초록 ▼

A device and method for measuring vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, and in particular measuring wheel camber and toe, uses a rotating vision sensor such as a laser sensor to map a portion of the vehicle tire and/or rim, allowing for the determination of wheel camber and toe without rotating t

A device and method for measuring vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, and in particular measuring wheel camber and toe, uses a rotating vision sensor such as a laser sensor to map a portion of the vehicle tire and/or rim, allowing for the determination of wheel camber and toe without rotating the wheel. The sensor may be repositioned between the rear and front vehicle wheels. A separate sensor may be used for the left and the right vehicle wheels. The invention has particular utility for auditing of the alignment of vehicles in production lines. The devices and methods may also be used for more general imaging purposes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for measuring alignment characteristics of a vehicle wheel/tire, comprising:a vision sensor having a field of vision and being capable of determining spatial coordinates of a group of pixels within the field of vision;the field of vision being sufficiently sized

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for measuring alignment characteristics of a vehicle wheel/tire, comprising:a vision sensor having a field of vision and being capable of determining spatial coordinates of a group of pixels within the field of vision;the field of vision being sufficiently sized to detect a portion of a vehicle wheel/tire to be characterized;means for rotating the vision sensor so that the vision sensor field of vision scribes a torus in space, whereby a collection of spatial coordinates of pixels are obtained at more than one position of the torus; anda computer for calculating from the collection of spatial coordinates a wheel alignment characteristic of the wheel/tire selected from the group consisting of too, camber, and both toe and camberwherein said vision sensor rotates while the collection of spatial coordinates is being obtained.