JP2009236700A - Wheel simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel simulator which enables high-accuracy wheel alignment measurement by merely being mounted on a wheel attaching part with no wheels attached to, and can be suitably used on the occasion of measuring wheel alignment in an assembly line for assembling vehicle bodies. <P>SOLUTION: The wheel simulator 1 is used on the occasion of measuring wheel alignment of a motor vehicle, and simulatively forms a state that a wheel is attached to a wheel attaching part 3, by being attached to the attaching part 3 with no wheels attached to. The simulator includes a coupling part 10 for coupling to the attaching part 3, an open part 11 exposing a measuring spot of the attaching part 3, and a grounding part 12 provided below the attaching part 3 with a predetermined distance therebetween. The coupling part 10 includes an attaching member 13 to be attached to a shaft end of the attaching part 3, and a coupling means 14 for being coupled to the attaching part 13 removably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is used when measuring wheel alignment based on the position and orientation of a predetermined measurement location set in advance on a wheel mounting portion provided on an axle of an automobile, and the wheel is mounted on a wheel mounting portion that is not mounted. The present invention relates to a wheel simulation device that simulates a state in which a wheel is attached to a wheel attachment portion.

  An automobile is provided with a camber angle in order to ensure steering performance during traveling, and a toe angle is provided in the wheel in order to prevent a decrease in straight running stability due to the provision of the camber angle. And, in order to adjust the alignment of the wheels so as to obtain good running stability, it is necessary to measure the angle and position of each wheel with high accuracy. Such wheel alignment measurement is generally performed on a complete vehicle with wheels attached thereto, but when wheel alignment measurement is performed on a complete vehicle with wheels attached, due to elastic deformation of the wheels themselves, etc. There is a risk that measurement results may be distorted, and accurate wheel alignment cannot be adjusted.

  On the other hand, conventionally, in an assembly line for assembling an automobile body, wheel alignment is measured via a wheel attachment portion without attaching a wheel, thereby improving automobile productivity (Patent Document 1). Or refer to Patent Document 2). In other words, in an automobile body assembly line, a load corresponding to the vehicle weight is applied to the wheel mounting portion by raising the wheel mounting portion with the wheels not mounted after the steering device and the suspension device are assembled relative to the vehicle body. And the alignment of the wheel is measured by detecting the posture of the wheel mounting portion.

However, since the wheel alignment measurement performed on the wheel mounting part to which the wheel is not mounted is a measurement in a grounding state or a load applied state different from the wheel mounting part on which the wheel is mounted, the measurement accuracy is lowered. There is a fear.
Japanese Patent No. 2938984 Japanese Patent No. 3881287

  In view of the above points, the present invention can accurately measure the alignment of a wheel simply by attaching the wheel to a non-mounted wheel mounting portion, and is suitable for measuring the wheel alignment in an assembly line for assembling an automobile body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel simulation device that can be used in a vehicle.

  The present invention is used when measuring wheel alignment based on the position and posture of a predetermined measurement point set in advance on a wheel mounting portion provided on an axle of an automobile, and the wheel is mounted on a wheel mounting portion that is not mounted. A wheel simulation device that simulates a state in which the wheel is attached to the wheel attachment portion, a connection portion connected to the wheel attachment portion, an opening portion that exposes the measurement location of the wheel attachment portion, and a wheel A grounding portion provided at a predetermined distance below the attachment portion, and the connection portion includes an attachment member attached to the wheel attachment portion shaft end and a connection means detachably connected to the attachment member. It is provided.

  The wheel simulation device of the present invention can measure the wheel alignment with respect to the wheel mounting portion as if the wheel is mounted on the wheel mounting portion by simply mounting the wheel mounting portion on the wheel mounting portion. . Therefore, the wheel alignment can be measured with high accuracy without attaching the wheel to the wheel attachment portion, and can be suitably employed when measuring the wheel alignment in the assembly line of the vehicle body in which the wheel is not attached to the wheel attachment portion.

  As an example of a procedure for mounting the wheel simulation device of the present invention on the wheel mounting portion, the mounting member constituting a part of the connecting portion is previously mounted on the wheel mounting portion shaft end in the assembly line of the vehicle body. And when a vehicle body is conveyed to the position which measures wheel alignment, the said connection means which comprises the other part of the said connection part is connected to an attachment member. By doing so, the wheel simulation device can be quickly attached to the wheel attachment portion. At this time, in the wheel mounting part, the grounding state similar to that of the wheel can be reproduced via the grounding part of the wheel simulation device, and the measurement point of the wheel mounting part is exposed from the open part. It is possible to easily measure the position and posture of the wheel mounting portion related to the wheel alignment. In addition, as said measurement location, a part of each component which comprises wheel attachment parts, such as the side surface of the brake device assembled | attached to the wheel attachment part, can be mentioned, for example.

  In the present invention, the attachment member includes a connection shaft that extends coaxially with the wheel attachment portion, and a connection hole that is formed in the connection shaft and gradually increases in diameter toward the distal end of the connection shaft. It is preferable to include a taper shaft that can be inserted and received in correspondence with the connection hole, and a holding mechanism that releasably holds the state where the taper shaft is inserted into the connection hole. According to this, even if an axial deviation occurs between the connecting shaft and the tapered shaft, the small diameter side that is the tip of the tapered shaft can be smoothly received from the large diameter side that is the opening end of the connecting hole, and the wheel Even when the attachment portion is inclined, the attachment member and the connection means can be reliably connected. And the state which the attachment member and the connection means were connected integrally by the holding mechanism with which a connection means is equipped can be maintained reliably.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a use state of the wheel simulation device of the present embodiment in an automobile assembly line, FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view showing the wheel simulation device of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams of the wheel simulation device. Explanatory sectional drawing and FIG.5 and FIG.6 is explanatory sectional drawing of the wheel simulation apparatus of other embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel simulation device 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a wheel mounting portion 3 where a wheel of an automobile body 2 is not mounted, and is used when measuring wheel alignment by a wheel alignment measuring device 4. It is. The wheel alignment measuring device 4 is provided in the conveyance path of the vehicle body 2 in the automobile assembly line. The vehicle body 2 is supported by a hanger 5 (indicated by phantom lines) and conveyed along the conveyance path. When the vehicle body 2 is positioned immediately above the wheel alignment measurement device 4, the vehicle body 2 is received by the wheel alignment measurement device 4 below it. The wheel alignment measuring device 4 is configured to be freely raised while being hung from the vehicle body 2 supported by the vehicle body support means 6 by disengaging the vehicle body 2 above the hanger 5 and supporting the vehicle body 2. A wheel mounting portion raising means 7 for raising the wheel mounting portion 3 and an alignment measuring means 8 for detecting the displacement of the wheel mounting portion 3 and measuring posture angles (toe angle and camber angle). The wheel simulation device 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on a support plate 9 that is lifted and lowered by a wheel mounting portion raising means 7 when measuring wheel alignment. Although not shown in detail, the support plate 9 includes a first movable portion 9a that is moved in the front-rear direction (vehicle length direction) and a second movable portion 9b that is moved in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The wheel simulation device 1 can be moved back and forth and left and right in accordance with the position of the wheel mounting portion 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel simulation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a connecting portion 10 that is connected to the wheel mounting portion 3, an opening portion 11 that exposes a later-described measurement location of the wheel mounting portion 3, and the wheel mounting portion 3. And a grounding portion 12 provided with a predetermined distance below. More specifically, it has an attachment member 13 which is a part of the connecting part 10 attached to the wheel attaching part 3 and a connecting means 14 which is the other part of the connecting part 10 and is detachably connected to the attaching member 13. The first frame 15 and the second frame 16 that connects and supports the first frame 15 in a swingable manner.

  The second frame 16 includes the grounding portion 12 at the lower end thereof, and the grounding portion 12 is rotatably supported on the support plate 9 via a rotating shaft 12a (see FIG. 3). A pair of vertical arms 17 extending upward are connected to both sides of the grounding portion 12 in the front-rear direction. The first frame 15 includes a holding portion 18 that holds the connecting means 14 so as to be movable forward and backward toward the wheel mounting portion 3, and a pair of horizontal arms 19 are connected to both sides of the holding portion 18 in the front-rear direction. Both horizontal arms 19 extend to the front and rear sides of the wheel mounting portion 3 and are rotatably connected to both vertical arms 17 via a rotation shaft 20. By such a connecting structure of the horizontal arm 19 and the vertical arm 17, the change in the posture angle of the wheel mounting portion 3 is not hindered, and the clearance between the arms 17 and 19 is opened to open the opening portion 11. Can be formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting member 13 includes a connecting shaft 21 that extends coaxially with the wheel mounting portion 3, and a fixing portion 22 that projects in a hook shape on the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 21. Is attached to the hub 23 of the wheel attachment portion 3 by a wheel fixing bolt 24. Note that the attachment work of the attachment member 13 to the wheel attachment portion 3 is performed on the upstream side of the wheel alignment measurement device 4 in the assembly line of the vehicle body 2.

  A brake disc 25 is assembled on the outer periphery of the hub 23 of the wheel attachment portion 3, and the attachment member 13 is formed in a size that does not cover the disc surface of the brake disc 25. The measurement points for measuring the posture angle by the alignment measuring means 8 are set at a plurality of locations on the disc surface of the brake disc 25.

  The connecting shaft 21 of the mounting member 13 is formed with a connecting hole 26 that gradually increases in diameter toward the tip of the connecting shaft 21, and a locking groove 27 is formed on the inner surface side of the connecting hole 26.

  The connecting means 14 includes a taper shaft 28 that can be inserted and received in correspondence with the connection hole 26 of the mounting member 13, and the taper shaft 28 includes a holding mechanism. The holding mechanism includes a sliding member 29 that slides along the axis of the taper shaft 28 and a cylinder 30 that slides the sliding member 29. Further, the claw member 32 is held on the sliding member 29 via the cam groove 31, and the claw member 32 guided to the cam groove 31 when the sliding member 29 slides in the distal direction is from the outer periphery of the taper shaft 28. When the sliding member 29 slides in the proximal direction, the claw member 32 guided in the cam groove 31 is recessed from the outer periphery of the tapered shaft 28. Further, a contact member 34 urged in a protruding direction with respect to the sliding member 29 by a spring member 33 is provided at the tip of the sliding member 29.

  As a result, the taper shaft 28 of the connecting means 14 is inserted into the connecting hole 26 of the mounting member 13 and the sliding member 29 is slid to the proximal end side by the cylinder 30, whereby the claw member 32 is engaged with the locking groove 27. The attachment member 13 is coupled by being latched. Further, since the abutting member 34 abuts on the back end of the coupling hole 26 and urges the sliding member 29 toward the base end side, the state in which the claw member 32 is locked in the locking groove 27 is maintained. Can do. Further, when the taper shaft 28 is inserted into the connection hole 26, the large diameter side of the connection hole 26 guides the small diameter side of the tip of the taper shaft 28. Even if an axial deviation occurs in the connecting hole 26, it can be reliably connected to match the axis.

  Further, the connecting means 14 is fixed to the holding portion 18 at a position corresponding to the wheel offset dimension of the wheel mounting portion 3 and is applied to the axle of the wheel mounting portion 3 so as to match the state in which the wheels are actually mounted. The axis of the rotary shaft 12a is located immediately below the force point f of the axial load to be applied. Thereby, it can be set as the state which attached the wheel to the wheel attachment part 3 in a simulated manner, without attaching a wheel to the wheel attachment part 3 only by connecting the wheel simulation device 1 to the wheel attachment part 3. In addition, when the vehicle type used as a measuring object is changed, the attachment member 13 corresponding to the vehicle type is attached to the wheel attachment part 3. At this time, for example, the attachment member 13 having the extension dimension of the connecting shaft 21 that matches the wheel offset dimension of each vehicle type may be prepared for each vehicle type. By doing so, the force point f of the axial load of the wheel mounting portion 3 can be obtained simply by connecting the connecting means 14 to the mounting member 13 without changing the shape of the first frame 15 or the second frame 16 in accordance with the change of the vehicle type. The rotating shaft 12a of the grounding portion 12 can be positioned immediately below the ground.

  Further, in the wheel simulation device 1, the grounding unit 12 is rotatable with respect to the support plate 9 via the rotation shaft 12 a, and the horizontal arm 19 is rotatable (oscillated) with respect to the vertical arm 17 via the rotation shaft 20. It is configured to follow the posture of the wheel mounting portion 3 when it is connected to the wheel mounting portion 3, but when it is not connected to the wheel mounting portion 3, the posture of the horizontal arm 19 is also configured. And an original position return mechanism (not shown) for returning the orientation of the vertical arm 17 to the original position where the connecting means 14 faces the mounting member 13.

  In this way, by attaching the wheel simulation device 1 of the present embodiment to the wheel mounting portion 3, the wheel mounting portion 3 behaves the same as the wheel is mounted, so the finished vehicle (actually mounted the wheel) The wheel alignment can be measured in a state very close to that of the vehicle body, and a highly accurate wheel alignment measurement result can be obtained. Therefore, it can be suitably used when measuring wheel alignment in an assembly line for assembling the automobile body 2.

  In addition, the holding mechanism in the present invention can adopt a configuration other than the above. In the wheel simulation device 35 according to another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the holding mechanism is provided with a locking groove 36 on the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 21 of the mounting member 13, and this engagement is performed from the outside of the connecting shaft 21. It is connected to the stop groove 36. That is, the tapered shaft 28 of the connecting means 14 is provided with a plurality of swingable gripping members 37 and a cylinder 38 that swings and opens each gripping member 37. The grip member 37 is supported by the taper shaft 28 via the support shaft 39. A locking claw 40 that locks in the locking groove 36 is formed at the tip of each gripping member 37. A long hole 41 is formed in each gripping member 37 and a tip end of the piston rod 44 of the cylinder 38 is connected to a base portion 42 extending inward thereof via a link member 43. When the taper shaft 28 of the connecting means 14 is inserted into the connecting hole 26 of the mounting member 13, by extending the piston rod 44 of the cylinder 38, the gripping members 37 are swung in the closing direction to be locked. The claw 40 is locked in the locking groove 36, whereby the connection to the mounting member 13 by the connecting means 14 can be maintained.

Explanatory drawing which shows the use condition of the wheel simulation apparatus of this embodiment in the assembly line of a motor vehicle. An explanatory perspective view showing a wheel simulation device of this embodiment. Explanatory sectional drawing which shows a connection state with the wheel attachment part of a wheel simulation body. Explanatory sectional drawing which shows the unconnected state to the wheel attachment part of the wheel simulation body of FIG. Explanatory sectional drawing which shows a connection state with the wheel attachment part of the wheel simulation body of other embodiment. Explanatory sectional drawing which shows the unconnected state to the wheel attachment part of the wheel simulation body of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,35 ... Wheel simulation apparatus, 3 ... Wheel attachment part, 10 ... Connection part, 11 ... Opening part, 12 ... Grounding part, 13 ... Mounting member, 14 ... Connection means, 21 ... Connection shaft, 26 ... Connection hole, 28 ... taper shaft, 29 ... sliding member (holding mechanism), 37 ... gripping member (holding mechanism).

Claims (2)

Used when measuring wheel alignment based on the position and orientation of a predetermined measurement point set in advance on the wheel mounting part provided on the axle of the automobile. A wheel simulation device for simulating a state in which a wheel is attached to a part,
A connecting portion connected to the wheel mounting portion; an open portion exposing the measurement location of the wheel mounting portion; and a grounding portion provided at a predetermined distance below the wheel mounting portion.
The wheel simulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion includes an attachment member attached to a shaft end of the wheel attachment portion, and connection means detachably connected to the attachment member. The mounting member includes a connecting shaft extending coaxially with the wheel mounting portion, and a connecting hole formed on the connecting shaft and gradually increasing in diameter toward the tip of the connecting shaft,
The connection means includes a taper shaft that can be inserted in correspondence with the connection hole, and a holding mechanism that releasably holds the state where the taper shaft is inserted into the connection hole. 1. The wheel simulation device according to 1.

Images