A vehicle inspection system configured with a processing system and at least one displacement sensor disposed on opposite sides of a vehicle inspection lane sensor region to acquire displacement measurement data associated with a moving vehicle passing through the vehicle inspection lane. The processing system is configured to receive acquired displacement measurement data to determine characteristics of the moving vehicle, such as vehicle velocity, dynamic axle alignment, dynamic wheel alignment, or dimensions. The processing system is further configured to evaluate the determined dynamic vehicle characteristics in relation to static vehicle characteristics, such as static axle alignment or static wheel alignment, through application of one or more compensation factors based on user selected parameters, default parameters, or identified vehicle features.

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 device for wheel alignment measurement comprises at least two sensors which are configured to record each time at least two images of the front wheels and the rear wheels of a vehicle passing by; and an evaluation device which is configured to evaluate the images recorded by the sensors in order to determine whether the vehicle has traveled along a straight line. The sensors are arranged such that a vehicle to be measured can pass between the at least two sensors. The evaluation device is configured to determine the geometric travel axis of the vehicle and/or the individual tracks of the wheels on the front axle and/or the rear axle of the vehicle when the evaluation of the images recorded by the sensors reveals that the vehicle has traveled along a straight line.

Embodiments include a method for autonomous camera pod tracking of a vehicle during vehicle alignment. The method can include receiving, at a processor of an autonomous camera pod, at least one of vehicle target image data from a vehicle target camera or calibration target image data from a calibration camera, the vehicle target camera being adapted to acquire images of a target mounted to the vehicle, and the calibration camera being adapted to acquire images of a calibration target mounted to a sister autonomous camera pod. An optimal location of the autonomous camera pod can be calculated based on the received vehicle target image data or calibration target image data. The method can include transmitting, when it is determined to move the autonomous camera pod, a motor command to a motor drive of the autonomous camera pod, thereby causing the autonomous camera pod to move to the optimal location.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the in-situ determination of vehicle wheel position using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). In one aspect as the wheel is rotating, gyroscope measurements are used to find a slip angle defined between the direction of wheel travel and the direction of vehicle travel, to determine a toe alignment condition for the wheel. System and methods are also presented for using an accelerometer to measure slip angle and camber angle. Using an accelerometer or gyroscope, instantaneous wheel angle measurements can also be made to predict vehicle movement, and aid in autonomous steering and in-situ wheel alignment adjustments.

A method for the diagnostic assessment of the wheel alignment of a vehicle (2) equipped with wheels (3) having tyres (301) coupled to respective rims (302), comprises the following steps: in a longitudinal movement of the vehicle (2) in a forward travel direction with one wheel (3) on a longitudinal track (4A), until the wheel (3) surmounts a measuring platform (5A) located along the track (4A), acquiring a forward travel measurement signal, representing a lateral force applied to the platform and directed transversely to both the longitudinal direction and the weight force at a forward travel instant at which the wheel surmounts the measuring platform (5A) as it moves along the track (4A) in the forward travel direction; in a longitudinal movement of the vehicle (2) in a return travel direction opposite to the forward travel direction with the wheel (3) on the track (4A), until the wheel (3) surmounts the measuring platform (5A), acquiring a return travel measurement signal, representing a lateral force applied to the platform (5A) and directed transversely at a return travel instant at which the wheel (3) surmounts the measuring platform (5A) as it moves along the track (4A) in the return travel direction; processing the forward and return measurement signals in order to determine, for the wheel (3), at least an angle of camber and/or toe.

A method for detecting the occurrence of deviations from level, straight-line rolling movement of a wheel assembly across a supporting surface during a rolling compensation procedure associated with a vehicle wheel alignment measurement or inspection system by identifying changes in measurements or calculated parameters associated with the wheel assembly which would be unchanged during an ideal level and straight-line rolling movement. Identified changes in the measurements or calculated parameters are evaluated to either warn an operator of the occurrence of a deviation, or to generate a correction factor to account for at least a portion of an effect which the deviations introduce into compensation calculations or subsequent wheel alignment measurements or service procedures.

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 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 heavy-duty vehicle measurement system utilizing displacement sensor modules disposed in housings on opposite sides of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire a set of displacement measurements associated with a moving heavy-duty vehicle. Displacement data along one or more measurement axes is acquired independently by each of the displacement sensor module to measure corresponding distances between the sensor module and points on a surface of the passing heavy-duty. A processing system is configured to receive and evaluate the set of displacement measurements, together with known parameters of the measurement system, to identify heavy-duty vehicle features, such as configuration, body panels, wheel assemblies, and tire surfaces, and to calculate heavy-duty vehicle parameters such as velocity, wheel rim or tire dimensions, axle relative orientations (scrub angles) and wheel assembly spatial orientations.