Steerable Axle Alignment Using Dual-Side Toe Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for setting the directions of travel for two steerable axles in vehicles are inefficient, requiring multiple measurements and adjustments, leading to increased cycle time due to mechanical coupling and the need to set individual axle directions and steering wheel angles to zero.
Innovation Solution
A device with two measuring units, one on each side of the vehicle, determines the difference in toe angles between the two steerable axles and outputs this information to an evaluation unit, allowing for either display to the worker or automatic adjustment to align the axles, reducing the need for repeated measurements and adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple measuring units are used to measure both axles simultaneously, then measurement precision and adjustment accuracy are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the measurement functions for both steerable axles into a single measuring unit that can measure toe angles of multiple axles. The evaluation unit then processes these measurements to calculate both individual axle directions and their difference, achieving accurate measurement without requiring separate measuring units for each axle.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring unit is designed with multi-functionality to measure toe angles of different steerable axles. By making the measuring unit universal, the system can obtain measurement data from multiple axles using the same device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual axle directions are set to zero separately, then adjustment precision is improved, but adjustment time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit calculates the difference in directions of travel between the two steerable axles and provides this information as feedback. This feedback enables the operator to adjust both axles simultaneously based on the calculated difference, achieving precise alignment while reducing the number of separate adjustment iterations needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the direction difference between axles before the actual adjustment is made. By having the evaluation unit compute the required adjustment based on measured toe angles, the operator can make more accurate and fewer adjustment movements, reducing overall adjustment time.
3Manufacturing precision
If steering wheel angle is adjusted against the steering column, then steering wheel alignment is improved, but the direction of travel of the steering axis moves away from zero requiring repeated adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the toe angle of the steerable axle and provides feedback during the steering wheel adjustment process. This real-time feedback allows the operator to see the effect of each adjustment on the axle direction, enabling precise alignment in fewer iterations and preventing the need to restore the zero position repeatedly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and to a method for measuring and determining relevant parameters for the adjustment of the directions of travel of two steerable axles of a vehicle in relation to each other, wherein only one measuring unit for measuring the individual toe angle of a wheel associated with said measuring unit is present on each vehicle side in such a way that a first measuring unit is associated with the wheel of the first of the steerable axles on the left vehicle side and the second measuring unit is associated with the wheel of the second of the steerable axles on the right vehicle side, wherein the output signals of the measuring units are fed to an evaluating unit, wherein the difference of the directions of travel of the two steerable axles or a parameter representing said difference is determined in the evaluating unit from the fed signals of the measuring units and is provided as an output signal of the evaluating unit. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the directions of travel of two steerable axles of a vehicle in relation to each other, wherein the adjustment of the directions of the two steerable axles in relation to each other is performed by means of only one measuring unit per vehicle side, in that the difference of the directions of travel of the two steerable axles or a parameter representing said difference is determined from a measurement of the toe angle of the right wheel of a first of the two axles and the measurement of the toe angle of the left wheel of the second axle, wherein the adjustment of the directions of travel of the two steerable axles in relation to each other is performed in such a way that the difference or the parameter representing said difference is smaller in magnitude than a threshold value.