Method and apparatus for measuring the running gears on a motor vehicle

• US 20020095981A1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beissbarth GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Beissbarth GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Schommer, Stefan, Dry, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 6,766,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/275 for testing wheel alignment

Abstract

In a method and an apparatus for a program controlled wheel alignment measurement of the running gears of vehicles the various steps or groups of steps of the measurement procedure are carried out under the control of a central computer of the wheel alignment system or a microprocessor in a machine-like device for turning the steering wheel of the vehicle. The wheel of the steerable axis are turned and positioned, respectively, under the control of the program to the positions required for carrying out the wheel alignment measurement of the running gears.

Claims

1. Method for performing wheel alignment measurements on the running gears of a motor vehicle in which the wheel alignment measurements are carried out under the control of a central computer, wherein the wheels of a steerable axis are turned and positioned, respectively, to the positions required for the wheel alignment measurement under the control of a program-controlled machine-like device.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the wheels of the steerable axis are turned and positioned, respectively, to the position required for carrying out the wheel alignment measurement under the control of the central computer or a microprocessor in the machine-like device.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the control procedures like for example the automatic positioning of the wheels to “

driving straight ahead”

, the automatic turning of the wheels to the left and to the right, the automatic positioning of the wheels to single track left and right, the maximum turning of the steering wheel and the maintaining of a wheel had 0°

, are stored in a wheel alignment measurement program.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the control procedures are put together to measurement runs which comprise the evaluation of the wheel alignment measurement values prior, during and after the adjustment procedures on the vehicle.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the control procedures are vehicle specific procedures.

6. Method according to claim 2, wherein the control procedures are grouped into groups of control procedures whereby one group of control procedures defines the movement of the wheels of the steerable axis during a wheel alignment measurement.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the control procedures are put together to measurement runs which comprise the evaluation of the wheel alignment measurement values prior, during and after the adjustment procedures on the vehicle.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the control procedures are vehicle specific procedures.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein acoustical and/or optical and/or voice statements concerning the measurement results, required inputs or/and manipulations are given to the operator.

10. Method according to claim 1, where the wheel alignment measurement is carried out on a platform hoist, wherein the control of the hoist is also carried out by the central computer.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein specific level inputs for the control of the hoist are stored for different operators also in the central computer.

12. Method according to claim 10, wherein the machine controlled movement of the wheels or the control of the hoist is effected only when the operator issues a clearing instruction to the central computer.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the program for controlling the wheels of the steerable axis is stored in the central computer of the wheel alignment apparatus or in a microprocessor in the machine-like device.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the machine-like device is arranged between the steering wheel of the vehicle and a fixed point on the vehicle and is adapted to turn the steering wheel of the vehicle.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a steering wheel level device is arranged on the steering wheel which level device is also connected to the central computer of the wheel alignment apparatus or the microprocessor in the machine-like device and issues the information concerning the zero position of the steering wheel to the central computer.

17. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the machine-like device comprises a motor-driven turntable platforms on which the wheels of the steerable axis are stood during the wheel alignment measurement.

18. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein interface devices for the wireless transmission of data and commands between the central computer of the wheel alignment apparatus and the machine-like device are provided on the central computer and on the machine-like device.

19. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized by a remote control by which a clearing instruction may be sent to the central computer in order to enable the operation of the machine-like device.

20. Apparatus according to claim 13, where the wheel alignment measurement is carried out on a platform hoist comprising a control means, comprising an interface device for transferring data and instructions between the control means of the hoist and the central computer is provided on the control means.

13. Apparatus for performing a wheel alignment measurement on the running gears of motor vehicles in which apparatus the steps of the wheel alignment measurement are carried out under control of a central computer, comprising a program-controlled machine-like device which is adapted to turn and position, respectively, the wheels of the steerable axis to the positions required for carrying out the wheel alignment measurement.