TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a ball joint tracking system for use in vehicles. The said ball joint tracking system is placed in the ball joint mechanism of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The ball joint mechanism used in vehicles acts as a pin that allows the connection of the wheels in different positions by adapting the movable structure and the shock absorber system to each other. It allows the vehicle to be steered by helping the tires rotate vertically on their axis. With its dynamic structure, it transmits the movement from the steering channel to the steering knuckle by taking it from the rod arm under different road conditions. In addition, the ball joint, which is used to connect the shock absorber swings to the Pitman arm, has a spherical structure that can rotate in all directions. The inside of the ball joints is filled with grease so that the slippery surfaces can move more easily. The ball joint mounted on the swings located on the upper and lower parts of the steering knuckle connects the entire suspension system of the vehicle. Thanks to its adjustable tip structure, the height ratio can be easily changed. The ball joints, which are in an important position among the automobile parts, allow the vehicle to move more easily on the bumps.

In the steering and suspension systems of the existing cars we use today, there are ball joints developed in different forms in accordance with the dynamic design of the vehicle brand models. The said ball joints are generally made of steel, plastic, or rubber material that acts as a steel body, a drive train in the body and transfers the movement from the steering wheel to the wheels, a bearing made of steel, plastic, or rubber material that will ensure the perfect movement of the joint in the body, lubrication to allow the joint to rotate easily in the bearing, rubber bellows on the bearing to protect the oily environment in the bearing from dirt, dirt, and water, and rings to seal and tighten the bellows. The bearing material, which is mounted in the body and allows the joint sphere to move at specified angles while sitting on this body, is worn over time due to friction as a result of the continuous movement of the joint in the oily environment. As a result of this wearing, a gap is formed between the joint sphere and the worn bearing. As a result of these gap errors, unwanted outputs such as sound, vibration and impact affect other steering and suspension parts on the vehicle. As a result of the wear of the ball joint, the balance angle of the wheel deteriorates over time. This situation prevents the vehicle from standing vertically in proportion and causes it to pull on the road. If the ball joints are not replaced, the wheels wear over time and wear occurs. For this reason, it is necessary to check whether the ball joint is defective at certain periods.

The effects on the vehicle such as noise, vibration, and impact, which occur as a result of these gap errors in the steering and suspension system ball joint parts of the existing cars we use today, can be noticed by the drivers or occur during vehicle service maintenance. However, since there is no driver to detect these effects, especially in autonomous (driverless) vehicles in the future, these gap errors will not be noticed before the service maintenance of the vehicle is carried out. Gap defects vary according to the road conditions in which the cars are used. Therefore, gap errors tested during production may occur much earlier than the road conditions in which the car is used.

It is mentioned in the document DE102008041050A1 that the wear condition of the ball joint is measured with the help of a magnetic field sensor.

All the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field as a result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ball joint tracking system in order to eliminate the above- mentioned disadvantages and to bring new advantages to the related technical field.

It is an object of the invention to provide a ball joint tracking system that enables the detection of the gap formed in the ball joint mechanism in vehicles and the transmission of the detected data to the user as soon as possible.

In order to achieve all the objectives mentioned above and will be emerged from the following detailed description, the present invention is a ball joint tracking system for detecting the gap formed between the said joint sphere and the plastic bearing in a ball joint mechanism comprising a plastic bearing configured to provide the movement of a joint sphere mounted in a body at specified angles in the body for use in vehicles, and for warning at least one user. Accordingly, it comprises at least one sensor unit for measuring the gap between the joint sphere and the plastic bearing; a processor unit for comparing at least one measurement data received from the said sensor unit with a predetermined reference value, and a communication unit for transmitting at least one warning signal to at least one user interface to warn at least one user if the said processor unit detects that the measurement data is greater than the reference value as a result of the comparison. In this way, it is ensured that the user is warned about the wear of the ball joint mechanism and that the faults that may occur in the structures of the vehicle connected to the ball joint mechanism are prevented.

A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensor unit is disposed around the ball joint mechanism. Thus, the gap formed in the ball joint mechanism can be determined.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said vehicles are autonomous.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the vehicles are electric vehicles.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the vehicles can be operated by the driver.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the communication unit is configured to transmit the measurement data received from the processor unit to a communication network. Thus, the communication network provides temporary storage of data.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said communication network is connected to a user terminal to ensure that a distant user is warned. Thus, distant persons can be warned about the condition of the vehicle via the user terminal.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a memory unit associated with the processor unit. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensor unit comprises at least one humidity sensor.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensor unit comprises at least one temperature sensor.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensor unit comprises at least one acceleration sensor.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensor unit comprises at least one gyroscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a representative view of a ball joint mechanism.

Figure 2 shows a representative view of a ball joint tracking system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is explained with examples that do not have any limiting effect only for a better understanding of the subject.

The invention relates to a ball joint tracking system (10) for use in vehicles. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the said vehicle is provided autonomously. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is provided as an electric vehicle. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is provided with a feature that can be operated by the driver. Thus, the said ball joint tracking system (10) is provided to be usable for all vehicles. The ball joint tracking system (10) is placed in the ball joint mechanism (100) of the vehicle.

The ball joint mechanism (100) comprises a body in which a joint sphere (110) is inserted. In the body, there is a plastic bearing (120) for inserting the joint sphere (110). The joint sphere (110) has free movement on the plastic bearing (120). Depending on the movement of the vehicle, wear occurs between the joint sphere (110) and the plastic bearing (120) depending on the time. This wear causes a gap between the joint sphere (110) and the plastic bearing (120). The ball joint tracking system (10) enables the user to be informed by detecting the said gap.

The ball joint tracking system (10) comprises a sensor unit (200) for enabling the detection of the gap formed. The sensor unit (200) comprises a humidity sensor for measuring the humidity in the environment. The sensor unit (200) also comprises a temperature sensor to enable measurement of the temperature of the ambient air. The sensor unit (200) comprises at least one acceleration sensor to enable measurement of the acceleration, vibration, and mechanical shock values formed in the ball joint mechanism (100). The sensor unit (200) further comprises at least one gyroscope sensor for maintaining the angular balance used for measurement and/or adjustment of the direction. The sensors contained in the sensor unit (200) are located in the ball joint mechanism (100) close to the contact point of the joint sphere (110) with the plastic bearing (120). There is a processor unit (300) configured to receive the measurement data measured by the sensor unit (200). There is a communication unit (400) associated with the processor unit (300). The said communication unit (400) enables the data received from the processor unit (300) to be transmitted to at least one user interface (410) provided in the vehicle. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the mentioned user interface (410) may be a digital display, an indicator, an audible warning unit, the mobile device of the driver, etc. The communication (400) (420) unit is provided to communicate wired and/or wirelessly. The communication unit (400) is also provided to transmit data to a communication network (420). Data can be transferred to remote users through at least one user terminal (430) connected to the communication network (420). In a possible embodiment of the invention, a mobile application, a website, etc. provided to a mobile device may be used as the said user terminal (430). The processor unit (300) has a memory unit (500) with which it is associated to allow reading and writing data. The said memory unit (500) is configured to allow data to be stored.

The processor unit (300) allows for receiving the measured data through the sensor unit (200). The processor unit (300) compares the received measurement data with at least one reference value. If the measurement data is found to be greater than the reference value, a warning signal is generated. The processor unit (300) allows the warning signal to be transmitted to the user interface (410) through the communication unit (400). It is ensured that the people in the vehicle are warned through the user interface (410). The processor unit (300) allows the warning signal to be transmitted to the communication network (420) through the communication unit (400). The remote users can be warned via the user terminal (430) connected to the communication network (420). An exemplary operating scenario of the invention is described below;

In order to ensure that the gap formed in the ball joint mechanism (100) of a vehicle is detected, the ball joint tracking system (10) is placed in the said vehicle. It is ensured that the sensors are placed in the ball joint mechanism (100) of the vehicle. Instantaneous measurement is made by means of sensors placed in the ball joint mechanism (100). The measurement data measured through the sensors are instantly transferred to the processor unit (300). The processor unit (300) allows the measurement data received from the sensor unit (200) to be compared with the predetermined reference values. The processor unit (300) provides a warning signal if it detects that the gap between the joint sphere (110) and the plastic bearing (120) is more than a predetermined value as a result of the comparison. The processor unit (300) enables the generated warning signal to be transmitted to the communication unit (400). The communication unit (400) enables the warning signal to be transmitted to the user interface (410) to warn the people in the vehicle. The communication unit (400) also allows the said warning signal to be transmitted to a communication network (420) for transmission to a remote user and/or central unit. Data can be accessed remotely through the user terminal (430) connected to the communication network (420). Thus, in the absence of a person in the vehicle and/or in relation to a monitored vehicle, at least one person and/or a central unit in the distance can be warned. The processor unit (300) enables data to be stored in the memory unit (500) to include time information. Thus, it can be determined how often the gap occurs during the use of the vehicle. This situation can help companies to perform quality control.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one humidity sensor, at least one temperature sensor, at least one acceleration sensor, at least one gyroscope, and at least one distance sensor are placed in the ball joint mechanism (100) of the electric vehicle. The data measured through the sensors is instantly transmitted to the processor unit (300). The processor unit (300) compares the measurement data received from the sensors with the predetermined critical values. It is ensured that a warning signal is generated if at least one measurement data received from the sensors is found to be outside the said critical values. The processor unit (300) enables the generated warning signal to be transmitted to the communication unit (400). It is ensured that the driver is informed that a gap is formed in the ball joint mechanism (100) on the instrument panel provided in the vehicle depending on the warning signal of the communication unit (400). In addition, it is ensured that the user is warned that there is a gap in the ball joint mechanism (100) through the digital screen provided in the vehicle. It is ensured that an audible warning is given regarding the gap formed in the ball joint mechanism (100) from a speaker provided in the vehicle. In addition, a warning message is transmitted to the mobile device of the user in the vehicle. Thus, it is ensured that the people in the vehicle are warned. In the absence of anyone in the vehicle, the communication unit (400) allows the warning data to be transmitted to a remote server. The warning data is transmitted to a mobile application provided to a mobile device connected to the server. Data exchange with the server is provided over the internet. Thus, it is ensured that the mobile device of a distant person is informed about an abrasion situation in the ball joint mechanism (100) of the vehicle. For example, there may not be a driver using the vehicle in autonomous vehicles. In such cases, it is ensured that the data related to the wear state of the ball joint mechanism (100) of the vehicle is transferred to an external person. The processor unit (300) allows data to be stored in memory. The data stored in the memory unit (500) can be transmitted to a remote central unit through the communication unit (400). Thus, the responsible person in the distance allows for determining how often the gap is formed in the ball joint mechanism (100) of the vehicle.

The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the attached claims and cannot be limited to those explained for sampling purposes in this detailed description. It is evident that a person skilled in the art may exhibit similar embodiments in light of the above-mentioned facts without drifting apart from the main theme of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE FIGURE

10 Ball joint tracking system

100 Ball joint mechanism 110 Joint sphere

120 Plastic bearing

200 Sensor unit

300 Processor unit

400 Communication unit 410 User interface

420 Communication network

430 User terminal

500 Memory unit