Abstract:
A portable vehicle alignment system is provided having two base tower assemblies, each having a pedestal, a columnar tower removably attachable to the top of the pedestal, and a camera pod movable along a length of the tower; and a data processor with a wireless communication device for processing image data from the camera pods. Each camera pod includes a camera for capturing image data of a target mounted on a vehicle, and a communication device for wirelessly communicating with the data processor. One pod has a calibration target and the other pod has a calibration camera for capturing images of the calibration target. The pedestals each have a manually-operated clamp for removably fixedly attaching the tower to the pedestal in one of a plurality of positions such that the orientation of the camera pod to the pedestal is angularly adjustable, allowing horizontal rotation of the camera pod.
Abstract:
A process for calibrating and evaluating a machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment system having front and rear imaging components associated with each of the left and right sides of a vehicle support structure. Each pair of imaging components defines a front and rear field of view, with a common overlapping region associated with each respective side of the vehicle support structure. Optical targets disposed within each of the overlapping field of view regions are observed by the imaging components to establish performance ratings for the system as a whole, for groups of components within the system, and for individual components within the system.
Abstract:
Ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Fahrwerksvermessung werden die Schritte des Bereitstellens eines Fahrwerksvermessungssystems mit vier in bekannter Position zueinander angeordneten Messköpfen (2, 4, 14, 16), von denen jeder eine monokulare Bildaufnahmeeinrichtung (22, 24, 26, 28) aufweist, wobei die relative Position der Messköpfe (2, 4, 14, 16) zueinander bekannt ist; des Aufnehmens jeweils eines Rades (6, 8, 10, 12) oder eines daran angebrachten Messtargets in einer Anfangslage (A) des Fahrzeugs (1) mit jedem der vier Messköpfe (2, 4, 14, 16); des Verschiebens des Fahrzeugs (1) von der Anfangslage (A) in mindestens eine weitere Lage (E); des Aufnehmens jeweils eines Rades (6, 8, 10, 12) oder eines daran angebrachten Messtargets des in der weiteren Lage (E) stehenden Fahrzeugs (1) mit jedem der vier Messköpfe (2, 4, 14, 16); des Aufnehmens eines an dem Fahrzeug (1) angebrachten Referenztargets mit bekanntem Muster (34, 36) mit einem der vier Messköpfe (2, 4, 14, 16) in wenigstens einer der Anfangslage (A) und der weiteren Lage (E) des Fahrzeugs (1) und Bestimmen eines absoluten Maßstabs für die Messköpfe (2, 4, 14, 16) daraus; des Ausführens von lokalen 3D-Rekonstruktionen zum Bestimmen der Translationsvektoren (t1, t2, t3, t4), der Rotationsvektoren (R1, R2, R3, R4) und der Raddrehwinkel zwischen den mindestens zwei Lagen (A, E) sowie der Raddrehzentren und der Raddrehachsen der Räder (6, 8, 10, 12); und des Bestimmens der Fahrwerksvermessungsparameter des Fahrzeugs (1), insbesondere Sturz, Einzel- und/oder Gesamtspur, Radstand und Spurweite durchgeführt.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional camera based system for determining the position and/or alignment of objects such as motor vehicle wheels. The system includes a strobed infrared lighting subsystem, a visible indicator that the subsystem is working properly, and targets for attachment to the objects. The system also includes at least one camera for viewing the targets, and a data processor connected to the camera for processing data relating to images of the targets to determine position and/or alignment information, and a display that displays the position and/or alignment information. The system includes directional indicators for indicating that the vehicle should be repositioned by moving it backward, forward, or steered left or right. The system also includes wheel indicators tied in with software on the data processing device. These wheel indicators indicate the state of target acquisition by the data processing device based on the image from the camera.
Abstract:
A system for obtaining positional information about a vehicle includes a vision imaging system and a vehicle position adjustment mechanism for moving the vehicle between at least two positions for detection by the vision imaging system. The vehicle position adjustment mechanism includes a body, surface support wheels, a motor, and a controller. The body engages the vehicle, and the controller controls the direction and distance the vehicle position adjustment mechanism moves the vehicle. The surface support wheels are connected to the body and support the body on a surface. The motor drives the vehicle between the at least two positions.
Abstract:
Alignment between the wheels of a vehicle is determined using a position determination system and includes indicating wheel positions on the vehicle with targets; imaging the targets to obtain locations of the wheel positions; and calculating a relationship between the front and rear wheels. Alignment is aided by calculating rear and front wheel tracks and comparing the calculated front and rear wheel tracks to a specified range for the front and rear wheel tracks. Also, right and left wheel bases can be calculated and the calculated right and left wheel bases to can be compared a specified range for the right and left wheel bases. Measures of offset and skew can also be obtained. A computer-implemented position determination system for determining alignment between the wheels of a vehicle is disclosed.
Abstract:
Alignment between the wheels of a vehicle is determined using a position determination system and includes indicating wheel positions on the vehicle with targets; imaging the targets to obtain locations of the wheel positions; and calculating a relationship between the front and rear wheels. Alignment is aided by calculating rear and front wheel tracks and comparing the calculated front and rear wheel tracks to a specified range for the front and rear wheel tracks. Also, right and left wheel bases can be calculated and the calculated right and left wheel bases can be compared to a specified range for the right and left wheel bases. Measures of offset and skew can also be obtained. A computer-implemented position determination system for determining alignment between the wheels of a vehicle is disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and a device for evaluating the tolerance in bearings or joints consisting of coupled components, in particular wheel suspensions or steering components of a vehicle. Simple automated detection of said tolerance is performed by applying alternating forces to the components, the positions of said components at different points in time and/or the movements of said components are indirectly or directly detected by optical means and measured position and/or movement data are used to derive information on tolerances.
Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the position and alignment of wheels, including targets (130) for attachment to the wheels (112-115), a pair of optical sensing means such as television cameras (122, 124) for viewing the targets, an electronic processing means connected to the optical sensing means for processing data relating to images of the targets to determine position and alignment information, and a display means for displaying the position and alignment information. The optical sensing means view a target and form an image. Electronic signals corresponding to each of the images are transferred to the electronic processing means which correlates the image signals of each of the targets with the true shape of each target. The processing means relates the geometric characteristics and positional interrelationships of certain known elements of the target with corresponding elements in the viewed images and calculates the position and alignment of the wheels to which the targets are attached.
Abstract:
A sensor method and apparatus for an optical wheel alignment machine utilizes one or more light sources, such as lasers (12, 13, 14), to project a laser line or other shaped light onto various locations about the sidewall (32a) of a tire undergoing measurement. The sensor includes a video camera (18) or other light responsive receiver and an optical system (16) that combines the reflected laser lines into a single image that is received by the camera. The optical system also rotates one or more of the reflected laser lines so that all of the reflected portions have the same general orientation upon entering the camera. The camera outputs a video data stream that is indicative of the image. The sensor has an electronic circuit (20) that compares the incoming video data stream with a threshold to determine (88), on a pixel-by-pixel basis, whether any particular pixel lies on or outside one of the laser lines received by the camera. For a pixel lying on a laser line, the comparator interrupts (IRQ) operation of the microprocessor (80) which then determines the position within the image of that pixel and uses that information to generate the coordinate output data.