WO2006027329A1 - Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle - Google Patents
Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006027329A1 WO2006027329A1 PCT/EP2005/054271 EP2005054271W WO2006027329A1 WO 2006027329 A1 WO2006027329 A1 WO 2006027329A1 EP 2005054271 W EP2005054271 W EP 2005054271W WO 2006027329 A1 WO2006027329 A1 WO 2006027329A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- wheel
- points
- respect
- plane
- motor vehicle
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B5/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
- G01B5/24—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
- G01B5/255—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing wheel alignment
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle.
- Body shop specialists after fixing the damage, often must take the motor vehicle to a center equipped with instruments for measuring and correcting the alignment of the wheels of the motor vehicle, because the wheels of a motor vehicle involved in an accident usually lose their alignment.
- the body shop specialist is forced to waste time in moving the vehicle from his location to the approved center for measuring and correcting the alignment of the wheels.
- the aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle that solves the problems noted in the common working practice of body shops.
- an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle that can be used by body shops without excessive cost increases for said body shops.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a vehicle that is compact.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle that can be used easily and has low operating costs as well as high operating flexibility.
- an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle which comprises:
- - sensing means which are adapted to detect the coordinates, with respect to a same reference system, of at least two chassis points identified in symmetrical positions of the chassis of the motor vehicle with respect to the longitudinal centerline plane of said motor vehicle, and are adapted to detect the coordinates, with respect to said reference system, of at least three wheel points which belong to a preset wheel plane that is at least tangent with respect to the rim of the wheel whose alignment is to be determined;
- - first memory means which are adapted to store said detected coordinates of said chassis points and said wheel points,
- - first calculation means which are adapted to calculate the position of said longitudinal centerline plane with respect to said reference system given the coordinates of said chassis points and to calculate the position of said preset wheel plane with respect to said reference system given the coordinates of said wheel points,
- - second memory means which are adapted to store the calculated position of said longitudinal centerline plane and to store the position of said preset wheel plane
- - second calculation means which are adapted to calculate the inclination of said preset wheel plane with respect to said longitudinal centerline plane and are adapted to calculate, by derivation from said calculated inclination, selectively the camber angle, toe-in, steering angle and incidence of the wheel whose alignment is being calculated.
- Figure 1 is a diagram of the interaction of the means that compose an apparatus according to the invention
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle with an apparatus for providing a method according to the invention associated therewith;
- Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a motor vehicle to which a method according to the invention is applied in order to determine the camber angle of the wheels;
- Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the motor vehicle to which a method according to the invention is applied in order to determine the toe-in of the wheels;
- Figure 5 is a side view of a portion of an apparatus for performing a method according to the invention.
- Figure 6 is a diagram of the axial offset of the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle
- Figure 7 is a diagram of the thrust angle of the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle
- FIG 8 is a diagram which illustrates the difference in the rightward steering of the front axle of a motor vehicle. Ways of carrying out the Invention With reference to the figures, an apparatus according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and is used in determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle 11 , which is designated by the reference numeral 11 in the figures.
- the apparatus 10 comprises sensing means 12, which are adapted to detect the coordinates, with respect to a same reference system designated by the reference numeral 13, of three points, hereinafter termed base points
- the three base points 14 may be substantially any (they must be separate); preferably, two of the base points are chosen in the vicinity of the wheels of a same axle and the third base point is chosen in a region that corresponds to the rear (or front) of said motor vehicle 11.
- the sensing means 12 comprise an articulated measurement arm 16 of a substantially known type.
- the measurement arm 16 is interfaced with an electronic computer 17 provided with a user interface, such as a screen 18 and a keyboard 19.
- a user interface such as a screen 18 and a keyboard 19.
- the coordinates of the three base points 14 are stored by way of first memory means 20, constituted for example by a magnetic memory (not shown in the figures) of the electronic computer 17.
- chassis points 21 the coordinates of two points, hereinafter referenced as chassis points 21, are detected with respect to said reference system 13; the chassis points are identified in symmetrical positions of the chassis of the motor vehicle 11 with respect to the longitudinal centerline plane 22 of the chassis (the intersection of the longitudinal centerline plane 21 with the motor vehicle 11 is designated by the reference numeral 23).
- the two chassis points 21 may be any; it is sufficient for them to be symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal centerline plane 22.
- the two chassis points 21 can be determined on particular points of the chassis whose symmetry with respect to the centerline plane 22 is known, such as for example symmetrical points along the perimeter of the hood of the motor vehicle, or very specific structural points of the motor vehicle, such as for example the articulation points of the shock absorbers.
- the coordinates of the two chassis points 21 are also stored by means of the first memory means 20.
- the coordinates with respect to the same reference system 13 of at least three separate points are also detected; such points are referenced hereinafter as wheel points 24 and belong to a preset wheel plane 25 which is in at least tangent to the rim of the wheel 26 whose alignment is to be determined.
- the preset wheel plane 25 advantageously corresponds to the plane that is tangent to the outer side of the rim of the wheel 26 whose alignment is to be determined.
- Such wheel plane 25 is perpendicular to the rotation axis of said wheel 26.
- the wheel points 24 whose coordinates are measured are chosen along the circumference of the rim of the wheel 26 to which, for example, the balancing weights (not shown in the figures) of the wheel are fixed.
- the coordinates of the wheel points 24 are stored.
- first calculation means 27 which are integrated for example in the electronic computer 17 and comprise an electronic program (not designated by a reference numeral in the figures), given the coordinates of the base points 14, of the frame points 21 and of the wheel points 24.
- a single plane in fact can pass through three points, as in the case of the base points 14 and of the wheel points 24. It is evident that it is possible to detect more than three points in order to determine the plane on which they lie, thus minimizing errors in terms of flatness and measurement.
- second calculation means 29 for example also integrated in the electronic computer 18, it is possible to calculate the inclination of said wheel plane 25 with respect to the longitudinal centerline plane 22.
- the inclination of the longitudinal centerline plane 22 with respect to the supporting plane 15 is designated by the letter ⁇ in Figure 3.
- the second calculation means 29, with the aid of the electronic program, allow therefore to calculate the angles ⁇ and ⁇ of the inclination of the preset wheel plane 25 respectively relative to the vertical projection 30 of the longitudinal centerline plane 22 and relative to the horizontal projection 31 thereof.
- the projections are shown shifted at the wheel plane 25 respectively in Figure 3 and in Figure 4.
- toe-in is defined substantially as the inclination of the wheels with respect to their parallel arrangement, when viewed from above).
- the second calculation means 29 can determine other wheel alignment parameters, such as for example the axial offset of the wheels of a same axle, the thrust angle of an axle, the steering of a wheel, the difference between the right and left steering of the wheels of an axle (generally the front axle), and the incidence.
- the axial offset of the wheels of a same axle is defined for example, as shown in Figure 6, by the value of the angle ⁇ of inclination of the axis
- the thrust angle of an axle is defined for example, as shown in Figure 7, by the value of the angle of inclination ⁇ of the axis 33 of the axle (measured from its perpendicular plane) with respect to the longitudinal centerline plane 22 of the motor vehicle 11.
- the difference in right or left steering of the wheels of the front axle is defined, for example, as shown in Figure 8 (right steering), by the difference of the inclination ⁇ and ⁇ of the rotation axes 34 of the wheels 26, when they are fully turned (to the right), with respect to the axis 35 of the rear axle.
- Incidence is generally defined as the inclination, with respect to the vertical, of the arm that connects the hub of the wheel to the suspension and can be calculated in a known manner from the values of the steering of the wheels of the vehicles.
- a database is loaded into the electronic computer 17 and comprises the tolerance values of the camber angle, toe-in, steering angle, incidence, axial offset, and thrust angle parameters for given motor vehicles.
- the measurement arm 16 cited above is constituted by four arms, which are mutually articulated in succession, respectively a first arm 36a, a second arm 36b, and a third arm 36c, all of which have a vertical articulation axis.
- the first arm 36a is articulated to a support 37, which is fixed to the ground, while the third arm 36c is articulated to a fourth arm 36d.
- the fourth arm is articulated to the third arm 36c about a horizontal axis.
- the fourth arm 36d can be extended.
- a measurement head 38 is mounted on the tip of the fourth arm 36d. The operation of the measurement arm is simple and known.
- a transducer At the tip of the measurement head 38 there is a transducer, which once it touches a given point transmits an impulse to the electronic computer by way of electronic connections provided within said arm. Transmission of the signal is dependent on the actuation of a pushbutton control (not shown in the figures), performed by a user.
- the rotations of the various arms 36 are detected by encoders (not shown in the figures), which are mounted at the articulations of said arms 36.
- the measurement arm 16 is of a substantially known type and substantially corresponds to a type of measurement arm that is used in body shops in order to measure the dimensions of the chassis of motor vehicles before, during and after repair.
- Electronic computers provided with a user interface are generally associated with the measurement arms.
- Databases with the measurements of commercially available vehicles are loaded into said electronic computers.
- the present invention provides an apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle which can be used by the body shop specialist also for other purposes in addition to the purpose of determining wheel alignment.
- the apparatus is in fact used both as a measurement instrument in order to determine the dimensions of the motor vehicle (and also the dimensions of motorcycles) or of components thereof, and to calculate wheel alignment.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2577499A CA2577499C (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
JP2007529358A JP5154226B2 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Device for determining vehicle wheel alignment |
US11/659,943 US7610126B2 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
EP05787008.1A EP1787084B1 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
AU2005281772A AU2005281772A1 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
ES05787008T ES2407108T3 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
HK07106703.8A HK1101306A1 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2007-06-22 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000224A ITPD20040224A1 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2004-09-07 | EQUIPMENT FOR DETERMINING THE STRUCTURE OF THE WHEELS OF A VEHICLE |
ITPD2004A000224 | 2004-09-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006027329A1 true WO2006027329A1 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
Family
ID=35431157
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2005/054271 WO2006027329A1 (en) | 2004-09-07 | 2005-08-31 | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7610126B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1787084B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5154226B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN100504284C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005281772A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2577499C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2407108T3 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1101306A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITPD20040224A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006027329A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200701256B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020185144A1 (en) * | 2019-03-08 | 2020-09-17 | Car-O-Liner Group AB | A method and a system for determining wheel alignment parameter of a vehicle |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4229208B1 (en) * | 2007-10-31 | 2009-02-25 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Mounting angle measuring device and mounting angle measuring method |
US8283633B2 (en) | 2007-11-30 | 2012-10-09 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Tuning D* with modified thermal detectors |
CN101915673B (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2012-12-19 | 华南理工大学 | Wheel load-based type intelligent sensing four-wheel positioning measurement method |
JP5717041B1 (en) * | 2014-11-03 | 2015-05-13 | 実 告野 | Wheel alignment measurement method |
ITUA20162317A1 (en) * | 2016-04-05 | 2017-10-05 | Corghi Spa | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE. |
KR102455835B1 (en) * | 2016-07-20 | 2022-10-18 | 현대모비스 주식회사 | Apparatus and method for determining deviation of wheel alignment of vehicle |
CN113415310A (en) * | 2021-07-09 | 2021-09-21 | 攀钢集团西昌钢钒有限公司 | Wheel adjusting method and system |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4615618A (en) * | 1984-06-21 | 1986-10-07 | Jvi Laser Systems Inc. | Apparatus for determining the relationship of vehicle thrust line, and body center line for use in wheel alignment |
US4811250A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1989-03-07 | Applied Power Inc. | Deviation measurement system |
EP0987514A2 (en) * | 1998-09-19 | 2000-03-22 | Dr.Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Measuring device for mounting assembly, especially for coachbuilding |
US6710866B1 (en) * | 1999-07-24 | 2004-03-23 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for determining wheel and/or axle geometry of motor vehicles |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6442413U (en) * | 1987-09-10 | 1989-03-14 | ||
JP2705850B2 (en) * | 1992-07-20 | 1998-01-28 | ハーバート メイスン,ジェイムズ | Alignment measuring device for vehicles |
US5488472A (en) * | 1995-01-10 | 1996-01-30 | Hunter Engineering Company | Apparatus for determining vehicle wheel alignment positions and orientations |
JPH08261747A (en) * | 1995-03-23 | 1996-10-11 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Wheel alignment measuring device |
US5675515A (en) * | 1995-12-28 | 1997-10-07 | Hunter Engineering Company | Apparatus and method for determining vehicle wheel alignment measurements from three dimensional wheel positions and orientations |
US6560883B2 (en) * | 2000-06-28 | 2003-05-13 | Snap-On Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for conducting wheel alignment |
JP3881287B2 (en) * | 2002-06-04 | 2007-02-14 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Method and apparatus for measuring wheel alignment of automobile |
-
2004
- 2004-09-07 IT IT000224A patent/ITPD20040224A1/en unknown
-
2005
- 2005-08-31 WO PCT/EP2005/054271 patent/WO2006027329A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-08-31 JP JP2007529358A patent/JP5154226B2/en active Active
- 2005-08-31 ES ES05787008T patent/ES2407108T3/en active Active
- 2005-08-31 EP EP05787008.1A patent/EP1787084B1/en active Active
- 2005-08-31 AU AU2005281772A patent/AU2005281772A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-08-31 CN CNB2005800297483A patent/CN100504284C/en active Active
- 2005-08-31 CA CA2577499A patent/CA2577499C/en active Active
- 2005-08-31 US US11/659,943 patent/US7610126B2/en active Active
-
2007
- 2007-02-12 ZA ZA200701256A patent/ZA200701256B/en unknown
- 2007-06-22 HK HK07106703.8A patent/HK1101306A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4615618A (en) * | 1984-06-21 | 1986-10-07 | Jvi Laser Systems Inc. | Apparatus for determining the relationship of vehicle thrust line, and body center line for use in wheel alignment |
US4811250A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1989-03-07 | Applied Power Inc. | Deviation measurement system |
EP0987514A2 (en) * | 1998-09-19 | 2000-03-22 | Dr.Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Measuring device for mounting assembly, especially for coachbuilding |
US6710866B1 (en) * | 1999-07-24 | 2004-03-23 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for determining wheel and/or axle geometry of motor vehicles |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020185144A1 (en) * | 2019-03-08 | 2020-09-17 | Car-O-Liner Group AB | A method and a system for determining wheel alignment parameter of a vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ZA200701256B (en) | 2007-11-28 |
CA2577499A1 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
EP1787084A1 (en) | 2007-05-23 |
US20070294004A1 (en) | 2007-12-20 |
JP2008512291A (en) | 2008-04-24 |
JP5154226B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
US7610126B2 (en) | 2009-10-27 |
ITPD20040224A1 (en) | 2004-12-07 |
CN101010558A (en) | 2007-08-01 |
CN100504284C (en) | 2009-06-24 |
AU2005281772A1 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
CA2577499C (en) | 2014-07-15 |
ES2407108T3 (en) | 2013-06-11 |
EP1787084B1 (en) | 2013-04-10 |
HK1101306A1 (en) | 2007-10-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2577499C (en) | Apparatus for determining the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle | |
US6546635B1 (en) | Vehicle service equipment utilizing wheel lateral force measurements | |
US3181248A (en) | Wheel alignment apparatus | |
US8813543B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for determining imbalance correction weight amounts for application during vehicle wheel balancing | |
AU4418497A (en) | Calibrating cameras used in alignment of wheels | |
US10732077B2 (en) | Tire rolling resistance test machine | |
US8904653B1 (en) | Portable wheel alignment device and system | |
US7324916B1 (en) | Gyro based alignment system | |
US7089150B2 (en) | Gyro based alignment system | |
US10794789B2 (en) | Method and machine for balancing a vehicle wheel | |
CN101788368B (en) | Method and wheel balancer for balancing a vehicle wheel | |
US6154970A (en) | Method of sensing the axle geometry on motor vehicles with independent wheel suspensions | |
JP4646042B2 (en) | Wheel alignment measurement method for automobiles | |
KR100990258B1 (en) | wheel alignment measuring equipment | |
US2831264A (en) | Wheel alignment gauge | |
KR100571530B1 (en) | Wheel alignment measuring device | |
US20170227414A1 (en) | Method and machine for balancing a vehicle wheel | |
JP2976783B2 (en) | Wheel alignment measurement device | |
JP2754783B2 (en) | Radial force variation adjustment support device | |
JP3766417B2 (en) | Alignment tester device | |
KR20070039650A (en) | Wheel alignment device of vehicle | |
SE531710E (en) | Systems, measuring apparatus and method for measuring large angles of rotation for a steerable wheel |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2005787008 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 11659943 Country of ref document: US Ref document number: 2007/01256 Country of ref document: ZA Ref document number: 200701256 Country of ref document: ZA |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2005281772 Country of ref document: AU |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2577499 Country of ref document: CA |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2007529358 Country of ref document: JP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 200580029748.3 Country of ref document: CN |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2005281772 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20050831 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2005281772 Country of ref document: AU |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2005787008 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 11659943 Country of ref document: US |