Segmented Wheel Alignment Gauge Using Optical Beam Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining vehicle wheel alignment are costly, cumbersome, and prone to mis-calibration due to the use of single strong parts that require complex calibration and are difficult to store compactly, leading to inaccurate results.

Innovation Solution

A method using a beam projecting and reflecting device with a sectional span that locks together securely, allowing for accurate toe angle measurement without prior calibration, featuring adjustable and compact components for easy storage and use on various vehicle sizes, and incorporating a pivoting laser for level adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If single strong part spans are used to maintain calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and ease of storage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidgauge weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The span is divided into multiple sections that can be joined together. Each section contains optical components and can be independently positioned, allowing the gauge to be both compact for storage and sufficiently long for accurate wheel alignment measurement when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If single strong part spans are used to maintain calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The span is divided into multiple sections that can be joined together. Each section contains optical components and can be independently positioned, allowing the gauge to be both compact for storage and sufficiently long for accurate wheel alignment measurement when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If spans are split into multiple parts for compact storage, then ease of storage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fitting errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical calibration methods with optical alignment. Lasers and optical detectors are used to establish precise reference planes without relying on mechanical fitting of span sections, eliminating the accumulation of fitting errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the reference from mechanical dimensions to optical parameters (laser beam alignment, optical detector positioning). This allows precision to be maintained through optical alignment procedures rather than mechanical tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If pre-calibration is performed by placing gauges face to face, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mis-calibration risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration simplicityVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical calibration methods with optical alignment. Lasers and optical detectors are used to establish precise reference planes without relying on mechanical fitting of span sections, eliminating the accumulation of fitting errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Measurement precision

If longer spans are used to measure wheel alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and volume deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidgauge weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The span is divided into multiple sections that can be joined together. Each section contains optical components and can be independently positioned, allowing the gauge to be both compact for storage and sufficiently long for accurate wheel alignment measurement when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Provides a cost-effective, compact, and accurate solution for determining vehicle wheel alignment, minimizing the risk of mis-calibration and ensuring accurate results across different vehicle widths and sizes.

Implementation Method 1

projecting a beam from the beam projecting and target device to the beam reflecting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

beam reflecting device being a mirror... so that a reflected beam is projected back

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2389559B1Wheel alignment measuring
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 GROGAN TERENCE PETER
  • EP2389559B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2389559B1 patent drawingFigure 7~19

AI summary

A method for determining the alignment of a pair of vehicle wheels comprises positioning a beam projecting device (18) consecutively on each wheel (9, 10), in the same angular relationship to the wheel, and projecting a beam to a receptor (17) which is located in a predetermined angular relationship to the other wheel The projecting device and/or the receptor is utilised to determine the angle between the beams and the angle is related to the alignment of the pair of wheels, the receptor being maintained in the same position for each beam projection.