A three-dimensional target, a wheel positioning system, and a wheel positioning method are provided. The three-dimensional target includes a base body. The base body is provided with at least three target surfaces which are all in different planes. Each of the at least three target surfaces is provided with target elements. Each of the at least three target surfaces is used for wheel positioning. Two of the at least three target surfaces form a group of calculation units, and the spatial position relationship between the target elements of at least two groups of calculation units is used for determining the position of a wheel. By using two target surfaces as a group, the at least three target surfaces can be configured into multiple groups, and calibration is performed according to the multiple target surfaces; thus, the accuracy of calibration calculation is improved.

Vehicle alignment systems and methods are disclosed which operate based on a calculation of “drive direction,” or the direction in which a vehicle is moving. Since a vehicle can be assumed to be a rigid body, each wheel has the same drive direction. Consequently, an alignment parameter of one wheel can be compared to the same parameter of another wheel by equating their drive direction, eliminating the need for the aligner to “see” both sides of the vehicle at the same time. Embodiments include a system having one or more cameras on a fixture carrying a calibration element for an ADAS system, and one or more targets placed on the vehicle to measure the drive direction of the vehicle. The drive direction is assumed to be parallel to the vehicle thrust line and can be used as the line for orientation of the fixture to the vehicle.

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 machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment measurement system configured with at least one optical sensor to acquire images of optical targets disposed within an operative field of view. The system further includes a processing system configured with software instructions to determine relative spatial positions and orientations of one or more optical targets visible within images acquired by the optical sensor. The processing system is further configured with software instructions to automatically identify an axle count and axle configuration for a vehicle undergoing an alignment inspection or service using the determined relative spatial positions and orientations of the visible optical targets.

A laser alignment system for adjusting a mounting bracket of a lamp is disclosed. The laser alignment system includes an alignment bracket including a body portion defining one or more target features and a plurality of index features. The one or more target features include a target that is configured to align with a laser beam and the plurality of index features that are configured to position the alignment bracket along a surface. The laser alignment system also includes a laser alignment tool including a base, a mount, and a laser device. The mount holds the laser device in place and the laser device is configured to emit the laser beam, and the base of the laser alignment tool is shaped to fit within the mounting bracket for the lamp and the laser device directs the laser beam towards a corresponding one of target features of the alignment bracket.

A drive-through vehicle inspection system acquiring information from engraved markings on the tire sidewalls of a moving vehicle. Optical imaging sensors disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle acquire images of the sidewall surfaces for each passing wheel assembly. The acquired images are evaluated by a processing system configured to identify, within the acquired images, visible markings engraved into the tire sidewall surfaces which include at first portion having a first optical reflectivity, and a second portion having a second optical reflectivity which is different from the first optical reflectivity. Each identified marking is decoded to retrieve data stored therein, representative of the tire, wheel assembly, and/or associated vehicle onto which the wheel assembly is installed. The retrieved data is incorporated into an inspection report and/or utilized by the vehicle inspection system to access vehicle-specific information contained within an indexed database.

A vehicle detection system includes a support, machine vision modules, a failure sensor, and a controller. Each machine vision module includes image acquisition devices each including s an image acquisition sensor for obtaining related parameters of hardware to be detected of a vehicle. The failure sensor is used for acquiring position change information of the image acquisition sensor and outputting a motion parameter signal comprising the position change information. The controller is used for determining, according to the motion parameter signal, whether the position of the image acquisition sensor needs to be calibrated. In the using process of the vehicle detection system, the controller can determine in real time whether the position of the image acquisition sensor needs to be calibrated, so as to avoid a miscorrection caused by detecting and correcting the vehicle without precalibration after the measurement and calculation precision of the vehicle detection system is reduced.

A method for measuring the dimensions and characteristic angles of wheels, steering system and chassis of vehicles by means of an apparatus comprising a plurality of 3D scanners, functionally connected to a computer and arranged peripherally to a vehicle whose dimensions and characteristic angles of wheels, steering system and chassis are to be measured; each one of the 3D scanners having a viewing field, the merging of the viewing fields defining a viewing field of the apparatus; the method is characterized in that it comprises: a total measurement step, in which all the wheels of the vehicle are at least partially visible in the viewing field of the apparatus; and a partial measurement step, in which at least one wheel of the vehicle is not visible in the viewing field of the apparatus.

An apparatus (1) for calibrating an ADAS sensor of an advanced driver assistance system of a vehicle (9) positioned in a service area (8), includes: a support structure (3); a vehicle calibration assistance structure (4), mounted on the support structure (3) and including a calibration device (41, 42) configured to facilitate aligning or calibrating the ADAS sensor of the vehicle (9); a positioning system; a computer (102), having access to a database (101) and configured to: receive one or more information items as input; query the database (101) to retrieve a reference parameter (111) and a geometric parameter (112) as a function of the input information; process the reference parameter (111) and the geometric parameter (112) to generate derived data (114) relating to a reference position of the vehicle calibration assistance structure (4).

A system and method of calibrating an ADAS sensor of a vehicle by aligning a target with the sensor, where the vehicle is initially nominally positioned in front of a target adjustment stand that includes a stationary base frame and a movable target mount configured to support a target, with the target adjustment stand including one or more actuators for adjusting the position of the target mount. A computer system is used to determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment stand, with the position of the target mount being adjusted based on the determined orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment stand. Upon properly orienting the target mount, and the target supported thereon, a calibration routine is performed whereby the sensor is calibrated using the target.