Axle alignment using a reflected signal

Details Axle alignment using a reflected signal Axle alignment using a reflected signal

1999-05-28

2001-05-22

Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)

Geometrical instruments

Straight-line light ray type

Alignment device

C033S608000, C033SDIG002

Reexamination Certificate

active

06233837

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an axle alignment system, and more particularly to an alignment system which uses a reflected signal to align an axle of a trailer.
Trailer axle assemblies are typically combinations of suspensions and axles manufactured at various locations other than the trailer manufacturing plant. The suspension assembly includes linkages and components on which to mount a pair of axles. The trailer manufacturer attempts to align the axles relative to the suspension elements, and to align the axles parallel to one another. Proper alignment of a trailer's axles is important for proper handling and vehicle safety. In addition, proper alignment decreases fuel consumption and improves ride quality and tire wear. These qualities are particularly important for heavy freight carrying vehicles which must travel long distances. However, obtaining the proper alignment in an assembly line setting is difficult, as the minute adjustments must be made quickly and accurately. Of course, these complexities are multiplied when aligning a multi-axle suspension assembly.
Typically, the prior art at the trailer assembly plant has been to measure the distances from the ends of the front axle with respect to a common reference point such as a kingpin. The relative position of a second axle is then manually measured. After the initial adjustment has been made to start the adjustment process, it is often necessary to measure more than once to achieve the correct adjustment. This procedure is very time consuming.
After the trailer has been placed into commercial service, the prior art has sometimes used laser alignment systems for maintenance operations. The laser equipment is attached to the axle wheel assembly to cause the laser beam to impact an established reference point, such as a kingpin, if the axle is in proper alignment.
Lasers have also been used to align wheels in automotive applications. However, lasers have not been used to align axles on independent subframes by any component manufacturing assembly line.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an accurate alignment system that is relatively inexpensive, operates quickly and can align a plurality of axles simultaneously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The axle alignment system of the present invention generally includes a transmitter, a reflector and an indicator area. Preferably, the transmitter is located in association with an assembly line such that the axles are aligned while a continued flow of suspension assemblies along the line is maintained.
The reflectors are positioned on the precision surfaces of the bearing journal. Preferably, the reflector is magnetically attachable to a bearing journal of the axle. The reflectors, which are assembled to V-blocks having controllable magnetic strength, can be accurately placed and secured on the bearing journals. This is done with manual adjustment of the magnetic strength of the V-blocks on which each reflector is attached. Similarly, the reflector is quickly and easily removed once the alignment is complete.
In this instance, the transmitter transmits the signal, a laser beam, through an arrangement of beam splitters that divide and redirect the separated laser beams to each of the reflectors located on the axle spindles. The visual laser beams which are caused to impact the reflectors are reflected back in a controlled manner to visually impact on an indicator area attached to the transmitter.
The indicator area shows the reflected signal from each reflection to visually illustrate the angular relationship between the axles as well as the suspension subframe siderails. To aid in the alignment process, the indicator area preferably includes a reference marker that indicates the correct position for the reflected beams if the axles are properly aligned relative to the siderails. The axles are easily adjusted relative to the siderail using each of the reflected laser beams displayed on the indicator area for visual reference. Once the reflected signals are properly aligned on the reference area, the axles are assured to be parallel to one another and perpendicular to the siderail.
The present invention greatly reduces the time and complexity of aligning the axles relative to the suspension siderails or the assembly line.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2292969 (1942-08-01), Peters
patent: 2496324 (1950-02-01), Wilson
patent: 2656762 (1953-10-01), Carr
patent: 3288020 (1966-11-01), Lill
patent: 3501240 (1970-03-01), Haynes
patent: 4337581 (1982-07-01), Eck
patent: 4347668 (1982-09-01), Johnston
patent: 4827623 (1989-05-01), Goodell
patent: 5018853 (1991-05-01), Hechel et al.
patent: 5131161 (1992-07-01), Drag
patent: 5274433 (1993-12-01), Madey et al.
patent: 5561244 (1996-10-01), Olesky et al.
patent: 5600893 (1997-02-01), Phillips

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Axle alignment using a reflected signal does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Axle alignment using a reflected signal, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Axle alignment using a reflected signal will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2518677