Apparatus and method for determining axial stability
First Claim
1. A method for determining an axial stability of a wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- measuring attitude and location of a wheel with the wheel set in a first position to determine a first vector having a predetermined relation to said wheel;
rolling said wheel back a number of degrees to a second position and measuring attitude and location thereof to determine a second vector also having said predetermined relation to said wheel;
determining rearward axis parameters including a rearward rotational axis vector and a rearward runout vector based on said first and second vectors;
rolling said wheel forward to a third position which is substantially equal to said first position and measuring the attitude and location of said wheel to determine a third vector also having said predetermined relation to said wheel;
determining forward axis parameters, including a forward rotational axis vector and a forward runout vector, based on said second and third vectors; and
determining dynamic stability vectors including a rotational axis stability vector and a runout stability vector based on said forward and rearward axis parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining axial stability compares measured wheel runout and axial instability parameters with prescribed tolerances to determine if the wheel suffers from excessive wheel play. Axial stability and runout is determined and displayed on a monitor screen such that an alignment technician can quickly assess both the degree of present wheel misalignment and the feasibility of attempting to perform a realignment operation without first repairing worn or damaged suspension parts. The attitude and location of a wheel are measured with the wheel set in a first position to determine a first vector having a predetermined relation to the wheel. The wheel is rolled back a number of degrees to a second position and the attitude and location thereof are measured to determine a second vector also having the predetermined relation to the wheel. Rearward axis parameters including a rearward rotational axis vector and a rearward runout vector are determined based on the first and second vectors. The wheel is rolled forward to a third position which is substantially equal to the first position and the attitude and location of the wheel are measured to determine a third vector also having the predetermined relation to the wheel. Forward axis parameters, including a forward rotational axis vector and a forward runout vector, are determined based on the second and third vectors. Dynamic stability vectors including a rotational axis stability vector and a runout stability vector are determined based on the forward and rearward axis parameters.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for determining an axial stability of a wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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measuring attitude and location of a wheel with the wheel set in a first position to determine a first vector having a predetermined relation to said wheel; rolling said wheel back a number of degrees to a second position and measuring attitude and location thereof to determine a second vector also having said predetermined relation to said wheel; determining rearward axis parameters including a rearward rotational axis vector and a rearward runout vector based on said first and second vectors; rolling said wheel forward to a third position which is substantially equal to said first position and measuring the attitude and location of said wheel to determine a third vector also having said predetermined relation to said wheel; determining forward axis parameters, including a forward rotational axis vector and a forward runout vector, based on said second and third vectors; and determining dynamic stability vectors including a rotational axis stability vector and a runout stability vector based on said forward and rearward axis parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for determining axial stability of a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:
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detection means for measuring attitude and location of said wheel while said wheel is set in a first poistion, a second position displaced rotationally from said first position, and a third position displaced rotationally back to approximately said first position to respectively determine a first vector, a second vector, and a third vector, each said vector having a common predetermined relationship to said wheel; processing means for determining dynamic stability vectors, including a wheel runout vector and an axial stability vector of the wheel, based on said measured attitudes and positions of the wheel, said detection means being responsive to said processing means; storage means for storing predetermined dynamic stability tolerance data for the wheel; and display means for displaying graphical representations of said wheel runout vector and said axial stability vector relative to said tolerance data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for determining an axial stability of a wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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measuring attitude and location of a wheel with the wheel set in a first position to determine a first vector having a predetermined relation to said wheel; rolling said wheel a number of degrees to a second position and measuring attitude and location thereof to determine a second vector also having said predetermined relation to said wheel; determining at least one of first axial parameters based on the first and second vectors; rolling said wheel to a third position and measuring the attitude and location of said wheel to determine a third vector also having said predetermined relation to said wheel; determining at least one of second axial parameters based on said second and third vectors; and determining a rotational axis stability vector based on said first and second axial parameters. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. An apparatus for determining axial stability of a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:
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detection means for measuring attitude and location of said wheel while said wheel is set in a first position, a second position displaced rotationally from said first position, and a third position displaced rotationally from said second position to determine, respectively, a first vector, a second vector, and a third vector, each said vector having a common predetermined relationship to said wheel; processing means coupled to said detection means and configured for determining an axial stability vector of the wheel; storage means for storing predetermined dynamic stability tolerance data for the wheel; and display means for displaying graphical representations of said axial stability vector relative to said tolerance data. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A method for determining axial stability of a wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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measuring attitude and rotary position of a wheel with the wheel in a first location to obtain a first measurement; rolling the wheel to a second location and measuring wheel attitude and rotary position to obtain a second measurement; determining at least one of second axial parameters based on the first and second measurements; rolling the wheel to a third position and measuring wheel attitude and rotary position to obtain a third measurement; determining at least one of first axial parameters based on the second and third measurements; and determining rotational axis stability based on said first and second axial parameters. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. An apparatus for determining axial stability of a wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a sensor for measuring attitudes and rotary positions of a wheel in first, second, and third locations, respectively, to obtain first, second and third measurements; a processor configured for determining an axial stability parameter based on said first, second, and third measurements and for providing axial stability display data; and a display for receiving said display data and providing a visual indication of said axial stability parameter. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification