Vehicle Integrated Wheel Alignment Monitoring System

• US 20130190969A1
• Filed: 01/22/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elena Harrill, Mitchell C. Harrill
• Original Assignee: Elena Harrill, Mitchell C. Harrill
• Inventors: Harrill, Mitchell C., Harrill, Elena
• Granted Patent: US 9,464,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/34.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/4622 Alignment adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/26 for testing wheel alignment
• 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 vehicle integrated wheel alignment monitoring system for monitoring and testing a dynamic roadwheel for misalignment as the vehicle is being operated. The monitoring system includes a synchronous position sensing apparatus and a synchronous verifier device for initiating a test for roadwheel misalignment at the time and position that a predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved during a suspension stroke and subsequently deactivating the test when the predetermined vehicle body height position is surpassed. The test includes determining if a predetermined roadwheel alignment value is in synchronization relative to the predetermined vehicle body height position at the time and position that the predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved. Detecting an in sync condition represents proper roadwheel alignment and detecting an out of sync condition represents roadwheel misalignment. In this manner, roadwheel positions above or below the predetermined vehicle body height position can be disregarded as roadwheel alignment factors.

Claims

1. An apparatus onboard a vehicle for testing a vehicle'"'"'s roadwheel for misalignment during a suspension stroke, comprising:

a first position sensing element for initiating a test for roadwheel misalignment at a time and position that a predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved during a suspension stroke and said first position sensing element also causing said test to be deactivated when said predetermined vehicle body height position is surpassed; and

a second position sensing element used in detecting a predetermined roadwheel alignment value; and

a synchronous verifier device for testing if said first position sensing element and said second position sensing element are in synchronization or out of synchronization at said time and position that said predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved during said suspension stroke.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third position sensing element for detecting a predetermined steering gear position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an onboard wheel alignment actuator in communication with said synchronous verifier device, wherein said wheel alignment actuator is controlled by said synchronous verifier device based on said synchronous verifier device detecting said out of synchronization between said first and said second position sensing elements.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said synchronous verifier device includes means for imparting information relating to an aligned or misalign condition of said roadwheel based on said second position sensing element being in or out of synchronization relative to said first position sensing element.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing said test to be performed only during cruise control and coasting events when no vehicle brakes are applied.

6. A method for testing a vehicle'"'"'s roadwheel for misalignment during vehicle operation, implemented by an apparatus onboard the vehicle, comprising:

a step for initiating a test for roadwheel misalignment at a time and position that a predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved during a suspension stroke, wherein said test determines if a predetermined roadwheel alignment value is in synchronization or out of synchronization relative to said predetermined vehicle body height position at said time and position that said predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved; and

a step for discontinuing said test when said predetermined vehicle body height position is surpassed.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said test further comprising a step for concurrently detecting a predetermined steering gear position when said predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said test further comprising a step for detecting an out of sync condition between said predetermined vehicle body height position and said predetermined roadwheel alignment value.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein said test further comprising a step for providing results from said test, wherein a communication event imparts information based on said results.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein said test further comprising a step for determining misalignment of said roadwheel.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising a step for adjusting said misalignment of said roadwheel in a reverse manner which is equal to a numeric misalignment value relating to said out of synchronization.

12. The method according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined roadwheel alignment value is a predetermined value applied to a preselected alignment parameter that relates to a toe angle of said roadwheel.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined roadwheel alignment value is a predetermined value applied to a preselected alignment parameter that relates to a thrust angle of said roadwheel.

14. The method according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined roadwheel alignment value is a predetermined value applied to a preselected alignment parameter that relates to a scrub radius of said roadwheel.

15. The method according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined roadwheel alignment value is a predetermined value applied to a preselected alignment parameter that relates to a camber angle of said roadwheel.

16. A method for detecting misalignment of a steerable roadwheel during vehicle operation, implemented by an apparatus onboard the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

synchronously detecting a predetermined vehicle body height position and a predetermined steering gear position at a time and position that said predetermined vehicle body height position is achieved during a suspension stroke;

determining that a predetermined roadwheel alignment value is out of synchronization relative to both said predetermined vehicle body height position and said predetermined steering gear position; and

providing a communication event based on said predetermined roadwheel alignment value being said out of synchronization, said communication relating to a misalignment of said roadwheel.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of adjusting said misalignment of said roadwheel in a reverse manner which is equal to a numeric misalignment value based on said predetermined roadwheel alignment value being said out of synchronization.