A portable laser emitter, laser target, and method for measuring the toe angle of a commercial truck steer axle are disclosed. The laser emitter is mounted to the wheel of a truck steer axle while the laser target is placed in front of the truck. Measurements are taken of the laser dot position on the target with the emitter mounted at either end of the steer axle. The process is then repeated with the target positioned behind the truck. The measurements taken from either end of the steer axle with both front and rear target positions are compared to determine the toe angle of the steer axle.

A method for monitoring at least one wheel of a vehicle includes acquiring an image of the at least one wheel of the vehicle by using a camera that is secured to the vehicle; identifying at least one visual feature of the wheel on the image; detecting at least one parameter of the at least one identified feature; determining an actual position of the camera relative to the wheel; obtaining a corrected parameter on the basis of the actual position of the camera; and determining an operation state of the wheel on the basis of the corrected parameter. The present invention also relates to a system for performing the method according to the invention and to a vehicle including the system.

A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.

A vehicle wheel alignment system has a frame member and an optical device mounted to the frame member. At least one shaft connected to the frame member, wherein the at least one shaft is positionable against a rim of the vehicle wheel, wherein the at least one shaft is constructed from a non-metal material. The system may allow for vehicle wheel alignments without scratching the face of the rim. Related methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided.

A system and process for aligning wheels of a three-wheel cycle include mounting targets to two wheels on an axle of the three-wheel cycle and positioning an alignment device relative to a single wheel of the three-wheel cycle to create a virtual axle and assess thrust angle. Once targets are in place, thrust angle is reduced to zero, and camber, caster, and toe measurements are taken and adjusted as needed to achieve three-wheel alignment.

A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.

A vehicle wheel alignment rack is described herein that includes at least one laser and a target. The laser is removably coupled to a wheel of a vehicle. The target corresponds to the laser and is disposed at an opposite end of the vehicle from the laser. The target is directly and removably coupled to a frame of the vehicle such that the target is aligned with the frame at a known angle. The wheel is aligned to the frame by comparing the known angle to an expected and actual position on the target where a beam of light from the laser strikes the target. Some embodiments of the claimed invention include at least a second laser and a second target similarly disposed. Various means of coupling the target or targets to the frame are also disclosed herein.

A method of automatically aligning wheel corner assemblies (WCAs) of a vehicle platform may include: measuring, by sensors of at least one of front WCAs, rear WCAs, a vehicle platform, or any combination thereof, a set of parameters; determining, by a computing device, steering angles for wheels of the front WCAs and wheels of the rear WCAs to drive the vehicle platform in a zero yaw rate and/or a zero thrust angle based on the measured set of parameters; and controlling, by the computing device, steering actuators of the front WCAs and the rear WCAs based on the determined steering angles to drive the vehicle platform in the zero yaw rate and/or the zero thrust angle.

A wheel alignment system for a three-wheeled vehicle comprises a reflecting assembly and a first laser emitting assembly. The reflecting assembly includes a first mirror having a first reflective surface arranged in a first mirror plane that is perpendicular to a rear wheel vertical plane, which is defined centrally through a rear wheel along a direction of travel of the vehicle. The first laser emitting assembly includes a first laser emitter configured to emit a first laser light at the reflective surface along a laser line parallel to a first front wheel vertical plane, which is defined centrally through a first front wheel, and first indicia corresponding to a toe angle of the first front wheel. The first the mirror reflects the first laser light toward the first indicia.

A wheel alignment system for a three-wheeled vehicle comprises a reflecting assembly and a first laser emitting assembly. The reflecting assembly includes a first mirror having a first reflective surface arranged in a first mirror plane that is perpendicular to a rear wheel vertical plane, which is defined centrally through a rear wheel along a direction of travel of the vehicle. The first laser emitting assembly includes a first laser emitter configured to emit a first laser light at the reflective surface along a laser line parallel to a first front wheel vertical plane, which is defined centrally through a first front wheel, and first indicia corresponding to a toe angle of the first front wheel. The first the mirror reflects the first laser light toward the first indicia.