Abstract: A process for calibrating and evaluating a machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment system having front and rear imaging components associated with each of the left and right sides of a vehicle support structure. Each pair of imaging components defines a front and rear field of view, with a common overlapping region associated with each respective side of the vehicle support structure. Optical targets disposed within each of the overlapping field of view regions are observed by the imaging components to establish performance ratings for the system as a whole, for groups of components within the system, and for individual components within the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning, calibrating, or inspecting an onboard vehicle sensor having an external field of view by providing a calibration component on a support structure for positioning at a short calibration distance of said sensor. The calibration component is configured to appear to the sensor as if it was positioned at a predetermined linear calibration distance from the vehicle which is greater than the actual short calibration distance.

Abstract: A procedure for measuring and adjusting an alignment of each axle of a trailer or semi-trailer while the trailer or semi-trailer is coupled to a tow vehicle by a hitch, tow bar, kingpin, or fifth wheel hitch. Measurements of the alignment of each axle of the trailer or semi-trailer are acquired from wheel-mounted sensor means utilizing either directly or indirectly a reference line of the trailer and an established reference point on the tow vehicle. A thrust angle of a first trailer or semi-trailer axle is referenced directly to the established reference line, while scrub angles associated with additional trailer or semi-trailer axles are referenced either directly or indirectly to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle, and indirectly to the established reference point. Any necessary adjustments are made to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle to bring the axle thrust angle to within a specification tolerance, and then to the scrub angle of each additional axle.

Abstract: A method for detecting the occurrence of deviations from level, straight-line rolling movement of a wheel assembly across a supporting surface during a rolling compensation procedure associated with a vehicle wheel alignment measurement or inspection system by identifying changes in measurements or calculated parameters associated with the wheel assembly which would be unchanged during an ideal level and straight-line rolling movement. Identified changes in the measurements or calculated parameters are evaluated to either warn an operator of the occurrence of a deviation, or to generate a correction factor to account for at least a portion of an effect which the deviations introduce into compensation calculations or subsequent wheel alignment measurements or service procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a vehicle wheel alignment measurement system to compensate one or more vehicle wheel alignment angles or vehicle body measurements acquired from a vehicle for changes associated with adjustments in the elevation of vertically movable runways of an automotive vehicle lift supporting the vehicle. An initial set of pose measurements are acquired with the movable runways at a stable first elevation. Following an elevation change to the movable runways, a second set of pose measurements are acquired with the movable runways at a second stable elevation. One or more compensation factors used to compensate vehicle wheel alignment angles or vehicle body measurements for changes in the automotive vehicle lift configuration are determined by a comparison of the initial and second sets of pose measurements.

Abstract: A deflection resistant combination slip plate and turn plate assembly for support the steered wheels of a vehicle on a precision planar surface resistant to deflection and distortion. The slip plate and the turn plate are supported on an underlying surface by bearing assemblies, and establish a upper planar surface with the turn plate disposed in a cutout region of the slip plate. Each plate is configured for limited translational movement relative to the base plate surface on which it is supported, while the turn plate is further configured for rotational movement about a central axis. Translational movement of the plates is synchronized. Spacing between the slip plate and turn plate is minimized, and supporting means are provided to maintain the slip plate and turn plate in vertical alignment under load.

Abstract: A method for providing performance tracking, operator guidance, and feedback by monitoring operator interactions with a vehicle service system. The operator's interactions with the service equipment during a vehicle service procedure which produce detectable effects are monitored. If an operator completes a vehicle service procedure correctly, a visual or audible announcement is provided, and an entry recorded in a system log. If an operator mistake is detected during the vehicle service procedure, a different visual or audible announcement is provided, and a suitable entry recorded in the system log. The system log is subsequently utilized to generate a performance score, either based on overall system usage, or upon the usage by a specific operator if operator-identifying information is available during each service procedure.

Abstract: A vehicle service or inspection system including a load roller for applying a radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire mounted to a rim, with at least one sensor for acquiring measurements of acoustical energy generated by the wheel assembly during loaded rotational movement. The vehicle service or inspection system is configured with a programmed processor to evaluate the acquired measurements to provide a measure of tire road noise, identification of tire defects, and/or identification of sources of noise, vibrations, or acoustical energy on the tire surface such as tire flat spots, cupping, bubbles, embedded foreign objects, or other defects. The processor is further configured with software instructions to utilize the acquired measurements to provide a consumer with a figure of merit associated with the acoustics of the tire undergoing testing.

Abstract: A procedure for measuring and adjusting an alignment of each axle of a trailer or semi-trailer while the trailer or semi-trailer is coupled to a tow vehicle by a hitch, tow bar, kingpin, or fifth wheel hitch. Measurements of the alignment of each axle of the trailer or semi-trailer are acquired from wheel-mounted sensor means utilizing either directly or indirectly a reference line of the trailer and an established reference point on the tow vehicle. A thrust angle of a first trailer or semi-trailer axle is referenced directly to the established reference line, while scrub angles associated with additional trailer or semi-trailer axles are referenced either directly or indirectly to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle, and indirectly to the established reference point. Any necessary adjustments are made to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle to bring the axle thrust angle to within a specification tolerance, and then to the scrub angle of each additional axle.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the surface over which a vehicle is to be rolled during a rolling compensation procedure. A set of wheel alignment angle sensors are mounted to the rearmost fixed axle of a vehicle which is then backed onto the floor surface to be characterized, and rolled in reverse over the region of the floor surface generally traversed during a rolling compensation procedure. As the vehicle is rolled in reverse, a pair of wheel alignment angle sensors temporarily positioned at selected points on the floor surface measure a distance to the wheel-mounted alignment angle sensors, which in turn, are acquiring camber angle measurements. The resulting set of measurements is stored in an accessible data storage device, characterizing the camber altering contours of a path across the floor surface.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel service system including a plurality of sensors positioned in proximity to a heavy-duty multi-axle vehicle, to measure angles associated with three or more axles of the vehicle without repositioning the mounting of the sensors after initiating a measurement procedure. Additional sensors, associated with a vehicle reference, such as the vehicle frame axis, are disposed to provide vehicle reference measurement data which is communicated to a processing system. The processing system is configured with software instructions to evaluate the measurement data and to determine various vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements and/or necessary vehicle adjustments for each axle relative to the vehicle reference or to a fixed axle having a determined relationship to the vehicle reference.

Abstract: A deflection resistant combination slip plate and turn plate assembly for support the steered wheels of a vehicle on a precision planar surface resistant to deflection and distortion. The slip plate and the turn plate are supported on an underlying surface by bearing assemblies, and establish a upper planar surface with the turn plate disposed in a cutout region of the slip plate. Each plate is configured for limited translational movement relative to the base plate surface on which it is supported, while the turn plate is further configured for rotational movement about a central axis. Translational movement of the plates is synchronized. Spacing between the slip plate and turn plate is minimized, and supporting means are provided to maintain the slip plate and turn plate in vertical alignment under load.

Abstract: A vehicle service or inspection system including a load roller for applying a radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire mounted to a rim, with at least one sensor for acquiring measurements of acoustical energy generated by the wheel assembly during loaded rotational movement. The vehicle service or inspection system is configured with a programmed processor to evaluate the acquired measurements to provide a measure of tire road noise, identification of tire defects, and/or identification of sources of noise, vibrations, or acoustical energy on the tire surface such as tire flat spots, cupping, bubbles, embedded foreign objects, or other defects.

Abstract: A method by which a vehicle wheel service system, having at least one load roller for applying a generally radial load to a wheel assembly mounted on a driven spindle shaft during rotation thereof, provides a measurement which is representative of the loaded rolling resistance of the wheel assembly undergoing testing. In order to rotationally drive the spindle shaft with the vehicle wheel assembly mounted there on, energy is supplied to a drive motor operatively coupled to rotationally drive the spindle shaft. By monitoring the amount of energy or drive torque required to rotationally drive the spindle shaft and achieve and maintain a desired rotational speed for the wheel assembly when engaged with the load roller, a measurement which is related to the loaded rolling resistance of the wheel assembly is obtained by the vehicle wheel balancing system.

Abstract: An improved vehicle service system having at least one pattern-projecting, machine-vision sensor for acquiring images of objects and surface during a vehicle service or inspection procedure, and which is configured to process acquired images to identify measurements and/or relative three-dimensional locations associated with the vehicle undergoing service or inspection, vehicle components, surface, or objects in the environment surrounding the vehicle. The improved vehicle service system is further configured to utilized the identified measurements and/or relative three-dimensional locations during a vehicle service or inspection procedure.

Abstract: An optical target for temporary application in non-determined placement on a surface of an object such as a vehicle wheel assembly within the field of view of an imaging sensor of a machine vision vehicle service system. The optical target consists of a flexible body which is relatively thin and generally flat, capable of conforming to the contours of a surface onto which it is secured in releasable manner by a means of adhesion. A set of visible optical elements are disposed on a front face of the target body for observation and imaging by the imaging sensors.

Abstract: A computer-based vehicle service system, such as a wheel alignment system, is configured with a tire pressure monitoring system interface to acquire measurements of the air pressure directly from tire pressure monitoring system sensor installed in the tires of a vehicle undergoing a service procedure. The vehicle service system is further configured to utilize the acquired air pressure measurements to complete at least one vehicle diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: A machine vision system is configured to facilitate placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to an associated vehicle. The machine vision system is configured to utilize images of optical targets received from one or more cameras to guide the placement of the vehicle service apparatus relative to the associated vehicle.

Abstract: An optical target for temporary application in non-determined placement on a surface of an object such as a vehicle wheel assembly within the field of view of an imaging sensor of a machine vision vehicle service system. The optical target consists of a flexible body which is relatively thin and generally flat, capable of conforming to the contours of a surface onto which it is secured in releasable manner by a means of adhesion. A set of visible optical elements are disposed on a front face of the target body for observation and imaging by the imaging sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing reference planes during a vehicle wheel alignment procedure using a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system. The machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system is configured to acquire position and orientation data associated with at least one optical target disposed in a field of view, to establish a first reference plane associated with a surface on which a vehicle undergoing an alignment procedure is disposed. Positional information associated with each wheel of the vehicle is then acquired by the machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, and utilized to establish a second reference plane associated with each wheel of the vehicle. Differences between an orientation of the first reference plane and an orientation of the second reference plane are determined and identified to an operator or utilized to characterize components of the vehicle or vehicle support surface.