Digital Twin-based Measurement of Ball Joint Position Information Using Hall Sensors

This study aims to understand the distortion of positional information in automotive ball joints using digital twin technology. Ball joints are crucial components that connect a vehicle’s suspension to its wheels, influencing both driving stability and steering functionality. The accuracy of their positional information is critical for vehicle performance. In this research, we employed a Hall sensor to non-invasively measure the rotational motion of ball joints and analyzed the variation in magnetic flux density detected by the sensor to assess positional distortion. The Hall sensor detects changes in magnetic fields without mechanical contact, enabling precise non-contact measurement of positional information. Experimental findings indicate that as positional distortion increases, the circular trajectory of the ball joint becomes asymmetrically deformed. These analytical results underscore the importance of digital twin technology for real-time performance monitoring and long-term predictive maintenance of automotive components. Therefore, this study explores the application potential of digital twins in the automotive industry and serves as foundational research for future practical implementations.