Hunter Engineering Company

Other

Michael T Stieff

Daniel R Dorrance

Timothy A Strege

Thomas J Golab

Brian M Cejka

Nicholas J Colarelli, Iii

Mark S Shylanski

James W McClenahan

Dennis M Linson

Leigh R Burns, Jr

Daniel B January

Gregory F Meyer

Craig A Carroll

Bruce E Bernard

Blackford F Brauer

Mark E Stirnemann

Timothy A Larson

Patrick Callanan

Gerald E Friton

Patrick G J Callanan

J Kaleb Silver

Dennis D Bowen

Dennis E Naas

John M Boncek

Patrick G Callanan

Iii Nicholas J Colarelli

Brain M Cejka

A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.

Support structure for vehicle ADAS calibration and wheel alignment measurement system

A vehicle service system incorporating a pair of gimbal-mounted optical projection systems enables an operator to selectively orient each optical emitter of the optical projection system to illuminate a location on a vehicle surface in proximity to the system. Signals indicative of an orientation of each optical emitter about three-axes of rotation are received at a controller programmed with software instructions to utilize the received signals, together with known locations for the systems, to calculate a three-dimensional coordinate for the illuminated location within an established frame of reference. The controller is further programmed to utilize the calculated three-dimensional coordinate of the illuminated location as an origin point for determining one or more placement locations within the established frame of reference for ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets.

System and method for operator guided identification of vehicle reference locations for ADAS sensor alignment

A system and method for guiding placement of a vehicle service external fixture relative to a vehicle undergoing service or inspection. A vehicle service system support structure having at least one camera module is positioned at an initial location within a vehicle service area, and a location of the initial location within a vehicle reference frame is established from images of optical targets secured to the vehicle. The vehicle service system support structure is subsequently repositioned relative to the vehicle to a new position located outside of an external fixture placement region, while maintaining at least one of the observed optical targets within a field of view of the camera module. The new position of the vehicle service system support structure within said vehicle reference frame is determined from target images, and a placement location within the placement region for the external fixture is identified relative to the vehicle.

Method and apparatus for placement of ADAS fixtures during vehicle inspection and service

Vehicle wheel alignment measurement system camera and ADAS calibration support structure

A system and method for aligning a floor target relative to a vehicle, the floor target including a calibration pattern for observation by a vehicle safety system sensor during calibration. The system includes at least one optical projection system consisting of at least one optical projector having an orientable projection axis. The optical projection system is operatively controlled by a processor to orient said projection axis towards a selected location on the floor surface relative to the vehicle, and to activate the optical projected to illuminate a point, a line, or a boundary, against which the floor target is aligned.

A machine-vision vehicle service system, and methods of operation, incorporating at least one gimbaled sensor module configured with at least one of a camera, an optical projector, or a range finder to acquire or convey data associated with surfaces in proximity to the vehicle service system for guiding placement of vehicle service components relative to a vehicle undergoing service. The gimbaled sensor module is operatively coupled to a processing system configured with software instructions to selectively control an orientation of the gimbaled guidance system about one or more axis of rotation, enabling observation, projection of visible indicia, or displacement measurement along an associated sensor axis parallel with one of the axis of rotation during vehicle service procedures.

A vehicle service system and method to determine spatial parameters of a vehicle, employing a display system under processor control, to display or project visible indicia onto surfaces in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a safety system service or inspection identifying one or more locations, relative to the determined vehicle centerline or thrust line, at which a calibration fixture, optical target, or simulated test drive imagery is visible for observation by a sensor onboard the vehicle.

Method and apparatus for vehicle inspection and safety system calibration using projected images

Method and apparatus for guiding placement of ADAS fixtures during vehicle inspection and service

A procedure for calibrating a vehicle onboard sensorby facilitating the placement of a calibration fixtureon a floor relative to a stationary vehicleusing a laser emittersecured to a front steerable wheelof the vehicle on the same lateral side as the vehicle onboard sensor. A beam projection axis X of the laser projector is aligned at a known orientation relative to a geometric characteristic of the vehicle, such that the beam projection axis X is directed over a placement location P of the calibration fixture on the floor, either inherently or by guided steering of the supporting steerable wheel. A distance between the calibration fixtureand a reference point associated with the vehicleis measured, and a current position of the calibration fixture on the floor along the beam projection axis X is adjusted as required to position the calibration fixture for calibration of the vehicle sensorat a selected distance from the reference point along the beam projection axis X.

Method and apparatus for alignment of vehicle blind spot monitoring sensor

A vehicle measurement station utilizing one or more displacement sensors disposed on each opposite side of an inspection region of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire displacement measurement data along associated measurement axes. At least a portion of the displacement measurement data is associated with the outermost wheel assemblies on an axle of a moving vehicle passing through the inspection region, and utilized to determine one or more vehicle characteristics, such as an axle total toe condition.

Non-contact vehicle measurement system

Growing community of inventors

Wentzville, MO, United States of America

Michael T Stieff