초록 ▼

An alignment measurement system for a vehicle includes an alignment sensing system and a suspension relaxing system. The suspension relaxing system is configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle and is operable between a plurality of states. The alignment sensing system is operatively co

An alignment measurement system for a vehicle includes an alignment sensing system and a suspension relaxing system. The suspension relaxing system is configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle and is operable between a plurality of states. The alignment sensing system is operatively connected to the suspension relaxing system to select a state of the suspension relaxing system. In a first state, the suspension relaxing system maintains the wheel of the vehicle stationary when the wheel is received by the suspension relaxing system, and in a second state, the suspension relaxing system allows the wheel to turn and/or translate. Prior to performing a measurement on the alignment of the vehicle, the alignment sensing system directs the suspension relaxing system to be operated in the second state.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An alignment measurement system for a vehicle, comprising: an alignment sensing system; and a suspension relaxing system configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle and operable in a plurality of states, wherein in a first state of the suspension relaxing system,

What is claimed is: 1. An alignment measurement system for a vehicle, comprising: an alignment sensing system; and a suspension relaxing system configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle and operable in a plurality of states, wherein in a first state of the suspension relaxing system, the suspension relaxing system maintains the at least one wheel of the vehicle stationary when the at least one wheel is received by the suspension relaxing system, in a second state of the suspension relaxing system, the suspension relaxing system allows the at least one wheel to turn and/or translate, and the alignment sensing system is operatively connected to the suspension relaxing system to select a state of the suspension relaxing system. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein prior to performing a measurement on the alignment of the vehicle, the alignment sensing system directs the suspension relaxing system to be operated in the second state. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a turntable and a skid plate configured to receive a single wheel of the vehicle. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a release and securement device attached to the turntable and the skid plate; in the first state, the release and securement device prevents the turntable from rotating and the skid plate from translating; and in the second state, the release and securement device allows the turntable to rotate and the skid plate to translate. 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a turntable and a skid plate separate from one another, and the turntable and the skid plate are configured to each receive the same wheel of the vehicle. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes separate release and securement devices attached to each of the turntable and the skid plate. 7. The system according to claim 2, wherein the position determination system is a three-dimensional vision alignment system. 8. The system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension relaxing system is positioned on a rack, and in the second state of the suspension relaxing system, the suspension relaxing system allows the at least one wheel to at least one of turn and/or translate relative to the rack. 9. The system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a release and securement device having a first portion and a second portion; the first portion and the second portion are movable relative to one another into a first position and a second position; in the first state of the suspension relaxing system, the first portion and/or the second portion are moved relative to one another into the first position to prevent rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion; and in the second state of the suspension relaxing system, the first portion and/or the second portion are moved relative to one another into the second position to allow rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion. 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the alignment sensing system is connected to the release and securement device to control movement of the first portion and/or the second portion relative to one another. 11. The system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a first portion, a second portion, and a release and securement device; in the first state of the suspension relaxing system, the first portion contacts contacting the second portion to prevent rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion; and in the second state of the suspension relaxing system, the first portion is separated from the second portion by a film of a fluid from the release and securement device to allow rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion. 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the alignment sensing system controls a pressure of the fluid entering the release and securement device. 13. A method for operating an alignment measurement system for a vehicle, the alignment measurement system including an alignment sensing system operatively connected to a suspension relaxing system configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle and operable between a plurality of states, in a first state of the suspension relaxing system, the suspension relaxing system maintaining the at least one wheel of the vehicle stationary when the at least one wheel is received by the suspension relaxing system, and in a second state of the suspension relaxing system, the suspension relaxing system allowing the at least one wheel to at least one of turn and/or translate, comprising the steps of: receiving the at least one wheel by the suspension relaxing system; directing the suspension relaxing system to be operated in the second state using the alignment sensing system after the at least one wheel is received by the suspension relaxing system; and performing a measurement on the alignment of the vehicle using the alignment sensing system after the suspension relaxing system is operated in the second state. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a release and securement device having a first portion and a second portion; and the first portion and the second portion are movable relative to one another into a first position and a second position; the method further comprising: in the first state of the suspension relaxing system, moving the first portion and/or the second portion relative to one another into the first position to prevent rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion; and in the second state of the suspension relaxing system, moving the first portion and/or the second portion relative to one another into the second position to allow rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising controlling movement of the first portion and/or the second portion relative to one another using the alignment sensing system. 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a first portion, a second portion, and a release and securement device; and in the first state of the suspension relaxing system, the first portion contacts the second portion to prevent rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion; the method further comprising in the second state of the suspension relaxing system, directing a film of fluid between the first portion and second portion using the release and securement device to separate the first portion and the second portion to allow rotation and/or translation of the first portion relative to the second portion. 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising controlling a pressure of the fluid entering the release and securement device using the alignment sensing system. 18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a combination of a turntable and a skid plate configured to receive a single wheel of the vehicle. 19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the suspension relaxing system includes a turntable and a skid plate separate from one another, and the turntable and the skid plate are separately configured to each receive a same single wheel of the vehicle. 20. An alignment measurement system for a vehicle, comprising: an alignment sensing system; and means for receiving at least one wheel of the vehicle to maintain the at least one wheel stationary or for allowing the at least one wheel to turn and/or translate, and the alignment sensing system is operatively connected to the means for receiving the at least one wheel.