Two piece alignment head

• US 6,574,877 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gray, Brian K., Foreman, M. Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON, AMY COHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/681,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 332/031.8, 332/031.9, 332/032, 332/03, 332/86, 332/88, 33D/IG.21
• US Class Current: 33/203.18
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2755 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/28 Beam projector and related sensors, camera, inclinometer or other active sensing or projecting device
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/283 Beam projectors and related sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

An alignment head for use in aligning the wheels of a vehicle. The alignment head includes left and right covers configured for engaging each other to establish a housing. A frame assembly is positioned within a central portion of the housing, and sensors are mounted on the frame assembly. First and second transceivers are positioned respectively within front and rear portions of the housing. The sensors and transceivers provide information that is used by certain control circuitry to generate alignment information that can be used to align the wheels of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An alignment head for aligning the wheels of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing including a left cover and a right cover adapted for engagement with each other;

said housing having a front portion, a rear portion, and a central portion;

a frame assembly disposed within the central portion of said housing;

at least one sensor mounted on said frame assembly for generating data indicative of an orientation of said alignment head;

a first transceiver disposed within the front portion of said housing for transmitting and receiving alignment signals;

a second transceiver disposed within the rear portion of said housing for transmitting and receiving alignment signals; and

control circuitry for receiving data from said at least one sensor and alignment signals from said first and second transceivers, and generating alignment information useable in aligning the wheels of the vehicle.

2. The alignment head of claim 1, further comprising a connector for exchanging information with an external control system.

3. The alignment head of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) module for exchanging information with an external control system.

4. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one inclinometer.

5. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein said frame assembly comprises:

a first skeletal plate disposed within the left cover of said housing;

a second skeletal plate disposed within the right cover of said housing;

an extrusion member positioned between said first and second skeletal plates and having a passage therethrough; and

a shaft disposed within the central portion of said housing and within the passage of said extrusion, said shaft extending from the left cover of said housing to the right cover of said housing.

6. The alignment head of claim 1, further comprising:

a subassembly disposed within the rear portion of said housing; and

a power supply unit disposed within said subassembly for supplying power to said alignment head.

7. The alignment head of claim 6, wherein said power supply unit comprises at least one rechargeable battery.

8. The alignment head of claim 7, wherein said subassembly includes a sliding door for providing access to said at least one rechargeable battery for ease of replacement during operation.

9. The alignment head of claim 1, further comprising a calibration mechanism operatively coupled to said at least one sensor.

10. The alignment head of claim 9, wherein said calibration mechanism comprises:

a counterweight bracket secured to said frame assembly,

a counterweight movably secured to said counterweight bracket, and

an adjusting mechanism operatively coupled to said counterweight for moving said counterweight to calibrate said at least one sensor.

11. The alignment head of claim 10, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises an adjustment screw.

12. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein said first transceiver comprises:

a light emitting diode (LED) array for emitting an optical signal in a first prescribed direction; and

an optical receiver for receiving a second optical signal along said first prescribed direction.

13. The alignment head of claim 12, wherein said optical receiver comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD) or CMOS array.

14. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein said second transceiver comprises:

a second light emitting diode (LED) array for emitting a third optical signal in a second prescribed direction; and

a second optical receiver for receiving a fourth optical signal along said second prescribed direction.

15. The alignment head of claim 14, wherein said second optical receiver comprises a CCD or CMOS array.

16. The alignment head of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for inputting and displaying information to and from said alignment head.

17. The alignment head of claim 16, wherein said user interface includes a keypad.

18. The alignment head of claim 1, further comprising a wheel support mechanism for mounting said alignment head to the wheel of the vehicle.

19. The alignment head of claim 18, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing said alignment head to said wheel support mechanism.

20. An alignment head for aligning the wheels of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing including a left cover and a right cover adapted for engagement with each other;

a frame assembly disposed within said housing;

at least one sensor mounted on said frame assembly for generating data indicative of an orientation of said alignment head;

at least one transceiver disposed within said housing for transmitting and receiving alignment signals; and

control circuitry for receiving data from said at least one sensor and alignment signals from said at least one transceiver, and generating alignment information useable in aligning the wheels of the vehicle.

21. An alignment head for aligning the wheels of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing including a left cover and a right cover adapted for engagement with each other;

at least one sensor disposed within said housing for generating data indicative of an orientation of said alignment head;

at least one transceiver disposed within said housing for transmitting and receiving alignment signals; and

control circuitry for receiving data from said at least one sensor and alignment signals from said at least one transceiver, and generating alignment information useable in aligning the wheels of the vehicle.