (22) for emitting radiation signals towards the wheel assembly (14), in particular towards a tire (34) or a rim (20), at least one detector (24) for receiving signals reflected from the wheel assembly (14), in particular from the tire (34) or the rim (20), in response to the emitted radiation signals
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention concerns an apparatus for determining the condition of a wheel assembly (14) including at least a rim (20) and a tire (34). The apparatus comprises: an emitter source (22) for emitting radiation signals towards the wheel assembly, at least one detector (24) for receiving signals reflected from said wheel assembly in response to the emitted radiation signals, and a data processing device (26) connected to said emitter source and said at least one detector for processing data. The data processing device is configured to perform the steps of: obtaining height information including respective heights of a plurality of points located on the surface of the wheel assembly based on the signals received from the at least one detector, obtaining a three-dimensional data set indicative of said height information, and generating a surface profile of at least a part of the wheel assembly based on the three-dimensional data set, and displaying on a display means (30) said surface profile generated as a three-dimensional representation.