Wheel Alignment Rolling Compensation Deviation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle wheel alignment measurement systems face challenges in achieving precise alignment due to imperfections in wheel assembly surfaces and deviations from level, straight-line rolling movement, leading to erroneous readings and increased costs with high-precision mounting adapters.
Innovation Solution
A method to detect deviations from level, straight-line rolling movement by calculating piercing point values during a rolling compensation procedure, using an optical target and machine vision sensor to identify changes exceeding tolerance thresholds, allowing for operator warnings and correction factors to account for deviations in subsequent measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 'no-comp' precision mounting adapters are used to achieve precise alignment between sensors and wheel assembly axis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical precision mounting adapters with an optical detection system. The machine vision sensor captures images of the optical target on the wheel assembly, and piercing point coordinates are calculated through image processing and geometric computations, eliminating the need for precision-machined mechanical adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical target as a visual copy or representation of the wheel assembly's rotational position and orientation. By capturing images of this optical target and calculating piercing point coordinates from the image data, the system creates a digital model of the wheel's alignment parameters without requiring physical precision mechanical interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If rolling compensation procedure is performed to accommodate mounting imperfections, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to surface variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a rolling compensation procedure before the actual alignment measurement. During this preliminary rolling phase, the system captures images at multiple positions to calculate piercing point coordinates and determine the wheel assembly's rotational center and orientation. This preliminary action establishes a reference frame that compensates for mounting imperfections, allowing subsequent measurements to be more accurate despite the simplicity of the mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the rolling compensation phase to correct measurements. By analyzing the changes in piercing point coordinates during rolling and identifying sinusoidal patterns, the system calculates compensation values that are applied to subsequent alignment measurements, eliminating errors introduced by imperfect mounting or surface variations.
3Ease of operation
If rolling compensation is performed over un-level surfaces, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to surface deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors piercing point coordinate changes during the rolling compensation procedure and uses this feedback to detect surface deviations. By analyzing the pattern of coordinate changes and comparing them against expected sinusoidal patterns from pure rotational movement, the system can identify when surface variations are affecting measurements and apply appropriate corrections or warnings.
Data Source
AI summary
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.