Vehicle Chassis Geometry Measurement Using Stereophotogrammetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining and adjusting vehicle chassis geometry are costly and require complex conveyor systems with floating plates for uniform wheel rotation, limiting the accuracy and efficiency of toe and camber-angle measurements.
Innovation Solution
A device with two tracks allowing lateral relaxation of vehicle wheels, equipped with stereophotogrammetric measuring sensors and rotary discs, enables reproducible toe and camber-angle measurements without floating plates, using movable plates or roller beds for wheel relaxation and allowing the vehicle to be moved by its own engine or automated process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If floating plates with driven roller pairs are used for uniform rotation of wheels, then measurement precision of toe and camber angles is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex floating plate conveyor system from the measurement device. Instead of using floating plates with driven roller pairs to rotate wheels uniformly, the invention uses simple movable plates that allow lateral relaxation of vehicle wheels while maintaining measurement accuracy through stereophotogrammetric sensors that capture wheel position and orientation directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical floating plate rotation system with an optical measurement system. Stereophotogrammetric measuring sensors capture the position and orientation of wheels from multiple viewpoints, eliminating the need for mechanical rotation mechanisms while achieving comparable or superior measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If floating plates with driven roller pairs are used for uniform rotation of wheels, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive floating plate conveyor system from the measurement device. The simplified movable plate system combined with standard stereophotogrammetric sensors significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to perform accurate toe and camber-angle measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive movable plates instead of complex, expensive floating plate mechanisms. These basic plates suffice for allowing wheel lateral relaxation and maintaining measurement accuracy, dramatically reducing the overall cost of the measurement device.
3Measurement precision
If conveyor systems with floating plates are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the time-consuming floating plate rotation mechanism from the measurement process. Vehicles can be quickly positioned on movable plates and measured directly by stereophotogrammetric sensors, significantly reducing the cycle time compared to the complex conveyor and rotation procedures required by floating plate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical floating plate rotation system with direct optical measurement. Stereophotogrammetric sensors capture wheel position and orientation instantly without requiring mechanical rotation, dramatically reducing measurement cycle time and increasing productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly reduces production costs and cycle time while achieving accurate toe and camber-angle measurements down to angular minutes, eliminating the need for conveyor systems and enabling precise chassis geometry adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring sensor operating according to the principle of stereophotogrammetry is provided on the outside of each of the tracks
Implementation Method 2
rotary discs located in the area of the vehicle's front axle at position B
Implementation Method 3
means to permit lateral relaxation of the vehicle wheels
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and method for determining and adjusting the chassis geometry of a vehicle. In order to provide a device for determining and adjusting vehicle chassis geometry, which can be manufactured as inexpensively as possible, the invention proposes that two tracks be provided on which the vehicle can be moved from a position A to a position B, each track having two means to permit lateral relaxation of the vehicle wheels as well as rotary discs located in the area of the vehicle's front axle at position B, that a measuring sensor operating according to the principle of stereophotogrammetry is located on the outside of each of the tracks, and that means for measuring the travel of the measuring sensors and a steering-wheel balance for detecting the position of the steering wheel are provided. This configuration of the device makes it possible to create a chassis-geometry testing and adjusting rig that does not require floating plates with driven roller pairs for uniform rotation of the wheels but still permits reproducible toe and camber-angle measurements accurate down to angular minutes.