Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method

Details Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method

2011-01-04

2011-01-04

Tarcza, Thomas H (Department: 3662)

Optics: measuring and testing

Angle measuring or angular axial alignment

Wheel alignment with photodetection

C356S139080

Reexamination Certificate

active

07864309

ABSTRACT:
A sensor and method of determining the orientation of an object, such as the alignment characteristics of a tire and wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle, includes projecting a plurality of light planes from a first light projector onto a tire and wheel assembly to form a plurality of generally parallel illumination lines on a tire of the tire and wheel assembly, receiving a reflected image of at least some of the illumination lines with a photo electric device reflected from the tire at an angle relative to a projecting angle of the first light projector, and determining a plane defined by spatial coordinates from a selected point located on each illumination line imaged by the photo electric device, with the plane representing the orientation of the tire and wheel assembly.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3630623 (1971-12-01), Schirmer
patent: 3918816 (1975-11-01), Foster et al.
patent: 4639878 (1987-01-01), Day et al.
patent: 4647208 (1987-03-01), Bierman
patent: 4690557 (1987-09-01), Wiklund
patent: 4724480 (1988-02-01), Hecker et al.
patent: 4863266 (1989-09-01), Masuko et al.
patent: RE33144 (1990-01-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 4899218 (1990-02-01), Waldecker et al.
patent: 4931964 (1990-06-01), Titsworth et al.
patent: 5018853 (1991-05-01), Hechel et al.
patent: 5044746 (1991-09-01), Henseli
patent: 5048954 (1991-09-01), Madey et al.
patent: 5054918 (1991-10-01), Downing et al.
patent: 5177558 (1993-01-01), Hill
patent: 5198877 (1993-03-01), Schulz
patent: 5249364 (1993-10-01), Bishop
patent: 5268731 (1993-12-01), Fuchiwaki et al.
patent: 5274433 (1993-12-01), Madey et al.
patent: 5291264 (1994-03-01), Longa et al.
patent: 5519489 (1996-05-01), McClenahan et al.
patent: 5532816 (1996-07-01), Spann et al.
patent: 5583797 (1996-12-01), Fluegge et al.
patent: 5675408 (1997-10-01), Samuelsson et al.
patent: 5703796 (1997-12-01), Moradi et al.
patent: 5724129 (1998-03-01), Matteucci
patent: 5724743 (1998-03-01), Jackson
patent: 5731870 (1998-03-01), Bartko et al.
patent: 5781286 (1998-07-01), Knestel
patent: 5812256 (1998-09-01), Chapin et al.
patent: 5815257 (1998-09-01), Haas
patent: 5818574 (1998-10-01), Jones et al.
patent: 5870315 (1999-02-01), January
patent: 5930881 (1999-08-01), Naruse et al.
patent: 5978077 (1999-11-01), Koerner et al.
patent: 6100923 (2000-08-01), Sass et al.
patent: 6148528 (2000-11-01), Jackson
patent: 6400451 (2002-06-01), Fukuda et al.
patent: 6404486 (2002-06-01), Nobis et al.
patent: 6412183 (2002-07-01), Uno
patent: 6424411 (2002-07-01), Rapidel et al.
patent: 6456372 (2002-09-01), Hudy
patent: 6473978 (2002-11-01), Maas
patent: 6532673 (2003-03-01), Jahn et al.
patent: 6545750 (2003-04-01), Roth et al.
patent: 6559936 (2003-05-01), Colombo et al.
patent: 6657711 (2003-12-01), Kitagawa et al.
patent: 6690456 (2004-02-01), Bux et al.
patent: 6707557 (2004-03-01), Young et al.
patent: 6714291 (2004-03-01), Castagnoli et al.
patent: 6731382 (2004-05-01), Jackson et al.
patent: 6744497 (2004-06-01), Burns, Jr.
patent: 6748796 (2004-06-01), Van Den Bossche
patent: 6796035 (2004-09-01), Jahn et al.
patent: 6802130 (2004-10-01), Podbielski et al.
patent: 6836970 (2005-01-01), Hirano
patent: 6879403 (2005-04-01), Freifeld
patent: 7230694 (2007-06-01), Forster et al.
patent: 2009/0046279 (2009-02-01), Tentrup et al.
patent: 2948573 (1979-12-01), None
patent: 0593066 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 0593067 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 0994329 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 1221584 (2001-01-01), None
patent: 1505363 (2004-07-01), None
patent: 2808082 (2001-10-01), None
patent: 0071972 (2000-11-01), None
patent: 2008014783 (2008-02-01), None
International Search Report of corresponding PCT application No. PCT/US08/62424.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority of corresponding PCT application No. PCT/US08/62424.
ISRA Vision Systems Press Release, No. 97, May 16, 2006 “Mounting Wheels Automatically on Moving Car Bodies.”.
Dürr Factory Assembly Systems (FAS) materials, Dr. Thomas Tentrup, believed to be dated Sep. 2006, with partial translation of pp. 12-14.
Extended European Search Report transmitted Mar. 26, 2010, from corresponding European Application No. EP 08 74 7507, enclosing Supplementary European Search Report indicated to have been completed on Mar. 17, 2010.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2633666