DE2547564A1 - DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE ALIGNMENT OF WHEELS - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS 2547584

MANITZ, FINSTERWALD & GRÄMKOW

23 OCT. Munich, the

P / Sv - D 2130

DÜNLOP LIMITED

Dunlop House, Ryder Street

St. James's, London S.W.1 / Great Britain

Device for measuring the alignment of wheels

The invention relates to an improved device used to measure the alignment of two wheels can, and particularly relates to devices for alignment measurement, which is suitable for measuring the alignment of two vehicle wheels that look either on opposite sides or on a common side of a motor vehicle are located.

It has already been proposed to measure the orientation of two motor vehicle wheels, each of which is

DR. G. MANITZ · DIPU-ING. M. FINSTERWALD DfPL. -INC. * W. GRÄMKOW ZENTRALKASSE BAYER. FOLK BANKS

β MÖNCHEN 522. ROBERT-KOCH-STRASSE I 7 STUTTGART SO (BAD CANNSTATT) MÖNCHEN. ACCOUNT NUMBER 7270

TEL (089) 2242Π. TELEX 5-29672 PATMF SEELBERGSTR. 23/25. TEL. (0711) 56 72 61 POST CHECK: MUNICH 77062-8OS

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wells one on opposite sides of a motor vehicle is located; two units are used to measure the orientation, one of them each can be aligned with a bath of the couple. A vertical mirror is attached to the first unit, while an optical sighting device is attached to the second unit, which is pivoted about a vertical axis can be; an arrangement is also provided to reduce the angular movement of the optical sighting device to indicate the axis when the sight is pivoted to such a position that a visual marker carried by the sighting device through the mirror so to the sighting device is reflected back that it is aligned with a Mxpoint provided thereon.

If the alignment of wheels on the same side of a motor vehicle is to be measured, the mirror must can reflect light on the first unit in a direction parallel to the length of the motor vehicle while the second unit is free, i.e. away from the wheels of the motor vehicle, and substantially is oriented perpendicular to the length of the motor vehicle. The second unit then acts as a reference point, relative to which the orientation of the two wheels can be measured by successively adding the first unit placed in a position aligned with the wheels; the difference between the two for the alignment of the measured values read on the second unit for the first unit in the two consecutively assumed positions are obtained, then provides the alignment measurement for the two motor vehicle wheels relative to each other. This device therefore had to be adapted to the changing hot conditions; this was done by the mirror from the first Unit has been removed, on the first unit a pipe

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shaped T-piece adapter, and then the mirror was attached to the T-piece adapter. Bs were so each time several steps are required to adapt the device to the changing measuring conditions, which occurred when the alignment of wheels should be sat on either one Side or on opposite sides of the motor vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a To create a device for measuring the alignment of motor vehicle wheels in which these disadvantages did not occur.

According to one aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a device for measuring the alignment released by wheels having a support member to at least part of a sensing assembly for alignment placed in a position aligned with a wheel and having a selectively shaped fixation device, so that at least a portion of the cooling assembly is optional is arranged relative to the support part in at least one of two positions which are determined by the perm of the fixing device to be determined.

According to a preferred embodiment, a holder is provided to a sensing element, which is at least one part the sensing arrangement has to hold within predetermined limits of movement relative to the support member while the sensing element is moved between these at least two layers.

You fixing device can have the holder; as As an alternative to this, the holder can be essentially independent of the fixing device; the fixing device and / or the holder can serve to clamp the sensing element relative to the support part.

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In a similar way, the holder can be integral with or independently of the support part or the PtOiIelement be. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensing element is pivotably attached to the question part, see above that, among other things, a known axis can be rotated if it is moved between these at least two positions.

In particular in the Pail, when the sensing element is pivotably mounted, the fixing device can have a Have driver, which is formed, for example, with recesses at points that are in a relationship stand for the at least two positions in which the sensing element are selectively fixed relative to the support part target; the fixing device also contains a Fixing arm which is provided with a lock to come into engagement with the recesses of the Mitneuere; the driver and the arm are each attached either to the support part or to the sensing element. To In a preferred embodiment, the arm and the driver are pretensioned relative to one another by a spring, so that the lock is securely in its L $ p in one of the recesses of the driver can be held.

As an alternative to the use of a driver and an arm, the fixing device can have a profiled block and a complementary shaped cup-shaped part, optionally relatively can be fixed to the block in two or more positions predetermined by the shape of the block are * The block can be symmetrical or asymmetrical in shape.

The sensing element can be used as a receiving device, transmission device or Eeflexionseinrichtung serve. It

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can be a light receiving arrangement such as a mirror, a sighting device, an eyepiece, or an optical lens or an optical objective be; as an alternative to this, the sensing element can be an arrangement for other forms of electromagnetic Waves, such as electromagnetic waves in the frequency range of the ultraviolet or infrared To receive, reflect or transmit rays, or other waves, such as sound waves .

The device can be used to measure the orientation of two or more vehicle wheels; especially when used for this purpose, the support part can be designed so that it is in a stable Can fix position on a substantially horizontal surface. The sensing element can be attached that it can be rotated about an axis which, according to a preferred embodiment, is vertical; however, if necessary it can also be rotated about an axis which is at an angle relative to the vertical axis and the horizontal plane.

Hit the present invention is a device for Measurement of the alignment of wheels created two devices for measuring the alignment of Having baths, at least one of which is an apparatus according to the present invention.

Three embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying diagrams Drawings are explained in more detail.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the first unit

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a biscuit device according to the present invention Invention;

Pig. Fig. 2 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Pig. Figure 3 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Pig. Figure 4 is a plan view of a second unit of the device according to the present invention Invention;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the in Pig. 4 shown device;

Pig. 6 is an end view of the diagram shown in Pig. 4 shown device;

Pig. 7 is a perspective view of the fixing block of the pixing device of another Measuring device according to the present invention;

Pig. 8 is a sectional view of the pixing device similar to that in Pig. 7 fixing block shown; and

Pig. 9 is a perspective view of the fixing block of a further measuring device according to FIG of the present invention.

In the pig. 1Hs 6 is a first embodiment of the present invention illustrated; a device for the optical measurement of the alignment of motor vehicle wheels has two separate units for measurement

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of alignment 10 with one robust resp. stable, tubular questioning rod 11, which with Help clay support feet 12 in a stable position above the ground and in a substantially horizontal plane is held. On each support rod 11 there are two identical ones Support arms 13 * 14 attached by a straight Intermediate rod 15 are held at a distance from one another. The intermediate rod 15 is together with the Support rod 11 sure that the two arms 13, H only can lie in a common plane parallel to the length of the support rod. On each of the support arms are two identical probe or sensor elements 16 attached, their distance and height above the ground with Help of slots in arms 13, H and lock nuts can be adjusted; the slots are horizontally spaced from one another; through this the members 16 can be attached to a tire or a tire at locations that have a desired absiasd from one another Wheel to be contacted; this includes, for example, the middle sidewall of the tire or the Rim flange of the wheel.

A first measuring unit is shown in Figures 1 to 3; it has a mirror 17 which is supported by the support rod 11 so that it is in an im essential vertical plane. The mirror 17 is attached to a rear frame 18 with a Spindle 19 is provided through which the frame is pivotable attached to a carriage 20; the carriage 20 itself is displaceable and rotatable on the support rod 11 attached. The back frame is also with a mirror protection frame 18a provided. The back frame has arm areas 18b that extend around in the form of a fork the support carriage 20 extend and thereby serve as a holder to the movement of the mirror relative to to limit the support carriage 20 in the direction of the length of the spindle and a separation of the mirror and the

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To prevent support rod 11. A driver or a cam element "or a nooke in the form of a quadrant plate or segment plate 21 (quadrant plate) is attached to the support carriage 20, with its center of curvature coincides with the axis of the spindle 19 in the apex or tip area 22. In the curved outer surface of the quadrant plate, two recesses 23 are formed in places that are extend at an angle of 90 ° to the center of curvature of the plate. A locking arm 24 is around a Spindle or axis 25 pivotally attached, which is attached to the back plate 18 of the mirror 1st and in the the same plane as the quadrant plate 21 lies. The locking arm is biased by a leaf spring 26, which acts against a stop 27 provided on the back plate; the locking * is also possible with a locking or stop area 29 is formed, which is pressed against the quadrant plate 21 and under the action the spring is held in its position in one of the two recesses 25. An outer portion 30 of the lock arm serves as a small handle that can be pressed with a pinger to remove the To lift the lock against the action of the spring pressure out of the recess and thereby separate it from it; in this way the mirror can be rotated through 90 °.

The second heating unit shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings has a support carriage 40, which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the support arm 11; the support carriage 40 is formed with an arm portion 41 extending longitudinally in the direction of the length of the support rod 11 extends. An optical sighting device or an observation device can be pivoted about a spindle 43 attached to the chute 41 and has the following parts: A visor mark, iron inclined Mirror 45, feet markings (not shown)

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and an optical eyepiece or reading device 46. In addition, the optical eyepiece is provided with a pointer arm 47 attached to it, which is attached to its has a combined reference line and magnifying glass 48 at the end furthest from the spindle 43, which is above a scale 49 brought to the end of the carriage arm 41 ″!

This device can be used to measure the alignment of two vehicle wheels, of which each one on the opposite sides a motor vehicle is located; the sensors or probes 16 of the two used to measure the alignment Units are set to the required spacing and height; it is about for example in particular the values which are suitable for measuring the toe-in angle of the pair of wheels; the two units are then arranged so that they are aligned with the respective wheels. Lies the mirror 17 parallel to the length of the support rod 11 of the first unit and substantially opposite the optical eyepiece of the second unit, the optical eyepiece is rotated about its pivot point 43, so that the sighting mark 44 reflected in the mirror 17 through the eyepiece 46 is in alignment with the height mark or the fixed point of the eyepiece appears. Then the alignment of the two wheels can be done on the scale be measured.

When measuring the orientation of two wheels that are on the same side of a motor vehicle are, the first unit is reversed by actuating the fixing arm 24, as described above, to rotate the mirror 17 at an angle of 90 °. You second unit is then arranged so that you Bracket 11 lies in a direction that is substantially

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is perpendicular to the length of the motor vehicle; is the first unit with one of the vehicle wheels aligned, a measured value can be read on the scale 49. The first unit will then aligned with the second motor vehicle wheel, so that another measured value can be read on the scale 49 can be. As already described above, the difference between the two on the scale is 49 readings are a measure of the alignment of the two wheels.

The second, the Pig. 7 and 8 of the enclosed Embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings have the first and second measuring units essentially the same structure as described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention The difference is that in the first embodiment the fixing device was formed by the driver and the fixing arm biased by a spring, while in the Second embodiment, a fixing block 60 is used with a cross-shaped cross-section, which over its Length is conical or conical. The block 60 is attached to a support arm slide (not shown), while a hood-shaped part 61 on the Attached to the back of a mirror carried by the first unit; the hood-shaped or cap-like part 61 has a shape which is complementary to that of the cross-shaped block 60, line rod 62 is screw-threadedly attached in place on block 60; the rod 62 extends axially in the center of the block 60 and serves as a spindle around which the hood-like part 61 can be rotated when moved between positions that are at right angles to each other.

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I'm in the upper area. 63 of the rod 62 is with a Provided screw threads and carries a wing nut 64 which can be screwed down to the hood-like Clamp part 61 firmly against block 60. A head portion 65 is at the end of the very helical thread provided area 63 and limits the movement of the wing nut 64 upwards, so that the hood-shaped part is held relative to the block 60 in a predetermined range of motion will. To adjust the position of a mirror carried by the hood-shaped part, the wing nut is used unscrewed upwards against the head area 65; then the hood-shaped part with its upper Surface raised up against the wing nut, rotated 90 ° and lowered onto the molded block. The wing nut 64 is then screwed down to secure the dome-shaped member and block relatively to brace or clamp to each other.

In the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings the first and second measuring units again have essentially the same structure as in relation to the first Embodiment of the invention has been described; the difference is that the fixing device is formed by a profiled plate 70. The plate 70 is arranged with four symmetrically arranged and radially extending ribs 71 formed with a cap-shaped or hood-shaped part (not shown) can be engaged in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG second embodiment of the invention has been described; this hood-shaped part has a shape which corresponds to that of the Plate 70 with ribs 71 corresponds to or is complementary to it. The plate 70 has a in the middle Opening 72 through which a spindle can run in order to act as a pivot pin for the hood-shaped part works.

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In the present invention, a mirror is provided, who can easily move between pre-determined positions lets move; this can reduce the time required to set up the device Measurement of orientation to move from one operating position to another; in one operating position namely can only align the wheels on opposite sides Sides of a motor vehicle are measured while in the other position the orientation the wheels on one side of a motor vehicle can be measured; in addition, the previously usual special adapters can be dispensed with, which caused additional costs and were also often lost or have been relocated.

Although only one vertical mirror has been so attached in the described embodiments of the invention is that it can be easily moved between two predetermined positions, as an alternative to this or the optical eyepiece can also be attached in a similar manner.

When the device for measuring the orientation of motor vehicle wheels comprises two units, each with means for rotating either a mirror or the optical eyepiece about one beforehand are provided certain angles, there is the particular advantage that when measuring the alignment of two bathrooms located on the same side of a motor vehicle, only one measurement for orientation to be read nut. Because so far the second unit had to be used as a reference element, relative to which the position of the first unit is measured when it is in successive positions against the two vehicle wheels is brought; if both the mirror of a second unit and the optical eyepiece and the associated pointer arm of a first unit in one Be rotated at an angle of 90 ° relative to their support arms

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den, each of the two units only has to be associated with one Align the wheel and read off a measured value for the alignment.

Although details of the invention and modifications of these embodiments have been described in which optical elements are used for sensing the alignment are used, the invention can be used in the same way in devices and devices for measurement of alignment that use other forms of sensing.

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Claims (16)

-H- 3? At en tan claims Γ 1.1 Device for measuring the alignment of wheels with a support member for aligning at least a portion of a sensing assembly with a wheel to be arranged, characterized by a selectively shaped fixing device (21, 24, 26; 60; 70, 71), so that at least a part of the cooling arrangement relative to the support part optionally in at least one of two positions is arranged which are determined by the shape of the fixing device ". 2. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to claim 1, characterized by a bracket that a sensing element with at least a part of the sensing arrangement within predetermined limits of movement relative to the support part, while the sensing element between this is moved at least two positions. 3. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing device has the holder and serves to clamp the sensing element relative to the support part. 4. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to claim 2, characterized in that the holder is essentially independent of the fixing arrangement and serves to move the sensing element relative to the support part to clamp. 5. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the holder is formed integrally with the support part or the sensing element. 60981 8/0856 6. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to one of claims 2 to 4 »characterized in that that the holder is independent of either the support part or the sensing element. 7 · Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to One of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the sensing element is pivotably attached to the support part is so that it can be rotated about a known axis when it is between these at least two positions is moved. 8. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to claim 7 »characterized in that the fixing device a driver (21) which is formed with recesses (23) at locations which in relation to the at least there are two positions in which the sensing element can optionally be fixed relative to the supporting part, and. has a fixing arm (24) which is provided with a locking device (29) in order to connect with the recesses (23) of the driver (21) to come into engagement, the driver (21) and the arm (24) each either on the Support part or are attached to the sensing element. 9 · Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to Claim 8, characterized in that the arm (24) and the driver (21) relative to each other by a Spring (26) are pretensioned so that the lock (29) is securely in its position in one of the recesses (23) the driver (21) can be supported. 10. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to claim 9 »characterized in that the driver has the shape of a quadrant plate (12) with a curved outer surface that has two recesses (23) on it - 16 - 609818/085 6 Is provided that are at an angle of 90 ° to the center of curvature of the plate (21), the center point in the axis of rotation of the Support part lies. 11. The device for measuring the alignment of rags according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing device has a profiled block (60) and a has a correspondingly shaped cup-shaped file (61), which can optionally be locked relative to the block in at least the two positions indicated by the Shape of the block (60) are determined in advance. 12. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the sensing element serves as a receiving device. 13 · Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the sensing element acts as a transmission device serves. 14 ·· Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the sensing element serves as a reflection device. 15 · Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to One of Claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the sensing element has a mirror (17). 16. Device for measuring the alignment of wheels according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the sensing element is a light receiving arrangement having. 609818/0856 • «ι * · - Blank page