A system for determining alignment characteristics of a wheel assembly of a vehicle includes one or more optical gauges that are selectively attached to a wheel assembly, with the optical gauge including a mounting base having an underside that is affixed to the wheel assembly and including a gauge piece comprising a known dimension. The system further includes a light projector that projects light onto the optical gauge when attached to the wheel assembly, a digital imager, and a controller. The digital imager is configured to image light from the light projector that is reflected from the optical gauge, and the controller is configured to calculate a distance from the optical gauge based on the imaged light that is reflected from the optical gauge and the known dimension of the gauge piece. The mounting base may be a tape that is adhesively affixed to the wheel assembly.

A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.

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 sensor axis adjustment method includes: a conveying process of disposing the vehicle V at a vehicle inspection position that is determined in an inspection chamber Rb; a first aiming process of disposing a first target robot T1 at a first inspection position that is determined with respect to the first radar device R1, and adjusting the optical axis of the first radar device R1; and a second aiming process of disposing a second target robot T2 at a second inspection position that is determined with respect to the second radar device R2, and adjusting the optical axis of the second radar device R2. An execution period of the first aiming process and an execution period of the second aiming process at least partially overlap each other.

A calibrating method is provided including the following steps. A type of a first sensor and a type of a first sensor carrier are determined according to an external shape of a first object. The first sensor is carried by the first sensor carrier, and a relative coordinate of the first object is measured by the first sensor. The relative coordinate of the first object is compared with a predetermined coordinate of the first object to obtain a first object coordinate error, and the first object coordinate error is corrected. After the first object coordinate error is corrected, the first object is driven to perform an operation on a second object or the second object is driven to perform the operation on the first object. A calibrating system is also provided.

A system and method for aligning a target to an equipped vehicle for calibration of a sensor on the equipped vehicle includes a vehicle support stand upon which an equipped vehicle is disposed in an established known position for calibration of the sensor, and a target adjustment stand configured to moveably hold a target. The target adjustment stand is configured to position the target into a calibration position relative to the sensor on the equipped vehicle based on the established known position of the equipped vehicle on the vehicle support stand whereby the sensor is able to be calibrated using the target.

A non-contact sensor for determining orientation of an object, such as a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle, includes a projector assembly having a light emitter, a lens assembly and a mask, with the mask including mask apertures and the light emitter configured to project light through the lens assembly and mask apertures and onto the object, and with the mask apertures creating a light pattern of projected light onto the object. The sensor also includes an imager configured to image reflections of the light pattern from the object, and a processor. The projector assembly and imager are angled with respect to one another, and the processor is configured to process imaged reflections of the light pattern to derive the orientation of the object, such as the alignment orientation of the tire and wheel assembly.

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.

A vehicle wheel alignment system includes a pair of wheel mounted targets, a pair of reference targets mounted to a stationary reference, a pair of gravity sensors, and a pair of vehicle-mounted active heads mounted on first and second sides of the vehicle. The active heads each have an image sensor for producing image data of one of the reference targets and one of the wheel mounted targets. The gravity sensors are disposed on each side of the vehicle in a known relationship to either the respective reference targets or the image sensors. A data processor calculates, using the image data, a plurality of poses of the wheel mounted targets as the vehicle wheels rotate; calculates a vehicle drive direction using the target poses and a measured orientation relative to gravity from the gravity sensors; and calculates a wheel alignment measurement using the vehicle drive direction.

A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.