Wheel alignment measurement system and method

A system for determining alignment characteristics of a wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle, said system comprising:

• a plurality of optical gauges configured to be selectively attached to a wheel assembly, said optical gauges each including a mounting base comprising a tape and having an underside that is adhesively affixed to the wheel assembly and including a gauge piece comprising a known dimension;
• at least one light projector configured to project light that is directed onto the optical gauges when attached to the wheel assembly;
• at least one digital imager;
• and
• a controller;
• wherein said at least one digital imager is configured to image light from the at least one light projector that is reflected from the optical gauges, and wherein said controller is configured to calculate distances from said optical gauges based on the imaged light that is reflected from said optical gauge and said known dimension of said gauge pieces, and wherein said controller is configured to determine a plane based on said distances from each of said optical gauges, and wherein said distances from said optical gauges calculated by said controller comprises distances from said optical gauges to said at least one digital imagers;
• and
• further including at least one reflector, and wherein said at least one light projector is configured to project light at said at least one reflector and said at least one reflector is configured to direct light at said optical gauges at a known angle, and wherein said controller is configured to calculate said distances from said optical gauges further based on said known angles, and wherein said at least one reflector comprises an adjustable reflector whereby said known angle at which said reflector directs light at said optical gauges is changeable and known.

A system for determining alignment characteristics of a wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle, said system comprising:

• a mounting sheet configured to be selectively attached to a wheel of a wheel assembly, said mounting sheet including a plurality of optical gauges disposed thereon, said optical gauges each including a gauge piece comprising a known dimension, wherein said mounting sheet includes an underside, and wherein said underside of said mounting sheet is adhesively mounted to the wheel of the wheel assembly;
• a light projector configured to project light that is directed onto one or more of the optical gauges when said mounting sheet is attached to the wheel of the wheel assembly;
• a digital imager;
• and
• a controller;
• wherein said digital imager is configured to image light from the light projector that is reflected from the optical gauge, and wherein said controller is configured to calculate a distance from said optical gauge based on the imaged light that is reflected from said optical gauge and said known dimension of said gauge piece.