Wheel alignment with surface-oriented runout determination

• US 7,206,716 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Bryan, Eric, Dale, James L. Jr., Davidson, Niall
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): KUNDU, SUJOY K
• Application Number:
  US10/864,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20050027473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 702/151, 332/28, 332/031.3, 332/88
• US Class Current: 702/151
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/275 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/20 Vehicle in a state of translatory motion
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/26 Algorithms, instructions, databases, computerized methods and graphical user interfaces employed by a user in conjunction with the wheel aligner
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/28 Beam projector and related sensors, camera, inclinometer or other active sensing or projecting device
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/283 Beam projectors and related sensors

Abstract

Methods and systems for measuring and calculating wheel alignment angles are disclosed. The measuring methods include mitigating alignment error by compensating for wheel runout, and further include measuring wheel runout while the wheel maintains contact with an alignment surface.

Claims

1. A method for calculating a wheel alignment angle using measurement sensors mounted on a wheel, the method comprising:

disposing the wheel on a surface such that the wheel is rotatable while maintaining contact with the surface;

measuring at least one uncompensated alignment angle for the wheel;

measuring at least one wheel parameter at a plurality of positions of the wheel while disposed on the surface;

determining wheel runout for the wheel using the at least one wheel parameter;

calculating a predetermined threshold runout error;

determining a need for runout compensation, based on the amount of runout in comparison with the predetermined threshold;

calculating at least one compensated alignment angle for the wheel as a function of the wheel runout and the uncompensated alignment angle if the runout is above the predetermined threshold runout error; and

performing a wheel alignment procedure using the compensated alignment angle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring at least one wheel parameter at a plurality of positions of the wheel while disposed on the surface further comprises:

performing at least three measurements of camber and toe.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining a circle whose circumference substantially coincides with a combination of the at least three measurements of camber and toe.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

calculating an error value for the circle; and

declaring an error event responsive to the error value exceeding a predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

iteratively solving an equation for a runout vector.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing the wheel runout determination in real-time;

comparing the wheel runout to a set of criteria including a minimum number of points and minimum rollback angle; and

terminating the wheel runout determination responsive to the comparing.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a rollback angle using sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating a rollback angle based on the measuring of at least one wheel parameter at a plurality of positions of the wheel while disposed on the surface.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating a rollback angle based on an inclinometer measurement.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a priority to a test for adaptively guiding a user through an alignment process.

11. A method for measuring runout of a wheel, the method composing:

disposing the wheel on a surface such that the wheel is rotatable while maintaining contact with the surface;

rotating the wheel to a first position;

measuring camber and toe at the first position to generate a first data point;

rotating the wheel to a second position;

measuring camber and toe at the second position to generate a second data point;

rotating the wheel to a third position;

measuring camber and toe at the third position to generate a third data point;

determining a circle whose circumference substantially coincides with a combination of the first, second and third data points;

measuring the radius of the circle;

calculating a predetermined threshold radius;

determining a need for runout compensation based on the radius in comparison with the predetermined threshold radius; and

performing a wheel alignment procedure using the determined need for runout compensation.

12. A method for calculating a wheel alignment angle using measurement sensors mounted on a wheel, the method comprising:

disposing the wheel on a surface such that the wheel is rotatable while maintaining contact with the surface;

measuring at least one uncompensated alignment angle for the wheel;

measuring at least one wheel parameter at a plurality of positions of the wheel while disposed on the surface;

determining wheel runout for the wheel using the at least one wheel parameter;

calculating a predetermined threshold runout error;

determining the need for runout compensation, depending upon whether the runout is above or below the predetermined threshold runout error; and

performing a wheel alignment procedure using the determined need for runout compensation.

13. A system for measuring runout of a wheel, the system comprising:

means for disposing the wheel on a surface such that the wheel is rotatable while maintaining contact with the surface;

means for measuring camber and toe at a first position to generate a first data point;

means for measuring camber and toe at a second position to generate a second data point;

means for measuring camber and toe at a third position to generate a third data point;

means for determining a circle whose circumference substantially coincides with a combination of the first, second and third data points;

means for measuring the radius of the circle;

means for calculating a predetermined threshold radius;

means for determining a need for runout compensation based on the radius in comparison with the predetermined threshold radius; and

means for performing a wheel alignment procedure using the determined need for runout compensation.