Wheel End Load Sensing via Housing Web Strain Gauges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accurately and reliably measuring wheel loads in automotive vehicles are not very accurate and are susceptible to environmental changes, posing challenges for dynamic control systems.
Innovation Solution
A wheel end design with a housing and hub that includes sensors attached to webs to detect strains, which are then used to calculate and monitor loads transmitted through the wheel end, providing signals for processing to determine forces and moments acting on the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic sensors with sensing components attached to arm ends are used, then load sensing capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to susceptibility to environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic sensors with strain gauges that directly measure mechanical strain on the housing. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to environmental changes affecting magnetic fields while providing direct mechanical measurement of load forces through strain-induced resistance changes in the gauges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces strain gauges as intermediary elements that convert mechanical strain into electrical signals. These gauges are bonded to the housing structure, serving as a mediator between the mechanical load and the measurement system, providing accurate force and moment calculations through strain measurements.
2Reliability
If sensors are attached to measure distance between non-rotating and rotating sections, then load sensing is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces distance-measuring sensors with strain gauges that directly measure mechanical strain. This substitution provides more accurate load sensing by measuring the actual deformation caused by forces rather than inferring loads from distance changes, which are susceptible to environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure itself serves as the measurement element through which strain gauges are attached. The housing's own deformation under load provides the measurement signal, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms that measure distance between components and are vulnerable to environmental interference.
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 solution provides improved load sensing capability, enabling more accurate and reliable operation of braking and torque distribution systems by accurately measuring forces and moments, thus enhancing vehicle stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Sensors attached to the webs provide signals that reflect strains in the web
Implementation Method 2
Sensors attached to the webs provide signals that reflect strains in the web
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel end (A) has a housing (2, 70, 80, 90) and a hub (4) provided with a spindle (32) that projects into the housing, and the hub rotates relative to the housing on an antifriction bearing (6) located between the housing and hub spindle. The housing has a tubular core (12, 72, 82, 92) that encloses the bearing and ring mounts (14, 74, 84, 94) spaced outwardly from the core and also webs (16,76,86,96) that connect the ring mounts to the core. A road wheel (B) is attached to the hub and rotates with the hub relative to the housing. The housing is secured to a suspension upright (C) at its ring mounts. The core deflects relative to the ring mounts, owning to forces and moments transferred through the bearing from the suspension upright to the road wheel and vice versa, and the magnitude of those forces and moments are reflected in signals derived from strain sensor modules (SM) attached to the webs of the housing.