초록 ▼

A three-dimensional wheel alignment display system (10) and method includes a processor (12) and display unit (14) interconnected with a motor vehicle wheel alignment system (18) adapted to determine vehicle wheel angular relationships such as camber, caster, and toe. The processor of the display sy

A three-dimensional wheel alignment display system (10) and method includes a processor (12) and display unit (14) interconnected with a motor vehicle wheel alignment system (18) adapted to determine vehicle wheel angular relationships such as camber, caster, and toe. The processor of the display system is configured to manipulate portions of a digital three-dimensional model (100) of at least one motor vehicle wheel and associated suspension components to correspond to the angular relationships determined by the wheel alignment system. The processor is further configured to interactively display a perspective image (102) of the digital three-dimensional model on a display screen (16), to continually update the perspective image as signals are received from the associated wheel alignment system representative of alterations to the angular relationships made by a technician, and to smoothly alter the interactive display of the perspective image to focus on a particular angular relationship of interest, or to view the overall wheel and suspension layout of the motor vehicle, response to user input commands.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wheel alignment display system for use with a motor vehicle wheel alignment system configured to determine a plurality of motor vehicle wheel alignment relationships and angular positions for at least one motor vehicle wheel and associated vehicle suspension components,

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wheel alignment display system for use with a motor vehicle wheel alignment system configured to determine a plurality of motor vehicle wheel alignment relationships and angular positions for at least one motor vehicle wheel and associated vehicle suspension components, comprising:a processing means configured to manipulate a digital three-dimensional model of said at least one motor vehicle wheel, said model comprising a plurality of elements representative of said at least one motor vehicle wheel;a display means communicatively interconnected with said processing means, said display means configured to display said manipulated digital three-dimensional model of said at least one motor vehicle wheel; andsaid processing means further configured to receive signals representative of current wheel alignment relationships and angular positions of said at least one motor vehicle wheel, responsive to said received signals, said processing means configured to manipulate at least one of said elements of said digital three-dimensional model to correspond proportionally to the current wheel alignment relationships and angular positions indicated by said received signals. [19.] A method for displaying a three-dimensional representation of at least one motor vehicle wheel, together with a visual indication of vehicle wheel alignment parameters and angular relationships, comprising the steps of:displaying a perspective view of a three-dimensional digital model of said at least one motor vehicle wheel on a display means, said three-dimensional digital model comprising a plurality of elements;receiving at a processing means signals representative of said wheel alignment parameters and angular relationships for said at least one motor vehicle wheel;manipulating digitally in said processing means, at least one of said plurality of elements of said three-dimensional digital model such that said at least one motor vehicle wheel of said three-dimensional digital model are aligned and related correspondingly proportional to said received signals; andupdating said display of said three-dimensional digital model to alter at least one of said plurality of elements responsive to said digital manipulation.