3D machine vision measuring system with vehicle position...

Details 3D machine vision measuring system with vehicle position... 3D machine vision measuring system with vehicle position...

2001-05-14

2003-12-09

Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)

Geometrical instruments

Gauge

Wheel

C033S288000, C033S203000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06658749

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to motor vehicle wheel alignment and, more specifically, to providing a vehicle position adjustment mechanism for positioning a vehicle in different positions for applications such as using a 3D machine vision measuring system for alignment.
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 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.
An example of a position determination system is illustrated in FIG.
1
. The position determination system
100
includes a vision imaging system
102
having a pair of fixed, spaced-apart cameras
110
,
112
mounted on a beam
114
. The beam
114
has a length sufficient to position the cameras
110
,
112
respectively outboard of the sides of any vehicle to be aligned by the position determination system
100
. Also, the beam
114
positions the cameras
110
,
112
high enough above the shop floor
116
to ensure that the two targets
118
,
120
on the left side of the vehicle are both within the field of view of the left side camera
110
, and two targets
122
,
124
on the right side of the vehicle are both within the field of view of the right side camera
112
.
Targets
118
,
120
,
122
,
124
are mounted on each of the wheels
126
,
128
,
130
,
132
of the motor vehicle, with each target
118
,
120
,
120
,
124
including a target body
134
, target elements
136
, and an attachment apparatus
138
. The attachment apparatus
138
attaches the target
118
,
120
,
120
,
124
to wheel
126
,
128
,
130
,
132
. An example of an attachment apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,001, entitled “Wheel Alignment Rim Clamp Claw” issued to Borner et al. on Jun. 18, 1991, incorporated herein by reference. The target elements
136
are positioned on the target body
134
. Examples of target bodies
134
and target elements
112
acceptable for use in the invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,743.
In operation, once the position determination system
100
has been calibrated using a calibration target (not shown), as described in the incorporated references, a vehicle can be driven onto the rack
133
, and, if desired, the vehicle lifted to an appropriate repair elevation. The targets
118
,
120
,
122
,
124
, once attached to the wheel rims, are then oriented so that the target elements
136
on the target body
134
face the respective camera
110
,
112
. The vehicle and model year can then entered into the vision imaging system
102
along with other identifying parameters, such as vehicle VIN number, license number, owner name, etc.
The location of the targets
118
,
120
,
122
,
124
relative to the rim of the wheels
126
,
128
,
130
,
132
to which the targets are attached are typically known to an accuracy of about 0.01″ and about 0.01°. Once the targets
118
,
120
,
122
,
124
have been imaged in one position, the wheels
126
,
128
,
130
,
132
are rolled to another position and a new image can be taken. Using the imaged location of the targets
118
,
120
,
122
,
124
in the two positions, the actual position and orientation of the wheels
126
,
128
,
130
,
132
and wheel axis can be calculated by the vision imaging system
102
. Although the distance between the two positions varies, the distance is often approximately 8 inches.
A problem associated with moving the vehicle to the different positions during use of the position determination system is that the vehicle must be manually pushed from one position to next position. This pushing of the vehicle takes considerable strength. If, for example, the car is particularly heavy or the technician pushing the car has insufficient strength, the technician may be unable to roll or safely roll the vehicle between the two positions. There is, therefore, a need for an apparatus for positioning the vehicle to be measured by the position determination system that does not require a particular level of strength in the technician doing the measurements. Furthermore, there is a need for an apparatus that accurately rolls the vehicle into the positions in which images of the targets are taken. This need arises as well for non-vision type alignment and other applications requiring a vehicle to be rolled for relatively short distances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This and other needs are met by the present invention, which in accord with one aspect includes a position determination system and a vehicle position adjustment mechanism. The position determination system obtains positional information about a vehicle and can include a vision imaging system and the vehicle position adjustment mechanism. The vehicle position adjustment mechanism moves the vehicle into at least two positions for imaging by the vision imaging system. The vehicle position adjustment mechanism includes a body for engaging the vehicle and a controller to control the direction and distance the vehicle position adjustment mechanism moves the vehicle. The controller can communicate with the vision imaging system. Also, the vehicle position adjustment mechanism can further include surface support wheels connected to the body for supporting the body on a surface and a motor for driving the vehicle into the at least two positions.
By providing a vehicle position adjustment mechanism that moves a vehicle into at least two position for imaging by a vision imaging system, a technician operating the position determination system can position the vehicle without the need for excess physical exertion. Additionally, the operator can control the movement of the vehicle within a positional tolerance acceptable for the vision imaging system through use of the controller. A typical movement of the vehicle is 8 inches back from an initial starting point and then 8 inches forward to the initial starting point.
The vehicle position adjustment mechanism can include surface support wheels that are connected to the body for supporting the body on a surface. Vehicle support wheels for engaging the vehicle wheel can also be provided. Also, the vehicle position adjustment mechanism can include a motor driving at least one of the vehicle support wheels and the surface support wheels to d

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