Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring vehicle wheel alignment characteristics. According to one embodiment, during a first measurement cycle, spatial coordinates of multiple points on the wheel are obtained by positioning a vision sensor at various angular offsets relative to the wheel, the multiple points representative of samples from each of the various angular offsets. After the first measurement cycle and before the second measurement cycle, the wheel is rotated at least a partial revolution. During the second measurement cycle, spatial coordinates of multiple points on the wheel are obtained by positioning the vision sensor at various angular offsets relative to the wheel, the multiple points representative of samples from each of the various angular offsets. Finally, one or more characteristics of the wheel are determined based upon the spatial coordinates collected during the first measurement cycle and the spatial coordinates collected during the second measurement cycle.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, and in particular measuring wheel camber and toe, uses a rotating vision sensor such as a laser sensor to map a portion of the vehicle tire and/or rim, allowing for the determination of wheel camber and toe without rotating the wheel. The sensor may be repositioned between the rear and front vehicle wheels. A separate sensor may be used for the left and the right vehicle wheels. The invention has particular utility for auditing of the alignment of vehicles in production lines. The devices and methods may also be used for more general imaging purposes.

Abstract: A moving vision sensor scans the image of an object by moving the transducer to create a topographic image map of the object in three dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the vision sensors are disposed in a preset camber, caster, toe wheel alignment station within a vehicle assembly line. A first moving vision sensor maps the plane of the wheel in space for toe and camber audit and adjustment. A second moving vision sensor maps the axis of the king pin ball joint in space for caster audit and adjustment.

Abstract: An improved wheel alignment system and method is disclosed. This invention is a kinetic alignment system combining a geometric wheel aligner which measures toe angle with reference to the sidewall of a tire, and a dynamic wheel aligner which measures toe and camber angles with reference to the tread of the tire in order to rapidly and simultaneously measure both the position of a vehicle's wheel and the roll of the tire associated with the wheel. The geometric aligner of this invention includes (a) an improved pivot assembly that reduces scrub and the corresponding false position readings that otherwise result from the scuffing of the geometric apparatus across the sidewall of the tire when the wheel's plane of rotation changes, and (b) an improved striker assembly so as better to strike the sidewall of a tire at the tire's center line and, where the exact center line is missed, to self-correct for the unbalanced tire forces resulting from the missed strike.