Wheel aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11933606-B2
Application number	US-202217817503-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2022
Priority date	Oct 6, 2015
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle alignment system, comprising:
a central support structure;
a pair of camera arm assemblies, each camera arm assembly being movably attached to the central support structure, a first one of the camera arm assemblies including a first camera for capturing image data relating to a first portion of a vehicle, a second one of the camera arm assemblies including a second camera for capturing image data relating to a second portion of the vehicle different from the first portion of the vehicle; and
a data processor for determining a relative position and orientation of the first and second cameras;
wherein the camera arm assemblies are movable between an extended position where the first and second cameras are respectively disposed to capture image data relating to the first and second portions of the vehicle and there is a first distance between the two cameras, and a retracted position where there is a second distance smaller than the first distance between the cameras.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first one of the camera arm assemblies comprises a calibration target disposed in a known relationship to the first camera;
wherein the second one of the camera arm assemblies comprises a calibration camera disposed in a known relationship to the second camera for capturing images of the calibration target; and
wherein the data processor is for determining the relative position and orientation of the first and second cameras based on the captured images of the calibration target.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the central support structure comprises a column having a carriage mounted to move along a length of the column, and the pair of camera arm assemblies is movably attached to the carriage.

4. The system of claim 1 , comprising a wireless communication hub, wherein at least one of the first and second camera arm assemblies comprises a wireless communication device for communicating with the wireless communication hub.

5. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a base for supporting the column;
wherein the column is rigidly attached to the base; and
wherein the base has at least one wheel engageable with a floor surface for moving the base column assembly.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the base has a shelf for supporting a keyboard.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the keyboard shelf is further configured to support a printer.

8. The system of claim 3 , wherein the column has a bracket for supporting a monitor.

9. The system of claim 3 , wherein the column has a bracket for supporting a keyboard.

10. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a base for supporting the column;
wherein the column is rigidly attached to the base; and
wherein the base comprises at least one clamp hanger structure for supporting a clamp hanger bracket for removably holding a vehicle wheel clamp and target assembly.

11. The system of claim 4 , comprising a mobile console for supporting at least one of a display device, a printer, and a user input device for communicating with the wireless communication hub.

12. The system of claim 4 , wherein the wireless communication hub is for connecting to and communicating with an external network.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a base for supporting the central support structure;
wherein the column is rigidly attached to the base; and
wherein the mobile console is engageable with the base, and has a power source to supply power to the at least one of a display device, a printer, and a user input device.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein one of the mobile console and the base has a magnet for removably engaging the mobile console and the base.

15. The system of claim 1 , comprising a display device and an adjustable mount for movably mounting the display device such that a height of the display device is adjustable between a first height and a second height proximal to a floor surface, whereby the display device is visible to a user of the system from underneath the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the adjustable mount comprises one or more pivoting arms.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the adjustable mount comprises a rail for slidably mounting the display device for motion between the first and second heights.

Assignees

• Snap On Incorporated

Inventors

• Rogers Steven W
• Jackson David A
• Lewis Bradley
• Brown Adam C
• D'Agostino Robert J
• Sellers Eric R

Classifications

• G01B11/2755 Primary

  using photoelectric detection means · CPC title

• B60R11/04

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60S5/00

  Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles (vehicles adapted to carry a workshop for servicing or maintenance B60P3/14; servicing rail locomotives B61K) · CPC title

• G01B11/275 Primary

  for testing wheel alignment · CPC title

• G06T7/0004

  Industrial image inspection · CPC title