IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0447157
(2012-04-13)
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등록번호 |
US-8904653
(2014-12-09)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
San Diego IP Law Group LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
11 |
초록
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The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a portable wheel alignment and weighing system and device having a hub adaptor that attaches to the bolts of a wheel hub assembly after the wheel is removed, having a plurality of novel independent rolling wheels allowing the suspension to
The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a portable wheel alignment and weighing system and device having a hub adaptor that attaches to the bolts of a wheel hub assembly after the wheel is removed, having a plurality of novel independent rolling wheels allowing the suspension to settle before measuring parameters, having a plurality of optical sensors for measuring the alignment parameter before, during, and after the adjustment. The wheel alignment device eliminates the need for a slip plate through the plurality of independent rolling wheels, eliminates the need for a big and costly alignment rack due to its portable nature, improves alignment accuracy due to measurements being performed on the suspension directly without the tires on, and allows for faster alignments due to live adjustments, since the mechanic is allowed full access to the adjustment location.
대표청구항
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1. A portable wheel alignment device comprising: a jig having a top and a bottom; anda plurality of wheels attached to the bottom of the jig, wherein the plurality of wheels are configured to roll independently of each other and roll in all directions to allow free movement in any direction of the j
1. A portable wheel alignment device comprising: a jig having a top and a bottom; anda plurality of wheels attached to the bottom of the jig, wherein the plurality of wheels are configured to roll independently of each other and roll in all directions to allow free movement in any direction of the jig across a ground surface to allow for settling a suspension of a vehicle, the jig having a hub adaptor configured to attach to bolts of a wheel hub assembly of the vehicle and configured to align the suspension. 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising load cells configured to measure total weight and corner weight of the vehicle. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the jig comprises height slots and a height adjustment plug or repositionable fasteners. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the jig comprises an electronics cartridge and a circuit board. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the jig comprises a plurality of optical sensors. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the jig comprises a power switch and a battery or an electrical lead for an external power supply. 7. A portable wheel alignment device comprising: a jig configured to take the place of a removed vehicle wheel for purposes of measuring, analyzing, and adjusting vehicle alignment; anda plurality of independent rolling wheels attached to the jig, the plurality of independent rolling wheels are arranged to allow movement of the jig across the ground or work surface in any direction during settling a suspension of a vehicle. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of independent rolling wheels are in the form of spherical bearings, caster wheels, or rotary bearings. 9. The device of claim 7, further comprising load cells configured to measure total weight and corner weight of a vehicle. 10. The device of claim 7, wherein the jig provides for vertical adjustment of a hub adaptor. 11. The device of claim 7, further comprising one or more laser sensors or laser indicators. 12. The device of claim 7, further comprising one or more optical sensors or optical indicators. 13. The device of claim 7, further comprising a visual indicator configured to indicate a jig measure height. 14. The device of claim 7, further comprising a hub adaptor for radial adjustment of wheel bolt mounting locations. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the hub adaptor is a universal hub adaptor. 16. The device of claim 7, further comprising a universal hub adaptor which can fit various hub and lug patterns. 17. The device of claim 7, further comprising a tape measure, a bubble level, or a digital measuring device for measuring a vehicle alignment parameter. 18. The device of claim 7, further comprising a multi-axis inclinometer, optical or laser sensor, and processing hardware for compensating or indicating an un-level work surface. 19. The device of claim 7, further comprising a self-contained specification read-out. 20. The device of claim 7, further comprising a wireless communication package. 21. The device of claim 7, further comprising an electronic communications plug. 22. A vehicle wheel alignment method comprising the steps of: mounting a jig to a wheel hub assemble of a vehicle, wherein the jig is able to move relative to the vehicle in any direction upon the vehicle settling on a ground surface;acquiring vehicle wheel alignment data via the jig; andadjusting at least one vehicle wheel alignment parameter based on the acquired vehicle wheel alignment data. 23. The vehicle wheel alignment method of claim 22, wherein the step of mounting comprises: raising the vehicle above the ground surface to permit removal of at least one wheel;removing a wheel from the vehicle;securing the jib to the wheel hub assembly exposed by the remove wheel; andlowering the vehicle back to the ground surface, wherein the jig supports a portion of the vehicle's weight. 24. The vehicle wheel alignment method of claim 22, further comprising the step of adjusting the jig's physical geometry based on a particular make and/or model of the vehicle, and/or a particular size of the vehicle's wheel and/or tire. 25. The vehicle wheel alignment method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of: mounting a second jig to a second wheel hub assembly by the vehicle, wherein the second jig is able to move relative to the vehicle upon the vehicle settling on a ground surface;measuring a vehicle wheel alignment parameter based on a measurement of the jig's position relative to the second jig's position; andwherein the acquired vehicle wheel alignment data comprises the measured vehicle wheel alignment parameter. 26. A vehicle wheel alignment method comprising the steps of: mounting a jig to a wheel hub assemble of a vehicle, wherein the jig is able to move relative to the vehicle upon the vehicle settling on a ground surface;acquiring vehicle wheel alignment data via the jig;adjusting at least one vehicle wheel alignment parameter based on the acquired vehicle wheel alignment data;acquiring ground surface information via the jig, wherein the ground surface information indicates whether the ground surface is level or not level, and if not level, a degree to which the ground surface deviates from the level; andprocessing the vehicle wheel alignment data to compensate for the degree to which the ground surface deviates from level. 27. A precision hub plate system: a jig used in place of a wheel to simulate a loaded tire, the jig configured for vehicle alignment, wherein the jig eliminates tire pressure, weight, and size variations, wherein the jig provides access for suspension adjustments; anda plurality of wheels configured to roll independently of each other and roll in all directions to allow the suspension to settle without binding.
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