JPH09243352A - Vehicle wheel alignment measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle wheel alignment measuring method by which toe and camber angles can be measured readily. SOLUTION: This wheel alignment measuring method comprises placing the testers of wheels HRR, HRL, HFR, HFL on turning rollers 1, 1; calculating, using non-contact distance sensors 3 installed in reference positions on both sides of the vehicle to be measured, the first-position distances a1 to d1 from the reference positions to the centers of the wheels or to first positions corresponding to the centers and the second-position distances a2 to d2 from the reference positions to those sides of the wheels which are a certain distance L1 away from the first positions of the wheels horizontally or to second positions corresponding to the sides; computing the thrust angle θ between the vehicle centerline Cc and the machine centerline Mc of a wheel alignment tester, from the distances a1 to d1 and the wheel-to-wheel distance L; and computing the toe angles θRR, θRL, θFR, θFL of the wheels from the thrust angle θ, the first-position distances a1 to d1 , the second-position distances a2 to d2 , and the clearance L1 .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel alignment measuring method capable of easily measuring a toe angle and a camber angle of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to ensure the running stability of a vehicle, it is necessary to accurately adjust the wheel alignment, that is, the toe angle and the camber angle. Various wheel alignment testers have been conventionally proposed as devices for measuring such toe angles and camber angles. Among them, there are testers installed in pits of maintenance shops and repair shops.

An example of the outline of such a wheel alignment tester is shown in FIG. 12, in which four pairs of rotating rollers 1 and 1 are embedded in four places in the pit.
The four wheels H _FL, H _FR, H _{RL, and} H _RR of the front and rear of the vehicle to be measured carried into this wheel alignment tester are placed on the corresponding pair of rotating rollers 1 and 1, and in this state, the toe angle is set. And the camber angle are measured. In this measurement, each wheel of the vehicle to be measured is operated while the wheels of the vehicle to be measured are stopped, or the vehicle to be measured is driven, or a driving source for rollers (not shown) is driven. Is rotating to make dynamic measurements.

In general, in such a conventional wheel alignment tester, a pair of rotating rollers 1 and 1 are arranged so that the vehicle to be measured to be carried in is directly faced to a predetermined position of the tester, as shown in the figure. On the wheel entry side of No. 1, consists of guide protrusions arranged in an approximately eight shape,
The vehicle facing mechanism 2 is provided to guide the wheels, and each wheel after the guiding is fixed by a wheel clamp mechanism 3 including a pair of left and right rollers.
When the vehicle to be measured is directly opposed to the predetermined position of the tester in this manner, the vehicle center line Cc of the vehicle to be measured and the machine center line Mc of the wheel alignment tester do not deviate from each other, as shown in the figure, and are almost not displaced. Since they can be matched, the target toe angle and camber angle can be measured relatively easily without performing complicated calculation.

[0005]

However, if the vehicle facing mechanism 2 and the wheel clamp mechanism 3 are provided as described above, an increase in cost is unavoidable, and it becomes difficult to save space. As a wheel alignment tester used in repair shops, it was not suitable.
Furthermore, when each wheel of the vehicle to be measured is restrained by the wheel clamp mechanism 3, there is a problem that a vehicle malfunction such as a one-way flow cannot be sensed (sensed) when the vehicle is held straight ahead.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and uses a wheel alignment tester having a non-contact type distance sensor at a portion corresponding to an outer side portion of each wheel, so as to use each wheel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle wheel alignment measuring method capable of measuring a toe angle and a camber angle in an unrestrained state, that is, in a free state in a form more suitable for actual traveling.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), a vehicle to be measured is carried into a wheel alignment tester, and each wheel thereof is placed on a rotating roller of the wheel alignment tester. A first position distance a ₁ from the reference position to the center of each wheel or a first position corresponding to the center by the non-contact type distance sensors installed at the reference positions on both sides of the carried-in vehicle to be measured.
A to d _1, likewise the second position from the reference position to the second position of the wheels side or sides equivalent spaced a certain distance L ₁ in the horizontal direction from a first position of said each wheel distance a ₂
With seek and to d _2, thrust angle between the machine centerline Mc of the first location distance a ₁ to d ₁ from the wheel distance L between the measured vehicle, of the measured vehicle vehicle centerline Cc and wheel alignment tester θ is calculated, and then the toe angle θ of each wheel is calculated from the thrust angle θ, the first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁ , the second position distances a _{2 to} d ₂ , and the separation distance L _{1. This} is a vehicle wheel alignment measurement method characterized by calculating _RL , θ _RR , θ _FL , and θ _FR .

Another aspect of the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) is that the vehicle to be measured is loaded into a wheel alignment tester, and each wheel thereof is placed on a rotating roller of the wheel alignment tester while being loaded. By the non-contact type distance sensors installed at the reference positions on both sides of the vehicle to be measured, the first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁ from the reference position to the center of each wheel or the first position corresponding to the center, Third position distances a _{3 to} d ₃ from the reference position to the side surface of each wheel or a third position corresponding to the side surface, which is vertically separated from the first position of each wheel by a constant distance L ₁ , are obtained. , The first position distance a _{1 to} d ₁ , the third position distance a ₃
To d ₃ and the separation distance L ₁ , the camber angles θ _CA-RL , θ _CA-RR , θ _CA-FL , and θ _CA-FR of the wheels are calculated and obtained. It is in the alignment measurement method.

[0009]

1 to 4 show an apparatus system of a wheel alignment tester for explaining the main principle of a wheel alignment measuring method according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 and 1 are a pair of rotating rollers made up of four sets of wheel alignment testers, 2 is a steering wheel handle, and 3 is the four wheels H _RL before and after the vehicle C to be measured carried in the wheel alignment tester _. A plurality of non-contact type distance sensors 4 installed along the reference positions (reference line X part) on both sides of H _RR, H _FL, H _FR , based on the distance data from each distance sensor 3, An arithmetic unit for performing arithmetic, 5 is a display such as a CRT for displaying the arithmetic result, 6 is an output device such as a printer for outputting the arithmetic result, and 7 is a device for inserting / removing into / from a drive of an arithmetic unit 4 attached as necessary. A recording medium such as a loppies desk.

The pair of rotating rollers 1 and 1 can rotate each wheel while the vehicle C to be measured is stopped or the vehicle C to be measured can be rotated by using a driving force.
Depending on the type of vehicle, for example, in a front-wheel drive vehicle (FF) or a rear-wheel drive vehicle (FR), wheels that cannot transmit the driving force are generated. Therefore, although not shown, a drive source such as a motor may be separately provided, if necessary. Alternatively, a transmission mechanism or the like for transmitting one driving force between the front and rear wheels to the other may be appropriately provided. Further, the specific installation position of each of the distance sensors 3 with respect to each wheel is the center of each wheel or a first position corresponding to the center, and each of them is horizontally separated from the first position by a constant distance L _1. The side of the wheel or the second corresponding to the side
Position. The first position is not necessarily limited to the center of the wheel or a position corresponding to the center, and the first position and the second position may be appropriately two points of the wheel side surface or the wheel side surface equivalent position. Is. In addition, here, the position corresponding to the center of the wheel or the position corresponding to the side surface is not the center or the side surface of the wheel as will be described later, but the displacement detection plate 1 including a reflection plate provided on the outer side of the wheel.
0 indicates the position corresponding to the center or side of the wheel.

Further, a _{1 to} d ₁ are first position distances from the above-mentioned reference position (reference line X portion) to the center of each wheel or a first position corresponding to the center, and a _{2 to} d ₂ are Similarly, a second position distance from the first position of each wheel to the side surface of each wheel or a second position corresponding to the side surface, which is separated from the first position of each wheel in the horizontal direction by a constant distance L ₁ , and L is the wheel of the measured vehicle C. Distance, θ is the vehicle center line C of the measured vehicle C
It is a thrust angle between c and the machine center line Mc of the wheel alignment tester.

In order to carry out the wheel alignment measuring method according to the present invention in such a wheel alignment tester system, the following steps are carried out. First, load the vehicle to be measured C into the wheel alignment tester,
Each wheel H _RL, H _RR, H _FL , H _FR is mounted on a corresponding pair of rotating rollers 1, 1. In this case, the measured vehicle C
The front-to-back alignment with the wheel alignment tester of the above may be approximate. That is, there may be a thrust angle θ between the vehicle center line Cc of the measured vehicle C and the machine center line Mc of the wheel alignment tester with some deviation. Next, each corresponding distance sensor 3
At the reference position (reference line X portion) and the center of each wheel or a first position corresponding to the center, and the side surface or side surface of each wheel horizontally separated from this first position by a fixed distance L _1. It is installed in the part of the considerable second position.

When a laser displacement sensor is used as the distance sensor 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, four laser displacement sensors are arranged in advance at a constant distance L ₁ from the central sensor. Left and right separated (horizontal direction)
And the sensor stand 11 arranged at an upper (vertical direction) position which is also separated by a constant distance L _{1 from} the position of ( ₁ ) and the outer side of each wheel as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. The hub bolt adapter 12 and the adapter nut 13 may be used to provide the displacement detection plate 10 including a reflection plate or the like.

Accordingly, if the center sensor of the sensor stand 11 is set at the first position corresponding to the center of each corresponding wheel, the side surface of each wheel located on either the left or the right of the first position. The sensor setting to a considerable second position takes place automatically. Further, the sensor setting to the third position in the vertical direction, which will be described later, is also automatically performed. Further, when the displacement detecting plate 10 is provided, it is not always said that the laser beam of the laser displacement sensor has good reflection characteristics, and it is affected by the hub portion of each wheel and the rubber material portion of the tire. Therefore, it is possible to obtain good reflected light.

Under such settings, the respective distance sensors 3 are operated and desired distance data (first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁
And the second position distances a _{2 to} d ₂ ) are measured. In this measurement, preferably, the measured vehicle C itself is driven, or a driving source (not shown) for the rollers is driven, and at this time, the driver aligns the rear wheels H _RL, H _RR . With respect to the occurrence of the thrust angle θ due to a defect, the counter steer is applied with the front wheels H _FL and H _FR , and the measured vehicle C is held in a straight traveling state.
By rotating each wheel of, for example, a vehicle speed of 10 to 20 km / h
It is good to measure it as a running condition. by this,
It is possible to measure dynamic alignment in a free state without any constraint and in a state closer to actual traveling.

The thus obtained distance data (first
The positional distances a _{1 to} d ₁ and the second positional distances a _{2 to} d ₂ ) are input to the arithmetic unit 4. Then, in the arithmetic unit 4, the thrust angle θ is calculated by the following equation. However, here, the unit is radian, and in the case of a small angle, tan
θ≈θ. θ≈ {(a ₁ −b ₁ ) − (c ₁ −d ₁ )} / 2L (1) When the thrust angle θ is obtained, the toe angle of the rear wheel (the rear left wheel θ
_RL , rear right wheel θ _RR ) is calculated by the following equation. In this case, it is corrected by the thrust angle θ. θ _RL ≈ {(c ₁ −c ₂ ) / L ₁ } −θ ・ ・ ・ (2) θ _RR ≈ {(d ₁ −d ₂ ) / L ₁ } + θ ・ ・ ・ (3) Further, the front wheel toe At the angle (front left wheel θ _FL , front right wheel θ _FR ), at the time of thrust angle aligning (rear wheels H _RL , H _RR , so as to be parallel to the advancing direction vector of the left and right wheels, that is, the thrust angle direction line. The value of (when aligning the front wheels H _FL , H _FR ) is calculated by the following equation. θ _FL ≈ (a ₁ −a ₂ ) / L ₁・ ・ ・ (4) θ _FR ≈ (b ₁ −b ₂ ) / L ₁・ ・ ・ (5) On the other hand, the toe angle of the front wheel (front left wheel θ _FL , Front right wheel θ _FR )
The value at the time of aligning the vehicle center line (when aligning with the line connecting the front and rear wheel axle center lines) is calculated by the following equation. In this case, thrust angle θ
It is corrected only by the amount. θ _FL ≈ {(a ₁ -a ₂ ) / L ₁ } -θ ... (6) θ _FR ≈ {(b ₁ -b ₂ ) / L ₁ } + θ ... (7) Of course, each of these The calculation is performed by a calculation program stored in advance in the calculation device 4.

The toe angles θ _RL , θ _RR , θ _FL , and θ _FR of the respective wheels obtained in this way are displayed on a display 5 such as a CRT.
Can be displayed appropriately, and if necessary, can be printed out by the output device 6 such as a printer. Further, the calculation result can be saved in the recording medium 7 such as a prop-desk by a desk drive of the calculation device 4.

Next, the camber angle of each wheel (rear left wheel θ
_CA-RL , rear right wheel θ _CA-RR , front left wheel θ _{CA- FL} , front right wheel θ
_{In order} to measure _CA-FR ), as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the sensor in the center of the sensor stand 11 and the sensor in the vertical direction of the sensor in the center are operated to obtain desired distance data (first 1 position distance a _{1 to} d ₁ and third position distance a
_{3 to} d ₃ ) are measured. At this time, the toe angle θ _RL ,
As in the case of θ _RR , θ _FL , and θ _FR , the measured vehicle C itself is driven, or the driving source (not shown) for the rollers is driven to rotate each wheel of the measured vehicle C, For example, the measurement may be performed in a running state at a vehicle speed of 10 to 20 km / h. As a result, it is possible to measure the dynamic alignment in a free state without any constraint and in a state closer to actual traveling.

The distance data thus obtained (first
The positional distances a _{1 to} d ₁ and the third positional distances a _{3 to} d ₃ ) are input to the arithmetic unit 4. Then, in the arithmetic unit 4, each camber angle θ _CA-RL , θ _CA-RR , θ _CA-FL , θ.
_CA-FR is calculated by the following equation. θ _CA-RL ≈ (c ₃ −c ₁ ) / L ₁・ ・ ・ (8) θ _CA-RR ≈ (d ₃ −d ₁ ) / L ₁・ ・ ・ (9) θ _CA-RL ≈ (a _{3 -a 1) / L 1 ··· (} 10) θ CA-RR ≒ (b 3 -b 1) / L 1 ··· (11) of course, each of these operations, previously stored in the arithmetic unit 4 It is performed by an arithmetic program.

The toe angles θ _CA-RL , θ _CA-RR , θ _CA-FL , and θ _CA-FR of the respective wheels thus obtained can be appropriately displayed on the display 5 such as a CRT, and are required. If so, the output device 6 such as a printer can print out. In addition, the calculation result is stored in a recording medium 7 such as a prop disk by a desk drive of the arithmetic unit 4.
You can also save it in.

In each of the above embodiments, a laser displacement sensor is used as the distance sensor 3, but FIG.
As shown in, an ultrasonic sensor, which is also a non-contact type sensor, can be used. In this ultrasonic sensor, because of its characteristics, the ultrasonic waves are sufficiently reflected from the hub 21 portion of each wheel and the rubber portion of the tire 22, so that it is not necessary to provide a displacement detecting plate 10 or the like. It is also possible to radiate directly to the first and third positions of the wheel. Further, since the ultrasonic wave sensor senses the reflected wave from the highest surface of the object, if the radiation spot is widened a little, there will be some positional deviation in the hub 21 portion or tire 22 portion of each wheel. However, it is possible to deal with it sufficiently.

[0022]

【The invention's effect】

(1) First, according to the vehicle wheel alignment measuring method of the present invention, each wheel is unrestrained by using a wheel alignment tester provided with a non-contact type distance sensor at a portion corresponding to the outer side of each wheel. That is, in the free state, the toe angle and the camber angle can be measured in a form closer to actual traveling. Therefore, from the measurement in this free state, it is not necessary to provide a vehicle facing mechanism or a wheel clamp mechanism, unlike the conventional wheel alignment tester of this type, which enables cost reduction and space saving. As a result, it is possible to obtain an excellent measurement method for a small-scale maintenance shop or repair shop, which can be sufficiently supported by a low-cost tester.

(2) Furthermore, from the measurement in the free state as described above, the vehicle malfunction such as one-way flow that occurs in the straight-ahead holding state is caused to one side with respect to the operator holding the steering wheel. The advantage of being able to experience the steering holding force is obtained. Also, if necessary, the steering-holding reaction force can be sensed, and it is possible to use an analyzer function that does not have a chassis failure in actual driving conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an apparatus system of a wheel alignment tester for carrying out a vehicle wheel alignment measuring method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an apparatus system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view showing the right half of the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view showing the left half of the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG.

5 is a front view of a sensor stand in which a plurality of distance sensors are arranged, which is used in the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG.

6 is a side view showing a relationship between wheels, a displacement detection plate, and a sensor stand in the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a displacement detection plate in FIG.

8 is a plan view showing a relationship between wheels, a displacement detection plate, and a sensor stand in the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG. 1. FIG.

9 is a side view showing the relationship between another wheel, a displacement detection plate, and a sensor stand in the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a displacement detection plate in FIG.

11 is a plan view showing the relationship between the wheel and another sensor stand in the device system of the wheel alignment tester of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view showing a relationship between a conventional wheel alignment tester and each wheel of a vehicle to be measured.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Rotating Roll 2 Handle 3 Distance Sensor 4 Computing Device 5 Display 6 Output Device 10 Displacement Detection Plate 11 Sensor Stand 12 Hub Bolt Adapter 13 Adapter Nut 21 Hub 22 Tire Rubber C Vehicle to be Measured H _FL ~ H _RR Wheel a ₁ ~ d ₁ First position distance a _{2 to} d ₂ Second position distance a _{3 to} d ₃ Third position distance L Distance between wheels θ Thrust angle Cc Vehicle center line Mc Machine center line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A non-contact type vehicle in which a measured vehicle is loaded into a wheel alignment tester, and each wheel thereof is placed on a rotating roller of the wheel alignment tester, and which is installed at a reference position on both sides of the loaded measured vehicle. The first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁ from the reference position to the center of each of the wheels or a first position corresponding to the center, and similarly from the reference position to the first position of each of the wheels. The second position distances a _{2 to} d ₂ to the side surface of each wheel or the second position corresponding to the side surface, which are separated by a constant distance L _{1 in the} direction, are obtained, and the first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁ and The thrust angle θ between the vehicle center line Cc of the measured vehicle and the machine center line Mc of the wheel alignment tester is calculated from the wheel-to-wheel distance L of the measurement vehicle, and then the thrust angle θ, The first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁ ,
Wheel alignment of a vehicle characterized by calculating toe angles θ _RL , θ _RR , θ _FL , and θ _FR of the respective wheels from the second position distances a _{2 to} d ₂ and the separation distance L _1. Measuring method. 2. A non-contact type vehicle in which a vehicle to be measured is loaded into a wheel alignment tester and each wheel thereof is placed on a rotating roller of the wheel alignment tester, and which is installed at a reference position on both sides of the loaded vehicle to be measured. the distance sensor, the first position the distance a ₁ to d ₁ from the reference position to the first position of the center or the center corresponding said each wheel, likewise vertically from a first position of said each wheel from the reference position The third position distances a _{3 to} d ₃ to the side surface of each wheel or a third position corresponding to the side surface, which are separated by a constant distance L _{1 in the} direction, and the first position distances a _{1 to} d ₁ 3 position distance a ₃ ~
Wheel alignment of a vehicle characterized by calculating camber angles θ _CA-RL , θ _CA-RR , θ _CA-FL , and θ _CA-FR of the respective wheels from d ₃ and the separation distance L _1. Measuring method. 3. The vehicle wheel alignment measuring method according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact type distance sensor is a laser displacement sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. 4. The wheel alignment measuring method for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a displacement detecting plate is installed on an outer side portion of each wheel when the distance is measured by the distance sensor.