| HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110316979 | Method and Apparatus For Vehicle Service System Optical Target Assembly - A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110170089 | Method and Apparatus For Vehicle Service System Optical Target Assembly - A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target attached to the vehicle wheel, the optical target having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of visible features defining target elements arranged in a known geometric and spatial configuration relative to each other across at least two surfaces. A two-dimensional image of the optical target is acquired by an imaging system to detect a plurality of target element images corresponding to the plurality of target elements. A spatial orientation of the optical target and an alignment of the vehicle wheel is then determined from the plurality of target element images and the known geometric and spatial configuration of the plurality of target elements on the target surfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110056277 | Method And Apparatus For Determining Imbalance Correction Weight Amounts For Application During Vehicle Wheel Balancing - A method for reducing imbalance correction weight usage during a balancing operation of a vehicle wheel assembly. An imbalance of the vehicle wheel assembly is initially determined and utilized together with an established acceptable threshold of imbalance for the vehicle wheel assembly to compute a reduced imbalance value having a magnitude less than the determined imbalance. Using the reduced imbalance value, correction weight amounts and placement locations for application to the vehicle wheel assembly are identified. Determined differences between the identified correction weight amount using the reduced imbalance value and a convention correction weight amount are identified as imbalance correction weight savings. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110040443 | Method and Apparatus For Rapid Wheel Toe Angle Measurement and Adjustment - A method for conducting a basic front-end wheel alignment measurement and adjustment procedure together with a routine vehicle maintenance procedure of a vehicle service shop. Vehicle front wheel turn plate assemblies, and optionally, vehicle rolling mechanisms, are incorporated into a support structure in a service area within the vehicle service shop at which the vehicle will undergo the maintenance procedures. When the vehicle is moved into the service area to undergo the maintenance procedures, basic measurements associated with the front-end wheel alignment are acquired by an associated service system, which prompts vehicle technicians to carry out a sequence of basic procedures to facilitate the acquisition of the basic measurements. Based on the results of the measurements, the service system provides the vehicle technicians with graphical guidance for performing any required adjustment to the vehicle front end wheel alignment, which may be carried out concurrent with other maintenance procedures. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110001821 | Method and Apparatus For Vehicle Service System Optical Target Assembly - A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target assembly secured to the vehicle wheel in a non-determined position, the optical target assembly having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of optical target elements disposed on a plurality of target surfaces. Images of the optical target elements are acquired by an imaging system, together with target identifying indicia, and utilized together with previously stored target characterization data to determine a spatial orientation of the optical target assembly and an alignment of the vehicle wheel onto which it is secured. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100165332 | Method and Apparatus For Vehicle Service System Optical Target Assembly - A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target attached to the vehicle wheel, the optical target having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of target elements arranged in a known geometric and spatial configuration relative to each other. A two-dimensional image of the optical target is acquired by an imaging system to detect a plurality of target element images corresponding to the plurality of target elements arranged on the optical target. A spatial orientation of the optical target and an alignment of the vehicle wheel is then determined from the plurality of target element images and the known geometric and spatial configuration of the plurality of target elements on the optical target. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100095767 | Method And Apparatus For Determining Imbalance Correction Weight Amounts For Application During Vehicle Wheel Balancing - A method for reducing imbalance correction weight usage during a balancing operation of a vehicle wheel assembly. An imbalance of the vehicle wheel assembly is initially determined and utilized together with an established acceptable threshold of imbalance for the vehicle wheel assembly to compute a reduced imbalance value having a magnitude less than the determined imbalance. Using the reduced imbalance value, correction weight amounts and placement locations for application to the vehicle wheel assembly are identified. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20080244919 | Method and Apparatus Determination of Wheel Assembly Configuration - A vehicle wheel assembly service system configured to acquire measurements of the physical characteristics of a vehicle wheel assembly such as during a vehicle wheel balancing procedure, with the functionality to obtain and utilize a measurement of a vehicle wheel assembly offset or rear spacing. The vehicle wheel assembly service system is configured to display the wheel assembly offset or rear spacing measurement to an operator, and optionally, to display guidance and/or installation instructions to the operator associated with the installation of the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle. The displayed guidance and/or installation instructions may optionally include fitment information, vehicle performance data, or vehicle braking data. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080209744 | Vehicle Wheel Optical Target Mounting Assembly - A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system optical target assembly which incorporates an adaptor for attachment of an optical target to a vehicle wheel assembly. The adaptor includes a circular sinusoidal edge for seating in a non-determined position against surfaces of a vehicle wheel assembly, and a pair of pivoting arm assemblies capable of independent movement which are configured to position tire hooks for gripping the tread surfaces of a tire mounted to the wheel rim. Forces exerted between the pivoting arms are transferred to the tire hooks to hold the optical target assembly in contact with the wheel assembly surface. The optical target is integrated into the adaptor, and maintained in a stationary relationship to the wheel assembly thereby during a vehicle wheel alignment procedure. | 09-04-2008 |
