Modular mounting apparatus for determining vehicle vibrational anomalies
An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a vehicle includes a data collection device that is removably attachable to the vehicle. The data collection device includes an enclosure including a motion measurement sensor housed therein, and a mounting mechanism. The enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein is configured to measure parameters that are used for calculating vibrational anomalies of the vehicle. The mounting mechanism is removably attached to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein. The mounting mechanism has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the mounting mechanism has a fixative for removably attaching the mounting mechanism to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein. The fixative is immobile with respect to the enclosure immediately upon attachment to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein. The fixative thereby does not require further movement with respect to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein immediately upon attachment to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein. The distal end of the mounting mechanism is a vehicle mounting interface configured to allow the data collection device to be removably attached to the vehicle.
1 . An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a lug nut of a wheel of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a data collection device that is removably attachable to the lug nut, the data collection device including:
(a) an enclosure including a motion measurement sensor housed therein configured to measure parameters that are used for calculating vibrational anomalies of the vehicle; and
(b) a mounting mechanism that is removably attached to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein, the mounting mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end,
the proximal end of the mounting mechanism having a fixative for removably attaching the mounting mechanism to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein, wherein the fixative is immobile with respect to the enclosure immediately upon attachment to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein, the fixative thereby not requiring further movement with respect to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein immediately upon attachment to the enclosure including the motion measurement sensor housed therein, and
the distal end of the mounting mechanism being a vehicle mounting interface configured to allow the data collection device to be removably attached to the lug nut, and
wherein a longitudinal axis of the enclosure and a longitudinal axis of the mounting mechanism are both configured to be coincident with a longitudinal axis of the lug nut when the apparatus is removably attached to the lug nut.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vehicle mounting interface of the mounting mechanism is a cup-shaped object that allows the data collection device to be removably attached to the lug nut, the cup-shaped object being hollow along at least a portion of its length, the hollow portion having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the lug nut so as to allow the data collection object to be mounted to the wheel of the vehicle by fitting the cup-shaped object over the lug nut.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cup-shaped object has a shape that matches the lug nut so as to prohibit rotation of the apparatus with respect to the lug nut.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fixative is a magnet.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motion measurement sensor is an inertial measurement unit (IMU).