Steering wheel alignment apparatus for aligning a steering wheel of a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "steering wheel alignment apparatus for aligning a vehicle steering wheel." The present disclosure relates to a steering wheel alignment apparatus comprising a sensor, a sensor housing, an anchoring portion, and a weight portion. The sensor is configured to measure an angular position of the steering wheel. The sensor housing defines a cavity for holding the sensor. The anchoring portion extends from the sensor housing and is configured to engage with a lower portion of a steering wheel. The weight portion extends from the anchoring portion to bias the sensor housing toward the lower portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a steering wheel alignment device, or more specifically to a clear vision tool for aligning the steering wheel of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The descriptions in this section are provided only as background information in relation to this disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] During manufacturing, a vehicle may undergo a steering wheel alignment process to verify the alignment of the steering wheel with respect to the vehicle's wheels, or in other words, to verify the vehicle's direction of travel. For example, in a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the front wheels are rotated and pointed in one or more directions to obtain various measurements, such as the tire's orientation relative to the vehicle's centerline, the steering wheel's tilt, and the suspension angle.

[0004] To measure steering wheel tilt, a steering alignment tool, also known as a sight tool, is mounted on the steering wheel. Typically, a steering alignment tool is more like a fixed device with complex components having many moving parts. For example, the tool is usually located on the upper part of the steering wheel and needs to contact the vehicle's windshield for additional stability. Due to its high center of gravity and interaction with the windshield, the alignment tool may unintentionally cause the steering wheel to rotate out of position and / or restrict steering wheel movement during testing. These and other problems are solved by the teachings of this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section provides a general overview of this disclosure, but is not a full disclosure of the entire scope or all features of this disclosure.

[0006] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to a steering wheel alignment device comprising: a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the steering wheel; a sensor housing defining a cavity; an anchoring portion; and a load-bearing portion. The anchoring portion extends from the sensor housing and is configured to engage with a lower portion of the steering wheel. The load-bearing portion extends from the anchoring portion to bias the sensor housing toward the lower portion.

[0007] In another embodiment, the steering wheel alignment device further includes a steering wheel fastener arranged with the sensor housing and operable to engage with the rim of the steering wheel.

[0008] In yet another form, the steering wheel fastener is configured as a pivotable hook to engage and disengage from the rim of the steering wheel.

[0009] In one embodiment, the steering wheel alignment device further includes a rear fastener arranged with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

[0010] In another form, the steering wheel alignment device also includes a cover disposed in the cavity.

[0011] In yet another form, the cover defines an entry port for a cable that can communicatively couple the sensor to the controller.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sensor housing, the anchor portion, and the load-bearing portion form a main body, and the center of mass of the main body is located between the anchor portion and the load-bearing portion.

[0013] In another form, the sensor is a tiltmeter.

[0014] In one form, this disclosure relates to a steering wheel alignment device comprising: a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the steering wheel; and a body defining a cavity to receive the sensor. The body further has an anchoring portion and a load-bearing portion, the anchoring portion being disposed between the cavity and the load-bearing portion. The anchoring portion defines a mating surface configured to engage a lower surface of the steering wheel. The load-bearing portion extends from the anchoring portion and is configured to pass through an opening defined by the lower portion, and the center of mass of the body is disposed between the anchoring portion and the load-bearing portion.

[0015] In another embodiment, the steering wheel alignment device further includes a steering wheel fastener that is pivotally coupled to the body to engage with the rim of the steering wheel.

[0016] In yet another form, the steering wheel fastener is configured as a hook to securely engage and disengage the body from the wheel rim.

[0017] In one embodiment, the steering wheel alignment device further includes a rear fastener arranged with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

[0018] In another form, the steering wheel alignment device also includes a cover disposed in the cavity of the body.

[0019] In yet another form, the cover defines an entry port for a cable that can communicatively couple the sensor to the controller.

[0020] In another form, the anchoring portion and the load-bearing portion are separate components fastened together to form the main body.

[0021] In yet another form, the body having the cavity, the anchor portion, and the load-bearing portion is formed as a single component.

[0022] In one form, this disclosure relates to a steering wheel alignment device comprising: an inclinometer; and a body defining a cavity to receive the inclinometer. The body has an anchor and a load-bearing portion. The anchor is disposed between the cavity and the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with a lower spoke of a steering wheel. The load-bearing portion biases the body such that the center of mass of the body is located between the anchor and the load-bearing portion.

[0023] In another form, the steering wheel alignment device further includes a fastener pivotally coupled to the body to engage with the rim of the steering wheel.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the steering wheel alignment device further includes a rear fastener arranged with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

[0025] Further areas of application will become clear from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To facilitate a good understanding of this disclosure, various forms of the disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 A steering wheel alignment device disposed on the steering wheel in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The steering wheel is aligned with the rear view of the device;

[0029] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the steering wheel aligned with the device according to the teachings of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a side view of the steering wheel alignment device according to the teachings of this disclosure; and

[0031] Figure 5 This is a partial rear perspective view of the steering wheel alignment device according to the teachings of this disclosure.

[0032] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or its uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0034] This disclosure relates to a steering wheel alignment device configured to engage with the lower part of a steering wheel without contacting other components / parts of the vehicle. The device includes: a sensor that measures the tilt of the steering wheel during the alignment process; and a body that houses the sensor and has an anchoring portion and a load-bearing portion that positions and self-centers the device to the lower part.

[0035] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A steering wheel alignment device 100 is disposed on a steering wheel 102, the steering wheel including a rim 104, a hub assembly 106, and one or more spokes 108 extending between the hub assembly 106 and the rim 104. In one form, the steering wheel 102 includes a lower portion generally identified by reference numeral 110 and defines an opening 112 between the hub assembly 106 and the rim 104 (see Figure 100). Figure 2 The lower portion 110 is positioned near the six o'clock position of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is stationary to direct the wheels straight, and may be defined by the rim 104, the hub assembly 106, and / or the spokes 108. As further described herein, the steering wheel alignment device 100 is configured to engage with the lower portion 110 of the steering wheel 102 and extend through the opening 112. In one form, the device 100 is operable to fasten to the rim 104 and to the rear surface 114 of the hub assembly 106. Figure 2 ).

[0036] For further reference Figures 3 to 5 The device 100 includes a sensor 120 and a body 122 configured to engage and anchor the device 100 to a steering wheel 102. In one form, the sensor 120 is a swashplate communicatively coupled to an external controller (not shown) to measure the tilt of the steering wheel 102 relative to a vertical axis. The sensor 120 is communicatively coupled to the external controller via a cable 124 to output a measurement. Alternatively, the sensor 120 may communicate with the external controller via a wireless communication link (such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), and therefore, the sensor 120 may include additional circuitry / components (e.g., a transceiver) for implementing such wireless communication.

[0037] The body 122 of the device 100 is configured to position and center the device 100 against the lower portion 110 of the steering wheel 102. In one embodiment, the body 122 defines a cavity 130 for receiving a sensor 120 and has an anchoring portion 132 and a load-bearing portion 134. The cavity 130 is defined in a front region of the body 122 and forms a sensor housing, the front region being generally identified by reference numeral 136. In one embodiment, the sensor 120 is arranged within the cavity 130 to be aligned with a vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the vehicle when the device 100 is installed in it. The sensor 120 is secured within the cavity 130 by fasteners (e.g., brackets, screws, adhesives).

[0038] An anchor portion 132 extends from the sensor housing in the rear region of the body 122, generally identified by reference numeral 138. The anchor portion 132 is configured to engage with the lower portion 110 of the steering wheel 102 to center the device 100 with the steering wheel 102. The anchor portion 132 can be configured in various suitable ways based on the configuration of the lower portion 110 with which it engages. More specifically, in one form, the anchor portion 132 includes a mating surface 140 configured to coincide with a surface of the lower portion 110. For example, if the spokes extending from the lower portion 110 have convex surfaces, the mating surface 140 may have concave surfaces to coincide with the convex surfaces. In another example, if the lower portion 110 includes a recess, the anchor portion 132 includes a stepped portion 142, or in other words, an edge, to engage with the recess. Therefore, when the device 100 is positioned on the steering wheel 102, the anchoring portion 132 is securely placed on the lower part 110 to position and center the device 100.

[0039] The load-bearing portion 134 extends from the anchor portion 132 and is configured to extend beyond the rim 104 through the opening defined by the lower portion 110 (see [link]). Figure 2 The weight-bearing portion 134 biases the sensor housing toward the lower portion 110. More specifically, the anchor portion 132 and the weight-bearing portion 134 are configured such that the center of mass of the body 122 is located between the anchor portion 132 and the weight-bearing portion 134. Therefore, when the device 100 is in the steering wheel 102, it is prevented from moving away from the opening 112 or from falling off the steering wheel 102. The weight-bearing portion 134 can be configured in various suitable ways. In one form, the weight or mass of the weight-bearing portion 134 is selected based on the weight or mass of the sensor housing, such that the weight-bearing portion 134 balances the sensor housing. The shape of the weight-bearing portion 134 is based on the opening 112 defined by the lower portion 110. For example, the weight-bearing portion 134 may be a hollow rectangular block extending from the anchor portion 132. In another example, the weight-bearing portion 134 may be a solid square block that provides additional weight to the end of the body 122.

[0040] The body 122 of device 100 can be formed in various suitable ways to have a cavity 130, an anchoring portion 132, and a load-bearing portion 134. For example, in one form, the body 122 is molded as a solid component having the anchoring portion 132 and the load-bearing portion 134, and undergoes finishing operations to define one or more mating surfaces of the cavity 130 and / or the anchoring portion 132. In another example, the body 122 is made of multiple parts (i.e., two or more parts) to form the sensor housing, the anchoring portion 132, and / or the load-bearing portion 134, and these parts are joined together via fastening mechanisms (e.g., screws, bolts, adhesives, etc.). For example, the load-bearing portion 134 may be a separate part from the sensor housing and the anchoring portion 132 and is attached to the anchoring portion 132 via fasteners. The material of the body 122 may be, for example, a polymer-based material, such as Delrin, or other suitable materials.

[0041] To further secure the body 122 to the steering wheel 102, the device 100 may also include a steering wheel fastener 150 and a hub fastener 152. In one embodiment, the steering wheel fastener 150 is configured as a hook that is pivotally attached to the body 122 in the region near the cavity 130 (i.e., at the sensor housing), such as... Figure 4 As indicated by arrow 153. The hook is operable to engage with the rim 104 of the steering wheel 102 (see...). Figure 1 It can be separated from the rim 104. Alternatively, the steering wheel fastener 150 can be configured to also function as a driver's handle.

[0042] The hub fastener 152 is configured to engage with the hub assembly 106 of the steering wheel 102. In one form, the hub fastener 152 is arranged on the load-bearing portion 134 and is a lever latch that engages with the rear surface of the hub assembly 106 when the device 100 is in the steering wheel 102 (see [link]). Figure 2 ).

[0043] Device 100 may also include a cover 154 disposed in cavity 130 to protect sensor 120 (see Figure 1 In one form, the cover 154 defines an entry port 156 for a cable that communicatively couples the sensor 120 to an external controller, and the cover can be attached to the body 122 via one or more fasteners (e.g., screws, hooks, etc.).

[0044] In operation, the steering wheel alignment device of this disclosure is located at the lower part of the steering wheel to extend through an opening in the lower part and engage with a surface defined by the lower part. The device is self-centering at the lower part via an anchoring portion and a load-bearing portion, and can be further secured to the steering wheel via additional fasteners (such as steering wheel fasteners and / or hub fasteners). Sensors disposed within the cavity transmit measurements to an external controller during testing. Once completed, the device can be removed from the steering wheel 102 by loosening the steering wheel fastener 150 and / or raising the device 100 away from the lower spoke portion 110. Therefore, the device 100 of this disclosure provides additional stability by not interacting with other components / parts in the vehicle (such as the windshield) due to its low center of gravity, and allows the steering wheel 102 to rotate and move to facilitate accurate measurements of the steering wheel during testing.

[0045] The description in this disclosure is exemplary in nature only, and therefore, any modifications intended without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are intended to fall within its scope. Such modifications should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0046] According to the present invention, a steering wheel alignment device is provided, the steering wheel alignment device comprising: a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the steering wheel; and a body defining a cavity to receive the sensor, the body having an anchor portion and a load-bearing portion, the anchor portion being disposed between the cavity and the load-bearing portion, wherein the anchor portion defines a mating surface configured to engage a surface of a lower portion of the steering wheel, and the load-bearing portion extending from the anchor portion and configured to pass through an opening defined by the lower portion, wherein the center of mass of the body is disposed between the anchor portion and the load-bearing portion.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a steering wheel fastener that is pivotally connected to the body to engage with the rim of the steering wheel.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the steering wheel fastener is configured as a hook to securely connect and disconnect the body from the wheel rim.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a rear fastener, which is arranged along with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a cover disposed at the cavity of the body.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the cover defines an entry port for a cable that can communicatively couple the sensor to a controller.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the sensor is a tiltmeter.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the anchoring portion and the load-bearing portion are separate components fastened together to form the main body.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the main body having the cavity, the anchoring portion, and the load-bearing portion is formed as a single component.

[0055] According to the present invention, a steering wheel alignment device is provided, the steering wheel alignment device having: an inclinometer; and a body defining a cavity to receive the inclinometer, and having an anchor and a load-bearing portion, wherein the anchor is disposed between the cavity and the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with a lower spoke of a steering wheel, and the load-bearing portion biases the body such that the center of mass of the body is located between the anchor and the load-bearing portion.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a fastener that is pivotally connected to the body to engage with the rim of the steering wheel.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a rear fastener, which is arranged along with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A steering wheel alignment device, comprising: Sensor housing, which defines a cavity for accommodating the sensor; An anchoring portion that extends from the sensor housing and is configured to engage with the lower part of the steering wheel; as well as The load-bearing portion extends from the anchoring portion to bias the sensor housing toward the lower portion.

2. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 1, further comprising a steering wheel fastener arranged with the sensor housing and operable to engage with the rim of the steering wheel.

3. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 2, wherein the steering wheel fastener is configured to pivotally engage and disengage from the rim of the steering wheel.

4. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 1, further comprising a rear fastener arranged with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

5. The steering wheel alignment device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed in the cavity.

6. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 5, wherein the cover defines an entry port for a cable capable of communicatively coupling the sensor to a controller.

7. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor disposed in the cavity.

8. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a tiltmeter.

9. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion defines a mating surface configured to engage with a surface of the lower portion of the steering wheel.

10. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 1, wherein the load-bearing portion is configured to pass through the opening defined by the lower portion.

11. The steering wheel alignment device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: Hook fasteners, which are pivotally connected to the sensor housing and operable to engage with the rim of the steering wheel; as well as A rear fastener, which is arranged along with the load-bearing portion and configured to engage with the rear surface of the steering wheel.

12. The steering wheel alignment device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sensor housing, the anchor portion, and the load-bearing portion form a main body, and the center of mass of the main body is disposed between the anchor portion and the load-bearing portion.

13. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 12, wherein the anchoring portion and the load-bearing portion are separate components fastened together to form the body.

14. The steering wheel alignment device of claim 12, wherein the body having the cavity, the anchoring portion and the load-bearing portion is formed as a single component.

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