Patent ID: 12196641

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following details an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

FIGS.1to11are illustrative views of an inspection device1according to the present invention. Inspection device1includes tire supporters2.

FIGS.1and2are schematic illustrative views of inspection device1according to the present invention, and show a case that every one of tires (i.e., wheels)4of a vehicle3is provided with a corresponding one of tire supporters2. Tire supporters2may be disposed for only some of the tires of vehicle3.

FIG.1is a side view of tire supporters2composing inspection device1, and shows from a left side of vehicle3a situation in which tire supporters2are mounted to front and rear wheels on right and left sides of vehicle3.FIG.2is a plan view showing the situation in which tire supporters2are mounted to the front and rear wheels on the right and left sides of vehicle3.FIG.3is a plan view of a right-and-left pair of tire supporters2(2a) for the front wheels of vehicle3, wherein tires4of the right and left front wheels ride onto tire supporters2a.FIG.4is a side view of one of tire supporters2.FIG.5is an illustrative view schematically showing a focused part of one of tire supporters2.FIG.6is an illustrative view schematically showing focused parts of link mechanisms20of a right-and-left pair of tire supporters2.FIG.7is an illustrative view schematically showing a focused part of one of tire supporters2.FIG.8is a front view of a right-and-left pair of tire supporters2.FIG.9is a plan view of one of movement rollers25of tire supporters2.FIG.10is a side view of one of movement rollers25of tire supporters2.FIG.11is a rear view of one of movement rollers25of tire supporters2.

FIGS.1to11show an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. In the present description, X-axis is an axis in a longitudinal direction of vehicle3. Y-axis is an axis in a height direction of vehicle3. Z-axis is an axis in a width direction of vehicle3.

Furthermore, in the present description, “vehicle up-and-down direction” refers to an up-and-down direction with respect to an inspection target vehicle during inspection, and is identical to the direction of Y-axis. “Vehicle front-and-rear direction” refers to a front-and-rear direction with respect to an inspection target vehicle during inspection, and is identical to the direction of X-axis. “Vehicle width direction” refers to a width direction with respect to an inspection target vehicle during inspection, and is identical to the direction of Z-axis.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, inspection device1is used for an inspection implemented in a state in which tires4of vehicle3are idlingly rotating. Inspection device1includes tire supporters2that are fixed at positions in conformance with intervals between the front and rear wheels of vehicle3being a target of the inspection. Tire supporters2aare a right-and-left pair of tire supporters2corresponding to the front wheels of vehicle3. Tire supporters2bare a right-and-left pair of tire supporters2corresponding to the rear wheels of vehicle3.

Tire supporters2aand tire supporters2bare configured similarly to each other except lengths of slopes22(described below) in the vehicle front-and-rear direction.

Tire supporters2are movable along side rails5, and are fixed at the positions in conformance with the intervals between the front and rear wheels of vehicle3being the inspection target.

Side rails5are rectangular plate members elongated to extend straight, and are disposed adjacently to both sides of vehicle3being the inspection target. Each of side rails5is made of a metallic material such as an iron, and includes a first track (i.e., a travel track)6extending straight to allow movement rollers25described below of tire supporters2to travel along the track (i.e., rotate and move on the track).

The pair of side rails5disposed adjacently to the both sides of vehicle3of the inspection target are arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction that is set in conformance with, for example, a tread width of vehicle3of the inspection target. Side rails5are fixed to a floor of a place for implementing the inspection such as an indoor test site, and facilitate straight movement of tire supporters2along side rails5.

Vehicle3during the inspection is retained in a state of being pulled in the vehicle front-and-rear direction etc. with tensile members7such as chains or wires. The reference numerals8a,8b, and8cinFIGS.1and2represent vehicle retainers to which first ends of tensile members7are attached.

Each of vehicle retainers8ais fixed to a corresponding one of front rail9and rear rail10that are straight rails arranged to interpose vehicle3of the inspection target in the vehicle front-and-rear direction. Vehicle retainers8bare fixed to rear rail10. Each of vehicle retainers8cis fixed to a corresponding one of side rails5so as to be positioned on first track6.

Each of vehicle retainers8ais substantially composed of a base part8aaslidably mounted to a corresponding one of front rail9and rear rail10and a retention part8abvertically movably mounted to base part8aa. Base part8aais fixed to the corresponding one of front rail9and rear rail10. Retention part8abis fixed to base part8aa. Each of vehicle retainers8bis slidably mounted to rear rail10.

Front rail9and rear rail10are made of a metallic material such as an iron.

Front rail9facilitates straight movement of vehicle retainers8aalong front rail9. Rear rail10facilitates straight movement of vehicle retainers8aand8balong rear rail10.

Each of front rail9and rear rail10includes a second track11extending straight to allow vehicle retainers8aand8bto travel thereon. Each of vehicle retainers8ais fixed to the corresponding one of front rail9and rear rail10so as to be positioned on second track11. Each of vehicle retainers8bis fixed to rear rail10so as to be positioned on second track11.

Front rail9and rear rail10are arranged at an interval in the vehicle front-and-rear direction that is set in conformance with, for example, an entire length of vehicle3of the inspection target.

Front rail9and rear rail10are fixed to a floor of a place for implementing the inspection such as an indoor test site.

As shown inFIGS.1to6, each of tire supporters2includes rollers15(e.g., four rollers15in the present embodiment), a housing16, a side roller17, a safety fence18, stoppers19, a link mechanism20, a limit switch21, and slopes22. Rollers15allow tire4to idle. Housing16supports rollers15so as to allow rollers15to rotate. Side roller17is positioned to face a corresponding one of both sides of vehicle3. Safety fence18is mounted to housing16. Stoppers19are contained in housing16, and are structured to move up and down. Link mechanism20is structured to elevate stoppers19. Limit switch21detects an elevation state of stoppers19. Slopes22are detachably mounted to housing16.

Rollers15are shaped cylindrical or columnar, and support tire4rotatably. Each of rollers15is made of a metallic material such as a stainless or an iron, and includes a pair of ends each of which is rotatably supported by housing16via a bearing23. As shown inFIGS.2and3, rollers15inside housing16have rotational axes parallel with each other, and are structured to rotate in a same direction. Rollers15inside housing16are arranged apart from each other at predetermined intervals. Each of rollers15has a length in its axial direction that is longer than a width of tire4.

Housing16is made of a metallic material such as an iron, and has a shape of a rectangular box. Housing16serves as a body of inspection device1, and is disposed or installed on a floor (i.e., a plane on which vehicle3can run).

As shown inFIGS.2and3, each pair of tire supporters2aligned in the vehicle width direction are coupled to each other via a coupler24having a shape of an elongated rectangular plate. In other words, each pair of housings16aligned in the vehicle width direction are coupled to each other via coupler24. Coupler24to couple each right-and-left pair of tire supporters2may be used only for adjustment to accord central positions of the right-and-left pair of housings16, and be detached after completion of the adjustment.

Each of housings16is provided with three rollers15shaped cylindrical or columnar and mounted to an exterior of housing16. The three movement rollers25are made of a resin material such as an urethane, and have rotational axes parallel with each other, and are mounted to housing16so as to rotate in a same direction.

Each of housings16includes a first end side to which two movement rollers25are mounted and a second end side to which one movement roller25is mounted. The two movement rollers25of the first end side are mounted to housing16so as to be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes of the two movement rollers25in a plan view (e.g., the vehicle front-and-rear direction).

In detail, as shown inFIGS.9to11, each of movement rollers25is mounted to housing16via a first supporter26, a second supporter27, and a third supporter28. First supporter26, second supporter27, and third supporter28are made of a metallic material such as an iron.

First supporter26includes a roller support part26asupporting movement roller25rotatably and a mount part26boverlapping with second supporter27.

As shown inFIG.9in a plan view, roller support part26ahas a substantially U-shape, and interposes movement roller25therein in a direction of the rotational axis of the movement roller25.

Mount part26bis a rectangular plate member, and is mounted to second supporter27with four screws29such as bolts.

As shown inFIG.11, second supporter27has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and includes a recessed groove27ain a center thereof. Second supporter27is disposed under mount part26bof first supporter26.

As shown inFIG.11, third supporter28has a substantially T-shaped cross section, and is disposed under second supporter27. Third supporter28includes a projection part28ain a center thereof and flat parts28badjacent to both sides of projection part28a. Projection part28ais inserted in recessed groove27aof second supporter27, and is substantially equal to recessed groove27ain width. Flat parts28bare fixed to housing16with screws30such as bolts.

Mount part26bof first supporter26, second supporter27, and projection part28aof third supporter28are pierced by a fixing screw31such as a bolt. Mount part26band a head of fixing screw31interpose therebetween a fixing spherical washer (i.e., a first spherical washer)32.

Roller support part26abeing a tip of first supporter26is pressed downward (i.e., toward the floor) by operating an operation handle (not shown) mounted to fixing spherical washer32and rotating fixing screw31that is in screw connection with (i.e., screwed in) fixing spherical washer32. This action of rotating (i.e., fastening) fixing screw31causes movement roller25to be pressed downward onto the floor, and thereby causes housing16to be lifted and become movable.

Housing16being the body of inspection device1is brought into contact with the floor by rotating (i.e., unfastening) fixing screw31, and is fixed to the floor etc. in a place for the inspection by fixing bolts33extending through housing16, to side rails5. Side rails5are provided with nuts not shown for fixing of housing16(i.e., fixing of inspection device1).

As shown inFIGS.1to4, side roller17is rotatably mounted to and supported by housing16. Side roller17has a cylindrical or columnar shape, and restricts movement of vehicle3in the vehicle width direction during the inspection. Side roller17is made of a metallic material such as a stainless or an iron. Side roller17may be mounted to various positions depending on the tread width of vehicle3.

In detail, as shown inFIGS.3,4, and8, side roller17is rotatably supported by a supporter35shaped to be an elongated rectangular plate and mounted to housing16. Supporter35is made of a metallic material such as an iron, and includes a pair of ends bent in a same direction, and has a substantially U-shape as a whole. In other words, supporter35includes a body35ain a center thereof and a pair of support pieces35bdisposed in both sides of supporter35and bent with respect to body35a. Body35asupports side roller17rotatably in its center in a longitudinal direction thereof. As shown inFIG.3, each of support pieces35bis inserted in a groove37formed in housing16, and is fixed to groove37with mount screws38such as bolts.

Each of grooves37has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and, as shown inFIGS.3and5, continuously extends straight along a corresponding one of edges of housing16in the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side.

As shown inFIG.8, each of grooves37includes a pair of side walls each of which includes housing screw holes39through which mount screws38extends.

Supporter35is fixed to housing16at a position depending on the tread width of vehicle3, by changing choice of housing screw holes39to be used for fixing of support pieces35b.

As shown inFIGS.1,3, and4, safety fence18is detachably mounted to an end of housing16in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned outer with respect to side roller17in the vehicle width direction. Safety fence18has a substantially rectangular outline, and has a size sufficient to cover, in a side view of vehicle3, tire4disposed on inspection device1to which safety fence18is mounted.

As shown inFIGS.3,5,6, and7, each of stoppers19is composed of a thin plate member having an elongated rectangular shape, and is made of a metallic material such as an iron. Each of stoppers19is disposed between two of rollers15adjacent to each other. In other words, both sides of each stopper19face rollers15. Between adjacent two of rollers15, one stopper19is disposed. According to the present embodiment, three stoppers19are disposed between four rollers15. Each of stoppers19is disposed between adjacent two of rollers15, so as to extend parallel with the adjacent two of rollers15. Each of stoppers19is structured to move up and down between adjacent two of rollers15, and project through a gap between rollers15to butt into tire4disposed on rollers15after completion of the inspection. Thus, each of stoppers19during the inspection is buried between rollers15so as not to contact with tire4.

Link mechanism20includes a first link mechanism41and a second link mechanism42. First link mechanism41supports first ends of stoppers19rotatably. Second link mechanism42supports second ends of stoppers19rotatably.

As shown inFIGS.3,6, and7, first link mechanism41includes a first fixture44, a second fixture45, first links46, a second link47, an elevation screw48, and an elevation spherical washer (i.e., a second spherical washer)49, and is disposed in an end of inspection device1in a vehicle outer side in the vehicle width direction. The above components of first link mechanism41are made of a metallic material such as an iron.

First fixture44and second fixture45are fixed to housing16with screws50such as bolts. As shown inFIG.7, first fixture44is positioned nearer to vehicle3than second fixture45and apart from second fixture45in the vehicle width direction. First fixture44and second fixture45may be integrated into one component.

As shown inFIGS.6and7, each of first links46includes a first end rotatably connected to a corresponding one of the first ends of stoppers19via a first connection pin52, and includes a second end rotatably connected to first fixture44via a second connection pin53.

Second link47includes first ends rotatably connected to the first ends of stoppers19via first connection pins52, and includes a second end being in screw connection with a tip of elevation screw48(i.e., connected to the tip of elevation screw48by screwing). Second link47in plan view has a shape of a three-pronged fork that includes tips respectively connected to different ones of stoppers19.

Elevation screw48extends through a through hole45aformed in second fixture45. Through hole45ahas an inner diameter greater than a diameter of a shaft part of elevation screw48.

Elevation spherical washer49receives elevation screw48extending through it, and is sandwiched between second fixture45and a head of elevation screw48. Elevation spherical washer49is in screw connection with elevation screw48.

Elevation screw48is structured to move forward and backward (i.e., reciprocate) in the vehicle width direction with respect to second fixture45, by rotating elevation screw48. This causes second link47connected with the tip of elevation screw48to move forward and backward (i.e., reciprocate) in the vehicle width direction.

As shown inFIG.6, second link mechanism42includes a third fixture54and third links55. Third links55are connected to third fixture54and stoppers19.

Second link mechanism42is disposed in an end of inspection device1facing the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The above components of second link mechanism42are made of a metallic material such as an iron.

Each of third links55includes a first end rotatably connected to a corresponding one of the second ends of stoppers19via a third connection pin56, and includes a second end rotatably connected to third fixture54via a fourth connection pin57.

In response to the forward and backward movement (i.e., reciprocation) of second link47, stoppers19move upward and downward in the height direction of vehicle3while being supported by first links46.

As shown inFIG.7, limit switch21is mounted to housing16so as to contact with a corresponding one of stoppers19when stoppers19come to upward limit positions. Limit switch21outputs ON/OFF signals representing contact/noncontact with stopper19, for monitoring the elevation state of stoppers19.

Limit switch21may be mounted to housing16so as to contact with a corresponding one of stoppers19when stoppers19come to downward limit positions. Otherwise, limit switch21may be mounted to not housing16but a component of link mechanism20, provided that limit switch21can detect the elevation state of stoppers19.

Slopes22are made of a metallic material such as an iron, and are detachably mounted to the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side of housing16as shown inFIGS.1to5.

As shown inFIGS.3to5, each of slopes22includes a body60and an insertion piece61. Body60includes an inclined surface60astructured to guide tire4to rollers15. Insertion piece61includes a tip inserted in a corresponding one of grooves37of housing16. Body60has a cross section shaped to be substantially a right-angled triangle, wherein inclined surface60ais a hypotenuse of the triangle and serves as a continuous surface to connect a top surface of housing16to a floor surface of a place for implementing the inspection.

Insertion piece61has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and includes a flat part61aprojecting from body60and an insertion part61bextending from flat part61adownwardly in the vehicle height direction (i.e., in a downward direction inFIG.5). Insertion piece61is formed by, for example, bending a rectangular plate into an L-shape.

As shown inFIG.3, each of slopes22is detachably mounted to housing16by inserting insertion part61bof insertion piece61into a corresponding one of grooves37of housing16at a position shifted with respect to positions at which support pieces35bof supporter35are inserted. Insertion piece61is positioned nearer to the vehicle in the vehicle width direction than support pieces35bof supporter35. Insertion part61bof insertion piece61is inserted in groove37at a position nearer to the vehicle than support pieces35bof supporter35.

Thus, slopes22and side roller17are mounted to the same grooves at the different positions.

Each pair of tire supporters2different from each other in position in the front-and-rear direction of vehicle3are different from each other in length in the vehicle front-and-rear direction of slopes22mounted to the each pair of tire supporters2. In other words, slopes22mounted to the right-and-left pair of tire supporters2afor idling of the front wheels of tires4of vehicle3are different in length in the vehicle front-and-rear direction from slopes22mounted to the right-and-left pair of tire supporters2bfor idling of the rear wheels of tires4of vehicle3.

As described above, inspection device1(i.e., tire supporters2) can be disposed or installed on a flat plane (i.e., a floor surface) on which vehicle3can travel.

Thus, inspection device1eliminates necessity for preparing a pit or a depression for containing various components (e.g., link mechanism20for elevation of stoppers19) on the floor upon installation, and serves to increase flexibility in selecting a place for implementing inspection.

Inspection device1(tire supporters2) includes stoppers19structured to butt into tires4. This allows vehicle3to ride onto and get off from inspection device1by self-propellant without an incidental device such as a winch.

Inspection device1(tire supporters2) is configured such that stoppers19are disposed between rollers15and fill gaps between rollers15. This serves to suppress rollers15from catching a finger of an operator. Thus, inspection device1(tire supporters2) serves to improve safety of operation because stoppers19are disposed between rollers15.

Inspection device1(tire supporters2) includes limit switch21. This facilitates grasping of whether being in a state for allowing tires4of vehicle3to ride onto or get off from rollers15or not.

Thus, upon an inspection, inspection device1allows an inspector to easily monitor or check whether tires4of vehicle3may ride onto or get off from rollers15or not.

Each of tire supporters2includes three movement rollers25rotatably mounted to housing16. This allows each of tire supporters2to easily move by rotation of movement rollers25while maintaining an attitude of housing16horizontal. Especially, upon movement of tire supporter2by rotation of movement rollers25, three movement rollers25allow tire supporter2to move in a direction inclined with respect to a direction of rolling of rollers15in plan view (in other words, move in a direction to rotate tire supporter2in plan view). This facilitates fine adjustment for arrangement of tire supporters2.

Each pair of tire supporters2aligned in the vehicle width direction are coupled to each other via coupler24being the elongated rectangular plate.

This allows each pair of tire supporters2aligned in the vehicle width direction to accord central positions of the right-and-left pair of housings16, and allows the right-and-left pair of housings16to accord positions of projections and depressions due to rollers15. This allows each right-and-left pair of tires4to idle under substantially same conditions when idling on rollers15. Thus, inspection device1allows each right-and-left pair of tires4to idle under substantially same conditions, and thereby serves to improve accuracy of the inspection.

Inspection device1(tire supporters2) includes side rollers17. This suppresses vehicle3from moving (i.e., dashing out) in the vehicle width direction during the inspection, and thereby suppresses vehicle3from dropping off inspection device1(tire supporters2).

Inspection device1(tire supporters2) is structured to allow change in mount position of side rollers17depending on the tread width of vehicle3, and thereby conform to vehicles with various tread widths.

Each of tire supporters2is movable in a state in which slopes22have been detached. This facilitates installation of tire supporters2in accordance with a wheelbase length of vehicle3.

Slopes22are detachably mounted to tire supporters2. This facilitates moving and storing of tire supporters2.

Each pair of tire supporters2different from each other in position in the vehicle front-and-rear direction are different from each other in length in the vehicle front-and-rear direction of slopes22mounted to the each pair of tire supporters2.

This causes a timing of contact between slopes22and the front wheels of tires4of vehicle3to be different from a timing of contact between slopes22and the rear wheels of tires4of vehicle3, and reduces force required for vehicle3to ride onto slopes22.

This allows vehicle3to easily ride onto tire supporters2by self-propellant or ride onto tire supporters2by manpower of an operator(s) with no incidental device, and facilitates implementation of an inspection employing inspection device1.

Each of tire supporters2includes support pieces35bof supporter35and insertion pieces61of slopes22that are both inserted in grooves37of housing16.

Thus, each of tire supporters2is structured such that slopes22and side roller17are mounted to the same grooves. This serves to simplify tire supporters2in structure for mounting of slopes22and side roller17, and thereby improves productivity while reducing costs.

Each of tire supporters2includes safety fence18detachably mounted at a position outer with respect to side roller17. This ensures safety against entanglement into tires4rotating during an inspection. Thus, inspection device1serves to ensure safety during an inspection.

Although the above describes the specific embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment but may be variously modified without departing from intention of the invention.

For example, inspection device1may be modified to provide tire supporters2with only some of tires4of vehicle3.

Furthermore, the number of rollers15in each housing16is not limited to four but may be a plural number other than four.