METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHECKING THE DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES

Abstract: Method and device for checking the dimensions of vehicles, preferably in connection with carrying out alignment work thereon. The method and the device use a reference frame (1) which is suspended from the chassis of the vehicle. Indicators (5, 12) are disposed at selected check points in the vehicle to indicate a possible deviation in position from a desired value at an individually selected check point on the vehicle, the nominal position of which is known and which is characteristic of the vehicle. The indicators comprise first indicator elements each in the form of a vertically adjustable lead rule (12) which is suspended in said check point or in points related thereto outside the vehicle, and second indicator elements in the form of horizontally adjustable reference pins (5). The distance between a selected reference point (12a) on the first indicator element and a selected reference point (5a) on the second indicator element constitutes a measure of the deviation sought.

Description: Method and device for checking the dimensions of vehicles TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of checking the dimensions of vehicles, preferably in connection with carrying out alignment work on these, in which method a reference frame, which is provided with at least one longitudinal main beam provided with a measuring scale and transverse side beams likewise provided with measuring scales and dis- placeable in relation to the main beam, are suspended on the chassis of the vehicle, and at each checking point selected in the vehicle there is placed an indicator adapted to indicate a possible deviation in position from a desired value at an individually selected check point on the vehicle, the nominal position of which is known and which is characteristic of the vehicle. The invention likewise relates to a device for checking the dimensions of vehicles, preferably in connection with carrying out alignment work thereon, which device comprises a reference frame which comprises at least one longitudinal main beam provided with a measuring scale and transverse side beams likewise provided with measuring scales and dis- placeable in relation to the main beam, the reference frame being adapted to be suspended from the chassis of the vehicle by means of securing members, and which device comprises a plurality of indicators disposed at selected check points inside the vehicle, each adapted to indicate possible deviations in position from a desired value at an individually selected check point on the vehicle, the nominal position of which is known and which is characteristic of the vehicle. PRIOR ART During the straightening of collision damage on vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, it is of the greatest importance that the damage por¬ tions of the frame or corresponding parts of the chassis with self- supporting bodies, should be restored to their positions precisely- laid down by the manufacturer. For this purpose, various methods and devices have been proposed to indicate or measure possible faulty dimensions on the vehicle. The known indicating equipment often in¬ cludes a reference frame which either constitutes a support on which the vehicle rests (see, for example, the German Patent Specification DE 2 324 530 as laid open) or which is suspended under the vehicle and which therefore accompanies a change in position in the check points of this during the alignment work (see, for example, the American Patent Specification US 3 869 804) . The reference frame is often pro¬ vided with fault indicators in the form of upwardly directed uprights or mandrels, mounted for displacement on transverse section beams, which in turn are displaceable on longitudinal section beams, which beams together form the reference frame. The mandrels can be raised and lowered and are adapted to be adjusted in relation to predetermine check points on the chassis of the vehicle during the checking of a vehicle and then to be locked in their setting. It can happen, however that the upper end or point of the mandrels hooks firmly in the check points and accompany their movement, in which case the mandrel easily buckles or breaks, so that the indicating equipment becomes useless. Particularly serious damage to the mandrels can occur if they are not .released but accompany some check point which moves obliquely downward during the alignment work. Often the mandrels have to be lowered after each check, in which case it is easy for the operator to forget some mandrels in the locked position, particularly if there are many check points on the vehicle. In addition, the loosening and lowering of thes mandrels is a very time-consuming operation which is particularly no- ticeable with repeated checks at the end of each alignment work. In the device known from the American Patent Specification US 3 869 804 an attempt has been made to solve this problem by letting the mandrels be fitted comparatively loosely so that they can yield when alignment forces occur. This means, however, on the one hand that the mandrels can assume faulty positions, on the other hand that the operator easily risks forgetting to loosen all the mandrels to a sufficient extent which can be expected to be acted upon by alignment forces. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION All the above-mentioned disadvantages are eliminated by the method and GMP device according to the invention. The method according to the invention involves the indicators being placed in the form of two indicator elements the positions of which are adjustable in relation to one another, that in each indicator, a first indicator element, which is made elongated, is suspended lika a lead in each of said selected check points on the vehicle, and on which first indicator element, a first reference point is selected, that in each indicator, a second indicator element is placed on the reference frame, and on-.each said second indicator element a second reference point is selected, the position of which in the horizontal plane is adjustable depending on the type of vehicle, and that in each indica¬ tor, one kind of indicator element, preferably said first indicator element, is given an extension predetermined individually in height and determined by the type of vehicle, while the opposite kind of indicator element is given an extension constant in height, as a re¬ sult of which the spacing between the reference points in each indi¬ cator constitutes a measure of said deviation in position. The device according to the invention implies that each indicator con¬ sists of two indicator elements which are adjustable in position in relation to one another, that in each indicator a first indicator element is elongated and adapted to be suspended lika a lead in each of said selected check points on the vehicle and which first indicator element comprises a first reference point, that in each indicator a second indicator element is mounted on the reference frame and com¬ prises a second reference point, the position of which in the horizon¬ tal plane is adjustable depending on the type of vehicle, and that in each indicator the one kind of indicator element, preferably said first indicator element, each has an extend adjustable individually in height, which is determined by the type of vehicle, while the opposite kind of indicator element has an extent which is constant in height, as a result of which the spacing between the reference points in each indicator constitutes a measure of said deviation in position. Because the indicator elements connected to the check points of the vehicle are freely suspended like leads, they can easily bend under /-BUK C A(/ all external forces which occur when they come into contact with the indicator element of the reference frame during the carrying out of the alignment work. At the same time, the invention means that during the whole alingment work, a convenient and clear indication of the possible deviation of all check points from their respective desired values is constantly obtained. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the best form of embodiment of a device according to the invention, with a vehicle which is to be checked indicated in chain line. Figure 2 shows a detail view in perspective of the point of intersection between a longitudinal and a transverse section beam according to Figure 1. Fig¬ ure 3 shows an end view of such a beam crossing. Figure 4a shows a lead-line fastened in a predetermined check point in the chassis of a vehicle. Figure 4b shows an extension bar for the lead-line of Figure 4a. Figures 5a and 5b show two different detail forms^of a fastening member for suspending the reference frame under the vehicle. BEST FORM OF EMBODIMENT As can be seen from Figure 1, the device according to the invention comprises a reference frame 1 which is composed of two longitudinal main beams 2, 3 across which there extend a suitable number of trans¬ verse side beams 4 to support the necessary number of upwardly directe indicator elements in the form of reference pins 5. In order to render possible a completely free adjustability of the beams at the crossing points, the transverse and longitudinal beams 4 and 2, 3 respectively are connected to one another by means of crossing slides 6. In order . to achieve the necessary bending strength in the reference-frame beams these should appropriately have a very bending-resistant cross-section such as an X-shape or the like and such a sectional shape also renders it possible for the crossing slides 6 to be easily made displaceable guided on the two section beams 2, 3 and 4 crossing one another, as can be seen in particular from Figure 2. Nevertheless it is, of course also possible to use other cross-sectional shapes with greater or less bending strength. According to the invention, the reference frame 1 is adapted to be dis- posed hanging under the chassis of the vehicle in that fastening mem¬ bers 8 on the frame are connected to doorsill or corresponding parts of the vehicle. Preferably at least one pair of fastening member slides 7 are disposed for displacement on each longitudinal reference-frame beam 2, 3 and each carry their own holding rod 7a, which is likewise displaceable, with a said fastening member 8, adjustable in its longi¬ tudinal direction, and adapted to be connected to the doorsill or the like of the vehicle, not shown. It is well-known that the majority of manufacutrers of self-supporting vehicle bodies, particularly for passenger cars, make their bodies with substantially straight doorsill beams or doorsill housings which moreover are parallel to the floor of the vehicle. With other vehicles where this may not apply or where the damage is of such a nature that suspension of the beams by means of the fastening members 8 is impossible, these members 8 may also be pro¬ vided with a permanent magnetic portion, not shown, by means of which the reference-frame beams 2, 3 can be located almost without exception. Because of the holding rods 7a, the fastening-member slides 7 and hence the respective longitudinal reference-frame beams 2, 3 do not need to be placed substantially straight under the doorsill of the body but can be disposed at a suitable distance inside or outside this. In other words the possibility is obtained of adjusting the position of the frame 1, as may prove necessary when fitting this under the vehicle. The faste¬ ning member 8 may be of any suitable type for the necessary cooperation with the doorsill portion of the vehicle body, and for example as shown in Figure 5a, an embodiment with which the fastening member consists in known manner of a pair of opposite clamping jaws 8a, 8b, which can be joined together by means of one or more clamping screws 8c. The clamping jaws 8a, 8b are displaceable along the holding rods 7a and can be locked on this by means of a locking screw 7b for example- The slide 7 is in turn locatable in the adjusted position on the reference-frame beam 2, 3 by means of a set screw 7d. In order to simplify handling, -γ, _] K__A (j -9_____ lF0 the holding rods 7a may appropriately be jointly or mutually connecte to eachopposite pair of f stening members 8 in the transverse directi of the vehicle, as via a lower intermediate rod 7c. Figure 5b shows another form of fastening member intended in particular for hooking to the top of a doorsill of the body. The fastening-member slide 7 carri a fastening member 8 which projects to the side and which is adapted to be fitted above a doorsill, not illustrated, of a vehicle body and which is fixed to a tubular sleeve 8d, threaded over a pin 8e, which projects upwards from a guide sleeve 8f which .is disposed for displace ment on the holding rod 7a and can be locked on this by means of a screw 8g. The tubular sleeve 8d may appropriately also be disposed for displacement on the pin 8e and be able to be locked on this in the desired position of height by means of a locking screw 8h. Disposed, as stated, on the transverse section beams 4 are upwardly directed reference pins 5 which form said second indicator elements. Each ' such pin 5 may appropriately comprise, at its upper end, a point 5a, see Figure 3, which forms said second reference point. The pin 5 is fixed in a reference-pin slide 10 which is disposed for displacemen and locking on the transverse reference-frame beam 4. The pins 5 pre¬ ferably have the same constant length, see Figure 1, and the tips 5a are preferably situated in one and the same reference plane as can be seen from Figure 1. Usually, the check points occur in pairs symmetri¬ cally at each side of the longitudinal central line of the vehicle and therefore two reference-pin slides 10 with associated pins 5 are usual ly disposed on each such transverse reference-frame beam 4, but more or fewer pins 5 may be provided. Rules 12 serving as leads, already known per se in principle (see for example the American Patent Specification 4 015 338) are adapted to be fitted in the predetermined check points of the vehicle which depen on the type of vehicle, as can be seen from Figure 4a. These lead rule 12 form said first indicator element. The check points usually consist of holes or projections in the bottom plate or frame members of the vehicle. Figure 4a shows a bottom plate 18 with such a hole 19. The fastening at the check points may appropriately be effected by means of a universal-joint device of the type shown in Figure 4a and which is known in connection with translucent rules for use in connection with measuring with laser radiation. In the present case, however, the actual rule portion 12 is in the form of a cylindrical rod which is displaceable in a graduated sleeve 13 of some suitable transparent material such as acrylic glass. The rod 12 comprises, at its lower end a point 12a, which forms said first reference point and which is adapted for adjustment towards and cooperation with the . tip 5a on the corresponding reference pin 5. The lower part of the rod 12 may, however, be threaded for cooperation with an extension rod 12b, as shown in Figure 4b. The sectional beams 2, 3 and 4 of the reference frame may appropriately be provided with measuring scales 15. If " locking screws 16 are used to fix the position of the reference-pin slides and/or the other slides, the beams should also be provided with a protective layer 17 in the ' form of an inserted steel band or the like along the region where the locking screw 16 acts on the beam, if this is made of soft material such as aluminium. When carrying out a vehicle check by the method according to the in¬ vention, the two longitudinal sectional beams 2, 3 are mounted hanging under the vehicle in that the fastening members 8 present on these beams are firmly hooked to the top of the doorsill housings or doorsill beams in the vehicle or are fastened in folds at the under side of these. If this is not possible because of local damage or for another reason, these beams are fastened by means of the magnetic fastening- member portions. These longitudinal sectional beams 2, 3 are adjusted in balance with the doorsill housings of the car and then constitute the reference plane for the fault indication. Then the necessary number of transverse sectional beams 4 is mounted above these longitudinal sectional beams 2, 3 by means of crossing slides 6. Each of these transverse beams 4 carries a suitable numer of reference-pin slides 10 with associated reference pins 5, for example two or three. The trans¬ verse reference-f am beams 4 are adjusted to the correct longitudinal measurement along the two suspended longitudinal sectional beams 2, 3, that is to say in the intended longitudinal positions for the check points. The correct- breadth of the vehicle is then adjusted by means of two reference-pin slides 10 along those of the transverse sectional beams 4 which are situated under two undamaged check points. The height bars 12 are then adjusted in their sleeves 13 to the correct height and are suspended in position at the first check points, such as the hole 19 shown for example in Figure 4a in the bottom plate 18 of the vehicle. Then the next transverse sectional beam 4 is adjusted, counting from the undamaged end of the vehicle towards the damaged end, and its slides 10 are adjusted in the correct positions of length and breadth. The next pair of height bars 12 is adjusted to the correct height in their sleeves 13 and are mounted in the next pair of check points and so on. When all the height bars 12 have been placed in position and all the transverse sectional beams 4 have been adjusted to the intende positions in length and breadth, the. damage to the vehicle can be mapped out in that the distance between 'each tip 12a and the corre¬ sponding tip 5a constitutes a measure of the deviation in position from a desired value at an individually selected check point on the vehicle, the nominal position of which is known. If necessary, the whole reference frame in its assembled state can be finely adjusted in-height, length and breadth so as to coincide completely with the undamaged check points. During a following alignment operation which is carried out on the vehicle, the height bars 12 like the reference • pins 5 can remain in position since the bars 12 are suspended with universal joints at the check points and so can easily yield to possible obstacles, which consist mainly of .the reference pins 5. The device can thus be used during the whole alignment operation and pro¬ vides continuous information as to how the work is progressing and when the damage has been remedied. Instead of suspending the lead rules 12 directly in the check poins of the vehicle, they can be suspended in check points 19a disposed outsid the vehicle, see Figure 1, which are related by means of a link and reference-tip arrangement shown diagrammatically, to the actual check points 19b of the vehicle. - U E OMPI WIPO

Claims: Claims 1. A method of checking the dimensions of vehicles, preferably in connection with carrying out alignment work on this, in which method a reference frame, which is provided with at least one longitudinal main beam (2, 3) provided with a measuring scale (15) and transverse side beams (4) likewise provided with a measuring scale (15) and dis¬ placeable in relation to the main beam, is suspended from the chassis of the vehicle, and placed at each of the selected check points in the vehicle is an indicator (5, 12) adapted to indicate a possible devia¬ tion in position from a desired value at an individually selected check point on the vehicle the nominal position of which is known and which is characteristic of the vehicle, characterised in that the indicators are placed in the form of two indicator elements (5 and 12) the posi- tion of which is adjustable in relation to one another, that in each indicator, a first indicator element (12) , which is elongated , is suspended like a lead each in its own selected check point on the vehicle, and on which first indicator element a first reference point (12a) is selected, that in each indicator, a second indicator element {5 is placed on the reference frame, and on each said second indicator element a second reference point (5a) is selected, the position of which in the horizontal plane is adjustable depending on the type of vehicle, and that in each indicator (5, 12) the one type of indicator element, preferably said first indicator element (12) , are each given an extent predetermined in height individually and determined by the type of vehicle, while the opposite type of indicator element is given a height of constant extent, as a result of which the distance between the reference points in each indicator constitutes a measure of said deviation in position. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the reference points (5a) of said second indicator elements (5) are disposed in one and the same plane. 3. A device for carrying out the method as claimed in Claim 1 for checking the dimensions of a vehicle, preferably in connection with carrying out alignment work on this, which device comprises a reference frame (1), which comprises at least one longitudinal main beam (2, 3) provided with a measuring scale (15) and transverse side beams (4), likewise provided with a measuring scale (15) and displaceable in relation to the main beam, the reference frame being adapted to be suspended from the chassis of the vehicle by means of fastening members (8) , and which device comprises a plurality of indicators (5, 12) disposed at selected check points in the vehicle, each adapted to indicate a possible deviation in position from a desired value at an individually selected check point on the vehicle, the nominal posi- tion of which is known and which is characteristic of the vehicle, characterised in that each indicator (5, 12) consists of two indicator elements (5 and 12) which can be adjusted in position in relation to one another, that in each indicator, a first indicator element (12) is elongated and adapted to be hung up like a lead in its own selected check point on the vehicle, and which first indicator element comprise a first reference point (12a), that in each indicator, a second indi¬ cator element (5) is disposed on the reference frame and comprises a second reference point (5a) , the position of which in the horizontal plane is adjustable depending on the type of vehicle, and that in each indicator, the one type of indicator element, preferably said first indicator element (12), each has an extent adjustable individually in height, which is determined by the type of vehicle, while the opposite type of indicator element has a constant extent in height, as a result of which .the distance between the reference points in each indicator constitutes a measure of said deviation in position. 4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the referenc points (5a) of the second indicator element (5) are situated in one and the same plane. 5. A device as claimed in any of the ' Claims 3 - 4, characterised in • that said first indicator element (12) consists of a lead rule with a pointed lower end, the point of which forms said first reference point, and that said second indicator element (5) consists of an upwardly directed pin, which is displaceable along one of said side * beams (4) and which comprises, at its upper end, a point (5a) which forms said second reference point. sUK OM 6. A device as claimed in any of the Claims 3 - 5, characterised in that said first indicator element (12) is suspended in said check point on the vehicle by means of an universal-joint device. 7. A device as claimed in any of the Claims 3 - 6, characterised in that said one kind of indicator element,, preferably said first indi¬ cator element (12), is adapted for displacement in height in a graduated sleeve (13) preferably of transparent material. 8. A device as claimed in any of the Claims 3 - 7, characterised in that said indicator element. (12) which is adjustable in height is capable of being connected to a cooperating extension piece (12b) .

Inventors: BJOERK B
Applicants: BJOERK B, NIKE HYDRAULIK AB
Application year: 1979
Main classification: G01B5
IPC codes: B21D1, G01B5, G01C15, G01M17