MEANS OF INSTANTLY DETECTING ANOMALIES ON A MOVING VEHICLE

• US 3,597,728 A
• Filed: 06/11/1968
• Issued: 08/03/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony D. Kurtz
• Original Assignee: Anthony D. Kurtz
• Inventors: Kurtz, Anthony D.
• Application Number:
  US04/736,164
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 17/00 Means on vehicles for adjusting camber, castor, or toe-in

Abstract

This application discloses a new method and means for instantly ascertaining any deviation from the normal toe-in, toe-out alignment of any vehicle'"'"''"'"'s front wheels, regardless of make or model, domestic or foreign, all wheel or front-wheel drive. This valuable information is derived from detecting any maladjustment of the specified adjusted angle between the tie rod and the steering arm at the precise point of adjustment and causing an indicator lamp on the instrument panel to light whenever such misalignment occurs. The device operates by means of a microswitch contact arm having a roller wheel at its free end. When the front wheels are in a straight ahead position and alignment is normal, the roller rides in a groove in an operating rod which is pivotally attached at one end to a fixed pivot mount on a steering arm. If the adjusted angle between the tie rod and the steering arm deviates from its original correct adjustment, the roller is displaced from its groove, forcing the contact arm upwardly to close the normally open microswitch. This in turn lights a lamp on the instrument panel to indicate that the left and/or the right wheel is toeing in or out in excess of specifications.

Claims

1. For use on any conventional four wheel vehicle having steerable front wheels, tie rods, pivotal steering arms, a common electric power source, an instrument panel and an electric circuit connecting said source to said panel, a front wheel misalignment detecting device comprising a housing clamped parallel to a first of said tie rods, a microswitch rigidly mounted in said housing and connected to said circuit, said microswitch provided with a contact arm and a roller carried by said contact arm, an operating bar passing longitudinally through said housing, one end of said bar being pivotally affixed to a first of said steering arms, said steering arm connected to the outboard end of said first tie rod, a transverse groove disposed substantially interMediate the length of said operating bar, said roller adapted to ride in and out of said groove to open and close said microswitch each time said bar passes in either direction through said housing, wherein said roller maintains said microswitch in normally open position each time it drops into said groove.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is provided with two open ends, plugs for closing said open ends, aligned apertures disposed proximate a lower edge of said end plugs and means for sealing said housing and forming a bearing surface for said bar.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein Teflon bushings form said sealing means and said bearing surface, said bushings being mounted upon said bar and press fitted into said apertures.

4. A device according to claim 1, including a time delay relay installed in said circuit, an option switch and two signal lamps mounted on said panel, said option switch connecting said lamps to said microswitch through said relay, whereby said microswitch is closed to light at least one of said lamps when said option switch is closed and at least one of said wheels is out of alignment.

5. A device according to claim 4, including a three way option switch for bypassing said time delay relay.