JP7410788B2 - Jig for measuring vehicle dimensions - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies Publication date April 25, 2019 Publications Hino Motors Co., Ltd. internal newsletter Front Runner No. 711 Hino Motors Co., Ltd. Global Human Resources Development Department

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a jig for measuring vehicle dimensions.

Devices for measuring wheel alignment of motor vehicles are known. In Patent Document 1 listed below, the amount of side slip of each wheel is measured with the vehicle center line connecting the tread center of the front wheels and the tread center of the rear wheels aligned with the measurement standard straight line, and the side slip amount of each wheel is measured. It is described that wheel alignment is corrected based on the amount of slip.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-114162

By the way, the dimensions of a vehicle are sometimes measured in order to inspect whether the vehicle is manufactured according to the dimensions defined in the specifications. For example, when measuring the tread width of a vehicle as a vehicle dimension, spray developer on the tire to transfer the tire contact marks to the supporting surface, and measure the distance between the center lines of the left and right tire contact marks. A method for measuring tread width has been proposed. In addition, when measuring the wheelbase of a vehicle as a dimension of the vehicle, use a plumb bob to plot the position of the outer peripheral surface of the tire on the support surface to determine the center position of each tire, and also calculate the center position of the front and rear tires. A method of measuring the wheelbase by measuring the distance between positions has been proposed.

In the method of measuring vehicle dimensions using the tire contact mark or plumb bob described above, the measurement accuracy may vary depending on the skill level of the operator. Therefore, there is a need to measure vehicle dimensions with high precision, regardless of the skill level of the operator.

In one aspect, a jig for measuring vehicle dimensions is provided. This jig includes a center rod movable along a first direction perpendicular to the support surface of the vehicle, a slide mechanism that slides the center rod in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first and a pair of positioning arms spaced from each other in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction, the positioning arms moving through the center rod and in the second direction in conjunction with the slide of the center rod in the second direction. The pair of positioning arms move toward each other or away from each other so that the distances from the extending reference line are equal to each other, and the pair of positioning arms are attached to a center rod, and the center rod moves toward the support surface side. a plotter for plotting the position of the center rod on the support surface when the central rod is located.

In the jig according to one embodiment, the pair of positioning arms move toward each other or move away from each other so that the distances from the reference line are equal to each other. Therefore, when the pair of positioning arms are brought into contact with the tire of the vehicle so as to sandwich the tire, the center rod is arranged at a position corresponding to the center of the tire in the radial direction or width direction. By plotting the position of the center rod on the support surface using a plotter, it becomes possible to determine the position corresponding to the center of the tire. The dimensions of the vehicle can be easily measured from the center position of each tire determined in this way. Therefore, with this jig, vehicle dimensions can be measured with high accuracy regardless of the skill level of the operator.

In one embodiment, the slide mechanism includes a first rod connected to one of the pair of positioning arms and configured to be movable in a third direction together with the one positioning arm; a second rod connected to the other positioning arm of the positioning arms and configured to be movable in a third direction together with the other positioning arm; a pair of connecting arms for moving the rod and the second rod in a third direction, one end of the pair of connecting arms is rotatably connected to the central rod about the central rod; The other ends may be connected to the first rod and the second rod, respectively. In this embodiment, by rotating the pair of connecting arms about the central rod, the pair of positioning arms can be moved toward or away from each other.

In one embodiment, each of the pair of connecting arms may be provided with a handle for rotating the pair of connecting arms. By providing a handle on the pair of connecting arms, the pair of connecting arms can be easily rotated.

In one embodiment, the device may further include a locking mechanism that restricts movement of the center rod in the first direction. By providing such a locking mechanism, the position of the center rod can be fixed, for example, so that the plotter remains spaced apart from the support surface.

According to one aspect and various embodiments of the present invention, vehicle dimensions can be measured with high accuracy regardless of the skill level of the operator.

It is a top view showing a jig concerning one embodiment. It is a front view showing a jig concerning one embodiment. It is a left side view of the jig concerning one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a holding mechanism. It is a figure showing movement of a jig. It is a figure showing how to use a jig. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between plot points and vehicle dimensions. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a jig according to a modified example.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations of the same or equivalent parts will be omitted. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in each drawing do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a jig according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the jig, and FIG. 3 is a left side view of the jig. In FIGS. 1 to 3, three mutually orthogonal directions are illustrated as an X direction (third direction), a Y direction (second direction), and a Z direction (first direction). The X direction and the Y direction are directions along the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is a direction along the vertical direction.

A jig 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a device for measuring vehicle dimensions. More specifically, the jig 1 is a device for determining the center position of a vehicle tire, which is used as a reference when measuring the tread width and wheel base of a vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the jig 1 includes a frame 10, a center rod 20, a slide mechanism 30, and a pair of positioning arms 64, 66. Each component of the jig 1 is made of, for example, a stainless steel tube.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 10 includes an upper frame 12 and a lower frame 14. The upper frame 12 has a long shape and extends along the X direction. The lower frame 14 is provided below the upper frame 12 and extends parallel to the upper frame 12 in the X direction. Both ends of the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 14 are connected to a pair of legs 16, respectively. The pair of legs 16 is placed on the support surface S of the vehicle and supports the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 14.

The center rod 20 has a substantially rod shape and extends in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, that is, in the Z direction. As will be described later, the center rod 20 is held movably in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in plan view, the extending direction of the reference line RL connecting the center rod 20 and the intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the upper frame 12 coincides with the Y direction. This center rod 20 is configured to be slidable in the Y direction along the reference line RL by a slide mechanism 30.

The slide mechanism 30 includes a pair of rails 31, a pair of sliders 32, a pair of connecting arms 34, 36, a first rod 42, a second rod 44, and a holding mechanism 50. The pair of rails 31 are provided apart from each other in the X direction so as to separate the center rod 20, and extend parallel to each other along the Y direction. One end of each rail 31 is connected to the lower frame 14, and the other ends of the pair of rails 31 are connected to each other via a connecting member 33.

The pair of sliders 32 are provided on the pair of rails 31, respectively. These pair of sliders 32 are configured to be slidable on the pair of rails 31 along the Y direction.

Further, a holding mechanism 50 is provided between the pair of rails 31. The holding mechanism 50 holds the center rod 20 so that the center rod 20 is movable along the Z direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding mechanism 50 includes a supporting member 51, a holding member 52, a connecting member 53, and a locking mechanism 54. The support member 51 is provided so as to span between the pair of rails 31, and both ends thereof are connected to the pair of sliders 32 (see FIG. 1). The support member 51 has an opening through which the center rod 20 is inserted.

A holding member 52 is arranged above the supporting member 51. The holding member 52 is connected to the support member 51 by a connecting member 53. The holding member 52 has a cylindrical shape and holds the center rod 20 inserted therein so as to be movable in the Z direction. A locking mechanism 54 is supported on the holding member 52.

The lock mechanism 54 is provided so as to surround the center rod 20. The locking mechanism 54 is configured so that its inner diameter can be changed by operating the handle 54a. Specifically, by operating the handle 54a in the closing direction, the inner diameter of the locking mechanism 54 becomes smaller, and by tightening the center rod 20 from the outside, movement of the center rod 20 in the Z direction is restricted. Thereby, the position of the center rod 20 in the Z direction is fixed. Conversely, by operating the handle 54a in the opening direction, the inner diameter of the locking mechanism 54 expands and the restraint of the center rod 20 is released. This allows the center rod 20 to move along the Z direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plotter 22 is attached to the lower end of the center rod 20 (the end on the support surface S side). The plotter 22 is a marker for plotting the position of the center rod 20 on the support surface S. The plotter 22 moves in the Z direction together with the center rod 20, and when the plotter 22 contacts the support surface S, the position of the center rod 20 is plotted on the support surface S.

One of the pair of connecting arms 34, 36 has one end 34a and the other end 34b. One end 34a of the connecting arm 34 is connected to the center rod 20 so that the connecting arm 34 can rotate around the center rod 20. As shown in FIG. 4, one end 34a is connected to the center rod 20 between the support member 51 and the holding member 52. The other end 34b of the connecting arm 34 is connected to the first rod 42 via a joint 34c. The joint 34c has a rotation axis extending in the Z direction, and connects the connection arm 34 and the first rod 42 so that the connection arm 34 and the first rod 42 can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis. are connected. That is, the connecting arm 34 and the first rod 42 are connected to each other by the joint 34c so that the angle between them can be changed.

Of the pair of connecting arms 34, 36, the other connecting arm 36 has one end 36a and the other end 36b. One end 36a of the connecting arm 36 is connected to the center rod 20 so that the connecting arm 36 can rotate around the center rod 20. As shown in FIG. 4, one end 36a is connected to the center rod 20 between the one end 34a of the connecting arm 34 and the support member 51. As shown in FIG. That is, the connecting arm 36 is connected to the center rod 20 on the lower side than the connecting arm 34 . The other end 36b of the connecting arm 36 is connected to the second rod 44 via a joint 36c. The joint 36c has a rotation axis extending in the Z direction, and the connection arm 36 and the second rod 44 are arranged so that the connection arm 36 and the second rod 44 can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis. 44 are connected. That is, the connecting arm 36 and the second rod 44 are connected to each other by a joint 36c so that the angle between them can be changed.

Further, the pair of connecting arms 34 and 36 are provided with handles 34h and 36h, respectively. The handles 34h, 36h are used by an operator to rotate the pair of connecting arms 34, 36 around the center rod 20.

The first rod 42 has an elongated shape and extends in the X direction. The first rod 42 is shorter than the upper frame 12 in the X direction, and is provided along the upper frame 12 at a position closer to the center rod 20 than the upper frame 12 is. That is, the connecting arm 34 is provided at approximately the same height as the upper frame 12. The second rod 44 has substantially the same length as the first rod 42 and extends in the X direction. The second rod 44 is provided closer to the support surface (lower) than the first rod 42 in the Z direction.

Furthermore, sliders 60a, 60b, 62a, and 62b are provided on the upper frame 12. These sliders 60a, 60b, 62a, and 62b are slidable along the upper frame 12, and are arranged in the order of slider 60a, slider 62b, slider 60b, and slider 62a from one end of the upper frame 12 (right side in FIG. 1). It is located in Among the sliders 60a, 60b, 62a, and 62b, the sliders 60a and 60b are connected to the first rod 42 by a connecting member. Further, among the sliders 60a, 60b, 62a, and 62b, the sliders 62a and 62b are connected to the second rod 44 by a connecting member. Therefore, as will be described later, when the first rod 42 moves in the X direction, the sliders 60a and 60b slide on the upper frame 12 together with the first rod 42, and the second rod 44 moves in the X direction. By moving, the sliders 62a and 62b slide on the upper frame 12 together with the second rod 44.

A positioning arm 64 is fixed on the slider 60a. A positioning arm 66 is fixed on the slider 62a. That is, one of the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 is connected to the first rod 42 via the slider 60a, and the other positioning arm 66 is connected to the second rod 42 via the slider 62a. It is connected to rod 44. The pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 are provided at substantially the same height in the Z direction, and are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. Each of the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 extends in the Y direction. The pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 move in the X direction as the sliders 60a and 60b slide along the upper frame 12.

In one embodiment, the jig 1 further includes a contact bar 70. The contact bar 70 is a member brought into contact with the tire to align the jig 1 with respect to the tire to be measured. The contact bar 70 has a long shape extending in the X direction, and is attached to the upper frame 12 in such a manner that it does not interfere with the sliding movement of the sliders 60a, 60b, 62a, and 62b.

The operation of the jig 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when the handles 34h, 36h are operated to rotate the pair of connecting arms 34, 36 in the direction in which the angle formed by the connecting arms 34 and 36 becomes wider, the center rod 20 is aligned with the reference line RL. along the direction toward the upper frame 12. In conjunction with the rotation of the pair of connecting arms 34, 36, the first rod 42 moves to the left along the upper frame 12 together with the sliders 60a, 60b, and the second rod 44 moves upward together with the sliders 62a, 62b. Move to the right along frame 12. As a result, the positioning arm 64 fixed to the slider 60a and the positioning arm 66 fixed to the slider 62a move in the X direction so as to approach each other. Conversely, when the pair of connecting arms 34 and 36 are rotated in a direction in which the angle formed by the connecting arms 34 and 36 becomes narrower, the center rod 20 slides away from the upper frame 12 along the reference line RL. . In conjunction with this movement, the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 move away from each other in the X direction.

Here, since the pair of connecting arms 34 and 36 have substantially the same length, the first rod 42 and the second rod 44 move the same amount in the X direction. Therefore, the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 maintains the distance L1 between the reference line RL and the positioning arm 64 and the distance L2 between the reference line RL and the positioning arm 66 at the same distance. move toward each other or away from each other. That is, the pair of connecting arms 34 and 36 move in a direction toward each other and in a direction in which they move away from each other in conjunction with the slide of the center rod 20 in the Y direction so that the distances from the center rod 20 in the X direction are equal to each other. Move to.

Next, a method for measuring vehicle dimensions using the jig 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. First, as shown in FIG. 6, with the tire to be measured placed between the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66, the contact bar 70 is brought into contact with the side surface of the tire. Next, by operating the pair of connecting arms 34, 36 such that the center rod 20 slides in a direction toward the upper frame 12, the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 are moved until both of the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 contact the tread surface of the tire. The positioning arms 64 and 66 of the locating arms 64 and 66 are moved toward each other. When both of the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 contact the tread surface of the tire, the handle 54a of the locking mechanism 54 is operated to move the center rod 20 toward the support surface S, and the position of the center rod 20 is determined by the plotter 22. Plot on support surface S. Since the center rod 20 is located at the midpoint between the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 in the X direction, the points plotted on the support surface S (hereinafter referred to as "plot points") are It is located on the extension line of the axle axis AX in a plan view (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, using the jig 1, plot points P11, P12, P13, and P14 located on the extension of the axle AX are obtained for each of the front wheels FT1, FT2 and the rear wheels RT1, RT2 of the vehicle.

Next, with the tire to be measured placed between the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66, the contact bar 70 is brought into contact with the tread surface of the tire. Next, by operating the pair of connecting arms 34, 36 such that the center rod 20 slides toward the upper frame 12, the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 are moved until both of the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 contact the side surface of the tire. The positioning arms 64 and 66 are moved toward each other. When both of the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 contact the side surfaces of the tire, operate the handle 54a of the locking mechanism 54 to move the center rod 20 toward the support surface, and use the plotter 22 to adjust the position of the center rod 20 to the support surface. Plot above. The plot points plotted on the support surface in this way are points located on the center line CL of the tire contact patch in plan view. As shown in FIG. 7, plot points P21, P22, P23, and P24 located on the center line CL are obtained using the jig 1 for each of the front wheels FT1, FT2 and the rear wheels RT1, RT2 of the vehicle.

Next, the vehicle dimensions are determined using the plot points P11 to P14 and P21 to P24 plotted on the support surface as described above. As shown in FIG. 7, the distance between plot point P21 and plot point P22 corresponds to the front side tread width FW, and the distance between plot point P23 and plot point P24 corresponds to the rear side tread width RW. Equivalent to. Further, the distance between the plot point P11 and the plot point P13 or the distance between the plot point P12 and the plot point P14 corresponds to the wheel base WB of the vehicle. Therefore, by measuring the distance between each plot point plotted on the support surface S using a scale or the like, vehicle dimensions such as the tread width FW, tread width RW, and wheel base WB are measured.

According to the jig 1 according to the above embodiment, the pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 move toward each other or move away from each other so that the distances from the reference line RL are equal to each other. Therefore, when the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 are brought into contact with the front wheels FT1, FT2 and rear wheels RT1, RT2 to be measured of the vehicle so as to sandwich the tires, the center rod 20 is at the center of the axle AX or the tire contact surface. It is placed on line CL. Then, by plotting the position of the center rod 20 on the support surface S using the plotter 22, it becomes possible to determine the position on the axle axis AX or the center line CL. Vehicle dimensions such as tread width and wheelbase can be easily measured from the position on the axle AX or center line CL determined in this way. Therefore, with this jig, vehicle dimensions can be measured with high accuracy regardless of the skill level of the operator.

Moreover, according to the jig 1, the dimensions of the vehicle can be measured without the worker getting between the tires of the vehicle, so that the safety of the work can be improved. Furthermore, since the dimensions of the vehicle can be measured without using a developer to transfer the tire contact marks onto the support surface, it is possible to shorten the working time required for measurement.

Although jigs according to various embodiments have been described above, various modifications can be made without being limited to the embodiments described above and without changing the gist of the invention.

For example, in the jig 1 described above, one end portions 34a, 36a of the pair of connecting arms 34, 36 are connected to the center rod 20, but the distance L1 between the reference line RL and the positioning arm 64, If the pair of positioning arms 64, 66 can be moved in the X direction while maintaining the distance L2 between the line RL and the positioning arm 66 substantially the same, the connection destination of the one ends 34a, 36a is It is not limited to the center rod 20.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a pair of rods 80 are provided on a pair of sliders 32, and one end portions 34a, 36a of a pair of connecting arms 34, 36 are rotatable around the pair of rods 80. They may be connected to the pair of rods 80, respectively. Also in this embodiment, when the center rod 20 slides along the reference line RL, the amount of movement of the first rod 42 and the second rod 44 in the X direction can be made equal, so that the distance L1 and The pair of positioning arms 64 and 66 can be moved toward or away from each other while maintaining the distance L2 at the same distance. Therefore, vehicle dimensions can be measured with high accuracy regardless of the skill level of the operator.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Jig, 20... Center rod, 22... Plotter, 30... Slide mechanism, 34, 36... Connection arm, 34h, 36h... Handle, 54... Lock mechanism, 64, 66... Positioning arm, RL... Reference line, S...Supporting surface.

Claims (3)

A jig for measuring vehicle dimensions,
a central rod movable along a first direction perpendicular to a support surface of the vehicle;
a slide mechanism that slides the center rod in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
a pair of positioning arms that are spaced apart from each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; The pair of positioning arms move in a direction approaching each other or in a direction moving away from each other so that distances from a reference line passing through and extending in the second direction are equal to each other;
a plotter attached to the center rod and plotting the position of the center rod on the support surface when the center rod is moved toward the support surface;
Equipped with
The slide mechanism is
a first rod connected to one of the pair of positioning arms and configured to be movable in the third direction together with the one positioning arm;
a second rod connected to the other positioning arm of the pair of positioning arms and configured to be movable in the third direction together with the other positioning arm;
a pair of connecting arms that move the first rod and the second rod in the third direction by rotating around the central rod;
One end of the pair of connecting arms is rotatably connected to the center rod, and the other end of the pair of connecting arms is connected to the first rod and the second rod, respectively. Connected jig. The jig according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of connecting arms is provided with a handle for rotating the pair of connecting arms. The jig according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a locking mechanism that restricts movement of the center rod in the first direction.

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