Multi-axis wheel transducer with angular position detector
US5817951A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B2210/28
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for a multi-axis wheel transducer are disclosed. The apparatus of the invention comprises a wheel transducer for measuring the loads and moments acting on a vehicle wheel. Tubular load cells positioned in a radial fashion around the perimeter of the transducer hub join the rim and hub. Loads and moments acting on the rim of the wheel are transferred through the spoke-like load cells to the hub of the wheel. Sensors strategically positioned around the circumference of the tubular load cell monitor the intensity of the loads and moments. To detect angular position of the wheel, a light source generates a cone of polarized light to flood the wheel of the vehicle and detector-polarizing filter pairs detect an angle of the polarization relative to the wheel to determine its angular position. The transducer hub computer processes the sensor data and transfers the information via infrared signal to a computer located in the fender of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.