Geometrical instruments – Straight-line light ray type – Rod or target
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-28
2004-09-28
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Straight-line light ray type
Rod or target
C033S286000, C382S151000, C356S139090, C356S620000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06796043
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to motor vehicle alignment and, more specifically, to providing a target system for obtaining positional information regarding positions on a vehicle using a position determination system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Motor vehicle alignment systems are important for ensuring that the alignments of wheels on a vehicle are within the specifications provided by motor vehicle manufacturers. If the wheels are out of alignment, there may be excessive or uneven wear. In addition, the performance of the vehicle, particularly handling and stability, may be adversely affected if the wheels are not properly aligned. As used herein, the term “wheel” or “vehicle wheel” refers to the tire and wheel assembly found on a motor vehicle. Such an assembly generally includes a conventional tire that is mounted on a metal wheel or “rim.”
The wheels of a motor vehicle may be aligned in a number of ways. For example, an operator or an alignment technician can use a vision imaging system such as a computer-aided, three-dimensional (3D) machine vision system that employs optical sensing devices, such as cameras, to determine the positions of various objects. Although such machine vision systems are typically used for alignment purposes, these systems can also be used to obtain other positional and angular orientation information about a motor vehicle. Examples of such apparatus and methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,743, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Determining the Alignment of Motor Vehicle Wheels,” issued to Jackson, et al. on Mar. 10, 1998 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,522, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Determining the Alignment of Motor Vehicle Wheels,” issued to Jackson, et al. on Jul. 16, 1996, each incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus disclosed in these patents is sometimes called a “3D aligner” or an “aligner,” hereinafter referred to as a vision imaging system. As used herein, the term “position determination system” refers to an alignment system, such as the vision imaging system, in addition to other components used in conjunction with the alignment system to obtain positional and angular orientation information about a motor vehicle.
The above-described position determination system provides information, such as the centers of rotation of the vehicle's wheels, which aids in the wheel alignment of a vehicle. Other positional information, such as ride height, toe curve, tilt angle, and the angular relationship of the body relative to the wheels, can aid a technician in aligning the wheels and also the body of the vehicle. The current position determination system, however, is not capable of obtaining this information. There is, therefore, a need for an improved position determination system capable of obtaining other positional information about a vehicle, such as ride height, toe curve, tilt angle, and the angular relationship of the body relative to the wheels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This and other needs are met by a target system that can be used with a position determination system in determining the location of a position on a vehicle. The target system includes a target body, one or more target elements, and a point definer. The target elements are disposed on the target body and are detectable by the position determination system. The point definer extends from the target body, and includes a point capable of being located adjacent the position on the vehicle. The position determination system determines a location of the target body after detecting the target elements disposed on the target body. The point on the point definer can also be at a known location from the target body.
In one aspect, the point is at a distal end of the point definer. Also, the point can be at the vertex of a conical projection at the distal end of the point definer. Furthermore, the point definer can include one or more joints, which enable the point to be positioned at a different location relative to the target body, such as one of three positions. The one or more joints can each allow rotation of the point in one or more axis relative to the target body. Also, each joint can include a lock to selectively prevent or allow movement of the point relative to the target body
In another aspect, the target system can include a trigger for operating the detection of the target system by the position determination system. The trigger can be positioned on the target body and is remote from the position determination system. The trigger operates the position determination system by selectively changing the detection by the position determination system of one or more of the target elements. For example, the trigger can be movable between two positions. In a first position, the trigger conceals the one or more target elements from the position determination system, and in a second position, the trigger exposes the one or more target elements to the position determination system.
In a further aspect, the target elements are positioned on a single line along the body, and the single line can be substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the target body. Also, the target system can include an attachment device to stabilize the position of the target body relative to the vehicle and to stabilize the point on the point definer relative to the position on the vehicle to be located. The attachment device can include an attachment arm and a connector that detachably connects to the vehicle. The attachment arm is attached to the target body by a first pivot and is attached to the connector by a second pivot.
Alternatively, the attachment device, such as one adapted to be attached to a strut of the vehicle, can include a receiver to which the point definer is attached and a connector that connects with the vehicle. The receiver, such as a cylindrical recess into which a portion of the point definer can be inserted, can include a reference feature, such as a flat plane, that defines the position of the attachment device relative to the point on the point definer. The connector can also define a positional relationship between the position on the vehicle to be located and the reference feature. The combination of the reference feature and the receiver can prevent movement of the point definer relative to the attachment device in three axes.
In another aspect, a method of obtaining a location of a position on a vehicle using a position determination system is provided. The method includes indicating the position with a target system, and imaging the target system with the position determination system to obtain the location. The target system used to indicate the position includes a target body, target elements disposed on the target body and detectable by the position determination system, and a point definer extending from the target body. The point definer includes a point capable of being located adjacent the position on the vehicle. The position determination system calculates the location of the target body and interpolates the location of the point from the location of the target body.
The point can be positionable relative to the target body in one of three point positions. If so, the target system is imaged and the location of the point is interpolated for each point position. The interpolated location of the point for each point position is then compared to an estimated location of the position on the vehicle. The location is obtained by choosing the interpolated location closest to the estimated location.
The target system can trigger the imaging of the target system by the position determination system. In so doing, a trigger can selectively change the detection by the position determination system of one or more of the target elements. For example, the trigger can selectively conceal or reveal one or more target elements respectively from or to the position determination system.
Calibrating the target system involves determining the positional relationship of the point relative to the target body. For example,
Glickman Stephen L.
Jackson David A.
Courson Tania C.
Fulton Christopher W.
McDermott Will & Emery LLC
Snap-On Incorporated
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