초록 ▼

The system of the present invention provides means for quick and accurate measurement of various wheel alignment parameters of motor vehicles by the use of reflected light beams. A laser source mounted near the front end of the vehicle provides a pair of light beams directed 180 degrees apart across

The system of the present invention provides means for quick and accurate measurement of various wheel alignment parameters of motor vehicles by the use of reflected light beams. A laser source mounted near the front end of the vehicle provides a pair of light beams directed 180 degrees apart across the front end of the vehicle. Each of the beams is reflected along the side of the vehicle by a roof mirror set mounted near each front corner of the vehicle. The mirror sets each deflect a beam through a constant net angle of 90 degrees for a wide range of angles of incident light so that the laser source can be rotated to quickly provide parallel beams which are aligned substantially parallel to the sides of the vehicle. These mirror sets also provide stable beams and present small movements thereof from affecting the accuracy of the measurements being made. A pair of relay roof mirror sets, positioned adjacent the wheels whose alignment parameters are being measured, each reflects the beams onto flat mirrors pendulously mounted on the wheels. Each flat mirror returns the beam to the associated relay roof mirror set which, in turn, reflects the beam back to a grid-like light responsive target. The position of the return beam on the target causes the target to provide electronic output signals to logic circuitry which calculates the camber, caster and toe angle of the associated vehicle wheel.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for measuring wheel alignment of a motor vehicle comprising: light source means for projecting at least one primary beam of light originating from said light source means in a direction determined by the orientation of the source; means for adjusting said source means to change the directi

Apparatus for measuring wheel alignment of a motor vehicle comprising: light source means for projecting at least one primary beam of light originating from said light source means in a direction determined by the orientation of the source; means for adjusting said source means to change the direction of said primary beam in the horizontal plane; primary mirror means for receiving said primary beam and reflecting two beams therefrom in a parallel manner, said primary mirror means comprising a plurality of reflecting surfaces for reflecting both reflected beams generally parallel to the axis of the vehicle, said reflecting surfaces being angularly disposed for maintaining the angle between the incident primary beam and the reflected beams constant through a range of changes in the direction of the incident primary beam whereby adjusting the direction of said primary beam effects any adjustment required to align the reflected beams with the vehicle axis; mirror means mounted on the wheel to be aligned for receiving said reflected beam from said primary mirror means; a target positioned at a predetermined distance from said wheel mirror means for receiving the beam reflected therefrom for indicating the alignment of said wheel; and relay mirror means for receiving said reflected beams from said primary mirror means and for reflecting them to said wheel mirror means and for receiving the reflected beams from said wheel mirror means and for reflecting them to said target, said relay mirror means adapted to maintain a constant angle between any incident beam and the associated reflected beam through a range of changes in the direction of the incident beam.