Live ride height measurement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11650049-B2
Application number	US-202016742241-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2020
Priority date	Dec 17, 2014
Publication date	May 16, 2023
Grant date	May 16, 2023

Abstract

Methods and systems measure a vehicle body parameter; e.g., a wheel alignment parameter such as ride height. Embodiments include a system having a target attachable to a vehicle body, and an image sensor for viewing the target and capturing image data thereof. A processor processes the image data, determines an initial spatial position of the target based on the processed image data, compares the initial spatial position of the target with a reference position, and prompts a user to align the target to an adjusted spatial position when the initial spatial position differs from the reference position more than a threshold amount. The vehicle body parameter value is determined based on the target's adjusted spatial position. In certain embodiments, the adjusted spatial position differs from the reference position by a position error value, and the processor mathematically corrects the vehicle body parameter value based on the position error value.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for correcting a measured determination of a ride height of a vehicle using a ride height target assembly comprising an optical target, the method comprising:
attaching the ride height assembly to a body of the vehicle by placing the ride height assembly at a predetermined reference point on the vehicle body associated with measuring ride height;
imaging the optical target with an image sensor that views the optical target to produce image data of the optical target;
determining an initial spatial position of the optical target based on the image data of the optical target;
determining a value for the ride height of the vehicle based on the initial spatial position of the optical target;
comparing the initial spatial position of the optical target with a predetermined reference position for the optical target relative to a substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane to determine a position error value representing a difference between the initial spatial position and the predetermined reference position; and
mathematically correcting the determination of the value for the ride height of the vehicle based on the position error value to anticipate where the optical target would be if it was perfectly positioned with respect to the substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the position error value is within a predetermined error range.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprising attaching the optical target to the vehicle body above a wheel of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image sensor views the optical target substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, and the optical target is attached to the vehicle body substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the body; and
wherein comparing the initial spatial position of the optical target with the predetermined reference position for the optical target comprises comparing an angular orientation of the optical target to the substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the angular orientation of the optical target comprises at least one of the orientation of a target axis that is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the body, and the orientation of a target axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein determining a value for the vehicle ride height comprises determining a distance between the vehicle reference plane and the initial or an adjusted spatial position of the optical target.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising attaching the optical target to the vehicle body such that a predetermined portion of the optical target contacts a predetermined reference point of a wheel well of the vehicle body.

8. The method of claim 1 , comprising performing a wheel alignment procedure on the vehicle; and
informing a user when the optical target moves more than a threshold distance from the initial spatial position or an adjusted spatial position prior to completion of the wheel alignment procedure.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein when the optical target moves less than the threshold distance from the initial spatial position or the adjusted spatial position prior to completion of the wheel alignment procedure, the method comprises automatically correcting the determination of the value for the ride height of the vehicle based on the movement of the optical target.

10. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
determining an orientation of the optical target using a level gauge attached to the optical target; and
determining the initial spatial position of the optical target based on the orientation of the optical target and the image data.

11. The method of claim 10 , comprising:
performing a wheel alignment procedure on the vehicle;
determining the optical target has moved more than a predetermined distance from the initial spatial position or the adjusted spatial position based on the orientation of the optical target and the image data; and
when the optical target moves more than the predetermined distance prior to completion of the wheel alignment procedure, automatically correcting the determination of the value for the ride height of the vehicle based on the movement of the optical target.

12. A system comprising:
a ride height target assembly comprising an optical target attachable to a vehicle body;
an image sensor for viewing the optical target and capturing image data of the optical target; and a processor adapted to:
receive and process the image data from the image sensor,
determine an initial spatial position of the optical target based on the processed image data,
compare the initial spatial position of the optical target with a predetermined reference position for the optical target relative to a substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane,
guide a user to align the optical target to an adjusted spatial position using sensory perceptive stimuli when the initial spatial position differs from the reference position more than a threshold amount, and
determine a value for a ride height of the vehicle based on the adjusted spatial position of the optical target.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the adjusted spatial position differs from the reference position by a position error value; and
wherein the processor is adapted to mathematically correct the determination of the value for the ride height based on the position error value to anticipate where the optical target would be if it was perfectly positioned with respect to the substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the position error value is within a predetermined error range.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is adapted to guide the user to align the optical target by providing the user at least one of a visual prompt via a monitor and an audible prompt via a speaker, the prompt having quantitative positioning information.

16. A system comprising:
a ride height target assembly comprising an optical target attachable to a vehicle body;
an image sensor for viewing the optical target and capturing image data of the optical target; and a processor adapted to:
receive and process the image data from the image sensor,
determine an initial spatial position of the optical target based on the processed image data,
determine a value for a ride height of the vehicle based on the initial spatial position of the optical target,
compare the initial spatial position of the optical target with a predetermined reference position for the optical target relative to a substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane to determine a position error value representing a difference between the initial spatial position and the reference position, and
mathematically correct the determination of the value for the ride height of the vehicle based on the position error value to anticipate where the optical target would be if it was perfectly positioned with respect to the substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the position error value is within a predetermined error range.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the optical target is attachable to the vehicle body above a wheel of the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the image sensor is for viewing the optical target substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body;
wherein the optical target is attachable to the vehicle

Assignees

• Snap On Incorporated

Inventors

• Minor Bryan C
• Harrell James Rodney
• Jackson David A
• Gill George M
• Gray Brian K

Classifications

• B60R2300/30

  characterised by the type of image processing · CPC title

• G01B11/14

  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00) · CPC title

• G07C5/08

  Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time · CPC title

• G06V20/20

  in augmented reality scenes · CPC title

• G01B11/2755 Primary

  using photoelectric detection means · CPC title