Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system (100), said system (100) comprising:
• a wheel balancing equipment having a shaft, said shaft (202) configured to securely hold a wheel rim (102);
• a sensor assembly (104) having at least one sensor (112), wherein said sensor (112) is configured to detect the deviations in the distance between said sensor (112) and a pre-defined point on said wheel rim (102) during a rotation of said wheel rim (102), and is further configured to continuously generate measurement signals based on said detected deviations;
• a control module (106) communicatively coupled to said sensor assembly (104) and configured to receive said generated measurement signals, said control module (106) further configured to determine maximum and minimum axial and radial runout values for said rotation of said wheel rim (102) based on said received measurement signals; and
• a display unit (108) configured to cooperate with said control module (106) to receive and display said maximum and minimum axial and radial runout values.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-defined point is located on the inner periphery of the wheel rim (102) and the measurement signals correspond to axial runout of said wheel rim (102).
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-defined point is located on the vertical surface of the wheel rim (102) and the measurement signals correspond to radial runout of said wheel rim (102).
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module (106) is implemented using a micro-controller.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module (106) includes:
• a memory configured to store a pre-determined set of rules and processing commands;
• an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) configured to receive said measurement signals in analog form, and further configured to convert the received measurement signals into discrete digital runout values based on said pre-determined set of rules and processing commands; and
• a computation unit configured to cooperate with said Analog to Digital Converter to receive said discrete digital runout values and determine the maximum and minimum axial runout values and the maximum and minimum radial runout values,
wherein said computation unit is implemented using one or more processors.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor assembly (104) is connected to said wheel balancing equipment by means of a flexible arm (110).
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor (112) is selected from the group consisting of a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an image sensor, and an eddy current sensor.

, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of automobile engineering. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Wheel balancing – The term “wheel balancing” hereinafter refers to a process of finding out the location of a mass in an automobile wheel that causes it to loose balance and adding equal weight in the directly opposite location to balance the wheel.
Runout measurement – The term “runout measurement” hereinafter refers to measurement of axial and radial runout of a vehicle wheel rim.
Axial runout – The term “axial runout” hereinafter refers to a condition wherein the wheel rim axis does not correspond to its rotating axis, thereby leading to vertical vibrations in the wheel rim assembly.
Radial runout – The term “radial runout” hereinafter refers to a condition wherein the axis of rotation of wheel rim is not perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the wheel rim, causing the shaft of the wheel rim to rotate off-centre.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
The conventional systems adopted in finding axial and radial runout of the wheel rim involve placing dial gauges on specialized support brackets secured rigidly to a plain metal with the help of a magnetic base.
In practice, obtaining readings with respect to the position of rim and then calculating accurate adjustments is a case of trial and error. It requires experience, because noting down the set of readings needs progressive adjustments of the spokes nut until a perfect zero runout or a runout within an acceptable limit is achieved.
The commercially available wheel balancing equipments do not have runout measurement feature in the equipment itself. There are separate equipments for measuring and correcting wheel runout and finding out the unbalance in wheels. Further, wheels with abnormal runout cannot be balanced, unless the runout is corrected.
There is, therefore, felt a need for developing an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system. Further, there is a need for a system that improves the productivity of the service station by reducing the setup time drastically.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system that introduces a pre-qualifying system of runout measurement prior to finding out the unbalance in the wheel to achieve perfect wheel balancing.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system that saves time of mechanics or operators wanting to measure and correct runout, and balance the wheels in a single setup.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system that improves the productivity of the service station by reducing the setup time drastically.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system. The system comprises a wheel balancing equipment, a sensor assembly, a control module, and a display unit. The wheel balancing equipment includes a shaft. The shaft of the wheel balancing equipment is configured to securely hold a wheel rim. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the deviations in the distance between the sensor and a pre-defined point on the wheel rim during a rotation of the wheel rim, and is further configured to continuously generate measurement signals based on the detected deviations. In one embodiment, the sensor is connected to the wheel balancing equipment by means of a flexible arm. In another embodiment, the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an image sensor, and an eddy current sensor.

In an embodiment, the pre-defined point is located on the inner periphery of the wheel rim and the measurement signals correspond to axial runout of the wheel rim.
In another embodiment, the pre-defined point is located on the vertical surface of the wheel rim and the measurement signals correspond to radial runout of the wheel rim.

The control module is communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly and is configured to receive the generated measurement signals. The control module is further configured to determine maximum and minimum axial and radial runout values for said rotation of the wheel rim based on the received measurement signals. In one embodiment, the control module is implemented using a micro-controller. In another embodiment, the control module includes a memory, an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), and a computation unit. The memory is configured to store a pre-determined set of rules and processing commands. The converter is configured to receive the measurement signals in analog form, and is further configured to convert the received measurement signals into discrete digital runout values based on said pre-determined set of rules and processing commands. The computation unit is configured to cooperate with the Analog to Digital Converter to receive the discrete digital runout values and determine maximum and minimum axial runout values and maximum and minimum radial runout values. In an embodiment, the computation unit is implemented using one or more processors.

The display unit is configured to cooperate with the control module to receive and display the maximum and minimum axial and radial runout values.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a sensor assembly, wheel rim, and shaft of the system of Figure 1, for measuring axial runout of the wheel rim; and
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a sensor assembly, wheel rim, and shaft of the system of Figure 1, for measuring radial runout of the wheel rim.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
102 – Wheel rim
104 – Sensor assembly
106 – Control module
108 – Display unit
110 – Flexible arm of sensor
112 – Sensor
202 – Shaft of wheel balancing equipment
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
An integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system (hereinafter referred as “system 100”) is now being described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3. Referring to Figure 1, the system 100 comprises a wheel balancing equipment, a sensor assembly 104, a control module 106, and a display unit 108. The wheel balancing equipment includes a shaft 202. The shaft 202 of the wheel balancing equipment is configured to securely hold a wheel rim 102. The sensor assembly 104 includes at least one sensor 112. The sensor 112 is configured to detect the deviations in the distance between the sensor 112 and a pre-defined point on the wheel rim 102 during a rotation of the wheel rim 102, and is further configured to continuously generate measurement signals based on the detected deviations. In an embodiment, the pre-defined point is located on the inner periphery of the wheel rim 102 and the measurement signals correspond to axial runout of the wheel rim 102 as shown in Figure 2. In another embodiment, the pre-defined point is located on the vertical surface of the wheel rim 102 and the measurement signals correspond to radial runout of the wheel rim 102 as shown in Figure 3. In one embodiment, the sensor 112 is connected to the wheel balancing equipment by means of a flexible arm 110. In another embodiment, the sensor 112 is selected from the group consisting of a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an image sensor, and an eddy current sensor.

The control module 106 is disposed in the wheel balancing equipment and is communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly 104. In an embodiment, the control module 106 is hard-wired to the sensor assembly 104. In another embodiment, the control module 106 is in wireless communication with the sensor assembly 104. The control module 106 is configured to receive the generated measurement signals, and is further configured to determine maximum and minimum axial and radial runout values for said rotation of the wheel rim 102 based on the received measurement signals. In one embodiment, the control module 106 is implemented using a micro-controller. In another embodiment, the control module 106 includes a memory, an Analog to Digital Converter, and a computation unit. The memory is configured to store a pre-determined set of rules and processing commands. The converter is configured to receive the measurement signals in analog form, and is further configured to convert the received measurement signals into discrete digital runout values based on said pre-determined set of rules and processing commands. The computation unit is configured to cooperate with the converter to receive the discrete digital runout values and determine maximum and minimum axial runout values and maximum and minimum radial runout values based on the deviation from the true circle with the wheel rim centre as its centre point. In an embodiment, the computation unit is implemented using one or more processors.

The display unit 108 is configured to cooperate with the control module 106 to receive and display the maximum and minimum axial and radial runout values.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an integrated wheel balancing and runout measurement system that:
• introduces a pre-qualifying system of runout and face out measurement prior to finding out the unbalance in the wheel to achieve perfect wheel balancing;
• saves time of mechanics or operators wanting to measure and correct runout and face out, and balance the wheels in a single setup; and
• improves the productivity of the service station by reducing the setup time drastically.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.