Axle alignment using a reflected signal

• US 6,233,837 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Saxon, Nancy L., Hagelthorn, George Allan, Gilbert, Janelle M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US09/322,868
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 332/88, 332/27, 332/86, 332/03, 332/031.5, 332/031.8, 336/08, 33D/IG.1, 33D/IG.21
• US Class Current: 33/288
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/275 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/24 Specially developed for using with trucks or other heavy-duty vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/303 fixed to the ground or to the measuring station
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/306 Mirror, prism or other reflector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

An axle alignment system includes a transmitter, reflectors, and an indicator area. The transmitter transmits signals, preferably laser beams, to each reflector. Signals received by the reflectors attached to the end of the axles are reflected at a predetermined angle and direction to be viewed on an indicator area. The indicator area receives the redirected signals from each reflector and provides a visual illustration of the relationship between the suspension axle and another suspension part such as the suspension subframe siderails. Accordingly, the angularity of the axles relative to the siderails may be adjusted such that each of the reflected signals are displayed simultaneously on a reference marker. Once the reflected signals are aligned with respect to the reference marker, the axles are assured to be in accurate alignment.

Claims

1. An axle alignment system comprising:

a reflector attachable to an axle, said axle positioned relative to the subframe siderail;

a transmitter for transmitting a signal to said reflector, said reflector redirecting said signal to an indicator area to receive said redirected signal such that said indicator area displays a relationship between said axle and said suspension siderail.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator area is mounted to said transmitter in the form of a reference card.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator area includes a reference marker.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator area includes a reference marker, distances between said reflected signal and said reference marker providing visual reference of the degree of alignment of said axle relative to said suspension subframe siderail.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein there are a pair of reflectors, said transmitter transmitting visual laser signals to both of said reflectors such that a pair of axles can be aligned relative to each other.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said reflectors are mountable upon an axle, each axle alignable relative to each other and to the suspension subframe siderail such that a first axle is parallel to a second axle and the first axle and second axle are perpendicular to the suspension subframe siderail.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said reflector is magnetically attachable to said axle.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said reflector is attachable to a bearing journal on the spindle end of said axle.

9. A method of axle alignment comprising the steps of:

(1) transmitting a signal to a reflector attached to the axle mounted with reference to a suspension subframe siderail

(2) reflecting said signal; and

(3) adjusting said axle relative to said suspension subframe siderail such that said reflected signal is visually displayed on a reference marker.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein step (1) further comprises simultaneously transmitting visual signals to a plurality of axles mounted to said suspension subframe siderails.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein step (2) further comprises reflecting said signal to an area proximate of said transmitting location.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein step (5) further includes adjusting a first axle parallel to a second axle and the first axle and second axle perpendicular to the suspension subframe siderail.

13. A method of axle alignment comprising the steps of:

(1) attaching a reflector to an axle mounted with reference to a subframe siderail;

(2) transmitting a visual signal to said reflectors;

(3) redirecting said visual signal to provide a reflected signal;

(4) receiving said reflected signal on an indicator area having a reference marker; and

,

(5) adjusting said axle relative to said suspension subframe siderail such that said reflected signal is displayed on said reference marker.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein step (2) further comprises simultaneously transmitting visual signals to a plurality of axles mounted to said suspension subframe siderail.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein step (5) further includes adjusting a first axle parallel to a second axle and the first axle and second axle perpendicular to the suspension subframe siderail.