Method and system for detecting and adjusting wheel misalignment of a vehicle
AssigneeMeritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
InventorChristos Kyrtsos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for detecting and adjusting misalignment of wheels of a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling on a road includes a sensor for sensing the number of revolutions for each of the steering wheels. A controller determines an alignment function based on the number of revolutions and compares the alignment function to an alignment threshold. The controller then detects misalignment of the steering wheels it the alignment function differs from the alignment threshold. Once misalignment is detected, an adjustment member is used to actively adjust the toe-in/toe-out position of the wheels as the vehicle travels down the road.
Claims23
A method for detecting misalignment of wheels of a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling on a road, the vehicle having steering wheels mounted to a steering axle and drive wheels mounted to a drive axle, the method comprising:
- sensing a number of revolutions for each of the steering wheels;
- determining an alignment function based on the number of revolutions;
- comparing the alignment function to an alignment threshold;
- and
- detecting misalignment of the steering wheels if the alignment function differs from the alignment threshold.
A system for detecting misalignment of wheels of a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling on a road, the vehicle having steering wheels mounted to a steering axle and drive wheels mounted to a drive axle, the system comprising:
- a sensor for sensing a number of revolutions for each of the steering wheels;
- and
- a controller for determining an alignment function based on the number of revolutions, comparing the alignment function to an alignment threshold, and detecting misalignment of the steering wheels if the alignment function differs from the alignment threshold.
A system for actively adjusting wheel misalignment during vehicle travel for a vehicle having at least one pair of wheels mounted to an axle, the system comprising:
- a controller for generating a control signal when wheel misalignment is detected;
- an adjustment bar extending between and operatively coupled to the wheels to move the wheels between any of various toe-in and toe-out positions;
- and
- an actuator connected to said adjustment bar for controlling the position of said bar based on said control signal.
A method for actively adjusting wheel misalignment during vehicle travel for a vehicle having at least one pair of wheels mounted to an axle with an adjuster member extending between and being coupled to the wheels, the method comprising:
- (a) detecting wheel misalignment during vehicle travel;
- (b) generating a control signal;
- (c) moving the adjuster member to place the wheels in a first adjusted position based on the control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.