A four-wheel alignment device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a four wheel positioning device, its structure includes: casing, pivot, pivot one end is located in the casing, the other end stretches to the casing outside, and the pivot is rotatable connection between casing, and the pivot is installed on the wheel to be measured through four wheel alignment fixture, camera, sets up on the casing, and the optical axis direction of camera is perpendicular to the axial direction of pivot, motor, sets up in the casing, and the rotor of motor is connected with pivot, is used for driving casing and pivot relative rotation, circuit board and camera and motor electric connection, is used for controlling camera work and detects the inclination angle of casing and controls motor rotation and makes casing keep specific posture, data transmission module, sets up on the circuit board, is used for with host computer signal connection, power supply is used for providing electric energy. The utility model can make the casing keep specific posture, can let the four wheel positioning device on the wheel complete steel ring deformation compensation in walking, thereby has simplified the steel ring deformation compensation process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a four-wheel alignment sensor, specifically a four-wheel alignment device capable of controlling attitude. Background Technology

[0002] Modern car four-wheel alignment equipment primarily uses cameras as its main sensors. For simplicity, the sensors mentioned below refer to those that utilize cameras.

[0003] Based on the sensor installation location, currently popular four-wheel alignment devices are divided into two categories. The first type has the sensor installed outside the car and a target mounted on the wheel; this type of device is commonly known as 3D four-wheel alignment. The second type has the sensor installed on the wheel being tested and the target mounted outside the car; this type of device is commonly known as two-camera four-wheel alignment. This utility model is an improvement on the sensor used in the second type of four-wheel alignment.

[0004] When the second type of four-wheel alignment equipment is working, the sensors installed on each wheel can observe the targets placed in front of or behind the wheel to determine the various positioning angles of the wheel.

[0005] The first step in four-wheel alignment testing is to compensate for rim deformation, which involves correcting the camera's optical axis to be perpendicular to the wheel's rotation axis. To simplify this process, the best method is to have the sensor sample while the wheel is moving, requiring the sensor's optical axis to remain horizontal. However, currently available sensors cannot achieve this. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a four-wheel alignment device to solve the problem that existing four-wheel alignment sensors cannot maintain a specific posture during wheel movement.

[0007] This utility model is implemented as follows: a four-wheel alignment device, comprising: The housing is used to support and mount the various components; A rotating shaft passes through the side wall of the housing. One end of the rotating shaft is located inside the housing, and the other end extends outside the housing. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the housing. The rotating shaft is mounted on the wheel to be tested by a four-wheel alignment fixture. A camera is mounted on the housing, with its optical axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The camera is used to observe the target position. An electric motor is disposed inside the housing, and the rotor of the electric motor is connected to the rotating shaft for driving the housing and the rotating shaft to rotate relative to each other; A circuit board is disposed inside the housing. A control unit and a tilt angle detection unit are provided on the circuit board. The circuit board is electrically connected to the camera and the motor, and is used to control the operation of the camera and detect the tilt angle of the housing and control the rotation of the motor to keep the housing in a specific posture. The data transmission module is located inside the housing and connected to the circuit board, and is connected to the host computer signal via an external antenna. The power supply is located inside the housing and is electrically connected to the circuit board, motor, and data transmission module to provide electrical energy.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the optical axis of the camera is offset on one side of the rotating shaft, and the offset distance L of the optical axis is greater than half of the width D of the housing.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, a bearing seat is provided on the housing, a bearing is provided on the bearing seat, and the rotating shaft is mounted on the bearing.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, the bearing seat is bolted to the side wall of the housing, and two bearings are arranged inside the bearing seat.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the tilt angle detection unit is a gyroscope.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the rotor of the motor is directly connected to the rotating shaft, or is connected via a transmission mechanism.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, the motor is a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a gimbal motor.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, a target is provided next to the camera.

[0015] As a further improvement of this utility model, the power source is a rechargeable battery.

[0016] As a further improvement of this utility model, the control circuit, camera circuit, tilt detection unit, motor control circuit and data transmission module are all integrated on the same circuit board.

[0017] In use, this invention involves mounting the four-wheel alignment fixture onto the wheel and connecting the rotating shaft of the invention to the center hole of the fixture. During operation, the wheel drives the rotating shaft to rotate together. The tilt angle detection unit detects the angle of the housing, and the control unit controls the motor to rotate based on the detected angle signal. This drives the housing to rotate appropriately relative to the rotating shaft, maintaining a specific posture, such as a vertical or horizontal position. During wheel rotation, a camera observes a corresponding target to further compensate for rim deformation.

[0018] This invention enables the housing to maintain a specific posture, allowing the four-wheel alignment device mounted on the wheel to complete the deformation compensation of the steel rim during driving, thereby simplifying the steel rim deformation compensation process. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is the left view of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the camera and target arrangement of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first usage method of this utility model, used for steel ring calibration.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second usage of this utility model, used to detect the positioning angle between the wheel and the frame.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Four-wheel alignment device; 2. Four-wheel alignment fixture; 3. Wheel; 4. Optical shaft; 5. Front external target; 6. Rear external target; 1-1. Housing; 1-2. Shaft; 1-3. Motor; 1-4. Circuit board; 1-5. Camera; 1-6. External antenna; 1-7. Bearing housing; 1-8. Bearing; 1-9. Power supply; 1-10. Target; 1-11. Encoder; 1-12. Coupling; 1-13. Snap ring. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this utility model is a four-wheel positioning device 1, the structure of which includes a housing 1-1, a rotating shaft 1-2, a camera 1-5, a motor 1-3, a circuit board 1-4, an external antenna 1-6, and a power supply 1-9, etc. The data transmission module is integrated on the circuit board 1-4 and is not shown separately.

[0028] All components are installed inside or on the housing 1-1. The housing 1-1 is a rectangular structure, which forms a cavity inside. The motor 1-3, circuit board 1-4, and power supply 1-9 are installed inside the cavity.

[0029] Housing 1-1, used to support and install various components; A rotating shaft 1-2 is inserted through the side wall of housing 1-1. One end of the rotating shaft 1-2 is located inside housing 1-1, and the other end extends outside housing 1-1. The rotating shaft 1-2 is rotatably connected to the side wall of housing 1-1. The extended part of the rotating shaft 1-2 can be installed in the center hole of the four-wheel alignment fixture 2, and thus installed on the wheel 3 to be tested through the four-wheel alignment fixture 2.

[0030] Motor 1-3 is installed inside housing 1-1. The stator of motor 1-3 is connected to housing 1-1, and the rotor of motor 1-3 is connected to shaft 1-2. Motor 1-3 can drive housing 1-1 and shaft 1-2 to rotate relative to each other. The stator of motor 1-3 and housing 1-1 can be fixedly connected or have a flexible connection.

[0031] Camera 1-5 is mounted on housing 1-1. The optical axis 4 of camera 1-5 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 1-2. Camera 1-5 is used to observe the position of target 1-10 next to the opposite camera, or to observe the position of external targets 5 and 6.

[0032] Circuit board 1-4 is installed inside housing 1-1. Circuit board 1-4 is equipped with control unit, camera data transceiver circuit, tilt angle detection unit, motor control circuit and data transmission module, etc. Circuit board 1-4 is electrically connected to camera 1-5 and motor 1-3. Circuit board 1-4 is used to control the operation of camera 1-5. At the same time, circuit board 1-4 uses tilt angle detection unit to detect the tilt angle of housing 1-1 and controls the rotation of motor 1-3 according to the tilt angle of housing 1-1, so that housing 1-1 maintains a specific posture, such as maintaining a vertical or horizontal state.

[0033] The data transmission module is located on the circuit board 1-4 and is connected to the host computer via an external antenna 1-6, enabling it to transmit images captured by the camera 1-5 to the host computer for processing.

[0034] The data transmission module is specifically a wireless transmission module, which is a conventional technology in this field and will not be described in detail here.

[0035] The power supply 1-9 is located inside the housing 1-1. The power supply 1-9 is electrically connected to the circuit board 1-4, the motor 1-3 and the data transmission module 1-6, and is used to provide power to each part.

[0036] As the optimal solution, in this embodiment, all circuits related to the motor, camera, tilt detection, and data transmission are integrated on the same circuit board 1-4.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the optical axis 4 of the camera 1-5 is offset to one side of the rotating shaft 1-2. By offsetting the camera 1-5, when the rotating shaft 1-2 is horizontally mounted on the wheel 3 and the optical axis 4 of the camera 1-5 is in a horizontal position, the optical axis 4 can be higher or lower than the horizontal plane where the rotating shaft 1-2 is located, so that the optical axis 4 of this invention does not pass through the rotating shaft 1-2. The offset distance L of the optical axis 4 is not less than half the width D of the housing 1-1.

[0038] The housing 1-1 is provided with a bearing seat 1-7, which is bolted to the side wall of the housing 1-1. The bearing seat 1-7 has a certain length and two high-precision bearings 1-8 are installed on the bearing seat 1-7. The rotating shaft 1-2 is installed in the two bearings 1-8. The two bearings 1-8 can ensure the rotatable connection between the rotating shaft 1-2 and the housing 1-1.

[0039] A retaining ring 1-13 is provided at the outer end of the bearing housing 1-7 to restrict the axial position of the rotating shaft 1-2.

[0040] The rotor of motor 1-3 can be directly connected to shaft 1-2, or it can be connected via a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism can be a coupling, gear transmission mechanism, or synchronous belt transmission mechanism, etc.

[0041] Motors 1-3 can be servo motors, stepper motors, or gimbal motors. When motor 1-3 is a stepper motor, encoder 1-11 can be added or not. When encoder 1-11 is added, closed-loop control can be achieved; when no encoder is installed, open-loop control is used. When motor 1-3 is a servo motor or gimbal motor, it has its own encoder.

[0042] The tilt detection unit on circuit board 1-4 can be a gyroscope chip, which can accurately detect the tilt state of housing 1-1.

[0043] Detecting the tilt angle of an object and using motors 1-3 to rotate it and maintain its specific posture is common knowledge; for example, camera gimbal stabilization uses this control method. The principles of camera attitude control will not be elaborated upon here.

[0044] Targets 1-10 can be set next to the lenses of cameras 1-5. Targets 1-10 can be active targets, such as LEDs, or passive reflective targets 1-10 can be set up. Alternatively, the targets 1-10 next to the lenses can be omitted and the lenses of cameras 1-5 can be used as targets 1-10.

[0045] Power supply 1-9 can be a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery. When power supply 1-9 is a rechargeable battery, a charging port is provided on the housing 1-1 for charging the battery.

[0046] The four-wheel alignment device 1 of this utility model has multiple usage methods.

[0047] The first usage method is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, four-wheel alignment fixtures 2 are installed on the front and rear wheels 3 respectively, and front and rear four-wheel alignment devices 1 are installed on the front and rear four-wheel alignment fixtures 2 respectively. The optical axis 4 of the camera 1-5 of the four-wheel alignment device 1 located in the front is pointing backward, and the optical axis 4 of the camera 1-5 of the four-wheel alignment device 1 located in the rear is pointing forward. During the movement of the wheels 3, the two four-wheel alignment devices 1 are kept in a vertical state, and the optical axis 4 of the camera 1-5 of the two four-wheel alignment devices 1 can always be kept in a horizontal state. The two four-wheel alignment devices 1 can observe each other's targets 1-10, thereby realizing steel wheel deformation compensation.

[0048] The second usage method is as follows: Figure 5As shown, four-wheel alignment fixtures 2 are installed on the front and rear wheels 3 respectively. Front and rear four-wheel alignment devices 1 are installed on the fixtures 2 respectively. A rear external target 6 is suspended on the vehicle body behind the rear wheels, and a front external target 5 is suspended on the vehicle body in front of the front wheels. The four-wheel alignment device 1 on the rear wheels can observe the rear external target 6. When the rear four-wheel alignment device 1 needs to observe the front external target 5, keeping the front four-wheel alignment device 1 horizontal will clear the path for the rear four-wheel alignment device 1. The rear four-wheel alignment device 1 also performs the same function, thus completing the dual-axle inspection in one operation.

[0049] Furthermore, if only one axle is inspected each time, only one four-wheel alignment device 1 needs to be installed on each side, so there is no problem of light path obstruction, and there is no need to set the offset distance L.

[0050] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A four-wheel alignment device, characterized in that, include: The housing is used to support and mount the various components; A rotating shaft passes through the side wall of the housing. One end of the rotating shaft is located inside the housing, and the other end extends outside the housing. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the housing. The rotating shaft is mounted on the wheel to be tested by a four-wheel alignment fixture. A camera is mounted on the housing, with its optical axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The camera is used to observe the target position. An electric motor is disposed inside the housing, and the rotor of the electric motor is connected to the rotating shaft for driving the housing and the rotating shaft to rotate relative to each other; A circuit board is disposed inside the housing. A control unit and a tilt angle detection unit are provided on the circuit board. The circuit board is electrically connected to the camera and the motor and is used to control the operation of the camera and detect the tilt angle of the housing and control the rotation of the motor to keep the housing in a specific posture. The data transmission module is located inside the housing and connected to the circuit board, and is connected to the host computer signal via an external antenna. The power supply is located inside the housing and is electrically connected to the circuit board, motor, and data transmission module to provide electrical energy.

2. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical axis of the camera is offset on one side of the rotating shaft, and the offset distance L of the optical axis is greater than half of the width D of the housing.

3. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A bearing housing is provided on the housing, a bearing is provided on the bearing housing, and the rotating shaft is mounted on the bearing.

4. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bearing housing is bolted to the side wall of the housing, and two bearings are installed inside the bearing housing.

5. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tilt detection unit is a gyroscope.

6. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotor of the motor is directly connected to the shaft, or is connected via a transmission mechanism.

7. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor is a servo motor, stepper motor, or gimbal motor.

8. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A target is placed next to the lens of the camera.

9. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power source is a rechargeable battery.

10. The four-wheel alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera's control circuit, tilt detection unit, motor control circuit, and data transmission module are integrated on the same circuit board.

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