Abstract: A vehicle suspension bump steer measurement apparatus and method of measuring bump steer in a vehicle suspension for productive management of toe change throughout compression and rebound of a vehicle suspension.

Abstract: An approach is provided for location-aware wheel camber settings. The approach involves, for example, collecting tire temperature data, wheel camber data, and location data from one or more sensors of a plurality of vehicles. The approach also involves processing the tire temperature data, wheel camber data, and location data to determine a target wheel camber for a road segment indicated by the location data. The target wheel camber is determined from one or more observed wheel cambers indicated in the wheel camber data. The target wheel camber is also associated with a target tire temperature indicated in the tire temperature data. The approach further involves storing the target wheel camber as an attribute of map data associated with the road segment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, an apparatus and a computer-program product for determining a quality of a tire. The apparatus includes a sensor array configured to obtain a footprint of the tire, and a processor. The processor determines an intensity profile of the footprint, locates an edge of a tread rib of the tire from the change in intensity, and determines from the location of the tread rib edge a relative quality of the tire.

Abstract: A method for the diagnostic assessment of the wheel alignment of a vehicle (2) equipped with wheels (3) having tyres (301) coupled to respective rims (302), comprises the following steps: in a longitudinal movement of the vehicle (2) in a forward travel direction with one wheel (3) on a longitudinal track (4A), until the wheel (3) surmounts a measuring platform (5A) located along the track (4A), acquiring a forward travel measurement signal, representing a lateral force applied to the platform and directed transversely to both the longitudinal direction and the weight force at a forward travel instant at which the wheel surmounts the measuring platform (5A) as it moves along the track (4A) in the forward travel direction; in a longitudinal movement of the vehicle (2) in a return travel direction opposite to the forward travel direction with the wheel (3) on the track (4A), until the wheel (3) surmounts the measuring platform (5A), acquiring a return travel measurement signal, representing a lateral force appl

Abstract: A first apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a support structure and a support movably mounted on the support structure. At least one locating member and clamping mechanism are mounted to the support structure and the support. The clamping mechanism engages the locating member so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the support structure. A second apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a bearing surface and a support movably mounted on the bearing surface. A first locating member is positioned underneath the bearing surface, and a shaft is mounted to the underside of the support and extends through the bearing surface and the locating member. When an actuator is retracted, the first locating member bears against the bearing surface so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the bearing surface.

Abstract: A first apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a support structure and a support movably mounted on the support structure. At least one locating member and clamping mechanism are mounted to the support structure and the support. The clamping mechanism engages the locating member so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the support structure. A second apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a bearing surface and a support movably mounted on the bearing surface. A first locating member is positioned underneath the bearing surface, and a shaft is mounted to the underside of the support and extends through the bearing surface and the locating member. When an actuator is retracted, the first locating member bears against the bearing surface so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the bearing surface.

Abstract: A system and method of continuously updating a steering wheel angle offset value to adapt to changing road conditions. A vehicle control system receives a plurality of vehicle parameter values each from a different vehicle sensor. The system then calculates a plurality of observed steering angle values, each using a different calculation method based on one or more of the plurality of vehicle parameter values. The plurality of observed steering angle values are then used to calculate a vehicle steering angle. A steering wheel angle offset value is then calculated based on the steering wheel angle and the calculated vehicle steering angle. The steering wheel angle offset value and the steering wheel angle are used to control the vehicle's steering system.

Abstract: A steering wheel angle detection system having a steering wheel angle sensor, a generator and a controller memory such that when a vehicle ignition is powered off, movement of a steering wheel generates electricity and allows a steering wheel angle sensor to detect the change in steering wheel angle. The change, or an indicator, is stored in non-volatile RAM until a time in which the ignition is powered-on. The generator may be a generator dedicated to the steering wheel angle sensor or it may be an electric motor that is part of an electrically assisted power steering system.

Abstract: An improved wheel alignment turntable for supporting a wheel of a vehicle. Embodiments include a turntable having a base, and a top plate for receiving the vehicle wheel, the top plate being mounted to an upper surface of the base for rotational and translational movement relative to the base. A pair of paddles, removably adjustably attachable to the base, engages a peripheral wall of the top plate for maintaining the top plate in a predetermined position relative to the base while the vehicle wheel is being positioned on the turntable. The paddles are easily removable when the wheel is supported on the turntable. A plurality of slide pads are removably mounted to a lower surface of the base, for enabling sliding motion between the turntable and a surface of a lift without damaging paint on the surface of the lift. The slide pads are stackable against one another for adjusting height of the turntable relative to the lift.

Abstract: A method for use with a vehicle wheel alignment system to detect vehicle roll or elevation change during a vehicle wheel alignment procedure requires the steps of observing individual vehicle wheels, and detecting a substantially simultaneous changes in position or rotational movement associated with each observed wheel. Responsive to detected changes, vehicle rolling movement or a vehicle elevation change is identified, enabling the vehicle wheel alignment system and/or operator to respond accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding an operator in the alignment of the wheels of an automotive vehicle which has been either modified from a original manufacturer configuration, or for which no previously established alignment settings are known. Initially, the operator identifies known information about the vehicle and selects a desired characteristic of the vehicle for which the vehicle alignment is to be optimized. A set of initial alignment settings are presented to the operator, based upon the selected characteristic for the vehicle, and the vehicle alignment is adjusted thereto. One or more subsequent measurements of the vehicle are acquired. Alignment adjustments to further improve the selected characteristic, identified in response to the vehicle measurements are presented to the operator. The process of alignment adjustment, measurement, and presented adjustments is repeated until an optimal alignment setting for the selected characteristic is reached.

Abstract: A device with at least a supporting means (1, 2, 3, 4) coupled to a movement-system making the upper-plate moving. The device is characterized in that it includes a mechanism by which the supporting means (1, 2, 3, 4) can be moved vertically thanks to the operation of a movement-system, whereby this mechanism comprises at least the following elements: a ball-housing (6) with a ball; a threshold-block (7) with a bearing surface on which the ball rests.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel support device for use in a wheel alignment assembly including a floating plate assembly movably supported relative to the base upon which a vehicle is positioned. The floating plate assembly includes a pair of rollers disposed in a fixed non-parallel orientation with respect to each other. The floating plate assembly is movably positioned such that a vehicle wheel may be located between the pair of rollers to isolate the vehicle wheel from the base so as to stabilize all forces acting thereon and wherein the rollers rotate the wheel so that various wheel alignment parameters may be measured.

Abstract: A wheel alignment adjusting device in which adjustment of a toe angle can be effected accurately, precisely, easily, and in a short time. A wire is anchored to a supporting frame at which an endless track is provided. An intermediate portion of the wire is trained around a pulley of a rotary encoder. A rotational angle of the supporting frame is transmitted to the rotary encoder with the rotational angle magnified. Accordingly, a minute angle can be measured accurately.

Abstract: An angle rotating device for wheel alignment test has a disk seat, a lever bar inserted in the disk seat, a cover plate covering the disk seat, a solid rotating disk disposed on the cover plate, a ring disposed in the solid rotating disk, and a hollow disk disposed in the cover plate. The solid rotating disk has a center shaft. The ring has an annular face having a plurality of circular apertures receiving a plurality of balls. A sleeve is disposed in a center of the ring. A plurality of springs are connected to the sleeve and the ring.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel position measurement device is provided. The device includes a frame adapted for mounting on a base body. Mounted on the frame, is a pair of rollers configured for supporting a wheel of the vehicle during a measurement procedure. Also included are roller bodies for enabling the frame to roll along the base body. Finally, a motion limiting device is included for limiting a range of movement of the frame on the base.