An improved laser scanning apparatus (46) for determining frame or unibody
alignment or misalignment of a vehicle (40) is provided, which includes a
laser assembly (54), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies (56,58) and
laser detectors (114,116) located within an enclosed housing (50,52). The
laser assembly (54) has an upper pair of lasers (122,126) located in
known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers (124,128);
detector assemblies (114, 116) are also provided including substantially
parabolic reflective surfaces (118a, 120a) with detectors (114a, 116a)
disposed substantially at the focal point of the surfaces (118a, 120a).
The apparatus (46) is used in conjunction with a plurality of
individually coded reflective targets (44) which are suspended from known
reference points on the vehicle (40). In use, the laser assembly (54) in
conjunction with the mirror assemblies (56,58) directs upper and lower
laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge on the targets (44);
laser radiation reflected from the targets (44) is detected by the
detector assemblies (114, 116), allowing trigonometric calculation of
target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper
and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the
targets (44) are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the
housing (50,52) includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels
(88,90) and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the
apparatus (46). The provision of parabolic detection assemblies 114, 116
increases the signal-to-noise ratio for the apparatus (46).