Method and apparatus for positioning a vehicle service device relative to a vehicle thrust line

• US 9,170,101 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2012
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
• Original Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
• Inventors: Stieff, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH-STEWART, DEMETRA R
• Application Number:
  US13/659,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20130110314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/27 for testing the alignment of axes means for centering or aligning a light guide within a ferrule G02B6/3834
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/275 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/16 Active or passive device attached to the chassis of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4026 Antenna boresight
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/403 in azimuth, i.e. in the horizontal plane

Abstract

A method and apparatus for utilizing a vehicle wheel alignment system to guide the placement and orientation of a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to the thrust line of a vehicle. A laser adapter for projecting a reference line is mounted to a steerable wheel of the vehicle, and is aligned relative to both a line of the vehicle and to the supporting surface on which the vehicle is disposed. The vehicle line is determined by the vehicle wheel alignment system, and the steerable wheel, together with the adapter, are steered relative to the determined vehicle line, such that a projected reference line defined by the position and orientation of the adapter is established parallel to both the supporting surface and the vehicle line. The placement and orientation of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture is subsequently adjusted relative to the projected reference line.

Claims

1. A method for disposing a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to a line of a vehicle and to a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

determining a line of the vehicle associated with the relative positioning of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture;

disposing a laser assembly in proximity to one lateral side of said vehicle;

aligning a projection axis of said laser assembly parallel to the surface supporting said vehicle and relative to said determined line of said vehicle;

projecting, from said laser assembly, a laser beam reference line along said projection axis, such that said laser beam reference line is aligned relative to said determined line of said vehicle; and

placing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture in spaced-apart proximity to said vehicle at a predetermined orientation relative to a point of intersection with said laser beam reference line such that said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixtures is disposed at a predetermined orientation relative to said determined line of said vehicle and to said vehicle supporting surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said determined line of the vehicle is one of a thrust line and a centerline of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of placing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture includes altering said orientation of said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture to reflect said projected laser beam reference line along an incident axis from a reflective target on said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture when the reflective target is orientated perpendicular to said projected laser beam reference line.

4. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of establishing a communication link with an electronic control unit of said vehicle;

and

completing a service procedure on at least one vehicle external sensor observing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture by communicating one or more instructions to said electronic control unit of said vehicle.

5. A method for disposing a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to a line of a vehicle and to a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

determining at least one line of the vehicle associated with the relative positioning of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture;

disposing a laser assembly in proximity to one lateral side of said vehicle;

aligning a projection axis of said laser assembly parallel to the surface supporting said vehicle and relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

projecting, from said laser assembly, a laser beam reference line along said projection axis, such that said laser beam reference line is aligned relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

placing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture in spaced-apart proximity to said vehicle at a predetermined orientation relative to a point of intersection with said laser beam reference line such that said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixtures is at a predetermined orientation relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle; and

wherein said step of determining said at least one line of the vehicle includes;

mounting a wheel adapter to each wheel of the vehicle;

coupling an alignment measurement device to each of the wheel adapters, said alignment measurement device consisting of either an optical target or an alignment angle transducer;

acquiring data from said alignment measurement devices for processing by a vehicle wheel alignment system to determine one or more vehicle wheel alignment angles; and

processing said determined vehicle wheel alignment angles to determine said at least one line of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5 further including the steps of establishing a communication link with an electronic control unit of said vehicle from said vehicle wheel alignment system;

and

completing a service procedure on at least one onboard vehicle sensor configured to observe said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture by communicating one or more instructions to said electronic control unit of said vehicle from said vehicle wheel alignment system.

7. A method for disposing a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to a line of a vehicle and to a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

determining at least one line of the vehicle associated with the relative positioning of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture;

disposing a laser assembly in proximity to one lateral side of said vehicle;

aligning a projection axis of said laser assembly parallel to the surface supporting said vehicle and relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

projecting, from said laser assembly, a laser beam reference line along said projection axis, such that said laser beam reference line is aligned relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

placing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture in spaced-apart proximity to said vehicle at a predetermined orientation relative to a point of intersection with said laser beam reference line such that said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixtures is at a predetermined orientation relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle; and

wherein said step of projecting said laser beam reference line includes;

mounting a wheel adapter to each wheel on at least one side of said vehicle;

mounting an alignment measurement device to said wheel adapter on a rear wheel of the vehicle via a mounting shaft;

mounting said laser assembly to said wheel adapter mounted to a front wheel of the vehicle on the same side of the vehicle as said alignment measurement device;

projecting a laser beam rearward along said side of said vehicle from said laser assembly;

aligning said rearward projected laser beam with a centerline of said mounting shaft of said alignment device mounted on said wheel adapter at said rear wheel of the vehicle;

steering said front wheel of the vehicle to bring the projected laser beam into alignment with said at least one line of the vehicle;

projecting a laser beam forward along said side of said vehicle from said laser assembly, said forward projected laser beam coaxially aligned with a projection axis of said rearward projected laser beam; and

whereby said projection axis of said forward and rearward projected laser beams define said laser beam reference line.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of steering said front wheel further includes the steps of:

mounting an alignment device to said laser assembly; and

guiding steering movement of said front wheel with a vehicle wheel alignment system responsive to data received from said alignment device.

9. A method for disposing a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to a line of a vehicle and to a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

determining at least one line of the vehicle associated with the relative positioning of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture;

disposing a laser assembly in proximity to one lateral side of said vehicle;

aligning a projection axis of said laser assembly parallel to the surface supporting said vehicle and relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

projecting, from said laser assembly, a laser beam reference line along said projection axis, such that said laser beam reference line is aligned relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

placing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture in spaced-apart proximity to said vehicle at a predetermined orientation relative to a point of intersection with said laser beam reference line such that said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixtures is at a predetermined orientation relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle; and

wherein said step of projecting said laser beam reference line includes;

mounting a wheel adapter to at least a front wheel of said vehicle;

mounting said laser assembly to said wheel adapter;

projecting a laser beam rearward along said vehicle from said laser assembly;

positioning a laser alignment target on said supporting surface in a first position rearward from said front wheel, said laser alignment target having a target panel with visible alignment marks;

observing a first intersection point of said rearward laser beam projection on said target panel;

repositioning said laser alignment target on said supporting surface to a second position further rearward from said front wheel, in proximity to a rear wheel of said vehicle;

observing a second intersection point of said rearward laser beam projection on said target panel;

adjusting a mounting orientation of said laser assembly on said wheel adapter to align said second intersection point with said first intersection point on said target panel;

steering said front wheel of the vehicle into alignment with said at least one line of the vehicle;

projecting a laser beam forward along said vehicle from said laser assembly, said forward projected laser beam coaxially aligned with a projection axis of said rearward projected laser beam; and

whereby said projection axis of said forward and rearward projected laser beams define said laser beam reference line.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of steering said front wheel further includes the steps of:

mounting an alignment device to said laser assembly; and

guiding steering movement of said front wheel with a vehicle wheel alignment system responsive to data received from said alignment device.

11. A method for disposing a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to a line of a vehicle and to a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

determining at least one line of the vehicle associated with the relative positioning of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture;

disposing a laser assembly in proximity to one lateral side of said vehicle;

aligning a projection axis of said laser assembly parallel to the surface supporting said vehicle and relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

projecting, from said laser assembly, a laser beam reference line along said projection axis, such that said laser beam reference line is aligned relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle;

placing said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture in spaced-apart proximity to said vehicle at a predetermined orientation relative to a point of intersection with said laser beam reference line such that said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixtures is at a predetermined orientation relative to said at least one determined line of said vehicle; and

wherein said step of projecting said laser beam reference line includes;

mounting first wheel adapter to a front wheel of said vehicle;

mounting a second wheel adapter to a rear wheel of said vehicle on a same side of said vehicle as said first wheel adapter;

mounting an alignment measurement device to said second wheel adapter via a mounting shaft;

mounting said laser assembly to said first wheel adapter;

projecting a laser beam rearward along said vehicle from said laser assembly;

aligning said rearward projected laser beam with a centerline of said alignment measurement device mounting shaft for an alignment device mounted to said second wheel adapter;

steering said front wheel of the vehicle to bring the projected laser beam into alignment with said at least one line of the vehicle;

projecting from a laser source, a second laser beam rearward along said vehicle from said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture towards a reflective target on said laser assembly, said reflective target aligned normal to a projection axis of said first rearward projected laser beam;

altering said position and orientation of said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture to reflect said second rearward projected laser beam from said reflective target to said laser source such that a projection axis of said second rearward laser beam is coaxially aligned with said projection axis of said first rearward projected laser beam; and

whereby a projection axis of said first rearward projected laser beam, and a projection axis of said second rearward projected laser beam, when in coaxial alignment, define said laser beam reference relative to which said vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture is positioned and orientated.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of steering said front wheel further includes the steps of:

mounting an alignment device to said laser assembly; and

guiding steering movement of said front wheel with a vehicle wheel alignment system responsive to data received from said alignment device.

13. A laser assembly for use in establishing a reference line relative to a line of the vehicle, comprising:

a housing;

a stub mounting shaft projecting from an inward face of the housing along a mounting axis;

a mounting shaft receiver disposed in an outward face of the housing;

a laser projection means disposed within said housing, said laser projection means configured to project at least one laser beam outward from a lateral side surface of said housing, perpendicular to said mounting axis; and

a means to establish a reference line at an opposite lateral side of said housing from said outward projected laser beam, said reference line coaxial with a projection axis of said at least one laser beam.

14. The laser assembly of claim 13 wherein said means to establish said reference line includes a second laser projection means disposed within said housing, said second laser projection means configured to project a second laser beam outward from said opposite lateral side surface of said housing and coaxial with said first laser beam;

wherein said first laser projection means consists of a first laser source; and

wherein said second laser projection means consists of a second laser source.

15. The laser assembly of claim 13 wherein said means to establish said reference line includes a mirror reflective target disposed on said opposite lateral side of said housing, said mirror reflective target aligned with, and oriented normal to, said projection axis of said at least one laser beam, whereby incident illumination which is retro-reflected from said mirror reflective target is parallel to said projection axis of said at least one laser beam to establish said reference line.

16. An aligner for positioning and orientating a vehicle service apparatus or target fixture in alignment with a line of the vehicle and a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

a projector housing an illumination source to project a reference line relative to the vehicle line, said projector further configured for mounting on an axis of a vehicle wheel adapter secured to a vehicle wheel assembly, and for coaxially supporting a wheel alignment sensor; and

a target panel coupled to the vehicle service apparatus or target fixture in a fixed relationship by a target mounting bracket, said target panel configured for guiding alignment of said vehicle service apparatus or target fixture relative to said projected reference line.

17. An aligner for positioning and orientating a vehicle service apparatus or target fixture in alignment with a line of a vehicle and a vehicle supporting surface, comprising:

an assembly for use in projecting a reference line relative to said line of the vehicle and said vehicle supporting surface, said assembly configured for mounting to a vehicle wheel adapter on a mounting axis, and for coaxially receiving a wheel alignment sensor;

a laser projector disposed within said assembly, said laser projector configured to project a laser line in a first direction along a projection axis perpendicular to said mounting axis for alignment relative to said line of the vehicle and said vehicle supporting surface by alignment of said associated vehicle wheel adapter and wheel alignment sensor;

a mirror reflective target disposed on a surface of said assembly, said mirror reflective target aligned in a second direction which is opposite said first direction, and normal to, said projection axis of said laser line; and

wherein illuminating light retro-reflected from said mirror reflective target in said second direction is in parallel alignment with said projection axis of said laser line.

18. The vehicle service system target aligner of claim 17 wherein said line of the vehicle is either a vehicle thrust line or a vehicle center line.