Live ride height measurement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016178359-A1
Application number	US-201514972438-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 17, 2015
Priority date	Dec 17, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

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 measuring a parameter of a vehicle body, the method comprising:
attaching an optical target to the vehicle body; imaging the target with an image sensor to produce image data of the target; determining an initial spatial position of the target based on the image data of the target; determining a value for the vehicle body parameter based on the initial spatial position of the target; comparing the initial spatial position of the target with a predetermined reference position to determine a position error value representing a difference between the initial spatial position and the reference position; and mathematically correcting the determination of the value for the body parameter based on the position error value.

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 target substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, and the 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 target with the predetermined reference position comprises comparing an angular orientation of the target to a substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the angular orientation of the 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 the vehicle body parameter is a ride height of the vehicle, and determining a value for the vehicle ride height comprises determining a distance between the vehicle reference plane and the initial or adjusted spatial position of the target.

7 . The method of claim 1 , comprising attaching the target to the vehicle body such that a predetermined portion of the 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 target moves more than a threshold distance from the initial spatial position or the adjusted spatial position prior to completion of the wheel alignment procedure.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein when the 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 vehicle body parameter based on the movement of the 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 target based on the orientation of the target and the image data.

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

12 . A system comprising:
an optical target attachable to a vehicle body; an image sensor for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a processor adapted to:
receive and process the image data from the image sensor,
determine an initial spatial position of the target based on the processed image data,
compare the initial spatial position of the target with a predetermined reference position,
guide a user to align the 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 vehicle body parameter based on the adjusted spatial position of the 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 body parameter based on the position error value.

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 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:
an optical target attachable to a vehicle body; an image sensor for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a processor adapted to:
receive and process the image data from the image sensor,
determine an initial spatial position of the target based on the processed image data,
determine a value for the vehicle body parameter based on the initial spatial position of the target,
compare the initial spatial position of the target with a predetermined reference position 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 body parameter based on the position error value.

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 target substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body;
wherein the target is attachable to the vehicle body substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the body; and wherein the processor is adapted to compare the initial spatial position of the target with the predetermined reference position by comparing an angular orientation of the target to a substantially horizontal vehicle reference plane.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the angular orientation of the 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.

Assignees

• Snap On Tools Corp

Inventors

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

Classifications

• G06T7/73 Primary

  using feature-based methods · CPC title

• G01B11/2755 Primary

  using photoelectric detection means · CPC title

• 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