Portable Laser Toe Angle Measurement for Truck Steer Axles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commercial trucking industry faces challenges in maintaining wheel alignment due to the high cost and complexity of existing alignment systems, which are prone to measurement errors, and lacks affordable, portable, and accurate tools for toe angle alignment of steer axles.
Innovation Solution
A portable axle alignment system utilizing a single laser emitter and target with precise mounting components, allowing measurements to be taken from both ends of the steer axle, minimizing errors and providing high precision through a long laser beam distance and reliable constraints, and using a computer application for accurate toe angle calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single laser emitter is used to measure both ends of the axle, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised due to potential errors in the laser assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by flipping the single laser emitter 180 degrees to measure both ends of the axle. This reverse orientation causes any inherent parallelism errors in the laser assembly to manifest in opposite directions, effectively canceling out the error when the measurements are combined. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining device simplicity while achieving high measurement precision through the error-cancellation effect of bidirectional measurement.
2Measurement precision
If a long laser beam distance is used, then measurement precision is improved through increased sensitivity to angular deviation, but the device becomes less portable and more susceptible to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by using a moderate beam distance (285 inches) that provides sufficient angular sensitivity without requiring excessive space. This optimized distance delivers the necessary measurement precision while maintaining reasonable portability, avoiding the need for extremely long baseline distances that would compromise ease of operation and portability.
3Device complexity
If simple and inexpensive alignment systems are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to dependence on less reliable measurement references
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the vehicle's own existing reference features (wheel mounting surfaces, axle geometry) as measurement references. By constraining the laser emitter to the steer wheel and using the vehicle structure itself as the reference frame, the system eliminates dependence on external alignment equipment or artificial references, thereby achieving reliable measurements with a simple and inexpensive device.
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
The system achieves precise toe angle alignment with reduced measurement errors and lower costs, enabling accurate and repeatable measurements with high sensitivity to angular deviations, thus improving alignment precision and reducing operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The laser emitter is mounted to a steer wheel such that the laser beam is projected perpendicular to the axis of the wheel toward the target
Data Source
AI summary
A portable laser emitter, laser target, and method for measuring the toe angle of a commercial truck steer axle are disclosed. The laser emitter is mounted to the wheel of a truck steer axle while the laser target is placed in front of the truck. Measurements are taken of the laser dot position on the target with the emitter mounted at either end of the steer axle. The process is then repeated with the target positioned behind the truck. The measurements taken from either end of the steer axle with both front and rear target positions are compared to determine the toe angle of the steer axle.