Apparatus and method for determining the orientation of an object such as vehicle wheel alignment
US7710555B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B2210/283
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for determining wheel assembly alignment comprises a contact assembly, a light source, and a light beam receiving assembly. The contact assembly engages the wheel assembly to define a plane of orientation of the wheel assembly and the light source projects a beam of light with respect to the contact assembly. The light beam receiving assembly receives the light beam and forms an image of the light beam indicating the orientation of the wheel assembly with respect to a predetermined position. The receiving assembly may include a Fresnel lens for directing the received light beam to a target and a camera device for imaging the light beam on the target, with the camera device adapted to provide toe and camber information of the wheel assembly based on the location at which the light beam impinges upon the target. The contact assembly may be pressed against the wheel assembly without being secured thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.