Method and apparatus for measuring cross-toe
First Claim
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1. A system for measuring an angular relationship of wheels of a vehicle comprising:
- a first head unit for mounting to a first wheel of the vehicle;
a second head unit for mounting to a second wheel of the vehicle;
an angle sensor connected to the first and the second head units for sensing an angular relationship between the first and second head units and providing an angle sensor output;
a pitch sensor connected to the first head unit for sensing an angle between the first head unit and a horizontal plane referenced to ground and providing a pitch sensor output; and
controller means connected to the angle sensor and the pitch sensor for calculating a cross-toe angle based upon the angle sensor output and the pitch sensor output.
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Abstract
A wheel alignment system uses head units attached to each of the four wheels of an automotive vehicle. Angle measurements are taken using light sources and light sensors. Pitch sensors measure the pitch of the head units with respect to a horizontal plane. The head units are connected to the left and right front wheels of the automotive vehicle. The pitch information is used to compensate for errors in left and right cross-toe measurements between the left and right front wheels of the automotive vehicle.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for measuring an angular relationship of wheels of a vehicle comprising:
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a first head unit for mounting to a first wheel of the vehicle; a second head unit for mounting to a second wheel of the vehicle; an angle sensor connected to the first and the second head units for sensing an angular relationship between the first and second head units and providing an angle sensor output; a pitch sensor connected to the first head unit for sensing an angle between the first head unit and a horizontal plane referenced to ground and providing a pitch sensor output; and controller means connected to the angle sensor and the pitch sensor for calculating a cross-toe angle based upon the angle sensor output and the pitch sensor output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 8)
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- 4. The system of claim I including means for calculating a vertical separation correction factor based upon the pitch sensor output and a vertical separation distance between the first head unit and the second head unit.
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9. A method for measuring an angular relationship of the wheels of a vehicle comprising:
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measuring a cross-toe angle between two of the wheels of the vehicle using a first head unit and a second head unit; correcting the cross-toe angle measurement based upon pitch angles of the first head unit relative to a first horizontal plane which is referenced to ground and second head unit relative to a second horizontal plane which is referenced to ground. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for measuring an angular relationship of wheels of a vehicle comprising:
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a first head unit; a second head unit; an angle sensor connected to the first and the second head units for sensing an angular relationship between the first and second head units and providing an angle sensor output; and means connected to angle sensor for calculating a cross-toe angle based upon the angle sensor output and at least one other measured angular relationship measured relative to a head unit which effects accuracy of the angle sensor output. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for measuring the angular relationship of wheels of a vehicle comprising:
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a first head unit for mounting to a first wheel of the vehicle, comprising; a first wheel for mounting to the first wheel; a first arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length, the proximal end connected to the first wheel mount, the first arm extending in a horizontal plane generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first wheel; a first angle sensor connected to the first arm at the distal end of the first arm for sensing an angular relationship; a first pitch sensor coupled to the first arm for sensing a first pitch angle of the first arm with a horizontal plane which is referenced to ground; a second head unit for mounting to a second wheel of the vehicle, comprising; a second wheel mount for mounting to the second wheel; a second arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length, the proximal end connected to the second wheel mount, the second arm extending in a horizontal plane generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second wheel; a second angle sensor connected to the second arm at the distal end of the second arm for sensing an angular relationship; a second pitch sensor coupled to the second arm for sensing a second pitch angle of the second arm with a horizontal plane which is referenced to ground; means connected to the first head unit and the second head unit for calculating toe angle measurements of the first wheel and of the second wheel based upon outputs from the first and second angle sensors; and means for correcting errors introduced into toe angle measurements due the length of the first arm and the length of the second arm based upon the first pitch angle and the second pitch angle.
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Specification