Hunter Engineering Company

Dennis M Linson

Michael T Stieff

Nicholas J Colarelli, Iii

Daniel R Dorrance

Mark S Shylanski

Thomas J Golab

Brian M Cejka

Mark E Stirnemann

Michael D Gerdes

Daniel B January

Gregory F Meyer

Vehicle inspection system support structure

A vehicle measurement and ADAS inspection and/or calibration system incorporating dual support columns arranged in a front-to-back configuration on a rolling base to achieve a low center of gravity. A vertically adjustable instrumentation and target support lateral crossbeam is mounted to a front column and is linked to a counterweight supported on a rear column by a driven cable and pulley assembly. A storage cabinet is additionally located on the wheeled base, partially enclosing a lower portion of the rear column, and extending forward towards the front column. Brake releases are operatively coupled to associated friction brake pads located below the base. The friction brake pads are biased into engagement with a supporting floor surface to prevent unintended movement of the base, and temporarily disengaged by operation of the associated brake releases.

Vehicle inspection system dual column support structure

A set of light-weight adaptor assemblies suitable for use with optical targets, angle sensors, or other instrumentation. A first configuration of adapter assembly within the set is easily secured against the outboard surfaces a large-diameter vehicle wheel assembly having a highly convex raised central hub region, without concern for precise axial alignment or centering, while a second configuration of adapter assembly within the set is easily secured against the outboard surfaces of a large-diameter vehicle wheel assembly having a highly concave recessed central hub region, without concern for precise axial alignment or centering.

Method and apparatus for securing alignment measurement components to large diameter wheels

Sensor mounting adapter base for heavy duty vehicle front wheel assembly

Vehicle inspection system cabinet

Wheel alignment target

Wheel alignment target body

Sensor mounting adapter base for heavy duty vehicle rear wheel assembly

A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment service system console with an integrated internal structure for supporting a vertical post carrying a machine vision sensor cross member. The vertical post is secured at least partially within the confines of a base unit and has a lower end which terminates at a position which is spaced vertically above the floor of the console, adjacent to an upper surface of the base unit.

Wheel alignment system cabinet structure

Vehicle service system console cabinet

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.

Method and apparatus for vehicle service system optical target assembly

Vehicle wheel target mount 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.

Vehicle wheel optical target mounting assembly

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

Dennis M Linson