Method and apparatus for wheel alignment

• US 8,401,236 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2012
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Kassouf, Thomas L., Glickman, Stephen L., Jackson, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US13/418,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20120170811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/104, 382/154, 356/139.09, 356/155, 332/03, 33/18, 332/031.9, 332/032, 332/88
• US Class Current: 382/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/275 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2755 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/143 One or more cameras on each side of a vehicle in the main embodiment
• 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 2210/30 Reference markings, reflector, scale or other passive device
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/306 Mirror, prism or other reflector

Abstract

A vehicle wheel alignment method and system is provided. A three-dimensional target is attached to a vehicle wheel known to be in alignment. The three-dimensional target has multiple target elements thereon, each of which has known geometric characteristics and 3D spatial relationship with one another.

Claims

1. A method for determining the alignment of a motor vehicle wheel, comprising the steps of:

mounting a three-dimensional target on the vehicle wheel, wherein the three-dimensional target comprises first and second target surfaces non-adjacent each other, each of the first and second target surfaces having a plurality of target elements with geometric characteristics and being configured in 3D space in accordance with three-dimensional relationships with respect to each other;

acquiring a 2D image of the three-dimensional target using a camera; and

determining alignment of the wheel using a spatial orientation of the three-dimensional target, derived from the 2D image and the three-dimensional relationships among the target elements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second target surfaces are viewable by the camera at the same time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second target surfaces are planar.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional target comprises a target support for supporting the first and second target surfaces relative to each other.

5. A three-dimensional target for attachment to a vehicle wheel, the three-dimensional target comprising:

first and second target surfaces non-adjacent each other, each of the first and second target surfaces having a plurality of target elements, and configured in 3D space in accordance with three-dimensional relationships with respect to each other; and

a clamp for removably attaching the target to the vehicle wheel.

6. The target of claim 5, wherein the first and second target surfaces are simultaneously viewable by a camera.

7. The target of claim 5, wherein the first and second target surfaces are planar.

8. The target of claim 5, comprising a target support attached to the clamp for supporting the first and second target surfaces relative to each other.

9. A three-dimensional target for attachment to a vehicle wheel, the three-dimensional target comprising:

a clamp for removably mounting the target to the vehicle wheel; and

a target body attached to the clamp, the target body having first and second target surfaces non-adjacent each other, each of the first and second target surfaces having a plurality of target elements, and configured in 3D space in accordance with three-dimensional relationships with respect to each other.

10. The target of claim 9, wherein the first and second target surfaces are simultaneously viewable by a camera.

11. The target of claim 9, wherein the first and second target surfaces are planar.

12. The target of claim 9, wherein the target body is for supporting the first and second target surfaces relative to each other.

13. A system for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel, comprising:

the three-dimensional target of claim 9;

a 2D imaging system for acquiring a 2D image of the three-dimensional target; and

a wheel alignment determination system for determining alignment of the wheel using a spatial orientation of the three-dimensional target;

wherein the spatial orientation of the target is derived from the 2D image and the three-dimensional relationships among the target elements.