Vehicle Wheel Lateral Force Measurement Using Load Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle service equipment, such as wheel balancers and tire changing systems, face challenges in accurately measuring lateral forces in vehicle wheel assemblies due to non-uniform tire construction and wheel rim runout, which can cause vibrations and steering issues, and current methods require complex mechanical setups and tread grinding, leading to incomplete solutions and reduced tire life.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for measuring lateral forces in a vehicle wheel assembly using a load roller to apply a radial force and sensors to detect forces, with a processor to evaluate and calibrate measurements, allowing for quantification of lateral forces without precise alignment of the load roller and wheel assembly, and involving a calibration database to account for various wheel configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a load roller is linearly pressed against the tire surface at a precisely controlled angle to ensure repeatable measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical system of precisely controlled linear load roller actuation with a simpler rotational measurement system. The wheel assembly is rotated against a load roller, and lateral forces are measured through the rotation mechanism, eliminating the need for complex linear actuation and angle control mechanisms while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from controlling the load roller's linear position and contact angle to measuring lateral forces during rotation. By transforming the measurement parameter from static positional control to dynamic rotational force measurement, the system achieves precision without mechanical complexity
2Object-generated harmful factors
If tire tread surface is selectively ground away to improve rolling characteristics, then lateral forces are reduced, but tire life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures the lateral force component generated by tire non-uniformity and conicity before any corrective action is taken. By separately quantifying these harmful forces, the system enables selection of tires with inherently lower lateral forces, eliminating the need for tread grinding while maintaining vehicle handling quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where lateral forces are measured and used to select or reject tires based on their performance characteristics. This feedback loop allows customers to choose tires that naturally produce lower lateral forces, avoiding the need for corrective grinding and preserving tire life
3Ease of operation
If tire conicity and ply steer are measured to diagnose vehicle handling issues, then vehicle handling is improved, but measurement and diagnosis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement of tire lateral forces with the existing wheel balancing operation. By combining these functions in a single device and process, the system provides comprehensive diagnosis including conicity and ply steer measurements without requiring separate complex measurement systems, making the process as simple as standard wheel balancing
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 accurate and quantifiable measurement of lateral forces, improving vehicle handling and tire quality control without the need for complex mechanical setups, and providing a long-term solution by isolating tire-related forces from wheel rim contributions.
Implementation Method 1
a load roller to apply a radial force to a tire surface
Implementation Method 2
obtain a first measure of the lateral force generated by the vehicle wheel assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel service system configured with a load roller assembly to apply a generally radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly during rotation, and which is configured with sensors to obtain one or more measurements of lateral forces associated with the vehicle wheel assembly during the loaded rotation, from which a quantified representation of lateral force for the tire of the vehicle wheel assembly is determined.