Vehicle measuring system
First Claim
1. In a laser scanning system for determining frame or unibody alignment of a vehicle including at least one reflective laser beam target adapted for placement in a known relationship relative to a selected vehicle laser beam target adapted for placement in a known relationship relative to a selected vehicle reference point, and laser scanning apparatus comprising a laser assembly operable to direct laser beams toward said target, and a detector for receiving reflected laser beams from said target, wherein the laser assembly is operable to direct a pair of individual laser beams spaced vertically from each other by a known distance toward said target, said laser assembly being stationary there being a pair of rotating mirrors respectively located on opposite sides of the laser assembly, each of said rotating members comprising an upright mirror having a relatively wide reflective surface and a relatively narrow reflective edge.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved laser scanning apparatus (46) for determining frame or unibody alignment or misalignment of a vehicle (40) is provided, which includes a laser assembly (54), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies (56,58) and laser detectors (114,116) located within an enclosed housing (50,52). The laser assembly (54) has an upper pair of lasers (122,126) located in known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers (124,128), with the detectors (114, 116) disposed between the upper and lower laser pairs (122, 126, 124, 128). The apparatus (46) is used in conjunction with a plurality of individually coded reflective targets (44) which are suspended from known reference points on the vehicle (40). In use, the laser assembly (54) in conjunction with the mirror assemblies (56,58) directs upper and lower laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge on the targets (44); laser radiation reflected from the targets (44) is detected by the detectors (114, 116), allowing trigonometric calculation of target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the targets (44) are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the housing (50,52) includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels (88, 90) and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the apparatus (46).
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. In a laser scanning system for determining frame or unibody alignment of a vehicle including at least one reflective laser beam target adapted for placement in a known relationship relative to a selected vehicle laser beam target adapted for placement in a known relationship relative to a selected vehicle reference point, and laser scanning apparatus comprising a laser assembly operable to direct laser beams toward said target, and a detector for receiving reflected laser beams from said target, wherein the laser assembly is operable to direct a pair of individual laser beams spaced vertically from each other by a known distance toward said target, said laser assembly being stationary there being a pair of rotating mirrors respectively located on opposite sides of the laser assembly, each of said rotating members comprising an upright mirror having a relatively wide reflective surface and a relatively narrow reflective edge.
- 13. In a method of laser scanning for determining frame or unibody alignment of a vehicle including the steps of placing at least one reflective laser beam target in a known relationship relative to a selected vehicle reference point, laser scanning said target by directing laser beams from a source toward said target, and detecting reflected laser beams from said target, the improvement which comprises directing a pair of individual laser beams spaced vertically from each other by a known distance toward said target, and detecting the respective reflections therefrom, said source being stationary, said method further including the step of providing a pair of rotating mirrors respectively located on opposite sides of said source wherein each of said rotating mirrors comprises an upright mirror having a relatively wide reflective surface and a relatively narrow reflective edge.
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25. A laser scanning apparatus for determining frame or unibody alignment of a vehicle comprising:
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an enclosed housing presenting a pair of elongated, opposed laser-transparent panels;
a laser scanning assembly located within said housing;
a pair of upright, rotatable mirrors within said housing and on opposite sides of said laser assembly, each of said mirrors having a relatively wide reflective surface and a relatively narrow reflective edge, said laser assembly and mirrors operable to direct laser beams through said panels and toward a vehicle-mounted target; and
a detector for receiving reflected laser beams from said target, said detector located within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification