Wheel alignment system

• US 5,335,420 A
• Filed: 05/19/1993
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Kling, Michael J. III, Krueger, Jeff C., Alusick, Michael P., Visser, James L., Kercheck, Gary R., Schmitz, Duane M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US08/064,405
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 33/288, 33/203-203.21, 356/155, 364/424.05
• US Class Current: 33/288
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2755 using photoelectric detection means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/283 Beam projectors and related sensors

Abstract

An automatic wheel alignment system for aligning the wheels of an automotive vehicle includes head units adapted for coupling to the wheels of the automotive vehicle and a hand held module. The wheel units provide angle information related to the alignment of the wheels of the automotive vehicle. The hand held module is coupled to the wheel alignment units and provides information to an operator through a liquid crystal display. The hand held module includes a controller and memory means. A keypad input is provided for receiving an input from the operator. The liquid crystal display includes an liquid crystal display matrix for forming an image. A contrast control means is coupled to the liquid crystal display and provides a contrast signal to the liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle wheel alignment system for aligning wheels of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

a left front head unit for coupling to a left front wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a right front head unit for coupling to a right front wheel of an automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a left rear head unit for coupling to a left rear wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a right rear head unit for coupling to a right rear wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output; and

a hand held module including a front panel operably coupled to the left front head unit, the right front head unit, the left rear head unit, and the right rear head unit for obtaining wheel alignment measurements and providing alignment information to an operator, the hand held module comprising;

communications means operably coupled to the head units for receiving angle measurements and providing an output;

memory means for storing computer program instructions and for storing icons representative of operator steps to perform an alignment test;

input means for receiving an input from the operator comprising a first plurality of buttons positioned along a first side of the front panel, and a second plurality of buttons positioned along a second side of the front panel;

display means positioned generally in a center portion of the front panel between the first plurality of buttons and the second plurality of buttons for receiving information and producing display outputs dependent on the received information;

processor means for processing the output from the communications means based upon the input from the operator and upon computer program instructions in the memory means;

means for receiving information from the input means related to an alignment test selected by the operator;

means for retrieving from the memory means icons which are related to a series of operator steps to perform the alignment test selected by the operator; and

output means for providing retrieved icons to the display means, thereby directing the operator through the series of operator steps to perform the selected alignment test.

2. An automotive vehicle wheel alignment system for aligning wheels of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

a left front head unit for coupling to a left front wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a right front head unit for coupling to a right front wheel of an automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a left rear head unit for coupling to a left rear wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a right rear head unit for coupling to a right rear wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output; and

a hand held module adapted for being held by an operator and operably coupled to the left front head unit, the right front head unit, the left rear head unit, and the right rear head unit for obtaining wheel alignment measurements and providing alignment information to an operator, the module including a case having left and right grasping portions adapted for being grasped by hands of the operator, the hand held module comprising;

communications means operably coupled to the head units for receiving angle measurements and providing an output;

memory means for storing computer program instructions and for storing icons representative of operator information related to automotive vehicle wheel alignment;

input means for receiving an input from the operator;

display means for receiving information and producing display outputs dependent on the received information;

processor means for processing the output from the communications means based upon the input from the operator and upon computer program instructions in the memory means;

means for receiving information from the input means related to an alignment test selected by the operator;

means for retrieving from the storage means icons which are related to automotive vehicle wheel alignment; and

output means for providing retrieved icons to the display means, thereby providing information to the operator related to automotive vehicle wheel alignment.

3. An automotive vehicle wheel alignment system for aligning wheels of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

a left front head unit for coupling to a left front wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a right front head unit for coupling to a right front wheel of an automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a left rear head unit for coupling to a left rear wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output;

a right rear head unit for coupling to a right rear wheel of the automotive vehicle and providing an angle measurement output; and

a hand held module adapted for being held by an operator and operably coupled to the left front head unit, the right front head unit, the left rear head unit, and the right rear head unit for obtaining wheel alignment measurements and providing alignment information to an operator, the module including a case having left and right grasping portions adapted for being grasped by hands of the operator, the hand held module comprising;

communications interface operably coupled to the head units having on an output related to angle measurement;

memory including stored computer program instructions and stored icons representative of operator information related to automotive vehicle wheel alignment;

an input for receiving an input form the operator related to an alignment test selected by the operator;

a display to provide display outputs dependent on received display information;

a processor coupled to the output of the communications interface to process angle measurements based upon the input from the operator and upon computer program instructions stored int he memory;

means for retrieving from the memory means icons which are related automotive vehicle wheel alignment; and

an output providing display information comprising retrieved icons to the display, thereby providing information to the operator related to automotive vehicle wheel alignment.