Patent · US Expired

Method of determining wheel alignment

US4918821A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
12References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 15, 1988
Grant dateApr 24, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 15, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B2210/30
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for determining wheel alignment of an automobile includes the initial step of clamping the chassis of the automobile in a measuring bench. After determining a centerline and datum plane for the automobile, a measuring system calibrated to the centerline and datum plane projects a laser beam parallel to the centerline in the datum plane. The laser beam is movable in the datum plane and in a plane perpendicular to the datum plane. The front suspension of each front wheel hub is then lifted to the proper ride height relative to the datum plane. A measuring unit is then mounted to each front wheel hub. The measurement of the camber, caster, SAI/KPI, and toe of each wheel hub is then determined. In addition, the TOOT of the front wheel hubs are determined while the hubs are lifted. Other measurements are possible, including checking the wheel alignment of the rear wheels.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.