Apparatus onboard a vehicle for instructing axle alignment

• US 20060107538A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitchell Craig Harrill
• Original Assignee: Mitchell Craig Harrill
• Inventors: Harrill, Mitchell Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,415,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/203.180
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/31 with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/4622 Alignment adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1162 directly mounted on the suspension arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/61 Adjustable during maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/026 Heavy duty trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/176 Radio or audio sensitive means, e.g. Ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/21 Laser
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/042 Monitoring means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/0422 involving data transmission, e.g. via satellite or GPS; for data monitoring, telemetry or platooning purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/044 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/202 using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/26 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/24 Specially developed for using with trucks or other heavy-duty vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/26 Algorithms, instructions, databases, computerized methods and graphical user interfaces employed by a user in conjunction with the wheel aligner

Abstract

A method and apparatus that remains onboard a tractor and semi trailer vehicle for readily providing axle alignment instruction to an operator. The apparatus includes at least one indicator (28) for detecting an axle'"'"'s thrust line relative to the vehicle'"'"'s centerline. At least one sensor (40) for detecting the position of indicator (28) relative to the position of sensor (40). Upon axle deviation, indicator (28) position changes relative to sensor (40). Sensor (40) detect the change in the position of indicator (28). At least one signal is generated and transmitted to at least one receiver (68). Receiver (68) communicates the relation between indicator (28) and sensor (40) as alignment instruction of a particular axle (front or rear), particular side (left or right), particular direction in which to realign the axle (forward or rearward), and concludes when the axle'"'"'s alignment is correct.

Claims

1. An apparatus onboard a vehicle for instructing axle alignment, comprising:

(a) at least one indicator coupled with at least one sensor for detecting an axle'"'"'s thrust line relative to the vehicle'"'"'s centerline;

(b) at least one receiver for communicating the relation between said indicator and said sensor as axle alignment instruction to an operator.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said indicator is permanently attached onboard said vehicle.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said sensor is permanently attached onboard said vehicle.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said indicator coupled with said sensor generates at least one signal to said receiver.

5. A method of instructing axle alignment of a vehicle, comprising:

(a) using at least one indicator permanently attached to said vehicle for detecting an axle'"'"'s thrust line relative to the vehicle'"'"'s centerline;

(b) using at least one sensor permanently attached to said vehicle for generating at least one signal determined by the position of said indicator;

(c) transmitting at least one signal to at least one receiver for instructing axle alignment.

6. The method as in claim 5, wherein said sensor detects the indicator'"'"'s position.

7. The method as in claim 5, wherein upon axle deviation said indicator'"'"'s position changes relative to said sensor.

8. The method as in claim 5, wherein said sensor generates at least one signal to at least one receiver for:

(a) instructing which axle to realign;

(b) instructing which side of said axle to realign;

(c) instructing which direction to realign said axle;

(d) instructing when said axle alignment is correct.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein a plurality of instructions are given.