公开(公告)号：US09395179B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-19

申请号：US14548005

申请日：2014-11-19

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Michael T. Stieff

IPC: G01B11/275

CPC classification number: G01B11/275 ,  G01B2210/12 ,  G01B2210/24

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting, for wheel assemblies on opposite ends of an axle during an alignment angle measurement or inspection process, relative movement or slip between the alignment angle sensor or optical target and the wheel assembly upon which it is mounted. Changes in measurements of invariant characteristics of the solid axle or an associated wheel assembly are observed by an alignment measurement or inspection system as indications of movement or slip between at least one of the alignment angle sensors or optical targets and the associated wheel assembly. Upon detection of a change a measurement of an invariant characteristic, an operator is alerted by the alignment measurement or inspection system to the presence of movement or slip of one or both of the alignment angle sensors or optical targets associated with the wheel assemblies of the axle.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在对准角度测量或检查过程期间检测用于车轴的相对端上的车轮组件的方法和装置，在对准角度传感器或光学目标与其安装在其上的车轮组件之间的相对运动或滑动。 通过对准测量或检查系统观察实心轴或相关联的轮组件的不变特性的测量值的变化，作为至少一个对准角度传感器或光学目标和相关联的轮组件之间的运动或滑动的指示。 当检测到不变特性的测量时，操作者通过对准测量或检查系统警告存在与轴的车轮组件相关联的一个或两个对准角度传感器或光学目标的运动或滑动 。

公开(公告)号：USD726046S1

公开(公告)日：2015-04-07

申请号：US29469846

申请日：2013-10-15

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Designer： Dennis Linson

公开(公告)号：USD725689S1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-31

申请号：US29468804

申请日：2013-10-03

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Designer： Micah Vaninger ,  Charles Polster ,  Douglas S. Hanneken

公开(公告)号：US08955378B2

公开(公告)日：2015-02-17

申请号：US13687861

申请日：2012-11-28

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Joel Clasquin ,  Michael D. Gerdes

IPC: G01M1/08 ,  G01M1/22 ,  G01M1/20

CPC classification number: G01M1/20

Abstract: A method for efficiently operating a vehicle wheel balancing system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for rotation during a measurement or service procedure, and a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to the wheel mounting structure for engaging a surface of the vehicle wheel assembly and applying a controlled load there to during rotation. After mounting a vehicle wheel assembly to the mounting structure, the wheel assembly is rotationally driven and a measurement of imbalance is initially acquired and the results displayed to an operator. Subsequently, the load roller assembly is engaged with the still rotating wheel, while measurements of radial forces and/or runout of the wheel are acquired, before the wheel rotation is stopped.

Abstract translation: 一种用于有效地操作车轮平衡系统的方法，所述车轮平衡系统具有车轮安装结构，在测量或维修过程期间，车轮组件安装在所述车轮组件上以便旋转;以及负载辊组件，其布置在操作接近车轮安装结构处以接合表面 并在旋转期间施加受控负载。 在将车轮组件安装到安装结构之后，轮组件被旋转地驱动，并且最初获得不平衡的测量，并将结果显示给操作者。 随后，在车轮旋转停止之前，负载辊组件与静止旋转的轮接合，同时获取轮的径向力和/或跳动的测量。

公开(公告)号：US20140278226A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US14203911

申请日：2014-03-11

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Michael T. Stieff ,  James W. McClenahan ,  J. Kaleb Silver ,  Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B11/275

CPC classification number: G01B11/2755 ,  G01B2210/143 ,  G01B2210/22 ,  G01B2210/24 ,  G01B2210/30

Abstract: A method for characterizing the surface over which a vehicle is to be rolled during a rolling compensation procedure. A set of wheel alignment angle sensors are mounted to the rearmost fixed axle of a vehicle which is then backed onto the floor surface to be characterized, and rolled in reverse over the region of the floor surface generally traversed during a rolling compensation procedure. As the vehicle is rolled in reverse, a pair of wheel alignment angle sensors temporarily positioned at selected points on the floor surface measure a distance to the wheel-mounted alignment angle sensors, which in turn, are acquiring camber angle measurements. The resulting set of measurements is stored in an accessible data storage device, characterizing the camber altering contours of a path across the floor surface.

Abstract translation: 一种在滚动补偿过程中表征车辆将被滚动的表面的方法。 一组车轮定位角度传感器安装到车辆的最后固定轴上，然后将车轮定位角度传感器支撑到要被表征的地板表面上，并且在滚动补偿过程中通常横穿的地板表面的区域上相反地滚动。 当车辆相反地滚动时，临时定位在地板表面上的选定点处的一对车轮对准角度传感器测量到轮毂安装的对准角度传感器的距离，而车轮对准角度传感器又获得外倾角测量。 所得到的一组测量被存储在可访问的数据存储设备中，表征了通过地板表面的路径改变轮廓的弧度。

公开(公告)号：US20130176428A1

公开(公告)日：2013-07-11

申请号：US13781977

申请日：2013-03-01

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Michael T. Stieff ,  Daniel R. Dorrance ,  Thomas J. Golab ,  Mark S. Shylanski

IPC: G01B11/275

CPC classification number: H04N7/18 ,  B60R11/04 ,  G01B11/275 ,  G01B11/2755 ,  G01B2210/12 ,  G01B2210/14 ,  G01B2210/30

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration which are calibrated prior to use. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly.

Abstract translation: 一种用于获取与车辆相关联的测量的机器视觉车轮对准系统。 该系统包括至少一个具有视野的成像传感器和在成像传感器的视场内固定到车辆上的车轮组件的至少一个光学目标。 光学目标包括以可确定的几何和空间配置布置在至少两个表面上的多个可见目标元件，其在使用之前被校准。 系统中的处理单元被配置为从成像传感器接收至少两组图像数据，其中每组图像数据在轮组件的不同旋转位置周围围绕旋转轴线获取，并且代表至少一个可见光 目标元件在两个表面中的每一个上，处理单元从该目标元件构造成识别车轮组件的所述旋转轴线。

公开(公告)号：US20130110314A1

公开(公告)日：2013-05-02

申请号：US13659566

申请日：2012-10-24

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Michael T. Stieff

IPC: G01B11/275 ,  G06F17/00

CPC classification number: G01B11/275 ,  G01B11/27 ,  G01B2210/16 ,  G01S7/4026 ,  G01S13/931 ,  G01S2007/403 ,  G01S2013/9375

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a vehicle wheel alignment system to guide the placement and orientation of a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to the thrust line of a vehicle. A laser adapter for projecting a reference line is mounted to a steerable wheel of the vehicle, and is aligned relative to both a line of the vehicle and to the supporting surface on which the vehicle is disposed. The vehicle line is determined by the vehicle wheel alignment system, and the steerable wheel, together with the adapter, are steered relative to the determined vehicle line, such that a projected reference line defined by the position and orientation of the adapter is established parallel to both the supporting surface and the vehicle line. The placement and orientation of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture is subsequently adjusted relative to the projected reference line.

Abstract translation: 一种用于利用车轮对准系统来引导车辆服务设备或对准夹具相对于车辆的推力线的放置和定向的方法和装置。 用于投影参考线的激光适配器安装到车辆的可转向轮上，并且相对于车辆的一条线和车辆所在的支撑表面对准。 车辆线路由车辆车轮定位系统确定，并且可转向轮与适配器一起相对于确定的车辆线路转向，使得由适配器的位置和方向限定的投影基准线被平行于 支撑面和车线。 随后相对于投影的参考线调整车辆维修设备或对准夹具的放置和定向。

公开(公告)号：US12287190B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-29

申请号：US17230567

申请日：2021-04-14

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B11/275 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14

Abstract: A vehicle service system including a set of cameras and a processing system configured to access a database of vehicle-specific information, which includes data identifying vehicle-specific targets and/or service fixtures. The processing system is configured with a user interface to convey instructions to an operator, including the identification of vehicle-specific targets and/or service fixtures required to carry out a selected vehicle service. The processing system subsequently evaluates images acquired from the set of cameras to identify features present within the images, including placed vehicle-specific targets, from which identification of, and verification of correctly selected, vehicle-specific targets is made.

公开(公告)号：US12253427B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-18

申请号：US17653617

申请日：2022-03-04

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Nathan Brower ,  William J. Nelgner

IPC: G01M1/22 ,  G01M1/04

Abstract: A vehicle wheel imbalance measurement system having a rotationally driven spindle for receiving a vehicle wheel assembly, a motor drive for rotating the spindle and wheel assembly about an axis of rotation, and a set of force transducers for measuring imbalance forces generated by the rotating wheel assembly, and in particular, to a structure within the vehicle wheel imbalance measurement system for conveying a portion of the generated imbalance forces to be measured from the wheel assembly to a fixed ground.

公开(公告)号：US12188845B1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-07

申请号：US17644469

申请日：2021-12-15

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： David A. Voeller

IPC: G06V30/14 ,  G01B11/22 ,  G01B11/27 ,  G01M17/02 ,  G06T5/40 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N9/64 ,  H04N9/76 ,  H04N23/12

Abstract: A drive-through vehicle inspection system with a method for acquiring information from markings on tire sidewall surfaces of a moving vehicle. As the vehicle passes through the inspection system, sets of colored light sources, disposed at different relative orientations on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle, illuminate each passing wheel, enabling optical imaging systems associated with the opposite lateral sides of the inspection lane to acquire color images of the illuminated tire sidewall surfaces. Acquired color images are passed to a processing system and separated into individual red, green, and blue color channels for image processing. The processed output from each color channel is recombined by the processing system into a synthesized grayscale image highlighting and emphasizing markings present on the tire sidewall surfaces for evaluated by an OCR algorithm to retrieve tire identifying information.