3D Spherical Wheel Alignment Targets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining vehicle wheel alignment lack precision and resolution, often requiring stereo image acquisition and specific vehicle movements to identify target orientations, which can lead to inconsistent measurements and compromised accuracy, especially when targets are partially hidden or inclined.
Innovation Solution
A system using three-dimensional targets with spherical shapes, coupled to each wheel, allows for precise orientation determination using a single image-capturing device without the need for vehicle displacement or stereo systems, by identifying orthogonal axes within two-dimensional images and maintaining measurement accuracy across varying inclinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional two-dimensional targets and best fit algorithms are used, then the system is simple to implement, but measurement resolution and precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional targets to three-dimensional targets with spherical elements arranged in specific spatial configurations. This dimensional change enables the system to capture depth information and spatial relationships, significantly improving measurement resolution and precision without requiring complex stereo systems or multiple cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the target from flat two-dimensional patterns to three-dimensional spherical arrangements with known spatial relationships. This parameter change allows the processing device to calculate wheel orientation more precisely by analyzing the spatial positions of multiple spherical targets rather than relying on best fit algorithms on two-dimensional images.
2Measurement precision
If stereo systems are used for image acquisition, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional spherical targets that encode spatial information in multiple dimensions. This allows a single two-dimensional camera to capture sufficient information for accurate orientation determination, eliminating the need for stereo systems while maintaining measurement accuracy through the geometric constraints of the spherical target arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a three-dimensional geometric model of the target with known spherical positions and relationships. By comparing the captured two-dimensional image against this pre-defined three-dimensional model, the system can accurately determine wheel orientation using only a single camera, effectively copying the spatial information into a computable format.
3Measurement precision
If targets are mounted directly on wheels via clamps, then orientation can be directly measured, but delicate wheel parts may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact optical measurement system with three-dimensional spherical targets as intermediaries. Instead of directly attaching measurement devices to the wheels, the system uses these targets that can be mounted on less critical wheel components or even on the vehicle body, allowing optical measurement of wheel orientation without mechanical contact that could damage delicate parts.
4Reliability
If image acquisition devices are positioned on the car lift, then they follow vehicle movements, but dynamic distortion compensation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference frame parameters by using three-dimensional spherical targets with known spatial relationships. This allows the system to calculate wheel orientation through geometric constraints that are independent of camera movement or position, eliminating the need for dynamic distortion compensation while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A system (1; 1') for determining the orientation of at least one first wheel (2) of a vehicle (3) and provided with: at least one first target (5; 5') integrally coupled to the first wheel (2), an image-capturing device (6a, 6b) that acquires a first two-dimensional image of the first target (5; 5') and a processing device (8), operatively connected to the image- capturing device (6a, 6b) and processing the first two- dimensional image. The first target (5; 5') has a three- dimensional shape suitable for defining geometric quantities arranged according to a known three-dimensional arrangement; the processing device (8) processes the first two-dimensional image to identify the projections of the geometric quantities and determine a spatial arrangement of the first target (5; 5 ' ) with respect to a reference system based on the geometrical characteristics of the projections, to determine the orientation characteristics of the first wheel (2).