Vehicle Wheel Position Detection Using Height-Offset Marks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel measurement systems require a wide measuring bar and multiple sensors to record wheel positions, leading to increased space requirements and limitations in recording measurements from the side, especially when facilities like column lifts are present.

Innovation Solution

A compact measurement arrangement with sensors positioned horizontally and height-offset measurement marks on the wheels, allowing simultaneous recording of front and rear axle marks without angle recording, reducing the system's width and enabling side measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are spaced further apart to detect measuring marks at an angle, then measuring marks can be detected without obscuration, but the measuring arrangement width increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring mark detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasuring beam width
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension offset to resolve the horizontal spacing problem. Measuring marks on front and rear wheels are positioned at different vertical heights, allowing a single sensor to detect both marks without requiring large horizontal separation. This transforms a 2D horizontal detection problem into a 3D spatial arrangement, eliminating obscuration while maintaining compact sensor spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the vertical position parameter of measuring marks on different axles. By offsetting the vertical height of measuring marks between front and rear wheels, the system enables simultaneous detection by a single sensor without requiring the sensor to be positioned at extreme angles or large horizontal distances, thus reducing the measuring beam width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sensors are arranged on a wide measuring beam, then all measuring marks can be detected simultaneously, but space requirements increase and side-mounted devices are obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous detection capabilityVSAvoidmeasuring station footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing vertical height offsets for measuring marks on different axles, the system enables simultaneous detection with a compact, narrow sensor arrangement. This vertical stratification allows the sensor to detect multiple marks without requiring a wide horizontal footprint, reducing the measuring station area while maintaining reliable simultaneous detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the detection function into a single sensor that can simultaneously detect measuring marks on both front and rear axles by utilizing the vertical offset arrangement. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple sensors spaced widely apart, reducing the overall measuring station footprint while maintaining simultaneous detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If measuring marks are positioned at the same height, then the arrangement is simple, but rear axle marks are obscured by front axle marks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring mark arrangement simplicityVSAvoidmeasuring mark visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the obscuration problem by introducing a vertical dimension offset between measuring marks on front and rear axles. This simple vertical displacement eliminates line-of-sight blocking while maintaining arrangement simplicity, as the offset can be easily implemented in the measuring mark positioning without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4498036A1Arrangement and method for detecting the position and orientation of the wheels of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 WMS WAGNER
  • EP4498036A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4498036A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4498036A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a measuring station (1) with several sensors (2) for detecting measuring marks (4) and several measuring mark carriers (3) to be mounted on the wheels (11) of a vehicle (10) with measuring marks (4) arranged thereon, wherein the measuring marks (4) arranged on different vehicle axles have a height offset relative to each other.