Patent Application
20210302258
Example embodiments generally relate to balancing of wheel and tire assemblies and, more particularly, relate to a system and method for enabling full customization of wheel and tire assembly balancing.
Proper wheel or tire assembly balance can be a significant factor in maximizing fuel efficiency in vehicles, and in relation to customer satisfaction based on reduced vibration while driving. Thus, a number of tools and methodologies have been developed to facilitate improved balancing efforts. That said, current industry solutions for tools and methods associated with balancing of wheel and tire assemblies only function to minimize static and couple imbalance, or minimize the weight used in balancing. This results in a rigid balancing paradigm that may not be capable of producing optimal balancing solutions across a wide range of different sizes of wheels and tire assemblies or allow flexibility based on vehicle architecture.
Thus, it may be desirable to develop improved methods and tools for balancing wheel and tire assemblies that are both less rigid, and also provide improved results.
In accordance with an example embodiment, a method of determining a balancing solution for a rotating body that includes a wheel or wheel assembly may be provided. The method may include receiving balance parameters defining measured imbalance associated with the rotating body and receiving a set of constraints. At least one of the constraints may define a non-zero target correction of one of the balance parameters. The method may further include determining, via a selected optimization strategy, the balancing solution defining a correction to apply to the rotating body to achieve corrected balance parameters meeting the set of constraints.
In another example embodiment, a balance controller for determining a balancing solution for a rotating body that includes a wheel or wheel assembly may be provided. The balance controller may include processing circuitry configured for receiving balance parameters defining measured imbalance associated with the rotating body and receiving a set of constraints. At least one of the constraints may define a non-zero target correction of one of the balance parameters. The processing circuitry may be further configured for determining, via a selected optimization strategy, the balancing solution defining a correction to apply to the rotating body to achieve corrected balance parameters meeting the set of constraints.
In yet example embodiment, a balancing system for determining a balancing solution for a rotating body that includes a wheel or wheel assembly may be provided. The balancing system may include a balance controller that may include processing circuitry configured for receiving balance parameters defining measured imbalance associated with the rotating body and receiving a set of constraints. At least one of the constraints may define a non-zero target correction of one of the balance parameters. The processing circuitry may be further configured for determining, via a selected optimization strategy, the balancing solution defining a correction to apply to the rotating body to achieve corrected balance parameters meeting the set of constraints.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.
Larger wheel and tire assemblies inherently have larger rotating mass and moments of inertia. The more massive a tire or wheel, the larger the probability that the center of gravity will not exist on the center of rotation. When the center of gravity of an assembly does not fall on the axis of rotation, rotational imbalance is created in the form of static imbalance or couple imbalance. As noted above, current wheel and tire assembly balancing methodologies have rigid limits imposed such as targeting zero residual static imbalance and zero couple imbalance. The amount of weight, and the placement of that weight, is an output of the balance equations used in this rigidly constructed system. Thus, it is not possible to target a different setpoint for balance, or to perform tuned balancing in accordance with customer desires.
Some example embodiments described herein may address the problems described above. In this regard, for example, some example embodiments may provide an improved system and methodology for balancing wheel assemblies or components thereof. As a result, vehicle efficiency, assembly plant throughput and driver experience/satisfaction may also be improved.
In this regard, the balancer 110 may include a spindle 140 to which the rotating body 130 is physically attached, and the spindle 140 may be operably coupled to a motor 150 that provides the motive force to turn the spindle 140 and thereby also rotate the rotating body 130. The balancer 110 may also include one or more sensors 160 that are configured to sense vibrations generated during rotation of the rotating body 130. The vibrations may be produced due to imbalance in the rotating body 130 and thus, by analyzing the vibrations detected by the sensors 160, it may be possible to implement balance corrections (e.g., by adding weights to the rotating body 130) that adjust the amount or nature of the imbalance.
In an example embodiment, the output of the sensors 160 may be provided to the balancing controller 120, which may be configured to determine characteristics or parameters associated with the imbalance of the rotating body 130 (i.e., balance parameters defining at least couple imbalance and static imbalance for the rotating body 130) based on the vibrations detected. The balancing controller 120 may therefore be configured to employ balancing equations or other software or application-based tools to determine, based on the balance parameters, an amount of, and location for, placement of weights that may provide the balance corrections. The balance correction may be part of a balance solution described in greater detail below. However, the balancing controller 120 may also be configured to enable solution tuning (e.g., tuning of the balance solution) in ways not previously possible. Accordingly, for example, the balancing controller 120 may be able to receive numerous different parameters, indications and other information that may be related to or indicative of different inputs or conditions associated with balancing of wheel rims or wheel assemblies. The balancing controller 120 may be configured to use the information received in association with the execution of one or more control algorithms (which may themselves also be selectable) that may be used to generate solutions for balancing of the rotating body 130. The balancing controller 120 may also provide control over the operation of the balancer 110 (e.g., providing motor control inputs for the motor 150), and may enable a user or operator to interface with the system 100 in order to achieve desired outcomes as described herein.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the processing circuitry (e.g., the processor 170 and memory 172) may be in communication with or otherwise control a user interface 180 and a balancing module 190. As such, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein. Thus, for example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a portion of a server, computer, laptop, workstation or even one of various mobile computing devices.
The user interface 180 may be in communication with the processing circuitry to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface 180 and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. As such, the user interface 180 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker, or other input/output mechanisms. In some cases, the user interface 180 may also include a series of web pages or interface consoles generated to guide the user through various options, commands, flow paths and/or the like for control of or interaction with the balancing module 190.
In an example embodiment, the memory 172 may include one or more non-transitory storage or memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory 172 may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory 172 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 170. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 172 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 170. As yet another option, the memory 172 may include one of a plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets, or structures used to enable balance equation calculations associated with operation of the balance module 190. Among the contents of the memory 172, applications may be stored for execution by the processor 170 in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application.
The processor 170 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor 170 may be embodied as various processing means such as a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a hardware accelerator, or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor 170 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 172 or otherwise accessible to the processor 170. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 170 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 170 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 170 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 170 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 170 to perform the operations described herein.
In an example embodiment, the processor 170 (or the processing circuitry) may be embodied as, include or otherwise control the balancing module 190, which may be any means such as a device or circuitry operating in accordance with software or otherwise embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., processor 170 operating under software control, the processor 170 embodied as an ASIC or FPGA specifically configured to perform the operations described herein, or a combination thereof) thereby configuring the device or circuitry to perform the corresponding functions of the balancing module 190 as described herein.
Although
As noted above, conventional balancing equations and paradigms typically target zero for static and couple imbalance. Thus, conventional balancing questions and paradigms effectively only have a single optimization algorithm (i.e., one that targets zero for static and couple imbalance). Although a tolerance may be defined (e.g., 18 grams (g) of static imbalance and 22 g of couple imbalance) relative to the target, the rigid definition of the zero target may nevertheless not be avoided. Moreover, even the tolerance allowed cannot be changed on either a per plant or per part basis. In other words, the system constraints used for determining balance solutions are typically also fixed and not variable. Thus, the conventional balancing equations are relatively restricted in their ability to generate solutions in some cases.
The balancing module 190 of example embodiments may be configured to allow for targeting of a different setpoint for balance or tuning (i.e., not zero). In other words, the balancing module 190 may be configured to allow the user or operator to generate a variable solution set based on variable inputs and variable constraints that were not possible with prior solutions. Thus, for example, the customer or designer can target other acceptable or desirable setpoints, which can make a whole range of solutions that were previously not possible to achieve open to possibility. More flexible tuning may therefore also be possible using the balancing module 190 of example embodiments.
In an example embodiment, the balancing module 190 may be configured to accept a set of inputs and constraints that are selectable by the operator, and to accept selection of specific optimization strategies that are made possible by breaking the rigid reliance on a zero target for static and couple imbalance.
Although
The operator or user may provide an algorithm selection input 210 to the balancing module 190 via the user interface 180. The balancing module 190 may, via optimization strategy selection 220, load a selected algorithm 230 based on the algorithm selection input 210. The selected algorithm 230 is the one of the candidate algorithms that corresponds to the algorithm selection input 210 selected by the operator or user via the user interface 180. The selected algorithm 230 includes the balance equations that will be loaded and applied to the data and constraints that are further provided to the balancing module 190 for use in determining a balance solution 240 as described herein. The balance solution 240 may define an amount and location for the placement of weights to correct the imbalance associated with the balance parameters 250 based on the constraints provided and the optimization strategy selected. In other words, the balance solution 240 may define a correction to apply to the rotating body 130 (defined in terms of both a magnitude of weight to apply, and a location to apply it) in order to achieve corrected balance parameters meeting a set of constraints (defined by constraint selection 260, as explained below).
However, before the balance solution 240 can be determined, the user or operator must have previously, or must now, provide additional information to the balancing module 190. In this regard, balance parameters 250 and constraint selection 260 must also be made so that the balancing module 190 can apply the selected algorithm to the balance parameters for the constraints that have been provided at operation 270. The application of the selected algorithm 230 to the constraints associated with the constraint selection 260 for a given set of the balance parameters 250 may then generate an output for the balance solution 240 that is unique to the corresponding two inputs provided (i.e., the balance parameters 250 and the constraint selection 260) for the selected algorithm 230. Changing either of the two inputs, or changing the optimization strategy (i.e., by changing the selected algorithm 230) may therefore also change the balance solution 240 accordingly. Notably, the constraint selection 260 of example embodiments may include at least one constraint that defines a non-zero target correction of at least one of the balance parameters (or both couple imbalance and static imbalance in some cases). This allows an entirely different mathematical paradigm to be employed, and vastly improves the outcomes available over conventional systems, which strictly have a zero target.
The balance parameters 250 may include information (e.g., static and couple imbalance) obtained by the balancer 110 for the rotating body 130 either currently or previously. In other words, the balance parameters 250 may define measured imbalance associated with the rotating body 130 (as measured via the balancer 110). Thus, for example, the operator or user may select the balance parameters 250 from a data set of data that was previously obtained for a particular instance of the rotating body 130. Moreover, the data set may include data associated with a plurality of different instances of the rotating body 130. For example, the data set may include data for ten wheel assemblies (or one hundred, or one thousand, . . . ). Accordingly, the operator or user may select either one or specific individual ones of the balance parameters 250 in order to determine the balance solution 240 for each individually in sequence. However, as an alternative, the operator or user may select a group of individual ones of the balance parameters 250 in order to determine the balance solution for each as a batch.
As an alternative to analyzing previously obtained data, as described above, the balance module 190 may be employed in real time (or near real time) on data obtained while the rotating body 130 is on the balancer 110. For example, the rotating body 130 may be placed on the balancer 110 and the balance parameters 250 may be obtained. The balance parameters 250 may be automatically (or by operator selection) fed to the balance module 190. The selected algorithm 230 and the constraint selection 260 may then be used to determine the balance solution 240 as described above. As noted above, the balance solution 240 may define an amount and location for the placement of weights to correct the imbalance associated with the balance parameters 250.
Of note, the provision of the information shown in
The interface screen 300 may further include a constraint section 330 in which various limits or constraints the can be selected by the operator or user. In other words, the constraint section 330 of
The selectable limits shown in
Thus, by inputting the balance parameters 250 in the unbalance section 310, by inputting the constraint selection 260 in the constraint section 330, and by selecting the optimization strategy to be used (i.e., selecting the selected algorithm 230) via the algorithm selector 340, the balance module 190 is ready to compute the balance solution 240. The compute selector 342 may be selected to perform the computation using the selected algorithm 230 and the constraint selection 260 for the balance parameters 250.
The balance solution 240 may include correction data and resultant balance data. The correction data may be provided in a correction section 350 of the interface screen 300. The correction section 350 may include information identifying a magnitude and location for weights to be placed in order to achieve the resultant balance data that may be provided in resultant data section 370 on the interface screen 300. The resultant data section 370 may provide resultant balance measurements for plane 1, plane 2, static imbalance and couple imbalance assuming the correction data from the correction section 350 is applied to the rotating body 130.
In some cases, weight tables 352 may be provided in the correction section 350. The weight tables 352 may be used to select a maximum allowed weight and/or the step size for adding weights to either the outboard face or inboard face (i.e., planes 1 and 2). In some embodiments, the resultant data section 370 may also include a time limit selector 372. The time limit selector 372 may be used to define a maximum time that the balance module 190 is enabled to use for making determinations regarding the balance solution 240. In this regard, since the balance equations used for some balance parameters 250 and constraint selection 260 for a given selected algorithm 230 may require iterative calculations that search for a convergence to determine an answer, it may be desirable to limit the time allotted for such convergence to occur.
In some embodiments, the interface screen 300 may also include a batch compute selector 374. The batch compute selector 374 may be used when a plurality of calculations for a corresponding plurality of instances of the balance parameters 250 (using one set of constraint selection 260 and selected algorithm 230 variables) are desired. In such an example, the operator or user may select all of the data that is to be used as respective instances of the balance parameters 250. The operator or user may then select the constraint selection 260 (via the constraint section 330) and the selected algorithm 230 (via the algorithm selector 340). Then, by selecting the batch compute selector 374, the balance module 190 may calculate the balance solution 240 for each of the individual instances of the balance parameters 250. The outputs may be sequentially shown in the interface screen 300, or may be output to a table for later use or viewing.
As noted above, any or all of the selected algorithm 230, the balance parameters 250 or the constraint selection 260 could be changed, and the balance module 190 may recalculate the balance solution 240. The changes may be initiated to any or all of the variables and then the compute selector 342 may be selected to perform the corresponding computations (e.g., using the balance equations stored in association with the selected algorithm 230, and using the balance parameters 250 and constraint selection 260 provided).
In this regard, for example,
In
In
Thus, the examples of
From a technical perspective, the balance module 190 described above may be used to support various operations associated with an application or method for determining a balance solution for a rotating body. As such, the platform described in
Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart of
In an example embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., the balance module 190) for performing the method of
The method (or apparatus configure to perform the method) of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and/or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance performance of the system. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and/or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the method may further include optional operation 705 (shown in dashed lines), which includes receiving the selected optimization strategy from a user, prior to the determining the balancing solution, via a user interface. Of note, operations 700, 705 and 710 can be performed in any order. In an example embodiment, the selected optimization strategy may include a selected algorithm defined by corresponding balance equations, where the selected algorithm is one of a plurality of predefined algorithms. In some cases, the plurality of predefined algorithms may include a first algorithm configured to minimize weight, a second algorithm configured to minimize static imbalance, a third algorithm configured to minimize couple imbalance, a fourth algorithm configured to minimize both static and couple imbalance while prioritizing a lowest static imbalance, and a fifth algorithm configured to minimize both couple imbalance and static imbalance without prioritizing static imbalance or couple imbalance. In an example embodiment, receiving the set of constraints may include receiving individually selectable limits for the corrected balance parameters. In some cases, receiving the individually selectable limits may include receiving an individually selectable maximum static imbalance value and an individually selectable maximum couple imbalance value. In an example embodiment, receiving the set of constraints may include receiving a step value for correction weights and a maximum value for weight correction. In some cases, the step value for correction weights and the maximum value for weight correction may be individually applicable to each of an inboard face of the rotating body and an outboard face of the rotating body. In an example embodiment, a plurality of balance parameters for a corresponding plurality of rotating bodies may be selectable for batch computation of balancing solutions using the set of constraints and the selected optimization strategy.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
