Driveline alignment apparatus and method
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMohammad A. Moradi, Michael D. Rossman, Larry LaBell, Bonita Holz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for aligning a driveline in a motor vehicle, including supporting a transmission and a rear axle with the body of the motor vehicle. A driveshaft is supported at a first end with the transmission and supported at a second end with the rear axle. A center bearing is positioned to the body of the motor vehicle to further support the driveshaft. The position of the driveline is then measured and a shim thickness is calculated for installation between the center bearing and the body.
Claims13
A method for aligning a driveline in a motor vehicle having a body, comprising the steps of:
- and supporting a transmission and a rear axle with the body of the motor vehicle;
- supporting a driveshaft at a first end with the transmission and supporting the driveshaft at a second end with the rear axle;
- positioning a driveshaft center bearing to the body of the motor vehicle and further supporting the driveshaft with the center bearing;
- measuring the position of the driveline before the center bearing is secured to the body;
- and
- calculating a shim thickness to install between the center bearing and the body.
An apparatus for measuring the alignment of a driveline of a motor vehicle having a body, comprising:
- means for supporting the body of a motor vehicle having a driveline including a transmission, driveshaft and rear axle attached thereto;
- means for supporting a driveshaft at a first end with the transmission and supporting the driveshaft at a second end with the rear axle;
- means for positioning a driveshaft center bearing to the body of the motor vehicle and further supporting the driveshaft with the center bearing;
- means for measuring the position of the driveline comprising a Perceptron camera;
- and
- means for calculating a shim thickness to install between the center bearing and the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.