Abstract: There is provided a misalignment detecting device being capable of detecting and correcting distortion of a spoked wheel with a simple configuration.

Abstract: In order to enable the shape of the surface of a tire including the shoulder sections thereof to be detected, a tire shape testing device comprises: a first linear light application means (10) for applying linear light to the tread section (8) of the tire; a second linear light application means (12) for applying linear light to the sidewall sections (7) of the tire; a third linear light application means (13) for applying linear light to the shoulder sections (9) and to regions outside the shoulder sections (9); and image capturing means (16) for capturing the images of the linear light applied by the first linear light application means (10), the second light application means, and the third linear light applications means (13) and reflected by the surface of the tire.

Abstract: A system for measuring wheel alignment includes at least one camera and at least one processor in communication with the camera. The camera captures an image of a test wheel. The processor processes the captured image to measure the wheel alignment.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly service system configured to acquire measurements of the physical characteristics of a vehicle wheel assembly such as during a vehicle wheel balancing procedure, with the functionality to obtain and utilize a measurement of a vehicle wheel assembly offset or rear spacing. The vehicle wheel assembly service system is configured to display the wheel assembly offset or rear spacing measurement to an operator, and optionally, to display guidance and/or installation instructions to the operator associated with the installation of the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle. The displayed guidance and/or installation instructions may optionally include fitment information, vehicle performance data, or vehicle braking data.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly service system configured to acquire measurements of the physical characteristics of a vehicle wheel assembly such as during a vehicle wheel balancing procedure, with the functionality to obtain and utilize a measurement of a vehicle wheel assembly offset or rear spacing. The vehicle wheel assembly service system is configured to display the wheel assembly offset or rear spacing measurement to an operator, and optionally, to display guidance and/or installation instructions to the operator associated with the installation of the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle. The displayed guidance and/or installation instructions may optionally include fitment information, vehicle performance data, or vehicle braking data.

Abstract: In a machine vision system utilizing computer processing of image data, an imaging module incorporates the image sensor as well as pre-processing circuitry, for example, for performing a background subtraction and/or a gradient calculation. The pre-processing circuitry may also compress the image information. The host computer receives the pre-processed image data and performs all other calculations necessary to complete the machine vision application, for example, to determine one or more wheel alignment parameters of a subject vehicle. In a disclosed example useful for wheel alignment, the module also includes illumination elements, and the module circuitry provides associated camera control. The background subtraction, gradient calculation and associated compression require simpler, less expensive circuitry than for typical image pre-processing boards.

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 system (10) for measuring the dynamic orientation of the plane of a wheel (12) on a vehicle (14). The system (10) includes a test surface (16) which rotates with the wheel (12) and a orientation-determining device (18) which is unattached to the vehicle (14). The test surface (16) is positioned in a plane corresponding to the plane of the wheel (12) and the orientation-determining device (18) determines the orientation of the plane of the test surface (12) at a specific point of time while the vehicle is being driven. A processor (20) receives output signals from the orientation-determining device (18) and converts the output signals into data corresponding to the orientation of the wheel plane for the specific instant in time.