Method for aligning a vehicle service system relative to a vehicle

A vehicle service system, comprising:

• a calibration structure including a calibration assistance device, configured to calibrate an ADAS sensor of an advanced driver assistance system of the vehicle;
• an apparatus for measuring the alignment of the vehicle;
• an apparatus camera, mounted on the apparatus, for capturing images;
• a front wheel target and a rear wheel target, bearing respective combinations of graphical features and configured to be applied on a front wheel and on a rear wheel of the vehicle, respectively, wherein the front wheel and the rear wheel are located on a first side of the vehicle;
• a control unit, configured to process an image representing the front wheel target and the rear wheel target and captured by the apparatus camera at an operating configuration in which the apparatus is in front of the vehicle and wherein the control unit is configured to derive, as a function of that image, information useful for positioning the calibration structure relative to the vehicle,
• characterized in that it further comprises a positioning device which includes a device target and which can be placed at an operating position spaced from the calibration structure, in front of the apparatus and alongside the first side of the vehicle, so that the device target is visible to the apparatus camera, wherein:
• the positioning device includes a device camera and the calibration structure comprises a structure target, visible to the device camera.

A vehicle service system, comprising:

• an apparatus for measuring the alignment of the vehicle;
• an apparatus camera, mounted on the apparatus, for capturing images;
• a front wheel target and a rear wheel target, bearing respective combinations of graphical features and configured to be applied on a front wheel and on a rear wheel of the vehicle, respectively, wherein the front wheel and the rear wheel are located on a first side of the vehicle;
• a control unit, configured to process an image representing the front wheel target and the rear wheel target and captured by the apparatus camera at an operating configuration in which the apparatus is in front of the vehicle;
• a positioning device which includes a device target and which can be placed at an operating position in front of the apparatus and alongside the first side of the vehicle, so that the device target is visible to the apparatus camera, wherein the positioning device includes a calibration assistance device, configured to calibrate an ADAS sensor of an advanced driver assistance system of the vehicle in an operative configuration wherein the device target is positioned in front of the apparatus and alongside the first side of the vehicle, wherein:
• the control unit is configured to derive, as a function of the image, information useful for positioning the calibration assistance device relative to the vehicle;
• the device target is connected to the positioning device and the device target is in predetermined geometrical relation with the calibration assistance device;
• the positioning device includes a vertical shaft;
• and
• the device target is mounted on the shaft and includes a flat panel provided with a plurality of dark areas and with a plurality of light areas, the dark areas being alternate and adjacent to the light areas to define a predetermined pattern.

A method for aligning a vehicle service system relative to a vehicle positioned in a service area, wherein the vehicle service system comprises:

• a calibration structure including a calibration assistance device, configured to calibrate an ADAS sensor of an advanced driver assistance system of the vehicle;
• an apparatus for measuring the alignment of the vehicle and on which an apparatus camera for capturing images is mounted;
• the method comprising the following steps:
• applying a front wheel target and a rear wheel target on a front wheel and on a rear wheel of the vehicle, respectively, wherein the front wheel and the rear wheel are located on a first side of the vehicle;
• positioning the calibration structure and the apparatus at a position in front of the vehicle;
• capturing an image through the apparatus camera, wherein the image represents the front wheel target and the rear wheel target;
• processing the image to derive information useful for positioning the calibration structure relative to the vehicle,
• characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps:
• placing a positioning device at an operating position, spaced from the calibration structure, in front of the apparatus and alongside the first side of the vehicle, wherein a device target is mounted on the positioning device;
• viewing the device target mounted on the positioning device, through the apparatus camera;
• viewing a structure target associated with the calibration structure, through a device camera which is associated with the positioning device.