INDIVIDUAL TOE MEASURING SYSTEM

Abstract: An apparatus and method is discloses which utilizes modified wheel aligner heads and which accomplishes measurement of individual wheel toe on a vehicle having a pair of nonsteerable rear wheels and a pair of steerable front wheels. The apparatus and method provides measurement of a steering or a rolling direction for the front and the rear wheel pair as a result of optical measurements taken relating to the orientation of the planes of the wheels to the centerline of the vehicle chassis. Once the steering direction of the front wheels is obtained, individual toe measurements for the front wheels may be made relative to the chassis centerline. Alternatively, once the steering or average rolling direction of the rear wheels is obtained individual toe measurements for the rear wheels may be made relative to the chassis centerline and individual toe measurements for the front wheels may be made relative to the rear wheel rolling direction. Neutral steering of the front wheels may thus be made to coincide directionally with the rear wheel rolling direction. The optical measurements are made with an aimable viewfinder utilizing contrarotating plano prisms which are monitored in rotational position to provide data utilized in calculating wheel pair steering direction and correction factors for the measurements taken by the aligner heads.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to vehicle wheel alignment equipment, and more particularly to such equipment for measuring the angle of toe for individual vehicle wheels either relative to the centerline of the vehicle chassis or relative to the average rolling direction of the nonsteerable wheels. 2. Description of the Prior Art Apparatus providing rearward projecting light beams for use in determining the inclinations of front steerable wheels relative to the axis of rotation of one of the rear nonsteerable wheels are found in U.S. Patents 4,154,531, Roberts, Jr., et al, issued May 15, 1979; 4,150,897, Roberts, Jr. et al, issued April 24, 1979; 4,130,362, Lill et al, issued December 19, 1978; and 4,097,157, Lill, issued June 27, 1978, all of which are currently assigned to the Assignee of record of the invention disclosed herein. The '531 patent discloses apparatus wherein the rearward projected beam is caused to swing through a predetermined angle. The beam is reflected by a mirror mounted in predetermined relationship with the axis of rotation of one of the rear nonsteerable wheels so that the oscillating beam is reflected back to a target mounted on the front steerable wheel on the same side of the vehicle. The time relationship between the instants when the projected oscillating beam is received by light sensitive devices when reflected toward a front wheel mounted target is used to determine the inclination of the front steerable wheel in the horizontal or toe plane. The '362 patent disclosure provides a multiplicity of beams projected at known angles relative to a reference angle from a projector mounted on one of the steerable front wheels of the vehicle. A mirror mounted on the rear wheel on the same side of the vehicle in predetermined relationship with the axis of rotation of the rear wheel reflects one of the projected beams back to the front wheel assembly. The reflected and received beam from the multiplicity of beams determines the inclination of the front wheel in the horizontal or toe plane. The '157 patent disclosure makes reference to a rearwardly projected beam which is reflected by a mirror mounted in predetermined relationship with a nonsteerable wheel on the same side of the vehicle. The reflected beam is received at an encoding target which is mounted on the front wheel on the same side of the vehicle to provide an indication of the inclination of the front wheel in the horizontal or toe plane relative to the axis of rotation of the rear wheel. The '897 patent disclosure relates to a rearwardly transmitted light beam from a front steerable wheel mounted assembly which is reflected by a rear wheel mounted mirror having predetermined orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the rear wheel. The front steerable wheels are adjusted in steering direction until the beam reflected from the rear wheel mounted mirror strikes a calibration point on the front wheel mounted assembly. The mirror on the rear wheel is then moved laterally so that the projected beam falls on a scale on the mirror at a point which is related to the desired toe setting for the front steerable wheels of the vehicle. The front steerable wheel is adjusted in toe so that the projected beam moves to a desired location on the rear mirror thereby setting known front wheel toe into the one front steerable wheel. The toe of the other front steerable wheel is set in the usual manner to obtain the desired total front steerable wheel toe. The apparatus automatically adjusts for different vehicle wheel spacings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention apparatus is provided for measuring alignment of a wheel pair in a wheel supported vehicle relative to the centerline of the vehicle chassis which includes a pair of alignment heads which provide a signal indicative of total toe between the wheels in the pair and means for mounting the alignment heads on each of the wheels in the pair so that they are equidistant from a midpoint between the wheels. An optical system is included in each alignment head which provides an optical path having a direction generally longitudinal of the vehicle chassis. Also included is means for adjusting the optical path direction relative to the direction longitudinal of the chassis. Means is coupled to the means for adjusting for providing an electrical output signal indicative of the optical path direction elative to the direction of respective ones of the wheel planes in the wheel pair. Means is also present for receiving the electrical output signals and for providing a steering signal indicative of an average steering direction relative to the chassis centerline for the wheel pair when the optical systems are adjusted so that the optical paths intercept points substantially equidistant from a point on the centerline of the chassis. The method disclosed in conjunction with the invention described herein relates to measuring alignment of a wheel pair on a wheel supported vehicle relative to the vehicle chassis centerline. The method includes the steps of mounting a wheel alignment head containing an aimable optical system on each one of the wheels of the pair. The alignment heads develop a signal indicative of the total toe between the wheels of the pair. The optical systems are aimed at respective points equidistant from a point on the chassis centerline and generally longitudinally disposed along the vehicle chassis. The departure of each aimed optical system from the plane of the wheel on which mounted is measured and an electrical signal indicative thereof is provided. The departure signals are compared to obtain a steering signal which is indicative of the average steering direction for the wheel pair relative to the chassis centerline. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus and method of the present invention utilized to measure individual steerable wheel toe relative to a vehicle chassis centerline. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the apparatus and method of the present invention utilized to measure individual nonsteerable wheel toe relative to a vehicle chassis centerline. Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the apparatus and method of the present invention utilized to measure individual steerable wheel toe relative to the nonsteerable wheel average rolling direction. Figure 4 is a top sectional view of a portion of one of the alignment heads shown in Figure 1 through 3 showing the incorporation of am aimable viewfinder in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is an elevation sectional view of the aimble viewfinder of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a plano prism configuration used in the disclosed embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a turning mechanism for the plano prisms in the disclosed embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Wheel mounting alignment heads 11 and 12 are shown in Figure 1 such as those disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,097,157 or 4,150,897 mentioned hereinbefore. The alignment heads are mounted on a pair of front steerable wheels 13 and 14 supporting the front end of a vehicle chassis having a centerline 16 passing therethrough. A pair of nonsteerable rear wheels 17 and 18 support the rear end of the chassis. The alignment heads 11 and 12 are modified as compared to those disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patents. The heads each contain an aimable viewfinder which may best be described by reference to Figures 4 through 6. An aimable viewfinder 19 is shown in Figure 4 having an objective lens 21 exposed to light rays from an object located on a viewing path 22 extending from the viewfinder. The viewing path therefore extends from the rear side of the alignment heads 11 and 12 as seen in Figure 1. The viewing path 22 may be adjusted through a limited angle alpha ( ) on either side of the viewing path 22 in a substantially horizontal plane as shown in Figure 4. The objective lens 21 is mounted in an aperture in the rear of the existing alignment head structure. A tubular member 23 is fixed in the alignment head surrounding an optical axis 25 extending through the lens. Adjacent to the objective lens 21 and on the image side of the lens, is a pair of holding rings 24 and 26, as seen in any of Figures 4, 5, 7 or 8. Fixed in the holding rings are a pair of plano prisms 27 and 28. The holding rings are mounted in a groove 29 formed in the interior of the alignment head structure so that they may rotate about the optical axis 25 of the objective lens 21. The holding rings 24 and 26 are captured between a shoulder 31 adjacent to the mounting boss for the objective lens and a shoulder 32 which is adjacent to a bore 30 in the alignment head structure which surrounds and engages the outside diameter of a tube member 23 (Figures 4 and 5). A bevel gear 33 is formed on the holding ring 24 and a facing bevel gear 34 is formed on the holding ring 26 as best seen in Figure 8. The alignment head outer structure has a bore 36 therethrough in which is situated a bearing 37 supporting shaft 38 for rotation therein. The shaft extends through a rotary potentiometer 39 and is engageable at a knob 41 mounted on an accessible extension of the shaft 38. The shaft has a bevel pinion 42 disposed on the inward end thereof which engages the bevel gears 33 and 34 simultaneously. It may thus be seen that if the knob 41 is turned, the potentiometer wiper (not shown) is also turned, providing an output change from the rotary potentiometer 39. The shaft 38 and the bevel pinion 42 are also turned which causes the bevel gears 33 and 34 and the holding rings 24 and 26 to rotate in opposite directions within the groove 29. The plano prisms 27 and 28 are fixedly mounted within the holding rings 24 and 26 respectively. As may be seen in Figures 5 or 7, the prisms have flat angled faces 27a and 28a on one side and flat faces 27b and 28b on the other side. The latter flat faces are perpendicular to the cylindrical outer surfaces of the prisms and are mounted in the rings so that they are adjacent, parallel to one another and situated substantially perpendicular to the optical axis 25 through the tube member 23. The angled faces 27a and 28a are situated parallel to one another when the plano prisms are oriented so as to cause no lateral deflection through any portion of the angle alpha for the rays passing through the objective lens 21 from an object on the viewing path 22. This orientation of the plano prisms may be seen in Figures 5 and 7, wherein the prism 27 causes an upward deflection of rays passing through the objective lens and the plano prism 28 causes an equal and opposite downward deflection. Therefore, the rays passing through the plano prisms when oriented as shown in Figure 5 will proceed through the tube member 23 in the same direction as they approach the objective lens from the object. However, when the knob 41 is rotated causing one holding ring and plano prism to rotate in one direction and the other holding ring and plano prism to rotate in the opposite direction, while the vertical components of ray deflection will continue to cancel out, the lateral ray deflection components will add. Therefore, the rays passing through the objective lens 21 will appear to be adjusted angularly as they proceed through the tube member 23 apparently swinging through some portion of the angle alpha to one side or the other of the viewing path 22 dependent on the degree to which and the direction in which the knob 41 is turned. The rotary potentiometer 39 will provide an electrical output which is indicative of the rotation imparted to the plano prisms and therefore indicative of the angle in the substantially horizontal plane through which the rays from the object being viewed are deflected. Such structure may be seen to be distinct from that providing mechanical adjustment disclosed in copending U.S. patent application serial number (Attorney's docket number SJ 9456) filed of even date herewith. The objective lens 21 in this embodiment may have a focal length of approximately 11 inches. Considering the wheel bases of most vehicles on which this equipment is intended to be used, an optical assembly shown generally at 43 is mounted at a distance along the tube member from the objective lens which is about at the back focal distance of the objective lens for objects about wheel base distance in front of the lens. The optical assembly includes a vertically disposed plane mirror 44 mounted at about a 450 angle to a diameter of the tube member. Mirror 44 intercepts rays traveling -through the tube member and reflects them through an opening 46 in the side of the tube member to impinge upon an oblique plane mirror 47 which is mounted just outside the tube member. The oblique mirror is mounted at an angle which is nearly 45" with the vertical if the rays are to be reflected directly from the oblique mirror to a viewing lens. The oblique mirror is mounted on the path of rays passing through the objective lens substantially at the aforementioned back focal distance of the lens. In this example the back focal distance may be approximately 12 5/8 inches. Therefore, a real image is constructed approximately at the surface of the oblique mirror 47. An index line 48 is formed from top to bottom centrally on the surface of the mirror. The index line will therefore appear superimposed on the real image constructed by the objective lens to an observer of the rays reflected from the oblique mirror 47. If it is desirable or required to erect the real image formed by the objective lens 21 at the oblique mirror 47, an arrangement of erecting mirrors 49 and 51 as shown in Figure 6 may be used. The image may thereby be erected before the rays are directed to a viewing lens 52 which may provide some magnification, by a factor of 2 for example, for the image for presentation to an observer. The observing point is ideally situated at an eye relief distance of about 8 to 12 inches from the surface of the viewing lens 52 so that an operator will not have to stoop too close to the viewing lens to ascertain the direction in which the aimable viewfinder is being aimed. Returning now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the viewing path or lines of sight 22 may be seen emanating from the rear portions of the alignment heads 11 and 12. The lines of sight are directed toward points 53 and 54 which are equidistant from a point along the centerline 16 of the vehicle chassis. Specifically, the points 53 and 54 are equidistant from the midpoint between the nonsteerable wheels 17 and 18. The reference position for the viewing path 22 is in a direction which is parallel to the rotation planes of the wheels upon which the aligner heads are mounted, the front steerable wheels 13 and 14 in the embodiment of Figure 1. The viewing paths 22 may be seen to diverge from the reference direction by an angle AR for the steerable wheel 13 and AL for the steerable wheel 14. A mounting error known as runout is usually present when an alignment head is mounted on a vehicle wheel. The alignment heads utilized herein may have runout compensation structure included therein such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,180,915, Lill et al, issued January 1, 1980; U.S. Patent 4,192,074, Change, issued March 11, 1980; or U.S. Patent 4,138,825, Pelta, issued February 13, 1979. Such a runout angle for a particular rotational position of the right steerable wheel 13 is shown as ER and for the left steerable wheel 14 as EL in Figure 1. Runout compensation values in accordance with the runout angles may be stored in a microcomputer (not shown) which is associated with the alignment heads 11 and 12 so that the departure angle signals for the sighting system of each wheel may be corrected to bring the "home" position for each sighting system effectively precisely parallel to the plane of its associated wheel. With the foregoing in mind the following quantity definitions and relationships provide information identifying individual steerable wheel toe in relation to the vehicle chassis centerline 16 as seen in Figure 1. It should be noted that the quantities AR and AL as combined and corrected here provide a quantity which is indicative of the average steering direction of the steerable wheels 13 and 14. The quantities R and L are signals generated by the alignment heads 11 and 12 respectively which relate to the individual toe of the steerable wheels. AL = SIGNAL VALUE FROM L AIMABLE SIGHT (POS. IN) AR = SIGNAL VALUE FROM R AIMABLE SIGHT (POS. IN) L = TOE SIGNAL VALUE OF L PROJECTOR R = TOE SIGNAL VALUE OF R PROJECTOR EL = RUNOUT VALUE OF L UNIT MOUNTING (STORED) ER = RUNOUT VALUE OF R UNIT MOUNTING (STORED) S = AV. STEERING DIRECTION OF FRONT WHEELS = (AL-EL) - (AR-ER) 2 (POS. CW FROM CENTERLINE) Tav = 1/2 TOTAL TOE (POS. IN AT FRONT) = (L-EL) + (R-ER) 2 TL = ACTUAL L TOE AT SETTING = Tav+S = (L+R) + (AL-AR) - EL 2 Kt = CORRECTION FACTOR FOR INDIVIDUAL TOE = L - TL = (L-R) - AL-AR) + EL (STORE) 2 tL = L - Kt = CORR. L TOE AT ANY SETTING (DISPLAY) tR = R + Kt = CORR. R TOE AT ANY SETTING (DISPLAY) The foregoing illustrates how the quantities are combined to provide an average steering direction quantity for the steerable front wheels 13 and 14 as well as how an actual toe setting signal TL is obtained for the left steerable wheel 14 by utilizing one half the total toe signal provided by the alignment heads 11 and 12 and the average steering direction signal. The actual left toe is obtained in accordance with the appropriate sign conventions by adding the average steering direction signal to the one half total toe signal to obtain the actual left toe indicative signal and by subtracting the average steering direction signal from the one half total toe signal to obtain the actual right toe indicative signal in the embodiment of Figure 1. Once the alignment heads 11 and 12 have been set up as shown in Figure 1 a correction factor may be obtained by comparing the individual toe signal (L or R) provided by either alignment head with the actual toe indicative signal (TL or TR). The difference between the signals is equivalent to a correction factor which may then be stored and utilized for correcting the individual toe signal (L or R) provided by each alignment head (12 or 11) while the toe of either of the front steerable wheels 14 or 13 is adjusted or the steering direction of both wheels is changed. Sign convention requires that the correction factor be continuously added to the signal from the left projector and continuously subtracted from the signal from the right projector. With reference now to Figure 2 of the drawings the pair of front steerable wheels 13 and 14 are shown together with a pair of nonsteerable rear wheels 17 and 18 with the alignment heads 11 and 12 mounted on the nonsteerable rear wheels. The alignment heads are reversed on the rear wheels in order to find clearance under the vehicle for the cross toe measurements L' and R' as shown in Figure 2. As a result the sign of the toe signal must be changed and the values derived by the alignment head 12 must be displayed on the right meter and the values derived by the alignment head 11 must be displayed on the left meter because they are mounted on the right and left rear wheels respectively. A front and rear wheel mode selection switch (not shown) is provided so that the switch may be selected to the position which conforms with the position at which the alignment heads are mounted, front or rear. A correction factor switch (not shown) is also provided so the appropriate correction factors and average rear wheel rolling direction signal may be stored when appropriate. With the alignment heads 11 and 12 mounted on the nonsteerable rear wheel pair 17 and 18, targets 56 and 57 about 7 inches in length and having graduated scales thereon are mounted at the axes of the front steerable wheel 13 and 14 as shown. The aimable viewfinders as disclosed hereinbefore are adjusted by means of the knobs 41 (Figure 4) so that the index lines 48 in each of the aimable viewfinders appears at the same graduated point on the target graduated scales 56 and 57. The viewing paths 22 are therefore directed to points which are equidistant+FOF a point on the chassis centerline, specifically the midpoint between the front steerable wheels 13 and 14. An electrical signal is therefore generated by each potentiometer 39 in the aimable viewfinders 19, wherein the signals are indicative of the angles A'L and A'R as seen in Figure 2. The runout Errors E'L and E'R are obtained as hereinbefore described and together with the individual toe signal values L' and R' are used to perform calculations in accordance with the following relationships. D = AV. REAR ROLL DIRECTION (POS. CW) = (A'L-E'L) - (A'R-E'R) (STORE FOR FRONT TOE COMP.) 2 T'av = 1/2 TOTAL REAR TOE (POS. IN AT REAR) = (L'-E'L) + (R'-E'R) T'L = REVERSED ACTUAL R REAR TOE = T'av + D = (L'+R') + (A'L-A'R) - E'L K't = CORR. FACTOR FOR INDIV. REAR TOE = L'-T'L= (L'-R') - (A'L-A'R) + E'L (STORE) 2 t'L = INDIV. RIGHT REAR TOE = (L'-K't) x (-1) (DISPLAY ON R METER) t'R = INDIV. LEFT REAR TOE = (R'+K't) x (-1) (DISPLAY ON L METER) It may be seen from the foregoing relationships that the quantity D is representative of the average rolling direction of the pair of rear wheels 17 and 18 and is obtained by combining the signals which indicate the deviations of the lines of sight 22 from a direction parallel to the planes of the wheels 17 and 18. The actual toe for the left rear wheel is computed relative to the chassis centerline 16 by adding the average rolling direction for the rear wheels to a quantity provided by the alignment heads equal to one half of the total toe of the rear wheels and the actual toe for the right rear wheel is computed by subtracting the rear rolling direction quantity from the half total rear toe signal. The correction factor K't may be computed with the setup as described for Figure 2 by subtracting the actual real toe for either wheel from the individual toe signal value provided by the corresponding alignment head. With the alignment mode switch set to the rear position, a correction factor switch is actuated which stores the correction factor and average rear rolling direction signals to be used for purposes to be hereinafter described. The correction factor K't is used of course to provide the corrected individual rear toe displays so that subsequent rear wheel toe adjustment may be appropriately corrected when made for the chassis for which the rear wheel toe correction factor K't was obtained. Subsequent to obtaining the rear wheel toe relative to the chassis centerline 16 and the signal indicative of the average rear wheel rolling direction the aligner heads 11 and 12 are removed from the left and right rear wheels 18 and 17 respectively and mounted on the right and left front steerable wheels 13 and 14 respectively as shown in Figure 3. Once again the aimable viewfinders are aimed at a pair of points which are equidistant from a point on the vehicle centerline, preferably the midpoint between the nonsteerable wheels 17 and 18. The points are identified in the embodiment of Figure 3 by directing the viewing paths or lines of sight 22 to like points on the scales 56 and 57 now mounted on the axes of the nonsteerable wheels 17 and 18 respectively. The aiming of the viewfinders generates an electrical signal which is proportional to the angle between the optical axis or line of sight and the plane of the steerable wheel on which a particular alignment head 11 or 12 is mounted. Electrical signals are obtained form the alignment system which are indicative of the total toe angle between the planes of the front wheels 13 and 14 so that the average steering direction of the front wheels may be obtained as described in conjunction with the description of Figure 1. Having thus obtained a signal which is indicative of a portion (one half) of the total toe between the front wheels (Tav), a signal which is indicative of the average steering direction of the front wheels (S"3, and having fetched a signal from storage which is indicative of the average rear wheel rolling direction (D), a combination of the signals provides for actual front wheel toe settings T"L as shown in the relationships immediately following. D = AV. REAR TOE DIRECTION (STORED DURING REAR WHEEL CHECK) T"L = ACTUAL L TOE AT SETTING = Tav+S"-D = (L"+R") + (A"L-A"R) - E"L - D 2 K"t = L"-T"L = (L"-R") - (A"L-A"R) + E"L + D 2 t"L = L"-K"t (DISPLAY ON L METER) t"R = R"+K"t (DISPLAY ON R METER) It may be seen from the foregoing that a correction factor for the front steerable wheels K"t may be obtained from the signals obtained from the specific setup described immediately hereinbefore by comparing an individual toe reading from one of the alignment heads 11 or 12 with the actual toe at that particular setting for either the left steerable wheel 13 or the right steerable wheel 14 respectively. The correction factor K"t obtained is placed in storage by actuating the correction factor switch (not shown) while the front and rear alignment switch is in the front position. As explained hereinbefore, the correction factor is continuously added to the signal L" from the left alignment head 12 and continuously subtracted from the signal R" obtained from the right alignment head 11. The correction factor K"t may thus be combined with the individual toe indicative signals L" and R" from the alignment heads to continuously obtain a corrected toe signal display while individual wheel toe is being adjusted or the steering direction is being changed. The correction factor is constant for any of the situations for Figures 1 through 3 described herein and may be obtained by one careful setup of the alignment heads 11 and 12 and aimable viewfinders 19 contained therein. Thereafter, having stored the correction factor, no special care need be taken in adjusting individual toe of the wheels on the vehicle to assume predetermined toe angle inclinations, while nonetheless being assured of corrected toe inclination displays. Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present inventions has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent that modification and variation may be made without departing from what is regarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method measuring toe for wheels supporting a vehicle chassis wherein the wheels include pairs of nonsteerable and steerable wheels, utilizing a pair of alignment heads adapted to be mounted on ones of the wheels and providing signals indicative of the individual toe of the wheels on which the heads are mounted, and an optical system incorporated in each head having an optical axis extending therefrom, comprising the steps of mounting an alignment head on each of the nonsteerable wheels, aiming each optical axis at separate ones of a pair of points equidistant from a point on the centerline of the vehicle chassis, providing an electrical signal indicative of the angular departure of each optical axis from the plane of the nonsteerable wheel on which the respective head is mounted, combining the angular departure signals and providing and storing an average rolling direction signal for the nonsteerable wheels, removing the alignment heads from the nonsteerable wheels and mounting them on the steerable wheels, aiming each optical axis at separate ones of a pair of points equidistant from the centerline of the vehicle chassis approximately at the position of the nonsteerable wheels, providing an electrical signal indicative of the angular departure of each optical axis from the plane of the steerable wheel on which the respective head is mounted, combining the steerable wheel toe and angular departure signals with the stored nonsteerable wheel rolling direction signal so that an actual toe angle signal for each steerable wheel is obtained which is referenced to the nonsteerable wheel average rolling direction. 2. A method as in claim 1 together with the step of comparing the actual toe angle signal with a respective individual toe signal to obtain a steerable wheel correction factor, and storing the correction factor signal, whereby subsequent individual steerable wheel toe signals measured relative to the same chassis may be corrected by individual steerable wheel toe is adjusted or the steering direction is changed. 3. A method as in claim 1 together with the step of combining the average rolling direction signal and the nonsteerable wheel toe signals when the alignment heads are mounted on the nonsteerable wheels, so that an actual toe angle signal is obtained for each nonsteerable wheel referenced to the vehicle chassis centerline. 4. A method as in claim 3 together with the step of comparing the nonsteerable wheel actual toe signal with a respective individual toe signal to obtain a nonsteerable wheel correction factor, and storing the correction factor signal, whereby subsequent individual nonsteerable wheel toe signals measured relative to the same chassis may be corrected while individual nonsteerable wheel toe is adjusted. 5. A method of measuring alignment of a wheel pair on a wheel supported vehicle relative to the vehicle chassis centerline, comprising the steps of mounting a wheel alignment head containing an aimable optical system on each one of the wheels of the pair, said alignment heads developing a signal indicative of the total toe between the wheels of the pair, aiming the optical systems at respective points equidistant from a point on the chassis centerline and generally longitudinally disposed along the vehicle chassis, measuring the departure of each aimed optical system from the plane of the wheel on which mounted and providing an electrical signal indicative thereof, and comparing the departure signals to obtain a steering signal indicative of the average steering direction for the wheel pair relative to the chassis centerline. 6. A method as in claim 5 wherein the wheel pair is a steerable wheel pair, together with the step of combining one half of the total toe signal with the steering signal to obtain a steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline. 7. A method as in claim 6 wherein the step of combining comprises adding the steering signal to the one half total toe signal to obtain one steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline and subtracting the steering signal from the one half total toe signal to obtain the other steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline. 8. A method as in claim 6 wherein said alignment heads each provide an individual toe signal for the wheel on which they are mounted, together with the steps of comparing the individual toe signals with the steerable wheel toe indicative signal to thereby obtain an individual steerable wheel toe correction factor, storing the toe correction factor, and applying the stored correction factor to individual steerable wheel toe signals measured relative to the same vehicle chassis, whereby corrected individual toe indications are obtained while individual steerable wheel toe is adjusted or the steering direction is changed. 9. A method as in claim 5 wherein the wheel pair is a nonsteerable wheel pair together with the step of storing the steering signal as a nonsteerable wheel pair rolling direction signal referenced to the chassis centerline. 10. A method as in claim 9 wherein said alignment heads provide an individual toe signal for the wheel on which they are mounted, together with the steps of combining one half of the total toe signal with the rolling direction signal to obtain a nonsteerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline, comparing the individual toe signal with the nonsteerable wheel toe indicative signal to thereby obtain a nonsteerable wheel individual toe correction factor, storing the toe correction factor, and applying the stored correction factor to individual toe signals measured relative to the same vehicle chassis, whereby corrected individual toe indications are obtained while individual nonsteerable wheel toe is adjusted. 11. A method as in claim 9 together with the steps of mounting the wheel alignment heads on the steerable wheels, aiming the optical systems at respective points equidistant from a point on the chassis centerline and generally longitudinally disposed along the vehicle chassis, measuring the departure of each aimed optical system from the plane of the steerable wheel on which mounted and providing an electrical signal indicative thereof, comparing the departure signals to obtain a steering signal indicative of the average steering direction of the steerable wheel pair relative to the chassis centerline, and combining one half of the total toe signal for the steerable wheels with the steering signal and the rolling direction signal to obtain a steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the nonsteerable wheel rolling direction. 12. A method as in claim 11 wherein said alignment heads provide an individual toe signal for the wheel on which they are mounted, together with the steps of comparing the individual toe signal with the steerable wheel toe indicative signal to thereby obtain an individual steerable wheel toe correction factor, storing the toe correction factor, and applying the stored correction factor to individual steerable wheel toe signals measured relative to the same vehicle chassis, whereby corrected individual toe indications are obtained while individual steerable wheel toe is adjusted or the steering direction is changed. 13. A method of measuring individual toe of a pair of nonsteerable and a pair of steerable wheels supporting a vehicle chassis, wherein a pair of alignment heads provide signals related to individual toe of the wheel on which an alignment head is mounted and relative to total toe of the wheels on which the pair of heads is mounted1 and wherein an optical system is incorporated in each head having an optical path which is aimable over an angular range and providing a directional signal indicative of the direction in which the optical system is aimed, comprising the steps of mounting one alignment head on each of the wheels of the nonsteerable wheel pair, orienting the optical paths to intercept points equidistant from a center point between the steerable wheels, combining the directional signals to obtain a signal indicative of nonsteerable wheel average rolling direction relative to the chassis centerline, combining the average rolling direction signal and one half the total toe signal to obtain an actual individual toe signal for one of the nonsteerable wheel relative to the chassis centerline, comparing the nonsteerable wheel actual toe signal with the respective individual toe signal to obtain an individual nonsteerable wheel toe correction factor, storing the average rolling direction and nonsteerable wheel toe correction factor signals, removing the alignment heads from the nonsteerable wheels and mounting one head on each of the wheels of the steerable pair, orienting the optical paths to intercept points equidistant from a center point between the nonsteerable wheels, combining th direction signals to obtain a signal indicative of steerable wheel average steering direction relative to the vehicle centerline, combining one half the signal indicative of the total toe between the steerable wheels, the steering direction signal and the stored average rolling direction signal to obtain an actual individual toe signal for one of the steerable wheels relative to the average nonsteerable wheel rolling direction, comparing the steerable wheel actual toe signal with the respective steerable wheel individual toe signal to obtain an individual steerable wheel toe correction factor, and storing the last named correction factor, whereby the stored correction factors may be applied to individual steerable and nonsteerable wheel toe signals measured relative to the same vehicle chassis thereby providing corrected individual toe indications while wheel toe is being adjusted or steering direction is being changed. 14. Apparatus for measuring individual wheel toe of a steerable wheel pair and a nonsteerable wheel pair supporting a chassis of a vehicle, comprising an alignment head pair adapted for mounting equidistant from a center point between the wheel pairs first on the nonsteerable wheel pair and then on the steerable wheel pair, said alignment heads providing a total toe signal for the wheel pair on which they are mounted and an individual toe signal for the wheel on which each head is mounted, a sighting system in each alignment head providing a line of sight generally in a direction longitudinal of the vehicle chassis, means for adjusting said line of sight direction relative to said direction longitudinal of the vehicle chassis, means coupled to said means for adjusting for providing an electrical output signal indicative of said line of sight direction relative to respective ones of the wheel planes of the wheel pairs, and means for receiving said electrical output signals and for providing corrected individual nonsteerable wheel toe relative to the chassis centerline and corrected individual steerable wheel toe relative to the average nonsteerable wheel rolling direction when said lines of sight are adjusted to intercept points on the opposing wheel axes which are equidistant from a center point between the opposing wheel pair. 15. Apparatus for measuring alignment of a wheel pair on a wheel supported vehicle relative to the centerline of the vehicle chassis, comprising, a pair of alignment heads providing a signal indicative of total toe between wheels in the pair, means for mounting said alignment heads on each wheel of the pair equidistant from a midpoint between the wheels, an optical system in each alignment head providing an optical path extending in a direction generally longitudinal of the vehicle chassis, means for adjusting said optical path direction relative to said direction longitudinal of the vehicle chassis, means coupled to said means for adjusting for providing an electrical output signal indicative of said optical path direction relative to the direction of respective ones of the wheel planes in the wheel pair, and means for receiving said electrical output signals and for providing a steering signal indicative of an average steering direction relative to the chassis centerline for the wheel pair when said optical systems are adjusted so that said optical paths intercept points substantially equidistant from a point on the centerline of the chassis. 16. Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the wheel pair is a steerable wheel pair and wherein said means for receiving is coupled to receive said signal indicative of total toe, said means for receiving including means for providing a one half total toe signal and for combining said one half total toe signal with said steering signal to obtain a steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline. 17. Apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said means for combining comprises means for adding said one half total toe signal to said steering signal to obtain one steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline, and means for subtracting said steering signal from said one half total toe signal to obtain the other steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the chassis centerline. 18. Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the wheel pairs a nonsteerable wheel pair, including means for storing said steering signal, thereby providing a reference indicative of the wheel pair average rolling direction relative to the chassis centerline. 19. Apparatus as in claim 18 together with means for combining teh total toe signal with the steering signal and for providing an actual nonsteerable wheel toe signal relative to the wheel pair average rolling direction. 20. Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said alignment heads provide an individual toe signal for the wheel on which they are mounted, together with means for comparing the individual toe signals with the actual nonsteerable wheel toe signal to thereby obtain an individual toe correction factor, and means for storing said toe correction factor whereby it may thereafter be applied to individual nonsteerable wheel toe signals measured by the aligner heads relative to the same vehicle chassis to obtain continuously corrected individual toe indications while nonsteerable wheel toe is being adjusted. 21. Apparatus as in claim 18 wherein said alignment heads provide an individual toe signal for the wheel on which they are mounted, wherein said steering signal is indicative of average rolling direction when said alignment heads are mounted on the nonsteerable wheels and is indicative of average steerable wheel steering direction when said alignment heads are mounted on the steerable wheels, said means for receiving including means for combining said total toe, average steerable wheel steering direction, and average rolling direction signals to obtain a steerable wheel toe indicative signal relative to the nonsteerable wheel average rolling direction. 22. Apparatus as in claim 21 together with means for comparing said steerable wheel toe indicative signal with an individual toe signal to thereby obtain an individual steerable wheel toe correction factor, and means for storing said correction factor. 23. Apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said alignment heads each provide an individual toe signal for the wheel on which they are mounted, together with means for comparing the individual toe signals with the steerable wheel toe indicative signal to thereby obtain an individual toe correction factor, and means for storing said toe correction factor whereby said correction factor may thereafter be applied to individual toe signals measured relative to the same vehicle chassis to thereby obtain corrected individual toe indications while individual steerable wheel toe is adjusted or the steering direction is changed. 24. An aimable viewfinder adapted to be installed on an alignment head for use in an alignment system for wheels supporting a vehicle chassis, comprising a framework, an objective lens mounted at one end of said framework admitting light from an object being viewed along a viewing path, a pair of plano prisms, a mounting ring securely holding each of said plano prisms in position on the image side of said objective lens, said mounting rings being disposed in said framework for rotation about an axis extending through said objective lens so that said plano prisms intercept and deflect light passed by said objective lens in substantially equal and opposite vertical directions, means for turning said mounting rings in opposite rotational directions, whereby light passing through said objective lens is deflected laterally, an electrical signal generator coupled to said means for turning whereby a signal is provided which is indicative of the amount of lateral deflection of said light passed through said objective lens, and an optical assembly positioned in said framework substantially at the back focal distance for the object and disposed to present an image of the object to an observers position. 25. An aimable viewfinder as in claim 24 wherein said optical assembly includes erecting mirrors. 26. An aimable viewfinder as in claim 24 together with an index line formed in said optical assembly, said index line being disposed to indicate on the observed image the direction in which the viewing path is aimed. 27. An aimable viewfinder as in claim 24 wherein said means for turning comprises, a gear on each of said mounting rings, and a mating gear disposed between and meshed with each of said mounting ring gears. 28. An aimable viewfinder as in claim 24 wherein said optical assembly includes a viewing lens providing real image magnification and appropriate eye relief between said viewing lens and said observer's position. 29. An aimable viewfinder as in claim 24 wherein said signal generator comprises a rotary potentiometer.

Inventors: LILL, MELVIN H.
Applicants: FMC CORPORATION
Application year: 1982
Main classification: G01B11
IPC codes: G01B11, B62D17