Method and apparatus for wheel alignment system target projection and illumination

US7454841B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hunter Engineering Company · US

Inventors

• Leigh R. Burns, Jr. · Glen Carbon, US
• Daniel R. Dorrance · Ballwin, US
• Nicholas J. Colarelli, III · Chesterfield, US
• Timothy A. Strege · Ballwin, US
• Gerald E. Friton · Webster Groves, US
• Mark S. Shylanski · University City, US
• David A. Voeller · Chesterfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2006
• Grant date: Nov 25, 2008
• Expiry date: Oct 31, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B2210/286
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system configured with at least one cameras for acquiring images of the wheels of a vehicle, and an associated light projectors configured to project a pattern image onto the surfaces of vehicle components such as vehicle wheel assemblies. Images of the projected patterns acquired by the camera, are processed by the vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate a determination of the relative orientation and position of the surfaces such as wheel assemblies in three dimensional space, from which vehicle parameters such as wheel alignment measurements can be subsequently determined.