KR100571530B1 - Wheel alignment measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention, an angle sensor unit for detecting an angular change to generate an analog signal, an A / D converter that receives the analog signal output from the angle sensor unit and converts it into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal from the A / D converter. An arithmetic control unit for calculating the angle change of the angle sensor unit and controlling the driving of each unit, a display unit for outputting the angle change of the angle sensor unit in numbers and letters, a signal input unit for inputting signals for driving each unit, and arithmetic control unit A measuring unit comprising a memory for storing a variety of data, including a program for the calculation method and a calculation value calculated from the calculation control unit; A shock absorber coupling jig coupled to the shock absorber 20 such that the shock absorber 20 is perpendicular to the direction in which the shock absorber 20 is coupled to the tire 10 so as to be coupled to the tire 10 and seat the meter 100. 300), it is possible to measure accurate wheel alignment even on inclined ground, and provides a measuring device that can measure the wheel alignment even during wheel alignment adjustment.

Tires, alignment, shock absorbers, angle sensors, jigs

Description

Wheel alignment measuring device {Apparatus for measuring alignment of wheel}             

1a to 1b show camber, kingpin tilt angle, casters

2A illustrates a conventional wheel alignment tester.

2b to 2d are views illustrating a shape of measuring a camber, a kingpin inclination angle, and a caster using a conventional wheel alignment tester.

Figure 3a is a block diagram of a measuring instrument applied to the present invention

Figure 3b is a perspective view of the measuring instrument applied to the present invention

Figure 4a is a perspective view of a wheel coupling jig applied to the present invention

4B is a view showing a shape for adjusting the zero point of the measuring instrument

FIG. 4C is a view showing a shape in which a measuring instrument is expressed on a three-dimensional coordinate axis when positioned as shown in FIG. 4B.

Figure 4d is a view showing a shape for measuring the camber using the wheel alignment measurement device according to the present invention

FIG. 4E is a diagram showing the shape when the seated measuring instrument is represented on three-dimensional coordinates as shown in FIG. 4D.

Figure 5a is a view showing the shape of the shock absorber coupling jig applied to the present invention

Figure 5b is a view showing the shape of measuring the king pin inclination angle and the caster using the wheel alignment measurement device according to the present invention

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a shape when a seated measuring instrument is represented on three-dimensional coordinates as shown in FIG. 5B.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

10 tire 12 wheel

20: shock absorber 22: insulator

24: locknut 50: external computer

100: measuring instrument 200: wheel coupling jig

210: instrument holder 212: instrument seating groove

216: instrument seating groove 214: level meter

220: wheel coupling 222: coupling protrusion

230: transfer bar 232: coupling screw

300: shock absorber jig 310: instrument seating groove

320: coupling bolt

The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring wheel alignment of an automobile tire.

Wheel alignment refers to the angle of each component that makes up the suspension or steering system and is mounted on the car. The wheel alignment refers to the angle formed by the center line of the road surface and the wheel when viewed from the front of the car. It includes a camber, a caster which refers to the angle between the vertical line of the road surface and the tire support shaft when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a kingpin inclination angle which refers to the angle between the vertical line of the road surface and the tire support shaft when the vehicle is viewed from the front.

As a type of suspension system, the brake arm and the turning centripetal force generated on the wheel are all supported by the suspension arm, and the vertical load is integrated with the steering knuckle. There is a McPherson type that is configured to engage one for each wheel. Wishbone type suspension is mainly used in previous vehicles, but in recent years, the McPherson type suspension is used to independently absorb the shock transmitted to each wheel.

Hereinafter, a tire wheel alignment measuring method which is currently used will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows the camber and kingpin tilt angle, and FIG. 1B shows the caster.

When the vehicle is placed on a horizontal road surface and viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1A, the angle formed between the vertical line of the road surface and the center line of the tire 10 is called a camber α, and the shock absorber 20 is attached to the tire 10. The angle formed between the direction in which it is coupled and the vertical line of the road surface is called a kingpin inclination angle β.

Since the cambers α are formed so that the lower ends of both tires 10 are narrowed, the tire 10 is perpendicular to the road surface when a load is applied to the vehicle, thereby preventing bending of the axle, and steering wheel steering force. Becomes smaller.

In addition, since the king pin inclination angle (beta) is formed, the restorability to return the wheel during steering occurs, the steering operation force of the handle is reduced.

When the tire 10 of the vehicle is viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 1B, the angle between the vertical line of the road surface and the coupling direction of the shock absorber 20 is referred to as the caster γ.

Due to the caster γ, the driving direction of the driving vehicle does not change and proceeds straight ahead.

2A shows a conventional wheel alignment tester.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the conventional wheel alignment tester 30 includes a camber gauge 32 for measuring the camber α, a king pin gauge 34 for measuring the kingpin inclination angle β, and a caster γ. A caster gauge 36 is provided to measure. The gauge 32, 34, 36 is provided with a horizontal bubble 38 that is movable in the longitudinal direction of the gauge (32, 34, 36), the user is inclined to each gauge (32, 34, 36) It is possible to measure the wheel alignment of the tire by grasping the position of the horizontal bubble 38 changes according to.

2b to 2d show a shape for measuring a camber, a kingpin inclination angle, and a caster using a conventional wheel alignment tester.

In the case of measuring the camber (α), as shown in FIG. 2B, the wheel alignment tester 30 is coupled to the wheel after positioning the tire 10 in a straight state.

The wheel alignment tester 30 coupled to the wheel is inclined by the camber α, and thus the position of the camber gauge horizontal bubble is changed. The user can measure the camber α by grasping the moving distance of the horizontal bubble.

In the case of measuring the king pin inclination angle β, as shown in FIG. 2C, the tire 10 is rotated 20 ° to one side and the wheel alignment tester 30 is moved to move the horizontal bubble 38 of the king pin gauge 34. Center it and turn the adjustment screw to zero. When the zero point adjustment is completed, the user can determine the king pin inclination angle β by measuring the moving distance of the horizontal bubble 38 of the king pin gauge 34 after rotating the tire 10 in a straight state.

Also, when measuring the caster γ, as shown in FIG. 2D, the tire 10 is rotated 20 ° to one side, and the wheel alignment tester 30 is moved to move the horizontal bubble 38 of the caster gauge 36. To the center, turn the adjusting screw to set the zero point. When the zero point adjustment is completed, the user can determine the caster γ by rotating the tire 10 40 degrees in the opposite direction and then measuring the moving distance of the horizontal bubble 38 of the caster gauge 36.

However, the tester for measuring wheel alignment by the above method is an indirect measuring method, which is complicated because the preparation work for measuring and the measuring equipment are complicated, and the measurement error range for determining the position of the horizontal bubble is large according to the measurer. As a result, there is a disadvantage in that an additional device for using a wheel alignment tester is required, which increases the complexity of the instrument and the cost.

In addition, the conventional wheel alignment tester can be used only in a place where the ground on which the vehicle is placed is horizontal, which places a lot of restrictions on the place where the wheel alignment is measured.

In addition, in order to adjust the wheel alignment, the vehicle must be lifted and then the strut mounting bolts must be loosened and turned to the left and right, so that it is troublesome to lower the vehicle again to determine whether the wheel alignment is adjusted correctly.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device capable of accurately measuring wheel alignment regardless of a measurement location and measuring wheel alignment even while adjusting the wheel alignment. have.

The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring wheel alignment of an automobile tire, and more particularly, to a wheel alignment measuring device for measuring a camber, a kingpin inclination angle, and a caster using an angle sensor.

The wheel alignment measuring device according to the present invention includes an angle sensor unit for detecting an angle change and generating an analog signal, an A / D converter for receiving an analog signal output from the angle sensor unit and converting the analog signal into a digital signal, An arithmetic control unit that calculates the angle change of the angle sensor unit and controls the driving of each unit by receiving a digital signal from the D converter, a display unit which outputs the angle change of the angle sensor unit in numbers and letters, and a signal input for driving each unit. A measuring unit including a signal input unit and a memory unit for storing various data including a program for the calculation method of the calculation control unit and a calculation value calculated from the calculation control unit; It is configured to include a jig coupled to the tire to seat the instrument.

The angle sensor unit includes an X-axis angle sensor for detecting a change in the angle of rotation having a line parallel to the rolling direction of the tire, and a Y-axis for detecting a change in the angle of rotation having a horizontal line perpendicular to the rolling direction of the tire. It includes a shaft angle sensor.

The measuring unit further includes an interface unit for connecting a program input to the operation control unit and various data of the vehicle under measurement and connecting an external computer for storing the measurement data to the operation control unit and the memory unit.

At this time, the jig applied to the present invention is divided into a wheel coupling jig coupled to the wheel of the tire to measure the camber, and a shock coupling jig coupled to the McPherson type shock absorber to measure the kingpin inclination angle and the caster.

Wheel coupling jig, and measuring instrument holder is formed in a shape that can be seated; A wheel coupler coupled to the wheel; It is configured to include a transfer bar coupled to the wheel holder to be parallel to the vertical center line of the tire in a structure that is coupled to the measuring instrument holder and sliding with the wheel coupler.

At this time, the measuring instrument holder is provided with a level gauge indicating whether or not parallel to the tire rolling direction, the measuring instrument mounting groove for mounting the measuring instrument is formed on the upper end surface. In addition, the transfer bar further includes a coupling fixing screw for fixing the wheel coupling to the transfer bar.

The shock absorber jig is coupled to the shock absorber such that the shock absorber is perpendicular to the direction in which the shock absorber is engaged with the tire, and a coupling bolt having a shape that can be coupled to the lock nut of the McPherson type shock absorber is provided on the bottom surface. An instrument mounting groove is formed for mounting the instrument.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3A is a block diagram of a measuring instrument applied to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the measuring device 100 applied to the present invention receives an analog signal output from an angle sensor unit 110 and an angle sensor unit 110 that detect an angle change and generate an analog signal. An A / D converter 120 for converting and outputting a signal, and an A / D converter 120 for receiving a digital signal to calculate an angle change of the angle sensor unit 110 and controlling driving of each unit ( 130, the display unit 140 for outputting the angular change of the angle sensor unit 110 in numbers and letters, the signal input unit 150 for inputting signals for driving each unit, and the calculation method of the operation control unit 130. A memory unit 160 for storing various data including a program for the program and an operation value calculated from the operation control unit 130; An interface unit 170 for connecting an external computer 50 for updating a program input to the operation control unit 130 and various data of the vehicle under measurement and storing the measurement data to the operation control unit 130 and the memory unit 160 is provided. It is configured to include.

The angle sensor 110 includes an X-axis angle sensor for detecting a change in angle of rotation having a line parallel to the rolling direction of the tire, and an angle change of rotation having a horizontal axis perpendicular to the rolling direction of the tire. It is configured to include a Y-axis angle sensor for detecting. Accordingly, the angle sensor unit 110 detects the camber and the kingpin inclination angle through the X-axis angle sensor and detects the caster through the Y-axis angle sensor.

In this case, the X-axis angle sensor and the Y-axis angle sensor may be applied to various types of angle sensors such as a gyro sensor and a pendant sensor. Since the angle sensor as described above is commercially available and known in various fields, a detailed description of the operation principle and internal configuration will be omitted.

The A / D converter 120 converts each analog signal output from the X-axis angle sensor and the Y-axis angle sensor to a digital signal, respectively, and transmits the analog signal to the operation control unit 130. The operation control unit 130 converts the A / D converter. After calculating how much the angle change amount of the angle sensor unit 110 is based on the digital signal input from 120, the angle change amount of the angle sensor unit 110 is converted into numbers and / or symbols through the display unit 140. Output

The display unit 140 outputs an angle change amount of rotation using a line parallel to the rolling direction of the tire as the rotation axis and an angle change amount of rotation using a horizontal line perpendicular to the rolling direction of the tire, respectively. Accordingly, the user may separately recognize the angle change amount detected by the X-axis angle sensor and the Y-axis angle sensor through the display unit 140.

The signal input unit 150 may include a power switch for generating a signal for applying power to the measuring device 100, a mode switch for generating a signal for selecting an operation of the measuring device 100, and environment setting of the measuring device 100. And a plurality of switches and key buttons including a set switch for generating a signal and a memory switch for storing various data in the memory unit 160. The user may operate the meter 100 by operating the signal input unit 150.

The external computer 50 stores various programs and data for updating the measuring device system, vehicle data changed due to vehicle modification, and data newly generated by new vehicle release. The user may transmit a program and data in the external computer 50 to the operation control unit 130 and the memory unit 160 through the interface unit 170, and transmit the data measured through the measuring unit 100 to the memory unit 160. It can also be stored in).

3B is a perspective view of a measuring instrument applied to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the measuring apparatus 100 applied to the present invention includes a display unit 140 for outputting a change in the position angle of the measuring apparatus 100 in numbers and letters, and a signal input unit 150 for inputting various signals. Is provided on the outer surface.

Figure 4a is a perspective view of a wheel coupling jig applied to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the wheel coupling jig 200 applied to the present invention includes a measuring device mounting groove 212 having a shape in which the measuring device 100 can be mounted on an upper surface thereof, and the rolling direction of the tire 10. A measuring instrument holder 210 having a level gauge 214 indicating whether parallel to the upper surface; A pair of wheel coupler 220 coupled to the wheel; It is configured to include a transfer bar 230 coupled to the wheel holder 220 while being coupled to the measuring instrument holder 210 and parallel to the vertical center line of the tire in a sliding structure with the wheel coupler 220.

At both ends of the wheel coupling portion 220 of the portion to be combined with the wheel, coupling protrusions 222 are formed to be thin and long so as to be in close contact with the narrow portion of the wheel, respectively.

The upper end of the transfer bar 230 is provided with a coupling rod fixing screw 232 for fixing the wheel coupler 220 to the transfer bar 230, the side of the measuring instrument holder 210 transfers the measuring instrument holder 210 to the transfer bar. A cradle fixing screw 216 fixed to the 230 is provided. In this embodiment, although the coupling rod fixing screw 232 and the cradle fixing screw 216 consisting of a screw coupling structure is applied as a means for fixing the position of the wheel coupling table 220 and the measuring instrument holder 210, the wheel coupling Means for fixing the position of the stand 220 and the measuring instrument holder 210 is not limited to this and can be changed in various structures and methods.

FIG. 4B shows a shape for adjusting the zero point of the measuring instrument, and FIG. 4C shows a shape in which the measuring instrument is expressed on a three-dimensional coordinate axis when positioned as shown in FIG. 4B.

When measuring the camber by using the wheel alignment measuring device according to the present invention, first, the zero point of the measuring instrument should be adjusted, and the zero point adjusting method of the measuring instrument is as follows.

Holding the rolling direction of the tire 10 in the Y-axis, the horizontal line perpendicular to the rolling direction of the tire 10 in the X-axis, and setting the coordinate system by holding the vertical line from the ground in the Z-axis, and then measuring instrument 100 Is placed on the ground so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the X axis and the width direction is parallel to the Y axis, the shape is as shown in Fig. 4B.

At this time, if the direction of the measuring device 100 is expressed on a three-dimensional coordinate axis is expressed as shown in Figure 4c.

Figure 4d shows a shape for measuring the camber using the wheel alignment measurement device according to the present invention.

When the camber is to be measured using the wheel alignment measuring device according to the present invention, the user may move the wheel coupling jig 200 to the wheel of the tire 10 before mounting the measuring device 100 on the wheel coupling jig 200. 12).

The order of coupling the wheel coupling jig 200 to the wheel 12 of the tire 10 is as follows.

After moving the pair of wheel coupler 220 up and down, the transfer bar 230 is in close contact with the wheel so that the transfer bar 230 is parallel to the vertical center line of the tire, and then rotate the coupler fixing screw 232 to the wheel Fix the position of the coupling table 220. When the fixing of the wheel coupler 220 is completed, the position of the measuring instrument holder 210 is adjusted so that the upper surface of the measuring instrument holder 210 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the transfer bar 230 using the level meter 214. Afterwards, the instrument holder 210 is fixed by using the holder fixing screw 216.

As described above, when the process of coupling the wheel coupling jig 200 to the wheel 12 of the tire 10 is completed, the meter 100 is seated on the gauge holder 210 as shown in FIG. 4D.

FIG. 4E shows the shape when the seated measuring instrument is represented on three-dimensional coordinates as shown in FIG. 4D.

As shown in FIG. 4D, when the measuring instrument 100 mounted on the measuring instrument holder 210 is expressed on three-dimensional coordinates, the state as shown in FIG. 4E in which the Y axis is rotated by the camber α as the rotation axis in the state shown in FIG. do.

Accordingly, the X-axis angle sensor embedded in the measuring device 100 detects that the measuring device 100 is rotated by α, and the measuring device 100 detects the α angle detected by the X-axis angle sensor through the display unit 140. Output the camber.

At this time, since the rotation of the measuring device 100 having the X axis as the rotation axis does not occur, the Y axis angle sensor does not operate.

Figure 5a shows the shape of the shock absorber jig applied to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5A, an upper surface of the shock absorber coupling jig 300 is formed with a measuring device mounting groove 310 having a shape in which the measuring device 100 can be seated, and a lower surface of the shock absorber 20 is provided. Coupling bolt 320 of the shape that can be combined with the lock nut provided in the is provided.

At this time, the lock nut provided on the top surface of the shock absorber 20 is changed to various sizes according to the vehicle type, so that the size of the coupling bolt 320 is also changed according to the lock nut specification.

Figure 5b shows the shape of measuring the king pin inclination angle and the caster using the wheel alignment measurement device according to the present invention.

When measuring the king pin inclination angle and the caster using the wheel alignment measuring instrument according to the present invention, first, the zero point of the measuring instrument should be adjusted. At this time, the zero point adjustment method of the measuring instrument for measuring the kingpin inclination angle and the caster is the same as the zero point adjusting method of the measuring instrument for the camber measurement shown in Figures 4b and 4c, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The shock absorber coupling jig 300 applied to the present invention is coupled to the lock nut 24 provided in the upper surface of the shock absorber 20, that is, the insulator 22, as shown in FIG. 5B.

Since the direction of the lock nut 24 is the same as the direction in which the shock absorber 20 is coupled to the tire 10, the shock absorber coupling jig 300 is in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shock absorber 20 is coupled to the tire 10. The measuring device 100 coupled to and mounted on the shock absorber coupling jig 300 also maintains a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shock absorber 20 is coupled to the tire 10.

FIG. 5C shows a shape when the seated measuring instrument is represented on three-dimensional coordinates as shown in FIG. 5B.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the measuring device 100 mounted on the shock absorber jig 300 is represented on three-dimensional coordinates, in the state shown in FIG. 4C, the Y axis is rotated by the kingpin inclination angle β as the rotation axis, and the X axis is rotated. In the state shown in FIG. 5C rotated by the caster γ.

The X-axis angle sensor embedded in the measuring device 100 detects that the measuring device 100 has been rotated by β, and the Y-axis angle sensor detects that the measuring device 100 has been rotated by γ. Therefore, the measuring instrument 100 outputs that the β angle detected by the X-axis angle sensor is a kingpin inclination angle, and the γ angle detected by the Y-axis angle sensor is a caster through the display unit 140.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail using the preferable embodiment, the scope of the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment and should be interpreted by the attached claim. In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

When the wheel alignment is measured using the wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to the present invention, since the zero point adjustment for setting the ground as the reference plane is added, the wheel alignment can be measured accurately even on the inclined ground.

In addition, since the measured value is output as a numerical value, it is possible to obtain an accurate measured value, and the measurement can be performed even when the vehicle is lifted, so that the wheel alignment can be measured even during the wheel alignment adjustment.

In addition, the wheel alignment measuring device according to the present invention does not require additional measuring equipment, there is an advantage that the configuration is simple and the manufacturing cost can be lowered.

Claims (8)

An angle sensor unit 110 for detecting an angle change and generating an analog signal; An A / D converter 120 for receiving an analog signal output from the angle sensor unit 110 and converting the analog signal into a digital signal; An arithmetic controller 130 which receives a digital signal from the A / D converter 120 to calculate an angle change of the angle sensor unit 110 and controls driving of each unit; A display unit 140 for outputting the angle change of the angle sensor unit 110 in numbers and letters; A signal input unit 150 for signal input driving each unit; A measuring unit (100) comprising a program for the calculation method of the calculation control unit (130) and a memory unit (160) for storing various data including calculation values calculated from the calculation control unit (130); A shock absorber coupling jig coupled to the shock absorber 20 such that the shock absorber 20 is perpendicular to the direction in which the shock absorber 20 is coupled to the tire 10 so as to be coupled to the tire 10 and seat the meter 100. Wheel alignment measuring device, characterized in that comprising a 300). The method of claim 1, The shock absorber coupling jig 300 is provided with a coupling bolt 320 of the shape that can be coupled to the lock nut 24 of the shock absorber 20 on the lower surface, the upper surface for the mounting of the measuring instrument 100 Wheel alignment measuring device, characterized in that the measuring instrument seating groove 310 is formed. delete delete delete delete delete delete

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