JP2006335139A - Method and device for adjusting vehicular wheel alignment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device for adjusting a vehicular wheel alignment , capable of properly adjusting wheel alignment, even if a mounting error exists in a steering gear box. <P>SOLUTION: In the method of adjusting a wheel alignment of a vehicle 1 by fixing a steering wheel 21 in a straight-traveling state, deviation amount from a regular mounting position of the steering gear box 11 in regard to a vehicle body 13 is detected, wheel alignment target value is off-set on the basis of the detected deviation amount, and thereby the wheel alignment is adjusted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel alignment adjustment method and an adjustment device for a vehicle such as an automobile.

  In general, in vehicle production lines, vehicle inspection and maintenance, etc., in order to ensure vehicle handling stability and running performance, the state of wheels is inspected and the toe angle, spider bending, etc. are within a predetermined range. Thus, the wheel alignment is adjusted.

  As a vehicle wheel alignment adjustment method, for example, a method is known in which an operator determines and adjusts a measurement result based on various data prepared in accordance with a vehicle type and tire characteristics (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  In this type of wheel alignment adjustment method, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the assembled vehicle 41 is first carried into the wheel alignment adjustment step (b) by the carry-in step (a), and the preset vehicle type, tire characteristics, etc. After the toe angle tester 42 is adjusted and set based on the data, the toe angle is measured by the toe angle tester 42 via the control device 43 while the steering wheel is fixed with a jig. Then, when the corresponding correction amount is selected from the data table in which data such as the above-mentioned vehicle type and tire characteristics are recorded in advance, the toe angle measured according to the correction amount is corrected, and the correction value is deviated from the reference range To correct the toe angle. Thereafter, the vehicle 41 is carried out to the next spider bend detection step (c).

  In the spider bend detection step (c), the vehicle is in a straight traveling state, the steering wheel bend with respect to the wheels is visually determined by the operator, and those that satisfy the reference range are passed to the next inspection step as OK and need to be adjusted again. The thing is returned to the wheel alignment adjustment step (b) again as NG.

JP-A-7-179179

  However, in the conventional wheel alignment adjustment method described above, particularly in the case of a rack and pinion type steering device in which a steering gear box is fixed to a bracket of a vehicle body by a clamp via a flexible member such as rubber. Even if the toe angle is corrected within the reference range in the wheel alignment adjustment step (b), spider bending exceeding the reference range is still detected in the subsequent spider bending detection step (c), and in the determination step (d) It may be determined as NG, and the wheel alignment adjustment may take a long time.

  In this regard, the present inventors have intensively studied, and in the steering device as described above, when the steering gear box is displaced and fixed from the normal mounting position (neutral position) due to deformation or deterioration of the loose member. I found out that this shift is the reason why wheel alignment cannot be adjusted properly.

  That is, in the steering device shown in FIG. 5, a perspective view of the main part is shown, and a top view of the vehicle body attached state is schematically shown in FIG. 6, so that the steering gear box 51 has two mounting parts 52L and 52R. The distal ends of the left and right tie rods 54L and 54R fixed to the vehicle body 53 and projecting from both ends of the steering gear box 51 are connected to the left and right hubs 56L and 56R via the left and right steering knuckles 55L and 55R. The left and right tires 57L, 57R are respectively attached to the 56L, 56R via wheels (not shown). Radius rods 58L and 58R are also coupled to the left and right hubs 56L and 56R.

  Further, in the mount portions 52L and 52R, as shown in a partial enlarged perspective view of one mount portion 52L in FIG. 7, a loose member 61 such as rubber provided on the outer periphery of the steering gear box 51 is attached to the vehicle body 53. The steering gear box 51 is fixed to the vehicle body 53 by being fitted into the provided bracket 62 and fixing the clamp 63 to the bracket 62 with bolts 64 and 64 so as to sandwich the loose member 61.

  Here, the loose member 61 is provided to prevent vibrations and noise from the tires 57L and 57R from being directly transmitted to the steering wheel 65 (see FIG. 5) via the steering gear box 51. It has the property of being easy to be deteriorated.

  For this reason, even if the steering gear box 51 is displaced from the neutral position due to deformation or deterioration of the loose member 61, the restoring force of the loose member 61 cannot return the steering gear box 51 to the neutral position. When the toe angle is measured with the steering wheel 65 fixed in the straight direction in this state, the cutting angle is actually generated in the tires 57L and 57R, so that the toe angle cannot be adjusted properly.

  As a countermeasure, for example, there is a method of increasing the restoring force to return the steering gear box 51 to the neutral position by increasing the hardness of the loose member 61, reducing the thickness, or adopting an interference fit structure. Conceivable.

  However, since the loose member 61 is provided for measures against vibration noise, taking the measures as described above has an adverse effect on measures against vibration noise. Moreover, workability | operativity will worsen.

  Therefore, the objective of this invention made | formed in view of this situation is to provide the wheel alignment adjustment method and adjustment apparatus of a vehicle which can always adjust wheel alignment appropriately.

  The invention of a vehicle wheel alignment adjusting method according to claim 1, which achieves the above object, is a method for adjusting the wheel alignment of a vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in a straight traveling state, from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box to the vehicle body. In this case, the wheel alignment is adjusted by offsetting the wheel alignment adjustment target value based on the detected deviation amount.

  Further, the invention of the vehicle wheel alignment adjusting method according to claim 2 is the method of adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in the straight traveling state, and the amount of deviation from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box with respect to the vehicle body. And the wheel alignment is adjusted by mechanically moving the steering gear box so as to correct the detected shift amount.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wheel alignment adjusting method for a vehicle according to the first or second aspect, the predetermined state is a state of a steering wheel corresponding to a straight traveling state of the vehicle.

  Furthermore, the invention of the vehicle wheel alignment adjusting device according to claim 4 which achieves the above object is a device for adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in a straight traveling state. Imaging means for imaging, image processing means for measuring the relative position between the steering gear box and the vehicle body based on image data from the imaging means, and the steering gear box based on the relative position measured by the image processing means Calculates the amount of deviation from the normal mounting position, calculates the wheel alignment correction value corresponding to the amount of deviation, and calculates the wheel alignment adjustment target value by offsetting the wheel alignment correction value from the wheel alignment reference value And means having That.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for adjusting a wheel alignment of a vehicle in an apparatus for adjusting a wheel alignment of a vehicle by fixing a steering wheel in a straight traveling state. An image processing means for measuring a relative position between the steering gear box and the vehicle body based on image data from the imaging means, and a normal attachment position of the steering gear box based on the relative position measured by the image processing means. A calculation means for calculating a wheel alignment correction value corresponding to the shift amount, and a position for mechanically moving the steering gear box based on the wheel alignment correction value calculated by the calculation means. And adjusting means.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the predetermined state is a state of a steering wheel corresponding to a straight traveling state of the vehicle.

  According to the invention of claim 1, when the steering gear box is deviated from the normal mounting position, the wheel alignment is adjusted by offsetting the wheel alignment adjustment target value based on the deviation amount, so that the wheel alignment is always appropriate. Can be adjusted.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the steering gear box is deviated from the normal mounting position, the wheel alignment is adjusted after the steering gear box is mechanically moved to correct the deviation. Can be adjusted appropriately.

  The invention of claim 3 limits the fixed state of the steering wheel in claim 1 or 2 to a state of the steering wheel corresponding to a specific straight traveling state of the vehicle.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body attachment portion of the steering gear box is imaged by the imaging means, the image data is image-processed by the image processing means, the relative position between the steering gear box and the vehicle body is measured, and the measured value Based on the calculation means, the amount of deviation from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box is calculated, and the wheel alignment correction value corresponding to the amount of deviation is offset from the wheel alignment reference value to calculate the wheel alignment adjustment target value. As a result, the wheel alignment can always be properly adjusted with a simple and inexpensive configuration without affecting vibration and noise countermeasures.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body mounting portion of the steering gear box is imaged by the imaging means, the image data is image-processed by the image processing means, the relative position between the steering gear box and the vehicle body is measured, and the measured value The calculation means calculates a deviation amount from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box, calculates a wheel alignment correction value corresponding to the deviation amount, and based on the calculated wheel alignment correction value, the position adjustment means Since the steering gear box is mechanically moved, when the steering gear box is deviated from the normal attachment position, it can be positioned at the normal attachment position. Therefore, the wheel alignment can always be adjusted more appropriately with a simple and inexpensive configuration without affecting the vibration and noise countermeasures.

  The invention of claim 6 limits the fixed state of the steering wheel according to claim 4 or 5 to a state of the steering wheel corresponding to a specific straight traveling state of the vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a vehicle wheel alignment adjusting method and adjusting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle wheel alignment adjusting device. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining position measurement of a steering gear box by image processing. FIG.

  The wheel alignment adjusting device according to the present embodiment supports a vehicle 1 on a support device 2 and mainly adjusts a toe angle. A toe angle tester 3, a camera (digital camera) 4 as an imaging means, an image processing means. An image processing device 5, a toe angle measurement value correcting means 6a and a corrected toe angle measurement value comparing means 6b, a control device 6, a steering wheel fixing jig 7, a steering wheel angle meter 8, A CRT display 9 is provided.

  The camera 4 is attached to the support device 2 so as to image one mount portion 12 of the steering gear box 11 shown in FIG. The image data obtained from the camera 4 is subjected to image processing by the image processing device 5, the relative position between the steering gear box 11 and the vehicle body is measured, and the result is supplied to the control device 6.

  In the present embodiment, in the image processing device 5, as shown in FIG. 2, as the relative position of the steering gear box 11 and the vehicle body, one edge of the bracket 14 provided on the vehicle body 13 and one of the steering gear box 11 are arranged. The distance D to the flange portion 11a is measured.

  Further, the control device 6 calculates a deviation amount by comparing the distance D measured by the image processing device 5 with a preset reference value corresponding to the normal mounting position of the steering gear box 11, and further calculates the calculated deviation. A toe angle correction value corresponding to the amount is calculated, and the toe angle adjustment target value is calculated by offsetting the toe angle correction value from the toe angle reference value.

  In FIG. 2, the steering gear box 11 is clamped to the bracket 14 so that the loose member 15 such as rubber provided on the outer periphery is fitted into the bracket 14 and sandwiches the loose member 15 as in FIG. The steering gear box 11 is fixed to the vehicle body 13 by fixing 16 with bolts 17 and 17.

  Hereinafter, an example of the toe angle adjusting method according to the present invention using the wheel alignment adjusting device shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, when the vehicle 1 is carried in, the operator fixes the steering wheel 21 of the vehicle 1 to a predetermined state, for example, the state of the steering wheel corresponding to the straight traveling state of the vehicle by the steering wheel fixing jig 7, and the steering wheel 21. Set the steering wheel angle meter 8 to. Here, the steering wheel goniometer 8 measures the bending angle of the steering wheel 21 with respect to the wheels of the steering wheel 21, and the measured value is supplied to the control device 6.

  On the other hand, in parallel with the above operation, the specification of the toe angle tester 3 is switched by the control device 6 according to the vehicle type, tire characteristics, and the like of the vehicle 1.

  Thereafter, the toe angle tester 3 is turned on to measure the toe angles of the front, rear, left and right tires, and the respective toe angle measured values are supplied to the control device 6. 12 is imaged, the distance D, which is the relative position between the steering gear box 11 and the vehicle body 13, is measured by the image processing device 5 based on the image data, and the measured value is supplied to the control device 6.

  Here, when adjusting the toe angles of the left and right rear tires, the CRT display 9 is switched to the rear adjustment screen. In the control device 6, first, the measured toe angle measured values of the left and right rear tires are corrected by the correcting means 6a. Correction is made according to the vehicle type and tire characteristics of the vehicle 1 captured in advance, and the corrected toe angle measurement value is compared with a toe angle adjustment target value which is a predetermined toe angle reference value by the comparison means 6b. The result is displayed on the CRT display 9, and then the toe angle of the rear tire is adjusted by the operator based on the display result.

  Further, when adjusting the toe angles of the left and right front tires, the CRT display 9 is switched to the front adjustment screen, and in the control device 6, first, the distance D measured by the image processing device 5 and a preset reference value , The amount of deviation from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box 11 is calculated, and when there is a deviation, a toe angle correction value corresponding to the deviation amount is calculated, and the toe angle correction value is calculated. The toe angle adjustment target value is calculated by offset from the angle reference value.

  Here, the toe angle correction value corresponding to the amount of deviation from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box 11, that is, the offset amount from the toe angle reference value is obtained when the steering gear box 11 is shifted to the left from the normal mounting position. Is about 4 to 10 minutes to the left according to the amount of deviation, and similarly, when it is to the right, it is about 4 to 10 minutes to the right according to the amount of deviation.

  Further, the control device 6 corrects the measured toe angle measured values of the left and right front tires according to the vehicle type, tire characteristics, etc. of the vehicle 1 in the correcting means 6a, and the corrected toe angle measured value and the offset described above. The toe angle adjustment target value is compared by the comparison means 6b and the result is displayed on the CRT display 9. Thereafter, the toe angle of the front tire is adjusted by the operator based on the display result.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle body attachment portion of the steering gear box 11 is imaged by the camera 4, and the image data is image-processed by the image processing device 5 to be applied to the flange portion 11 a and the vehicle body 13 of the steering gear box 11. The distance D to the provided bracket 14 is measured, and the measured distance D is compared with a reference value corresponding to a preset normal mounting position of the steering gear box 11 in the control device 6 to calculate a deviation amount. If there is a deviation, the toe angle correction value corresponding to the deviation amount is calculated and offset from the toe angle reference value to calculate the toe angle adjustment target value. The toe angle can always be properly adjusted with a simple and inexpensive configuration without affecting noise countermeasures.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the wheel alignment adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the vehicle body attachment portion of the steering gear box 11 is imaged by the camera 4, and the image data is image-processed by the image processing device 5 to perform the flange portion of the steering gear box 11. The distance D between 11 a and the bracket 14 provided on the vehicle body 13 is measured, and the measured distance D is supplied to the control device 6.

  In the control device 6, as in the first embodiment, the distance D measured by the image processing device 5 is compared with a reference value corresponding to a preset normal mounting position of the steering gear box 11, and the deviation amount is calculated. The toe angle correction value corresponding to the calculated shift amount is calculated, and in the present embodiment, the calculated toe angle correction value is supplied to the position adjusting means without being offset from the toe angle reference value. Then, the steering gear box 11 is mechanically moved based on the toe angle correction value, thereby returning the steering gear box 11 to the normal mounting position, and then adjusting the toe angle.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the position adjusting means is provided with a cylinder 26 in the vicinity of the centering roller 25 normally provided in the wheel alignment adjusting device, and the side surface portion of the tire 27 corresponding to the cylinder 26 is attached to the toe. By pressing in the tire axial direction according to the angle correction value, the steering gear box 11 is forcibly moved to the normal mounting position via the tie rod 28. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 29 denotes an axle shaft.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the steering gear box 11 is deviated from the normal mounting position, the toe angle is adjusted after mechanically returning the steering gear box 11 to the normal mounting position. Can do. Moreover, since the position adjusting means can be configured using the cylinder 26, it can be made simple and inexpensive.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the toe angle is mainly adjusted has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where wheel alignment other than the toe angle is adjusted. The relative position between the steering gear box 11 and the vehicle body 13 is not limited to the distance D between the flange portion 11a of the steering gear box 11 and the bracket 14 provided on the vehicle body 13 shown in FIG. It can be determined as a distance between any part with the vehicle body 13.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wheel alignment adjusting device for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the position measurement of the steering gear box of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the principal part of the wheel alignment adjustment apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional wheel alignment adjustment method. It is a principal part perspective view of a steering device. It is a top view which shows typically the vehicle body attachment state of a steering device. It is a partial expansion perspective view of the vehicle body mount part of a steering device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Support apparatus 3 Toe angle tester 4 Camera (photographing means)
5 Image processing device (image processing means)
6 Control device (calculation means)
7 Steering wheel fixing jig 8 Steering wheel angle meter 9 CRT display 11 Steering gear box 12 Mount part 13 Car body 14 Bracket 15 Loose member 16 Clamp 17 Bolt 21 Steering wheel 27 Tire 28 Tie rod

Claims (6)

In the method of adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in a predetermined state,
A vehicle wheel alignment adjustment method comprising: detecting a deviation amount from a normal mounting position of a steering gear box with respect to a vehicle body; and adjusting a wheel alignment by offsetting a wheel alignment adjustment target value based on the detected deviation amount. . In the method of adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in a predetermined state,
An amount of deviation of the steering gear box from the normal mounting position with respect to the vehicle body is detected, and the wheel alignment is adjusted by mechanically moving the steering gear box so as to correct the detected deviation amount. Wheel alignment adjustment method.   3. The vehicle wheel alignment adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined state is a state of a steering wheel corresponding to a straight traveling state of the vehicle. In the device for adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in a predetermined state,
An imaging means for imaging the vehicle body attachment part of the steering gear box;
Image processing means for measuring a relative position between the steering gear box and the vehicle body based on image data from the imaging means;
Based on the relative position measured by the image processing means, a deviation amount from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box is calculated, a wheel alignment correction value corresponding to the deviation amount is calculated, and the wheel alignment correction value is calculated as the wheel alignment correction value. Calculating means for calculating a wheel alignment adjustment target value offset from the alignment reference value;
A wheel alignment adjusting device for a vehicle characterized by comprising: In a device for adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle by fixing the steering wheel in a straight traveling state,
An imaging means for imaging the vehicle body attachment part of the steering gear box;
Image processing means for measuring a relative position between the steering gear box and the vehicle body based on image data from the imaging means;
Calculating means for calculating a deviation amount from the normal mounting position of the steering gear box based on the relative position measured by the image processing means, and calculating a wheel alignment correction value corresponding to the deviation amount;
Position adjusting means for mechanically moving the steering gear box based on the wheel alignment correction value calculated by the calculating means;
A wheel alignment adjusting device for a vehicle characterized by comprising: 6. The wheel alignment adjusting device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined state is a state of a steering wheel corresponding to a straight traveling state of the vehicle.

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