GB2577034A - System for real time on-board wheel alignment, and suspension and road surface sensing with on-board and cloud-based predictive analysis - Google Patents

System for real time on-board wheel alignment, and suspension and road surface sensing with on-board and cloud-based predictive analysis Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2577034A
GB2577034A GB1811381.1A GB201811381A GB2577034A GB 2577034 A GB2577034 A GB 2577034A GB 201811381 A GB201811381 A GB 201811381A GB 2577034 A GB2577034 A GB 2577034A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
wheel alignment
sensing unit
wheel
wireless
unit according
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Granted
Application number
GB1811381.1A
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GB201811381D0 (en
GB2577034B (en
Inventor
Mark Longden Robert
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to GB1811381.1A priority Critical patent/GB2577034B/en
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Publication of GB2577034A publication Critical patent/GB2577034A/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B5/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
    • G01B5/24—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
    • G01B5/255—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing wheel alignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B5/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
    • G01B5/0025—Measuring of vehicle parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
    • G01B7/30—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
    • G01B7/315—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing wheel alignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M17/00—Testing of vehicles
    • G01M17/007—Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles
    • G01M17/013—Wheels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/10—Wheel alignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/10—Wheel alignment
    • G01B2210/16—Active or passive device attached to the chassis of a vehicle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/10—Wheel alignment
    • G01B2210/20—Vehicle in a state of translatory motion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/58—Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/008—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/08—Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
    • G07C5/0808—Diagnosing performance data

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Abstract

A portable wireless unit that uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to measure and transmit wheel alignment data regarding vibration and rotation of the wheels. The sensing unit attaches directly to any type of vehicle wheel and includes a means of transmitting wheel alignment data while the vehicle is in motion. The rotation data is converted to alignment information using dynamics modelling. Vibration data is processed to evaluate wheel and suspension condition. An optional booster antenna attached in commercial vehicles may also be used. The wheel alignment sensor may be powered by a battery or by harvesting kinetic energy from the wheels. The information collected by the sensing unit may be transmitted wirelessly (e.g. through Bluetooth (RTM) or radio frequency). The wireless wheel alignment sensing unit may be attached to the wheel by adhesive or a steel band and may be detachable. The alignment and condition information may be sent to a cloud-based platform using existing vehicle connectivity or displayed on-board.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: System for real time on-board wheel alignment, and suspension and road surface sensing with on-board and cloud-based predictive analysis Abstract Title: A wireless wheel alignment sensor for a vehicle (57) A portable wireless unit that uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to measure and transmit wheel alignment data regarding vibration and rotation of the wheels. The sensing unit attaches directly to any type of vehicle wheel and includes a means of transmitting wheel alignment data while the vehicle is in motion. The rotation data is converted to alignment information using dynamics modelling. Vibration data is processed to evaluate wheel and suspension condition. An optional booster antenna attached in commercial vehicles may also be used. The wheel alignment sensor may be powered by a battery or by harvesting kinetic energy from the wheels. The information collected by the sensing unit may be transmitted wirelessly (e.g. through Bluetooth (RTM) or radio frequency). The wireless wheel alignment sensing unit may be attached to the wheel by adhesive or a steel band and may be detachable. The alignment and condition information may be sent to a cloud-based platform using existing vehicle connectivity or displayed on-board.
Figure 1
At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.
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Figure 1
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01 20
Figure 3
Figure 2
Figure 4
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01 20
Information sent to web
Fleet Operator and workshop receive wheel
Enhanced connectivity is used to send data to the cloud
Information sent to communications device via
Figure 5
Description
The present invention is a system consisting of an array of sensors mounted on vehicle wheels or wheel hubs to continuously and in real time monitor vehicle wheel alignment and evaluate wheel and suspension condition together with a data analysis program that provides immediate and predictive analysis resulting in correction actions.
Vehicle wheels can go out of alignment with each other during normal use. Wheel alignment is currently measured whilst the vehicle is static using specialist equipment. Suspension issues can also occur during normal use.
Misalignment and suspension faults cause a number of problems. Tyres wear unevenly reducing grip and shortening overall life. Rolling resistance increases, resulting in reduced fuel economy. The issue with the conventional method of alignment at maintenance is that it is not possible to predict how vehicle wheel alignment will change with usage of the vehicle. Often wheels have been out of alignment for some time before they are corrected, resulting in reduced tyre life and increased fuel consumption and emissions. To overcome this issue the present invention proposes wireless sensing unit in which sensors are mounted on each of the vehicle wheels to continuously measure alignment and wheel and suspension condition data, and remotely report this data to a vehicle onboard system for processing. The data is processed and the degree of this alignment is calculated along with the condition of the wheel and suspension.
Vehicle wheels are aligned using conventional methods before fitting the sensors. The sensors then measure alignment information relative to this initial reference.
Each wireless sensing unit comprises of a gyroscope and an accelerometer which measure vibration and rotation data. This rotation data is converted to alignment information using dynamics modelling. Vibration data is processed to evaluate wheel and suspension condition.
Wheel sensors use wireless transmission, such as Bluetooth or radio frequency, to send information for processing.
The alignment and condition information is preferably communicated to a cloud based platform using existing vehicle connectivity, although if no connectivity exists information can be displayed using an on-board display.
Wheel sensors may be battery powered or use a connected power source harvesting kinetic energy from the wheels.
The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a sensor attached to a wheel
Figure 2 shows a schematic of the system applied to a commercial vehicle.
Figure 3 shows a schematic of the system applied to a light commercial vehicle
Figure 4 shows a schematic of the system applied to a car
Figure 5 shows a process flow for alignment information
In figure 1 a single wheel rim 1 of the vehicle is shown with the sensor 2 attached externally. The sensor can be attached to the wheel rim by an adhesive or a clip/strap.
Figure 2 shows the system in a commercial vehicle. Sensors are attached to each wheel of the vehicle. An antenna is attached to the vehicle to receive a signal from the sensors. The antenna transmits the signal from the sensors to an onboard processor. The signal is processed in the onboard processor and can be sent to a communications device. If no communications device exists a warning can be displayed on an LED light.
Figure 3 shows the integration of the system with wider monitoring techniques when the system is installed in a commercial vehicle. Information could be sent by the communications device to a web portal where it can be examined by a fleet operator.
Figure 4 shows the system in a light commercial vehicle. Sensors are attached to each wheel of the vehicle. The signal from these sensors is received by an onboard processor. The signal is processed in the onboard processor and can be sent to a communications device. If no communications device exists a warning can be displayed on an LED light. If the signal is sent to a communications device, the communications device sends the signal to a cloud based platform for display and or further processing.
Figure 5 shows the system in a car. Sensors are attached to each wheel of the vehicle. The signal from these sensors is received by an onboard processor. The signal is processed in the onboard processor and can be sent to a communications device. If no communications device exists a warning can be displayed on an LED light. If the signal is sent to a communications device, the communications device sends the signal to a cloud based platform for display and or further processing.

Claims (11)

  1. Claims
    1. A portable wireless sensing unit comprising of gyroscopes and accelerometers attached directly to any type of vehicle wheels, attachment means for attaching the gyroscopes and accelerometers to the vehicle wheel, transmission means such that the wheel alignment data can be transmitted whilst the vehicle is in motion, using an optional booster antenna attached in commercial vehicles.
  2. 2. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the wheel alignment sensor is powered by battery.
  3. 3. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the wheel alignment sensor is powered by energy harvesting systems.
  4. 4. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the wheel alignment sensor is attached by adhesive.
  5. 5. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the wheel alignment sensor is attached by a steel band.
  6. 6. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the information is transmitted by Bluetooth.
  7. 7. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the information is transmitted by radio frequency.
  8. 8. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claims 2 and 3, in which the wireless wheel alignment sensing unit is detachable.
  9. 9. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which the data is transmitted whilst the wheel is in motion.
  10. 10. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which a streaming algorithm converts raw position and rotation data from the sensor into alignment information.
  11. 11. A wireless wheel alignment sensing unit according to claim 1, in which a streaming algorithm converts raw vibrational data from the sensor into wheel and suspension condition information.
    Intellectual Property Office
    Application No: GB1811381.1
GB1811381.1A 2018-07-11 2018-07-11 A portable wireless sensing unit for a vehicle wheel Active GB2577034B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1811381.1A GB2577034B (en) 2018-07-11 2018-07-11 A portable wireless sensing unit for a vehicle wheel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1811381.1A GB2577034B (en) 2018-07-11 2018-07-11 A portable wireless sensing unit for a vehicle wheel

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201811381D0 GB201811381D0 (en) 2018-08-29
GB2577034A true GB2577034A (en) 2020-03-18
GB2577034B GB2577034B (en) 2023-04-12

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Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2577034B (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160018209A1 (en) * 2013-12-03 2016-01-21 Vladimir NAGORNOV Vehicle wheel alignment method and system based on gyroscopic sensors or angular rate sensors or mems angular rate sensors
US20170350684A1 (en) * 2016-06-02 2017-12-07 Maliszewski Family 2001 Trust In Situ Wheel Position Measurement Using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160018209A1 (en) * 2013-12-03 2016-01-21 Vladimir NAGORNOV Vehicle wheel alignment method and system based on gyroscopic sensors or angular rate sensors or mems angular rate sensors
US20170350684A1 (en) * 2016-06-02 2017-12-07 Maliszewski Family 2001 Trust In Situ Wheel Position Measurement Using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)

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Publication number Publication date
GB201811381D0 (en) 2018-08-29
GB2577034B (en) 2023-04-12

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