A simple inspection tool and method for front toe of heavy truck

Abstract

This invention relates to a simple tool and method for inspecting toe-in of heavy-duty trucks, comprising a measuring tool and a reference positioning tool. The measuring tool and the reference positioning tool are mounted on the same horizontally distributed front axle right or left wheel hub. The measuring tool is equipped with a laser rangefinder, and the reference positioning tool is equipped with a target. The laser rangefinder and the target are positioned opposite each other. The clamping tool and the reference positioning tool are fixed to the end face of the wheel rim using the vehicle's own wheel nuts, allowing for installation at any tire position and simplifying operation. The wheel rim end face is used as the Y-axis positioning reference, providing higher positioning accuracy than the tire tread. The connecting arm and connecting rod coincide with the center of the wheel rim, and the Z-axis dimension is accurately positioned using a level. The laser rangefinder is installed at the lower end of the hanging plate, avoiding obstruction by components such as leaf springs, and allows for direct reading. The laser rangefinder reduces the error of manual measurement with a measuring tape, resulting in high testing accuracy. It is low-cost, simple, and portable, and can be used in conditions where professional measuring equipment is unavailable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of commercial vehicle technology, and in particular to a simple inspection tool and testing method for toe-in of heavy-duty trucks. Background Technology

[0002] Tire wear is a complex quality issue, with out-of-toe parameters being a significant contributing factor. Most tire wear problems require inspection of the vehicle's toe-in. Some service stations and overseas markets lack toe-in measurement equipment due to higher prices, resulting in a lack of appropriate means to address tire wear issues.

[0003] Without specialized testing equipment, the method of marking the tires, using jacks to support the front axle for lifting and lowering, and rotating the tires to pull a measuring tape for measurement is complex. This method cannot guarantee the accuracy of the positioning reference, and the measurement error using the measuring tape is large, with a toe-in error of approximately 10mm.

[0004] Mobile professional testing equipment is expensive, so most service stations do not have it. The professional testing equipment at these service stations uses laser measurement, which often suffers from long-term lack of calibration or metrological verification, resulting in inconsistent measurement accuracy and unreliable readings. Furthermore, the measurement process is complex, requiring the clamping, fixing, and adjusting of cameras and targets, leading to lengthy work hours and high testing costs.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a simple measurement scheme that can quickly and effectively measure the pre-axle value. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a simple inspection tool and method for heavy-duty truck toe-in.

[0007] This invention is achieved using the following technical solution:

[0008] A simple toe-in inspection tool for heavy trucks includes a measuring tool and a reference positioning tool. The measuring tool and the reference positioning tool are set on the same group of horizontally distributed front axle right or left wheel hubs. The measuring tool is equipped with a laser rangefinder, and the reference positioning tool is equipped with a target. The laser rangefinder and the target are set opposite to each other.

[0009] Preferably, the measuring tool includes a clamping tool, a level, and a hanging plate. The upper end of the hanging plate is connected to the clamping tool, and the lower end of the hanging plate is connected to the laser rangefinder. The clamping tool is connected to the wheel nut set of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle.

[0010] Preferably, the clamping tool includes a horizontal arm, with the hanging plate connected to both ends of the horizontal arm. A level and a connecting arm are provided at the center of the horizontal arm. The level is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the horizontal arm. One end of the connecting arm is connected to the horizontal arm, and the other end of the connecting arm is connected to the wheel nut of the left or right front axle hub.

[0011] Preferably, the reference positioning tool includes a fixed rod with targets at both ends and a connecting rod at the center. The connecting rod is connected to the wheel nut of the right or left front axle hub, and the targets are positioned opposite the laser rangefinder.

[0012] Preferably, the hanging platform has an L-shaped structure.

[0013] Preferably, the fixing rod has an L-shaped structure.

[0014] A method for detecting toe-in of heavy-duty trucks, applied to any of the simplified toe-in testing tools described above, the method comprising:

[0015] a. Connect the connecting arm of the clamping tool to the wheel nut set of the left or right front axle hub;

[0016] b. Adjust the horizontal arm using a level to ensure it is level with the test surface;

[0017] c. After the horizontal arm is leveled, tighten the bolts between the connecting arm and the horizontal arm.

[0018] d. Securely connect the connecting rod of the reference positioning tool to the wheel nut set of the left or right front axle hub, and fix the fixing rod according to steps b and c;

[0019] e. Turn on the power of the laser rangefinder. At this time, the laser emitted by the laser rangefinder will be directed towards the target set on the reference positioning tool.

[0020] f. Read the distance values ​​between the front ends of the left and right tires of the front axle fed back by the laser rangefinder;

[0021] g. Read the distance values ​​between the rear ends of the left and right tires on the front axle fed back by the laser rangefinder;

[0022] h is the toe-in value, which is the difference between the distance between the front ends of the left and right tires on the front axle and the distance between the rear ends of the left and right tires on the front axle.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0024] The clamping and reference positioning tools are fixed to the wheel rim end face using the wheel nuts provided with the vehicle. The cross arm and connecting arm are combined and adjustable, eliminating the need for jacks to support and adjust the tire position. Installation can be performed at any tire position, making operation simple. The wheel rim end face is used as the Y-axis positioning reference, which has higher positioning accuracy than the tire tread. The connecting arm and connecting rod coincide with the center of the wheel rim, and the Z-axis dimension is accurately positioned using a level. A laser rangefinder is installed at the lower end of the hanging plate, which can avoid being blocked by components such as leaf springs and can be read directly.

[0025] The laser rangefinder reduces the error of manual measurement with a measuring tape, resulting in high testing accuracy; it is low-cost, simple and portable, and can be used in conditions where professional measuring equipment is not available. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the measuring tool of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the measuring tool of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the reference positioning tool of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the reference positioning tool of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0031] In the diagram, 1 is a measuring tool; 11 is a laser rangefinder; 12 is a clamping tool; 121 is a cross arm; 122 is a connecting arm; 13 is a level; 14 is a hanging plate; 2 is a reference positioning tool; 21 is a target; 22 is a fixing rod; and 23 is a connecting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this invention, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] A simple inspection tool for toe-in of heavy trucks includes a measuring tool 1 and a reference positioning tool 2. The measuring tool 1 and the reference positioning tool 2 are set on the right or left wheel hub of the front axle in the same group of horizontally distributed components. The measuring tool 1 is equipped with a laser rangefinder 11, and the reference positioning tool 2 is equipped with a target 21. The laser rangefinder 11 and the target 21 are set facing each other.

[0035] The measuring tool 1 includes a clamping tool 12, a level 13, and a hanging plate 14. The upper end of the hanging plate 14 is connected to the clamping tool 12, and the lower end of the hanging plate 14 is connected to the laser rangefinder 11. The clamping tool 12 is connected to the wheel nut set of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle.

[0036] The clamping tool 12 includes a horizontal arm 121, with hanging plates 14 connected to both ends of the horizontal arm 121. A level 13 and a connecting arm 122 are provided at the center of the horizontal arm 121. The level 13 is fixedly installed on the upper end of the horizontal arm 121. One end of the connecting arm 122 is connected to the horizontal arm 121, and the other end of the connecting arm 122 is connected to the wheel nut of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle.

[0037] The reference positioning tool 2 includes a fixed rod 22, with targets 21 at both ends of the fixed rod 22. A connecting rod 23 is located at the center of the fixed rod 22. The connecting rod 23 is connected to the wheel nut of the right or left front axle hub. The targets 21 are set opposite to the laser rangefinder 11.

[0038] The hanging plate 14 has an L-shaped structure.

[0039] The fixing rod 22 has an L-shaped structure.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] A method for detecting toe-in of heavy-duty trucks, applied to any of the aforementioned simplified toe-in testing tools for heavy-duty trucks, includes the following steps:

[0042] a. Connect the connecting arm 122 of the clamping tool 12 to the wheel nut set of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle;

[0043] b. Adjust the horizontal arm 121 using the level 13 to keep the horizontal arm 121 at the same level as the test ground;

[0044] c. After the horizontal arm 121 is horizontally adjusted, tighten the bolts between the connecting arm 122 and the horizontal arm 121.

[0045] d. Fix the connecting rod 23 of the reference positioning tool 2 to the wheel nut set of the left or right front axle hub, and fix the fixing rod 22 according to steps b and c;

[0046] e. Turn on the power of the laser rangefinder 11. At this time, the laser emitted by the laser rangefinder 11 is directed toward the target 21 set on the reference positioning tool 2.

[0047] f. Read the distance values ​​between the front ends of the left and right tires of the front axle fed back by the laser rangefinder 11;

[0048] g. Read the distance values ​​between the rear ends of the left and right tires of the front axle fed back by the laser rangefinder 11;

[0049] h is the toe-in value, which is the difference between the distance between the front ends of the left and right tires on the front axle and the distance between the rear ends of the left and right tires on the front axle.

Claims

1. A simple inspection tool for toe-in of heavy-duty trucks, characterized in that, It includes a measuring tool (1) and a reference positioning tool (2), which are located on the same group of horizontally distributed front axle right or left wheel hubs. The measuring tool (1) is equipped with a laser rangefinder (11), and the reference positioning tool (2) is equipped with a target (21). The laser rangefinder (11) and the target (21) are arranged facing each other.

2. The simple inspection tool for heavy-duty truck toe-in according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring tool (1) includes a clamping tool (12), a level (13), and a hanging plate (14). The upper end of the hanging plate (14) is connected to the clamping tool (12), and the lower end of the hanging plate (14) is connected to the laser rangefinder (11). The clamping tool (12) is connected to the wheel nut set of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle.

3. The simple inspection tool for heavy-duty truck toe-in according to claim 2, characterized in that, The clamping tool (12) includes a horizontal arm (121), with the two ends of the horizontal arm (121) connected to the hanging plate (14). A level (13) and a connecting arm (122) are provided at the center of the horizontal arm (121). The level (13) is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the horizontal arm (121). One end of the connecting arm (122) is connected to the horizontal arm (121), and the other end of the connecting arm (122) is connected to the wheel nut of the left or right front axle hub.

4. The simple inspection tool for heavy-duty truck toe-in according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference positioning tool (2) includes a fixed rod (22), both ends of which are provided with targets (21), and a connecting rod (23) is provided at the center of the fixed rod (22). The connecting rod (23) is connected to the wheel nut of the right wheel hub or the left wheel hub of the front axle. The targets (21) are set opposite to the laser rangefinder (11).

5. The simple inspection tool for heavy-duty truck toe-in according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hanging plate (14) has an L-shaped structure.

6. The simple inspection tool for heavy-duty truck toe-in according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fixing rod (22) has an L-shaped structure.

7. A method for detecting toe-in of heavy-duty trucks, applied to the simplified toe-in testing tool for heavy-duty trucks as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method includes: a. Connect the connecting arm (122) of the clamping tool (12) to the wheel nut set of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle; b. Adjust the horizontal arm (121) using the level (13) so that the horizontal arm (121) is at the same level as the test ground; c. After the horizontal arm (121) is horizontally adjusted, tighten the bolts between the connecting arm (122) and the horizontal arm (121); d. Fix the connecting rod (23) of the reference positioning tool (2) to the wheel nut set of the left or right wheel hub of the front axle, and fix the fixing rod (22) according to steps b and c; e. Turn on the power of the laser rangefinder (11). At this time, the laser emitted by the laser rangefinder (11) will be directed towards the target (21) set on the reference positioning tool (2). f. Read the distance values ​​between the front ends of the left and right tires of the front axle fed back by the laser rangefinder (11); g. Read the distance values ​​between the rear ends of the left and right tires of the front axle fed back by the laser rangefinder (11); h is the toe-in value, which is the difference between the distance between the front ends of the left and right tires on the front axle and the distance between the rear ends of the left and right tires on the front axle.

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