Wheel Support Transducer for Accurate Force Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transducers are inadequate for accurately measuring forces and moments generated by a rotating wheel assembly with respect to one or more degrees of freedom, particularly when mounted on a spindle, as they fail to provide reliable data in a non-rotating coordinate system.

Innovation Solution

A wheel support system with a transducer body featuring a spindle and multiple transducer elements that connect support members, allowing for precise measurement of forces and moments through strain gauges, with a rigid structure and cooling provisions, and designed to maintain stability even in case of catastrophic failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transducers are mounted on a rotating wheel rim to measure forces and moments, then data collection is enabled during wheel rotation, but the sensor output signals become difficult to process accurately relative to a non-rotating coordinate system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting transducers on the rotating wheel rim, the patent inverts the approach by mounting transducers on the stationary spindle support structure. The wheel assembly rotates on the spindle while the transducers remain fixed, eliminating the need to process signals from a rotating coordinate system and directly providing measurements relative to the stationary vehicle frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a transducer body as an intermediary component between the wheel assembly and the vehicle. This transducer body includes transducer elements that connect support members and measure forces and moments acting on the spindle, serving as a mediator that captures rotational dynamics while remaining stationary itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transducer elements are used to measure forces and moments in multiple degrees of freedom, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transducer body is designed as a multi-functional support structure that simultaneously performs multiple functions: it supports the rotating wheel assembly, provides mounting for brake components, and contains transducer elements that measure forces and moments in multiple degrees of freedom. This universal structure eliminates the need for separate measurement devices for each degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the support function and measurement function into a single integrated transducer body. The support members and transducer elements are combined into one structure that both mechanically supports the wheel assembly and measures the forces acting upon it, reducing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the transducer structure is made rigid to maintain stability during vehicle operations, then measurement reliability is improved, but the structure becomes more susceptible to catastrophic failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidcatastrophic failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates safety features that provide beforehand cushioning against catastrophic failure. The transducer body is designed with failure modes that prevent complete structural collapse, ensuring that even if one transducer element fails, the overall structure remains intact and continues to provide measurements. This prior cushioning approach maintains reliability while mitigating the risk of total failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 reliable measurement of forces and moments applied to the spindle, ensuring data integrity and system stability, even during vehicle steering and braking, by using a robust and efficient transducer configuration.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10272720B2Wheel support having a transducer sensor body

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

AI summary

A wheel support having a transducer body includes a first support member having a spindle configured to support a wheel assembly for rotation about an axis of the spindle and a second support member. A plurality of transducer elements connects the first support member and the second support member. One of the first support member and the second support member are configured to be mounted to a vehicle and support the vehicle in part on the spindle.