Automotive rattle detection system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for producing and locating unwanted rattles, squeaks, and noises in an automotive vehicle by the sequential contacting of a surface of a tire on said automotive vehicle via at least one roller carried on a roller assembly comprising:
- (a) a frame comprised of a front end, a rear end, and legs in spaced apart relationship;
(b) a roller assembly comprised of at least one roller rotatably supported outwardly from a center roller drive shaft in radial and spaced apart relationship, said rollers supported substantially parallel to said center roller drive shaft and substantially equidistant therefrom;
(c) a bearing support system affixed for supporting the center roller drive shaft between the legs of said frame;
(d) a powered drive train capable of rotating said center roller drive shaft and thereby said roller assembly; and
(e) a control system for said powered drive train for starting, stopping, and rotating said center roller drive shaft in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions;
whereby when a tire of said automotive vehicle is placed in stationery relationship against said roller assembly and the roller assembly rotated causing a sequential and intermittent striking against said stationery tire, a vibration is created within said automotive vehicle allowing for a rattle, squeak, or noise to be generated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rattle and noise detection system useful for a large variety of automotive vehicles is provided. The vehicles are examined in a stationary position with one of their tires having been driven onto said detection system. This tire rests against a roller assembly driven by an electromechanical drive train, electrically powered and remotely controlled. Each roller in the assembly can individually rotate around its center axis as the assembly itself rotates over a specific RPM range causing the longitudinal side of each roller to continuously strike the tires'"'"' treaded lower half at a predetermined position. This position is primarily a function of the tire size and the roller assembly'"'"'s diameter and mounting position in the detection system. As the rollers continuously strike the tire, vibrations and shock waves are produced in the vehicle causing and maintaining the same annoying rattles, squeaks and noises noticeable during driving conditions. The detection system operator, who ideally is an automotive technician, is thereby empowered to efficiently locate, repair a problem, and immediately determine the repair'"'"'s success. A tire positioning and holding system is also devised for operation on a surface that is not essentially level.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for producing and locating unwanted rattles, squeaks, and noises in an automotive vehicle by the sequential contacting of a surface of a tire on said automotive vehicle via at least one roller carried on a roller assembly comprising:
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(a) a frame comprised of a front end, a rear end, and legs in spaced apart relationship; (b) a roller assembly comprised of at least one roller rotatably supported outwardly from a center roller drive shaft in radial and spaced apart relationship, said rollers supported substantially parallel to said center roller drive shaft and substantially equidistant therefrom; (c) a bearing support system affixed for supporting the center roller drive shaft between the legs of said frame; (d) a powered drive train capable of rotating said center roller drive shaft and thereby said roller assembly; and (e) a control system for said powered drive train for starting, stopping, and rotating said center roller drive shaft in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions; whereby when a tire of said automotive vehicle is placed in stationery relationship against said roller assembly and the roller assembly rotated causing a sequential and intermittent striking against said stationery tire, a vibration is created within said automotive vehicle allowing for a rattle, squeak, or noise to be generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
wherein hydraulic fluid can be controlled to lift said tire pressure foot above said descending ramp to contact and move said tire.
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14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said frame has an open clean out slot in it, underneath and slightly behind said roller assembly.
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15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said frame is aluminum.
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16. An apparatus for producing and locating unwanted rattles, squeaks, and noises in a stationary automotive vehicle comprising:
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(a) an aluminum frame having a front end ascending ramp sloped at about 12°
to 23° and
immediately followed by and welded to a descending ramp sloped at about 3°
to 9°
;(b) a roller assembly consisting of five aluminum rollers mounted parallel to a center roller drive shaft which can be rotated; (c) a bearing support system affixed to said frame for supporting the roller assembly at each of its ends; (d) an electrically powered electromechanical drive train means affixed to said frame; (e) an electronic, portable, wireless, remote control transmitter and a control receiver system for starting, stopping, and rotating said roller assembly between 0 and 175 RPM in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions; (f) an aluminum side rail affixed to each side of said frame extending approximately the length of the frame; (g) a handle affixed to the front end of each side rail; (h) a wheel mounted to each side of the bottom front and rear ends of said frame; (i) an aluminum storage support bar affixed to the rear end of said frame and extending perpendicularly upward therefrom; (j) a means for contacting and releasing a tire standing on the descending ramp and forcing it to move against said roller assembly; and (k) a clean out slot cut out of said frame underneath and slightly behind said roller assembly; wherein said roller assembly is mounted slightly past the descending ramp such that when rotated said rollers consistently strike the treaded side of any ordinary tire of 12″
to 38″
outside diameter standing stationary on said descending ramp at an angle approximately 30°
to 65°
below the horizontal midsection of said tire.
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Specification