Wheel-Mounted Sensor Calibration for Precise Vehicle Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle adjustments and repairs, particularly wheel alignment and sensor calibration, are often imprecise due to manual methods lacking exact measurements or requiring expensive and error-prone specialized tools, leading to improper operation of driver assist features.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensor packages mounted to vehicle wheels and a controller that uses augmented reality to guide precise adjustments and calibrations, eliminating user error by providing exact measurements and target orientations based on manufacturer specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurements and visual verification are used for wheel alignment, then the process is simple and inexpensive, but the alignment precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel alignment precisionVSAvoidalignment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with electronic sensor packages that use accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other electronic sensors to automatically measure wheel alignment parameters. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic measurement systems resolves the contradiction by providing high-precision automated measurements without requiring complex specialized alignment equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor packages mounted on the vehicle wheels perform self-measurement of alignment parameters without requiring external alignment equipment or specialized facilities. The system uses the vehicle's own motion and the sensors' ability to detect gravitational and inertial forces to automatically determine wheel alignment, eliminating the need for complex external measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If expensive customized tools and ADAS equipment are used for sensor calibration, then calibration precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor calibration precisionVSAvoidcalibration equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive specialized ADAS calibration equipment with electronic sensor packages that use inertial measurement units and other electronic sensors to perform calibration. The system substitutes complex mechanical calibration rigs with electronic measurement and computation systems, achieving high-precision sensor calibration while reducing equipment complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor packages are designed to perform multiple functions including wheel alignment measurement, sensor calibration, and vehicle diagnostic functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for each task, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision through integrated electronic measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual target placement is performed for calibration, then the process is simple to set up, but user error leads to improper calibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor packages continuously monitor and provide feedback on the actual wheel alignment and sensor positions during the calibration process. The system compares real-time measurements against target values and automatically adjusts or guides corrections, eliminating user error while maintaining operational simplicity through automated feedback control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual estimation and physical target placement with electronic sensor-based automated measurement and positioning systems. The electronic systems automatically detect positions and orientations, eliminating human error in target placement while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes that require minimal user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12592106B2Systems and methods for vehicle tuning and calibration

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 MONLIZ LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a vehicle tuning and calibration system and associated methods for diagnosing and correcting issues involving vehicle performance, driving characteristics, and/or driver assist features. The system includes multiple sensor packages with connectors for mounting a different sensor package to a different wheel of a vehicle. Each sensor package includes sensors that generate measurements for a positioning and movements of the wheel onto which that sensor package is mounted. The system also includes a controller that receives the measurements generated by the sensor packages mounted to the different wheels of the vehicle. The controller generates a user interface with visual representations that are derived from the measurements. The visual representations may identify toe, camber, caster, and other alignment issues detected for different wheels, adjustments to correct the detected issues, and positions and orientations at which to place targets relative to the vehicle for vehicle sensor calibration.