Vehicle Integrated Wheel Alignment Monitoring System
First Claim
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.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- 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
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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. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- 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
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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. - View Dependent Claims (17)
- 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;
Specification