DESC:DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING APPROACH, DEPARTURE AND RAMP OVER (ADR) ANGLES OF VEHICLE

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to measure positional relationship between a vehicle and ground, and more particularly relates to a device and method for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle.

Background of the invention:

Overall performance of a vehicle is a function of performance of its various components, systems, instrumentation, etc. Various natural attributes that include approach, departure and ramp angles, ground clearance and suspension travel of the vehicle determine severity of obstacles while driving. A uniform method for measurement of the approach, departure and ramp angles is important factor for success in off-roading of the vehicle.

While driving the vehicle towards a steep ramp, a front bumper of the vehicle can hit the ramp, like a wall, before tires are able to reach it. Maximum angle (from ground) that an obstacle can have with the front the vehicle is called the approach angle. The approach angle is the distance along a longitudinal axis to a least favorably placed point in front of a front axle from a center line of the front axle and a height from the ground in mm. The same principle applies to a rear bumper and wheels of the vehicle; this is the departure angle. The departure angle is the distance along the longitudinal axis to the least favorably placed point in the rear of a rearmost axle from the center line of the rearmost axle and the height from ground in mm. Another important factor is the distance along the longitudinal axis to the least favorably placed point in between the front axle and the rear axle from the center of the both axles and the height from ground in mm that is called as the ramp-over angle.
It is well known that, conventionally, manual methods are followed for the measurement of the approach, departure and ramp over angles (ADR) of the vehicle that require a measuring tape (5m or more), a chalk or some marking device, a plumb line, a plain level / hard ground, a vehicle weighing scale, a tire pressure gauge and the like. The manual method requires a person to initially prepare the vehicle as per the requirement for ADR angle measurement. Then lowest point under body is surveyed for measurement. A point is marked on the floor by putting vertical line by plumb line from the lowest point measured under body. Further, the marked point is joined by vertical line on the axis of left / right hand tire on the horizontal ground. Then the vertical height is measured by the measuring tape and using trigonometry formulae, the angles are derived by addition of correction factors.

The major drawback of using the manual method is the person has put unnecessary extra efforts for doing measurement activities. Also, the method requires large amount of time to bring final output result that may lead to inefficiency by a human error.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a device and method for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle that overcomes the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to reduce efforts for doing measurement of approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate timely and efficient measurements of the approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of the vehicle.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device and method for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle. The vehicle is positioned on a four poster that forms a horizontal plane (HP1, HP2, HP3 and HP4) at a ground level so that front tires of the vehicle touch on points G1 and G2 on an axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4. The device comprises a base column, at least one pair of first columns, at least one pair of second columns, a centre column, a plurality of brackets (hereinafter referred as “the brackets”), a holder column, a rotating holder, a laser and a digital angle measurement unit.

The base column is horizontally placed below the four poster parallel to the ground level. The at least one pair of first columns is secured vertically on the base column using the brackets. Each first column of the at least one pair of first columns is horizontally adjusted to match with a width of the four poster. The at least one pair of first columns is configured with a plurality of slots thereon. The at least one pair of second columns is adaptably secured on the plurality of slots of the at least one pair of first columns using the brackets to adjust vertically. Each second column of the at least one pair of second columns is positioned on surface of the four poster to provide a datum plane / ground level to the laser. The centre column includes a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the centre column is adaptably secured at a centre of the base column using the brackets to adjust laterally thereon. The top end of the centre column includes a pin hole.

The holder column is rotatably secured on the pin hole of the centre column using a first pin to provide 360 degree rotation in a horizontal plane. The rotating holder is adaptably configured on the holder column using a second pin to move in a vertical plane thereby. The rotating holder is configured with the laser in a way that an axis of a light beam emitted from the laser forms a parallel axis with a top surface of the rotating holder. The laser is configured to ensure that the axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4 and the points G1 and G2 passes through a centre of the second pin of the rotating holder. The laser is rotated in a vertical plane to target a lowest point at underground body of the vehicle. The digital angle measurement unit having a laser sensor is configured on the rotating holder. An angle made by the laser with respective to the horizontal plane is measured by the digital angle measurement unit using the laser sensor. The method facilitates timely and efficient measurements of the ADR angles of the vehicle.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a device for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the device of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a mounting bracket and a holder, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the device of figure 1;

Figure 5 shows another perspective view of the device of figure 1; and

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a method of operation of the device of figure 1.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a device and method for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle. The device includes a base column, at least one pair first column, at least one pair second column, a centre column, a plurality of brackets, a holder column, a rotating holder, a laser and a digital angle measurement unit. The present invention facilitates timely and efficient measurements of the ADR angles.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 6, a device (100) for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (hereinafter referred as “the ADR”) angles of a vehicle (not shown) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The vehicle is positioned on a four poster (110) for measuring the ADR angles using the device (100). The four poster (110) forms a horizontal plane (140) by using points HP1, HP2, HP3 and HP4 at a ground level (130). Front tires (110, 120) of the vehicle touch on points G1 and G2 on an axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4. The device (100) comprises a base column (90), at least one pair of first columns (80), at least one pair of second columns (70), a centre column (60), a plurality of brackets (50) (hereinafter referred as “the brackets (50)”), a holder column (40), a rotating holder (30), a laser (20) and a digital angle measurement unit (not shown). In an embodiment, the device (100) is made up of aluminum extruded slotted beam having size 40 mm X 40 mm.

The base column (90) is horizontally placed below the four poster (150) parallel to the ground level (130). The base column (90) provides a mounting base for the at least one pair of first columns (80) and the centre column (60). The base column (90) is designed with specific structure from the aluminum extruded slotted light weight beam to facilitate lateral adjustment of the at least one pair of first columns (80) and the centre column (60).

The at least one pair of first columns (80) is secured vertically on the base column (90) using the brackets (50). Each first column of the at least one pair of first columns (80) is adjusted horizontally to match with a width of the four poster (150). The at least one pair of first columns (80) is designed with specific structure from the aluminum extruded slotted light weight beam to facilitate lateral adjustment on the base column (90). A plurality of slots (not shown) are configured on the at least one pair of first columns (80).

The at least one pair of second columns (70) is adaptably secured on the plurality of slots of the at least one pair of first columns (80) using the brackets (50) to adjust vertically thereon. Each second column of the at least one pair of second columns (70) is positioned on surface of the four poster for providing a datum plane / ground level. The at least one pair second columns (70) is designed with specific structure from the aluminum extruded slotted light weight beam.

The centre column (60) includes a bottom end (not numbered) and a top end (not numbered). The bottom end of the centre column (60) is adaptably secured at a centre of the base column (90) using the brackets (50). The centre column (60) is designed with specific structure from the aluminum extruded slotted light weight beam adapted to be laterally adjustable on the base column (90). The top end of the centre column (60) includes a pin hole (52) for adaptably configuring the holder column (40).

The holder column (40) is rotatably secured on the pin hole (52) of the centre column (60) using a first pin (32) to provide a 360° degree rotation in a horizontal plane. The holder column (40) and the centre column (60) are positioned to have same axis. The holder column (40) is adaptably designed to hold the rotating holder (30) thereon. The rotating holder (30) is adaptably configured on the holder column (40) using a second pin (22) to move in a vertical plane. In an embodiment, the second pin (22) acts as a fulcrum.

The rotating holder (30) is configured to accommodate the laser (20) thereon such that the axis of a light beam emitted from the laser (20) forms a parallel axis with a top surface (not numbered) of the rotating holder (30). The laser (20) is configured to ensure that the axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4 and the points G1 and G2 passes through a centre of the second pin (22) of the rotating holder (30). The laser (20) is rotated in a vertical plane to target a lowest point at underground body of the vehicle. The rotating holder (30) is adaptably configured with a digital angle measurement unit (not shown). The digital angle measurement unit includes a laser sensor (not shown). The digital angle measurement unit measures an angle made by the laser (20) with respective to the horizontal plane (140).

Referring to figures 1 to 6, a method (200) for measuring the ADR angles of the vehicle in accordance with the present invention is shown. The method (200) is described in conjunction with the device (100). In an exemplary embodiment, two lowest points L1 and L2 underground body of the vehicle are considered for which angles are to be measured. In a first step, the device (100) is positioned on the four poster (150) such that the at least one pair of second columns (70) forms the datum plane / ground level to the laser (20). The laser (20) is configured to ensure that the axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4 of the horizontal plane (140) and the points G1 and G2, passes through a centre of the second pin (22) of the rotating holder (30). In a next step, the laser (20) is rotated in a vertical plane so as to target any one of the lowest points L1 and L2. In a further step, an angle made by the laser (20) with respective to the horizontal plane (140) is measured using the laser sensor of the digital angle measurement unit.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The device (100) reduces efforts for doing measurement activities.
2. The method (200) facilitates timely and efficient measurements of the ADR angles.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A device (100) for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle, the vehicle being positioned on a four poster (150) that forms a horizontal plane (140) by using points HP1, HP2, HP3 and HP4 at a ground level (130) such that front tires (110, 120) of the vehicle touch on points G1 and G2 on an axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4, the device (100) comprising:
a base column (90) being horizontally placed below the four poster (150) parallel to the ground level (130);
at least one pair of first columns (80) being secured vertically on the base column (90) and adjusted horizontally to match with a width of the four poster (150), the at least one pair of first columns (80) configured with a plurality of slots thereon;
at least one pair of second columns (70) being adaptably secured on the plurality of slots of the at least one pair of first columns (80) to adjust vertically and being positioned on surface of the four poster to provide a datum plane / ground level;
a centre column (60) having a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end being adaptably secured at a centre of the base column (90) to adjust laterally thereon, the top end having a pin hole (52);
a plurality of brackets (50) being used for adaptably securing the at least one pair of first columns (80) and the centre column (60) on the base column (90) and for adaptably securing the at least one pair of second columns (70) on the at least one pair of first columns (80);
a holder column (40) being rotatably secured on the pin hole (52) of the centre column (60) using a first pin (32) to provide 360 degree rotation in a horizontal plane;
a rotating holder (30) being adaptably configured on the holder column (40) using a second pin (22) to move in a vertical plane; and
a laser (20) being configured on the rotating holder (30) in a way that an axis of a light beam emitted from the laser (20) forms a parallel axis with a top surface of the rotating holder (30), the laser (20) being configured to ensure that the axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4 and the points G1 and G2 passes through a centre of the second pin of the rotating holder (30), thereby rotating the laser (20) in a vertical plane to target a lowest point at underground body of the vehicle; and
a digital angle measurement unit being configured on the rotating holder (30), the digital angle measurement unit having a laser sensor, the digital angle measurement unit being adapted to measure an angle made by the laser (20) with respective to the horizontal plane (140) using the laser sensor.

2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder column (40) and the centre column (60) are positioned to have same axis.

3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of second columns (70) provides the datum plane / ground level to the laser (20).

4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base column (90), the at least one pair of first columns (80), the at least one pair of second columns (70), the centre column (60) and the holder column (40) are designed with specific structure from the aluminum extruded slotted light weight beam.

5. A method (200) for measuring approach, departure and ramp over (ADR) angles of a vehicle using the device (100) as claimed in claim 1, the vehicle being positioned on a four poster (150) that forms a horizontal plane (140) by using points HP1, HP2, HP3 and HP4 at a ground level (130) such that front tires (110, 120) of the vehicle touch on points G1 and G2 on an axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4, the method (200) comprising steps of:
positioning the at least one pair of second columns (70) on the four poster (150) to provide the datum plane / ground level to the laser (20);
configuring the laser (20) to ensure that the axis passing through the points HP1 and HP4 and the points G1 and G2 passes through a centre of the second pin (22) of the rotating holder (30);
rotating the laser (20) in a vertical plane to target a lowest point at underground body of the vehicle; and
measuring an angle made by the laser (20) with respective to the horizontal plane (140) using the laser sensor of the digital angle measurement unit.