Vehicle Wheel Vibration Test Fixture with Frustoconical Retention Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixtures for testing the vibration and stiffness of cast alloy wheels introduce noise and reverberation in the low frequency range, skewing test data and requiring inefficient subtraction of input vibration from output to correct for errors.

Innovation Solution

A fixture with a retention member having a specific diameter ratio and frustoconical design that minimizes interference with the wheel, ensuring accurate and reproducible vibration testing by reducing noise contribution by 70-80% in the critical frequency range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional fixture is used to test wheel vibration, then the wheel can be retained and tested, but the fixture introduces significant resonance noise that skews test data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest data accuracyVSAvoidfixture resonance noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the retention member, specifically setting the distal diameter to proximal diameter ratio between 0.6 to 0.8 to 1 and configuring the frustoconical wall with specific dimensions. These parameter optimizations minimize the retention member's own vibration resonance, reducing noise contribution to test data by 70-80% in the critical frequency range of 100-210 Hz.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful resonance characteristics of the retention member into a beneficial low-resonance design. By carefully designing the frustoconical geometry and diameter ratios, the retention member's natural frequencies are shifted away from the critical measurement range, effectively eliminating the harmful resonance noise while maintaining the necessary wheel retention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If a poorly designed retention member is used, then the wheel can be secured to the fixture, but vibration resonates through the fixture causing test errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel retentionVSAvoidvibration measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The retention member is designed with optimized parameters including a distal diameter to proximal diameter ratio of 0.6 to 0.8 to 1, and a frustoconical wall configuration. These parameter changes ensure the retention member maintains sufficient strength to secure the wheel while minimizing its own vibration resonance, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising wheel retention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If prior art fixtures are used, then wheel testing can be performed, but significant noise oscillation occurs in the low frequency range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidtest data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements specific parameter changes in the retention member design, including the frustoconical wall geometry and diameter ratios, which reduce the fixture's resonance in the low frequency range. This maintains full wheel testing capability while improving test data quality by reducing noise oscillation in the critical 100-210 Hz frequency range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fixture provides accurate and reliable test data without the need for subtracting input vibration, offering improved evaluation of vibration characteristics by minimizing noise in the low frequency range relevant to wheel vibration propensity.

Implementation Method 1

measuring vibration of the wheel... propensity of the wheel to translate vibration... vibration resonance throughout the passenger compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the fixture that has been poorly designed is prone to also vibrate, which is known to skew test data of the wheel... the fixture reduces noise contribution to the test data at low end frequencies most relevant to evaluating vibration characteristics of a wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS10422723B2Fixture and method of testing vehicle wheel vibration

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A fixture for testing stiffness of a vehicle wheel by measuring vibration of the wheel includes a base and a retention member. The retention member is integral to the base. The retention member defines a distal end including a distal diameter and a proximal end being proximate to the base and including a proximal diameter. The proximal end includes a plurality of studs extending upwardly therefrom for being received by lug apertures defined by the vehicle wheel thereby securing the vehicle wheel to the retention member. The distal diameter includes a ratio to the proximal diameter of between 0.6 to 0.8 to one.