Wheel alignment adjuster for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a wheel alignment adjuster 200 for a vehicle having a vehicle body 104 including a chassis frame and a steering system connecting to wheels 106a, 106b A coupling Arm 100 is mounted on the vehicle body 104 and connects the wheel 106a, 106b of the vehicle with the vehicle body 104. The wheel alignment adjuster 200 includes a cam screw 101 having an eccentric slot 101a and a cylindrical holder 102, wherein the cam screw 101 is in bolted connection with the cylindrical holder 102. The wheel alignment adjuster 200 is mounted on the vehicle body 104 and is rotated about central axis of the eccentric slot 101a for wheel alignment correction. The invention provides a compact, simplified and cost-effective solution for wheel alignment as well as vehicle chassis, steering column and / or trailing arm 105 orientation correction for a vehicle.

Description

WHEEL ALIGNMENT ADJUSTER FOR A VEHICLEFIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel alignment adjuster, and more particularly relates to the wheel alignment adjuster mounted on a vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0002] For automobiles, wheel alignment is one of the crucial factors for vehicle performance as well as wheel lifecycle. Proper wheel alignment improves road contact, resulting in smoother driving and better maneuverability on all twists and turns. The toe angle and camber angle are critical parameters in vehicle wheel alignment.

[0003] The toe angle is the angle of a wheel in relation to the vehicle’s longitudinal axis. Toe-in means the front of the wheels are closer to the longitudinal axis than the rear when viewed from the top side of vehicle, while toe-out is the opposite. Figure-la illustrates toe-in condition of wheels-1 by angle 0i about the longitudinal axis YY’ of a vehicle chassis 2. Figure-lb illustrates toe-out condition of wheels 1 by angle 02 about the longitudinal axis YY’ of the vehicle chassis 2.

[0004] The camber angle is the angle of a wheel in relation to the vertical axis when the vehicle is viewed from the front or rear. Figure 2b shows a wheel 1 with zero camber angle and Figure 2a shows it at negative camber angle ai while Figure 2c shows it at positive camber angle 012. These camber toe angles are optimized for vehicle handling and directly affect the wheel’s contact area with the road surface influencing overall grip, cornering and acceleration performance.

[0005] Wheel misalignment or deviation from designed the camber or toe angle causes uneven tire wear and feathering (developing a saw tooth pattern), reducing tire lifespan. Improper toe or camber settings increase rolling resistance negatively impacting fuelefficiency, ride comfort, and tire life.

[0006] Wheel misalignment also creates an imbalanced thrust force on chassis leading to distortion. Proper chassis alignment is crucial for vehicle stability, handling tire wear, and overall safety of a vehicle. At the time of vehicle assembly or trailing arm / steering column replacement or due to uneven shocks / accidents of the vehicle, the alignment of chassis / steering may get modified causing changes in camber angle and toe angle ofwheel(s), hampering stability of vehicle as well as further tire wear and tear.

[0007] Misalignment puts additional stress on steering and suspension components leading to wear and potential failure of parts such as tie rods, ball joints, and bushings. This necessitates frequent maintenance and service for vehicle.

[0008] Chassis misalignment, causes the vehicle to pull to one side, deteriorating directional stability and handling. Hence, to maintain a straight line balancing of the vehicle, the driver requires to do frequent steering correction, resulting in driver fatigue on long drives. Also, fuel mileage of the vehicle is adversely affected by chassis misalignment. In existing arts, there are only expensive, complex and bulky devices to correct chassis misalignment.

[0009] Hence, chassis alignment of vehicles is important at the time of factory fitting as well as when the trailing arm is replaced, to ensure efficient operation of the vehicle. Nonetheless, though there exist tools for correcting the toe and camber angle at the wheel end of vehicle at the time of servicing, such tools are not able to correct chassis and steering alignment, rather they correct wheel alignment by distorting the chassis and / or steering column. For example, in some existing arts, the wheel adjustment tool is provided within a suspension system. In such systems, though the tool corrects the wheel alignment, it adversely affects suspension assembly and requires a lengthy and complex maintenance process. Further, such arrangements are unable to correct disorientated trailing arm or chassis, causing permanent defect and adversely affecting overall vehicle performance.

[0010] Therefore, if there is chassis and / or steering misalignment in the vehicle at the time of assembly of vehicle or replacement of trailing arm and / or steering column, there is no cost-effective solution available. The chassis and / or steering misalignment remains challenging to correct and remains unaddressed and permanent, damaging vehicle stability, performance, safety and lifespan.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a more compact, simplified, and effective wheel alignment adjuster that addresses these issues in vehicles.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a compact, easy to use, and low-cost wheel alignment adjuster.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to optimize performance and elongate lifecycle of the tires of the vehicle.

[0014] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wheel alignment adjuster to correct misalignment of wheels through trailing arm or steering column adjustments.

[0015] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wheel alignment adjuster that helps to lower maintenance cost of the vehicle ensuring correct alignment of chassis, trailing arm and wheels at the time of assembly.

[0016] Yet another object of the invention is to provide the wheel alignment adjuster that aids improving directional stability and fuel mileage of the vehicle.

[0017] Additionally, one of the objectives of the invention is to provide a wheel alignment adjuster mounted on a steering column, to correct misalignment of wheels by adjusting orientation of steering column of the vehicle.

[0018] Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a wheel alignment adjuster to correct misalignment of steering wheel through steering column adjustments.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention provides a wheel alignment adjuster for toe and camber angle corrections.According to first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a wheel alignment adjuster for a vehicle comprising a vehicle body including a chassis frame; at least pair of rear wheels and at least a front wheel, a steering system connecting to the front wheels, and a coupling arm is mounted on the vehicle body that connects a wheel with the vehicle body, wherein the wheel alignment adjuster mounted on the vehicle body and connected to the coupling arm, and includes a cam screw having an eccentric slot and a cylindrical holder. Further, the cam screw is preferably in a bolted connection with the cylindrical holder and is rotated about central axis of the eccentric slot for wheel alignment correction.

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cam screw includes a threaded portion on periphery bolted with inner threads of a cylindrical holder.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical holder of the wheel alignment adjuster is fixed within a slot on the vehicle body.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, central axis of theeccentric slot of cam screw remains at a pre-defined non-zero distance from central axis of the cylindrical holder and the slot on the vehicle body.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an outer surface of the cylindrical holder is concentric and congruent with the slot on the vehicle body.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical holder of the wheel alignment adjuster is fixed within the slot on the vehicle body.

[0025] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheel alignment adjuster is clamped on the vehicle body through connecting bar.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of wheel alignment adjusters is mounted within a plurality of slots on the vehicle body, wherein the plurality of slots are concentric.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of wheel alignment adjusters is connected through the connecting bar.

[0028] In the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the coupling arm is a trailing arm connecting the rear wheel to the vehicle body, wherein the trailing arm is assembled on one or more slot created on one or more links parallel-ly extending from the vehicle body.

[0029] In the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the coupling arm is a steering column of the vehicle connecting the front wheel to the vehicle body, and wherein a steering tube acts as the cylindrical holder. Further, the steering column may also function as the connecting bar.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the cam screw mounted on the vehicle body at two ends of the steering tube within the steering tube.

[0031] The wheel alignment adjuster may include other features than described above. A vehicle including a chassis alignment adjuster as above described forms another embodiment of the present invention. Such vehicles would typically be all types of vehicles such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers or four-wheelers.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0032] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only severalembodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure la-lb illustrates the concept of Toe-in and toe-out condition in vehicles.

[0034] Figures 2a-2c illustrate the concept of positive and negative camber angle in vehicles.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly of the wheel alignment adjuster on a trailing arm fixed on a chassis frame of a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates an assembly of the wheel alignment adjuster on the trailing arm clamped on the chassis frame of the vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figures 5a-5b illustrate the wheel alignment adjuster including a cam screw with an eccentric slot, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figures 6a-6b illustrate the wheel alignment adjuster, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 illustrates an assembly of the wheel alignment adjuster on the steering column clamped on the chassis frame of the vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly of the wheel alignment adjuster on a steering column fixed on a chassis frame of a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figures 9a-9b illustrate the wheel alignment adjuster including a cam screw with an eccentric slot, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS100- Coupling Arm101- Cam Screw lOla-Eccentric slot of the Cam Screw 101101b- Threaded portion on periphery of the Cam Screw 101101c- Turning slot of the Cam Screw 101 lOld-Screw head of the Cam Screw 101102- Cylindrical Holder102a- Inner threads of the Cylindrical Holder 102102b- Outer Circular Periphery of the Cylindrical Holder 102Ci- Central axis of the Cylindrical Holder 102C2- Central axis of the Eccentric Slot 101a103- Connecting Bar104- Vehicle body104a- Link extending from the vehicle body 104104b- Slot on the Vehicle body 104105- Trailing Arm106a- Rear Wheel106b- Front Wheel107- Steering Column108- Steering Tube200-Wheel Alignment AdjusterDESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference to the figures and description set forth herein. All the aspects of the embodiments described herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

[0043] As used herein, the term ‘exemplary’ or ‘illustrative’ means ‘serving as an example, instance, or illustration.’ Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous and / or preferred over other embodiments. Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the word ‘comprise’ and variations thereof, such as ‘comprises’ and ‘comprising’ are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, i.e., as ‘including, but not limited to.’

[0044] The present invention provides a compact, simplified and cost-effective solution for adjusting wheel alignment. Referring to Figures 3 to 6b and 7-9b, two exemplary embodiments of awheel alignment adjuster 200 for toe and camber angle corrections are disclosed.

[0045] Figures 3-4 show the first exemplary embodiment, which corrects wheel alignment of a rear wheel 106a connected to a vehicle body 104. The wheel alignment adjuster 200 is designed for a vehicle having the vehicle body 104 that includes a chassis frame and a steering system. A coupling arm 100, typically a trailing arml05,is mounted on the vehicle body 104 and connects the rear wheel 106a to vehicle body 104.

[0046] The wheel alignment adjuster 200 comprises a cam screw 101 having an eccentric slot 101a and a threaded portion 101b on its periphery. The cam screw 101 is bolted to a cylindrical holder 102. The wheel alignment adjuster 200 is mounted on the vehicle body 104 and rotates about the central axis of the eccentric slot 101a to correct wheel alignment. The threaded portion 101b on periphery of the cam screw 101 engages with inner threads 102a of the cylindrical holder 102.

[0047] A link 104a extends from the vehicle body 104 and a slot 104b is created on the link 104a. The cylindrical holder 102 of the wheel alignment adjuster 200 is fixed within this slot 104b. A connecting bar 103 is secured inside the eccentric slot 101a of the cam screw 101.

[0048] In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of links 104a parallelly extend from the vehicle body 104, each includes a co-axial and a congruent slot 104b. A plurality of wheel alignment adjusters 200 are fixed within theseplurality of slots . The connecting bar 103 clamps the one or more eccentric slots 101a of the one or more wheel alignment adjusters 200 and the trailing arm 105 on the vehicle body 104.

[0049] Figures 5a-5b and 6a-6b show that the central axis C2 of the eccentric slot 101a of cam screw 101 remains at a pre-defined non-zero distance from central axis Ci of the cylindrical holder 102 and the slot 104b. By rotating the cam screw 101 about central axis Ci of the cylindrical holder 102 the wheel alignment is corrected. When the cam screw 101 is rotated about central axis Ci of the cylindrical holder 102, central axis C2 of the cam screw 101 shifts. As result, the connecting bar 103 and the trailing arm 105 clamped are also shifts, adjusting orientation of the trailing arm 105 relative to the vehicle body 104 to effect wheel alignment correction.

[0050] The cam screw 101 includes screw head lOld at top portion of the screw periphery. Diameter of the screw head 101 d is wider than the threaded portion 101b on periphery. Further, the screw head 101 d includes a turning slot 101c to engage with any operating means, such as- spanner, screwdriver, to rotate the cam screw 101.

[0051] Figures 7-8 represent second exemplary embodiment, to correct the wheel alignment of a front wheel 106b. Here, a coupling arm 100 is mounted on the vehicle body 104 that connects a front wheel 106b of the vehicle with the vehicle body 104. Typically, the coupling arm 100 is a steering column 107.

[0052] In this embodiments, the wheel alignment adjuster 200 includes a cam screw 101 having an eccentric slot 101a and a threaded portion 101b on periphery. The cam screw 101 is in bolted connection with a cylindrical holder 102. The cylindrical holder 102 typically is a steering tube 108 of the steering system mounted on the steering column 107 of the vehicle. Moreover, the steering tube 108 is secured on the vehicle body 104 to mount the steering system. Further, the steering column 107 also acts as connecting bar 103 of the wheel alignment adjuster 200 secured insider the eccentric slot 101a of the cam screw 101.

[0053] Figures 9a-9b illustrate that the central axis C2 of the eccentric slot 101a of the cam screw 101 remains at a pre-defined non-zero distance from the central axis Ci of the cylindrical holder 102 and the slot 104b on the vehicle body 104. The cam screw 101 is rotated about the central axis C2 of the eccentric slot 101a to correct wheel alignment. The cam screw 101 includes screw head 101 d at top portion of the threaded portion 101b on periphery. Diameter of the screw head 101 d is wider than the threaded portion 101b on periphery. Further, the screw head 101 d includes a turning slot 101c to engage with any operating means, such as- spanner, screwdriver, to rotate the cam screw 101 about center C2 of the eccentric slot 101a.

[0054] The wheel alignment adjuster may include other features than described above. A vehicle including a wheel alignment adjuster as above described forms another embodiment of the present invention. Such vehicles would typically include all types of vehicles such as two wheelers, three wheelers or four wheelers.

[0055] The wheel alignment adjuster as described above has a technical advantage in terms of achieving a simple, compact and cost-effective way of wheel alignment.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, various features of separate embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments not expressly described. Moreover, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure are also within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention. Thus, while the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the apparatus or process illustrated may be made by those of ordinary skill in the technology without departing from the spirit of the invention. The inventions may be embodied in other specific forms not explicitly described herein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner.

[0057] Modifications and variations to the heat management system described may be apparent to the skilled reader of this specification. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A wheel alignment adjuster (200) for a vehicle to correct alignment of wheels of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a vehicle body (104) including a chassis frame; at least one rear wheel (106a) and at least one front wheel (106b); a steering system connected to the front wheel (106b); a coupling arm (100) mounted on the vehicle body (104) that connects the rear wheel (106a) with the vehicle body (104), wherein the wheel alignment adjuster (200) mounted on the vehicle body (104) and connected to the coupling arm (100), and wherein the wheel alignment adjuster (200) comprises a cam screw (101) having an eccentric slot (101a) and a cylindrical holder (102) for wheel alignment correction.

2. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam screw (101) is bolted to the cylindrical holder (102) and is rotated about central axis of the eccentric slot (101a) for wheel alignment correction.

3. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam screw (101) comprises of a threaded portion on periphery bolted with inner threads of a cylindrical holder (102).

4. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical holder (102) of the wheel alignment adjuster (200) is fixed within a slot (104b) provided on the vehicle body (104).

5. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein central axis of the eccentric slot (101a) of cam screw (101) remains at a pre-defined non-zero distance from central axis of the cylindrical holder (102) and the slot (104b) on the vehicle body (104).

6. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the cylindrical holder (102) is concentric and congruent with the slot (104b) on the vehicle body (104).

7. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical holder (102) of the wheel alignment adjuster (200) is fixed within the slot (104b) on the vehicle body (104).

8. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel alignment adjuster (200) is clamped on the vehicle body (104) through a connecting bar (103).

9. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of wheel alignment adjusters (200) is mounted within a plurality of slots (104b) on the vehicle body (104), wherein axes of the plurality of slots (104b) are aligned .

10. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of wheel alignment adjusters (200) are connected through the connecting bar (103).

11. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling arm (100) is a trailing arm (105) connecting the rear wheel (106a) to the vehicle body(104).

12. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing arm(105) is assembled on one or more slot (104b) formed in one or more links parallelly extending from the vehicle body (104).

13. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling arm(100) is a steering column (107) of the vehicle connecting the front wheel to the vehicle body (104), and wherein the cylindrical holder (102) is a steering tube (108) secured on the vehicle body (104).

14. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the steering column (107) functions as the connecting bar (103).

15. The wheel alignment adjuster (200) as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the cam screw(101) mounted on the vehicle body (104) at two ends of the steering column (107) within the steering tube (108).

16. The wheel alignment adjuster (200), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a two-wheeler vehicle, three-wheeler vehicle and four-wheeler vehicle.

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