Apparatus onboard a vehicle for instructing axle alignment

• US 7,415,771 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitchell Craig Harrill
• Original Assignee: Mitchell Craig Harrill
• Inventors: Harrill, Mitchell Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): BENNETT, GEORGE B
• Application Number:
  US11/280,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20060107538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 332/64, 332/88, 336/00, 336/13, 336/45, 332/031.8, 332/031.9, 332/032, 340438-440, 340/686.2, 340/901
• US Class Current: 33/264
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/31 with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/4622 Alignment adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1162 directly mounted on the suspension arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/61 Adjustable during maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/026 Heavy duty trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/176 Radio or audio sensitive means, e.g. Ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/21 Laser
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/042 Monitoring means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/0422 involving data transmission, e.g. via satellite or GPS; for data monitoring, telemetry or platooning purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/044 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/202 using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/26 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 2210/26 Algorithms, instructions, databases, computerized methods and graphical user interfaces employed by a user in conjunction with the wheel aligner

Abstract

A method and apparatus that remains onboard a tractor and semi trailer vehicle for readily providing axle alignment instruction to an operator. The apparatus includes at least one indicator (28) for detecting an axle'"'"'s thrust line relative to the vehicle'"'"'s centerline. At least one sensor (40) for detecting the position of indicator (28) relative to the position of sensor (40). Upon axle deviation, indicator (28) position changes relative to sensor (40). Sensor (40) detect the change in the position of indicator (28). At least one signal is generated and transmitted to at least one receiver (68). Receiver (68) communicates the relation between indicator (28) and sensor (40) as alignment instruction of a particular axle (front or rear), particular side (left or right), particular direction in which to realign the axle (forward or rearward), and concludes when the axle'"'"'s alignment is correct.

Claims

1. An apparatus onboard a vehicle for determining an axle'"'"'s thrust line, comprising:

means to point having a first end originating at said axle and a second end ending at a sensor mounted adjacent to said axle; and

means to determine a relative position between said sensor and said means to point, whereby said thrust line of said axle with respect to a centerline of said vehicle is determined.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means to determine said relative position between said sensor and said means to point is selected from the group of, mechanical linkage, laser, photoelectric sensor, magnetic sensor, reflective sensor, ultra sonic, pressure sensor, switch, conductive plate, inductive or proximity sensor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relation between said sensor and said means to point is maintained by a guide for allowing said means to point directional movement and stay in proximity to said sensor.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means to determine said relative position between said sensor and said means to point further includes a receiver for receiving at least one signal based on said relative position.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensor includes one or more sensing areas.

6. A method for instructing axle alignment using an apparatus onboard a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing means onboard said vehicle for determining a relative position of the axle'"'"'s thrust line with respect to a centerline of said vehicle;

providing at least one instruction to align said axle base on said relative position.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said relative position of said axle'"'"'s thrust line with respect to said centerline is determined by a means to point having a first end originating at said axle and a second end ending at a sensor mounted adjacent to said axle.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein further includes detecting movement between said means to point and said sensor.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein further includes generating at least one signal based on said movement.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein further includes selecting an appropriate step to align said axle base on said movement.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said signal is transmitted to a receiver.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said receiver communicates to an operator said instruction to align said axle.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein said at least one instruction to align said axle is selected from the group of, which axle to align, which side of the axle to align, or which direction to align the axle.

14. A method for instructing realignment of an axle'"'"'s thrust line, comprising the steps of:

using onboard a vehicle means to detect movement of said axle'"'"'s thrust line with respect to a vehicle'"'"'s centerline;

determining at least one axle alignment instruction base on said movement.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one axle alignment instruction is selected from the group of, which axle to align, which side of the axle to align, or which direction to align the axle.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said movement of said axle'"'"'s thrust line with respect to said vehicle'"'"'s centerline is determined by one or more means to point having a first end originating at said axle and a second end ending at a sensor mounted adjacent to said axle and observing change in the relative position between said sensor and said means to point.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said change between said sensor and said means to point is used for selecting at least one step for aligning said axle.