3D Wheel Alignment Target Using Spatial Orientation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional targets require a large size for accurate wheel alignment determination, which is inefficient and may not provide precise measurements.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional target with known geometric characteristics and relationships is used, attached to a vehicle wheel, allowing a 2D imaging system to capture images of the target elements, and a wheel alignment determination system calculates the spatial orientation to determine the alignment based on these relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a two-dimensional target is used for wheel alignment determination, then the alignment can be measured, but the target requires a large size to achieve accurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel alignment measurement precisionVSAvoidtarget size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a two-dimensional target to a three-dimensional target structure. The 3D target includes multiple target elements positioned at different depths and spatial coordinates, allowing the alignment system to determine wheel alignment parameters from a smaller physical target by utilizing depth and spatial relationship information that is not available with 2D targets alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a two-dimensional target of large size is used, then accurate wheel alignment determination can be achieved, but the efficiency and practicality are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel alignment measurement precisionVSAvoidwheel alignment measurement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing three-dimensional spatial positioning of multiple target elements, the system achieves accurate alignment measurements from a compact target structure. This eliminates the need for large 2D targets while maintaining measurement precision, thereby improving measurement efficiency and practicality in real-world wheel alignment applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If a three-dimensional target with multiple target elements is used, then accurate wheel alignment can be determined from a smaller target, but the complexity of the target structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel alignment measurement precisionVSAvoidtarget structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The target is segmented into multiple discrete target elements (such as spheres, cubes, or other geometric shapes) positioned at known three-dimensional coordinates relative to each other. Each element can be independently detected and identified by the alignment system, and their spatial relationships provide the mathematical basis for calculating wheel alignment parameters. This segmentation approach achieves high measurement precision while keeping each individual element simple and the overall structure manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2153168B1Method and apparatus for wheel alignment
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 SNAP ON INC
  • EP2153168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2153168B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2153168B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A vehicle wheel alignment method and system is provided. A three- dimensional target is attached to a vehicle wheel known to be in alignment. The three-dimensional target has multiple target elements thereon, each of which has known geometric characteristics and 3D spatial relationship with one another.