Device, method and system for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lifting platform

Abstract

A device (30) for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a motor vehicle lifting platform (2) comprises at least one camera (18a, 18b) and is designed to optically capture the measuring plates (20) using the at least one camera (18a, 18b) of the device (30); to determine the positions of the measuring plates (20) in the space; and to determine the orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the motor vehicle lifting platform (2) from the thus determined positions of the measuring plates (20) in the space.

Description

[0001] M27787.2

[0002] Device, method and system for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle support surfaces of a motor vehicle lifting platform

[0003] The invention relates to a device, a method and a system for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lifting platform.

[0004] Motor vehicle repair shops are often equipped with lifting platforms on which motor vehicles can be positioned for repair and chassis measurement.

[0005] To enable precise measurement of a vehicle's chassis, the vehicle support surfaces of a vehicle lift, on which the vehicle is positioned, must be aligned as precisely as possible horizontally. To ensure consistently accurate vehicle measurements, the horizontal alignment of the support surfaces must be regularly checked and corrected if necessary. This process is also known as leveling the vehicle lift.

[0006] The previously performed manual determination of the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of a vehicle lift for leveling the vehicle lift is time-consuming and prone to errors.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a method that simplify and accelerate the leveling of a motor vehicle lifting platform and reduce the risk of faulty leveling.

[0008] An inventive method for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lift comprises the following steps: positioning at least three measuring panels on or at the vehicle receiving surfaces of the motor vehicle lift; optically detecting the measuring panels with at least one camera, determining the positions of the measuring panels in space and determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of the motor vehicle lift from the positions of the measuring panels thus determined in space.

[0009] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCX] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 An inventive method for leveling the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of a motor vehicle lift comprises determining the spatial orientation of a vehicle support plane, defined by the vehicle support surfaces of the motor vehicle lift, using the previously described method, comparing the orientation of the vehicle support plane of the motor vehicle lift thus determined to a predetermined orientation, and making changes to the settings of the motor vehicle lift until the determined orientation of the vehicle support plane deviates from the predetermined orientation by less than a predetermined tolerance value.

[0010] A device according to the invention for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lift comprises at least one camera and is designed to optically detect measuring panels arranged on the vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lift with the at least one camera of the device; to determine the positions of the measuring panels in space; and to determine the orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of the motor vehicle lift from the positions of the measuring panels in space thus determined.

[0011] A device according to the invention can be a chassis measurement device, also known as an "axle measuring device". In this way, a chassis measurement device that may already be existing or required can also be used cost-effectively to determine the spatial orientation of vehicle support surfaces of a vehicle lift.

[0012] The invention also includes a chassis measurement system comprising a device according to the invention and at least three measuring panels that can be positioned on or at a vehicle lift.

[0013] With a method according to the invention, with a device according to the invention and with a system according to the invention for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lifting platform, the determination of the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lifting platform and the leveling of the motor vehicle lifting platform can be significantly accelerated and simplified.

[0014] [data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCX] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 This allows four points on the vehicle lift, in particular the vehicle support surfaces for the four wheels of a vehicle, to be measured simultaneously, especially while changes are being made to the configuration of the vehicle lift. This enables a mechanic leveling the vehicle lift to always adapt their leveling procedures to the current configuration of the vehicle lift. In this way, leveling the vehicle lift can be carried out even faster and more efficiently.

[0015] Furthermore, the risk of faulty leveling, which could lead to incorrect results in subsequent chassis measurement, can be significantly reduced compared to leveling where the spatial orientation of the vehicle mounting surfaces is determined manually.

[0016] The results of a method according to the invention are considerably more accurate than the results of conventional, manual methods in which the alignment of the vehicle receiving surfaces is determined by reading millimeter measurements on a measuring ruler.

[0017] As a result, the road safety and operational safety of motor vehicles measured on a vehicle-vehicle lifting platform that has been leveled using a method and / or device according to the invention can be significantly improved.

[0018] Since the leveling of vehicle lifts is particularly relevant for wheel alignment, workshops where a vehicle lift needs to be leveled often have a chassis measurement device. If the functionality of determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of a vehicle lift according to the invention is integrated into an existing chassis measurement device, e.g., by means of a software update, the invention can be implemented cost-effectively without the need for additional equipment.

[0019] In one embodiment, a device according to the invention for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle receiving surfaces of a motor vehicle lifting platform has at least one gravity sensor, and the inventive-

[0020] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.docx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 The procedure includes determining the direction of gravity with the gravity sensor and determining the orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift with respect to the direction of gravity. In this way, the orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift with respect to the direction of gravity can be determined and leveled, so that, subsequently, chassis measurements can be carried out with high precision on the vehicle lift.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method comprises positioning four measuring panels on or at the vehicle lift. By using a fourth measuring panel, the precision of the alignment of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift, determined according to the invention, with respect to the direction of gravity and the resulting leveling of the vehicle lift, can be further improved.

[0022] In one embodiment, the measuring boards are equipped with measuring board stands, in particular with three-legged measuring board stands, and the method comprises positioning the measuring boards with the measuring board stands on the vehicle lifting platforms of the vehicle lift. Mobile measuring boards equipped with measuring board stands can be positioned particularly quickly and conveniently on the vehicle lifting platforms of the vehicle lift and removed again after leveling.

[0023] In one embodiment, brackets for the measuring panels are formed on or in the vehicle lift, and a method according to the invention comprises attaching the measuring panels to the brackets formed on the vehicle lift. The brackets for the measuring panels can, in particular, be formed on or in the vehicle lifting surfaces of the vehicle lift. With brackets formed on or in the vehicle lift, the measuring panels can be attached to the correct positions on the vehicle lift particularly easily and quickly. The positions of the measuring panels on the vehicle lift are predetermined by the brackets formed on or in the vehicle lift. This reduces the risk of the measuring panels being positioned incorrectly on or in the vehicle lift.

[0024] [data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 In one embodiment, the method comprises positioning the measuring panels on or at turntables and / or on or at sliding plates that are provided on the vehicle lift, in particular on the drive-on rails of the vehicle lift. Turntables for receiving the front wheels of a vehicle are frequently provided on the drive-on rails of the vehicle lift, in order to allow steering inputs of the front wheels of a vehicle positioned on the vehicle lift. The rear wheels of the vehicle are usually arranged on sliding plates.

[0025] In one embodiment, a device according to the invention is equipped with at least one display device which is designed and configured to output, and in particular display, information about the previously determined spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces and / or the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift. The display device can, in particular, be configured to output, and in particular display, work instructions for leveling the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method comprises outputting or displaying information about the previously determined spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift. The method may, in particular, include outputting or displaying work instructions for leveling the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift in order to facilitate leveling by a mechanic and to reduce the risk of errors during leveling.

[0027] Displaying the previously determined spatial orientation of the vehicle lifting surfaces and / or work instructions for leveling the vehicle lifting surfaces can be done "live," i.e., while changes are being made to the vehicle lift's configuration. This allows a mechanic leveling the vehicle lift to continuously adapt their leveling actions to the lift's current configuration. In this way, leveling the vehicle lift can be performed even faster and more efficiently.

[0028] [data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 The procedure can be carried out on an unloaded vehicle lift on which no vehicle is positioned. The procedure is particularly easy to perform on an unloaded vehicle lift because the measuring panels are especially easy to position on the lift when it is not occupied by a vehicle.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, a method according to the invention can be carried out on a loaded vehicle lift on which a vehicle is positioned. This can further improve the accuracy of the results and the leveling.

[0030] When a vehicle is positioned on the vehicle lift, the measuring plates cannot be placed on the vehicle's support surfaces because they are occupied by the vehicle. To further improve the accuracy of the results and leveling, a measurement can first be taken on an unloaded vehicle lift with the measuring plates positioned on the vehicle's support surfaces. Then, the measuring plates can be moved to positions to the side of the drive-on rails where they would also be positioned and visible when the vehicle lift is loaded. By taking another measurement in this configuration, the relationship between the two positions of the measuring plates can be determined. The measurement can then be repeated after a vehicle has been positioned on the vehicle lift.Based on the previously determined relationship between the two positions of the measuring panels, conclusions can then be drawn about the orientation of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift loaded with a vehicle.

[0031] In one embodiment, the method comprises varying the height of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift together, i.e., adjusting the height of the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift, and determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces at each of the different height settings. The method may additionally include issuing or displaying work instructions for leveling the vehicle support surfaces of the vehicle lift at each of the different height settings.

[0032] [data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.docx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 In this way, the vehicle lift can be leveled at different heights so that the vehicle support surfaces of the lift are aligned as precisely as possible orthogonally to the Earth's gravitational field at various heights. This further improves the quality of wheel alignment measurements performed on such a lift.

[0033] In one embodiment, the device for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle lifting surfaces of a vehicle lift comprises two measuring heads, each containing at least two cameras. Each of the two measuring heads is arranged on one side of the vehicle lift between the turntable and the sliding plate. Each of the measuring heads can, in particular, be mounted on a guide rail of the vehicle lift. Such a configuration allows for a particularly compact design of the device.

[0034] In one embodiment, the device for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle lifting surfaces of a vehicle lift comprises a camera bracket that can be positioned in front of or behind the vehicle lift and to which the two cameras are attached. The camera bracket extends horizontally, i.e., orthogonally to the Earth's gravitational field, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the guide rails or a vehicle positioned on the guide rails. This allows the device to be implemented particularly cost-effectively.

[0035] Brief description of the characters

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a measuring station with a vehicle lift and a device for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of the vehicle lift.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of the measuring station shown in Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a measuring board on a measuring board stand.

[0039] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.docx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 Figure 4 shows a top view of a vehicle lifting platform and a device for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle receiving surfaces of a vehicle lifting platform according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 4.

[0041] Character description

[0042] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a measuring station 1 with a vehicle lift 2. Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of the measuring station 1 with the vehicle lift 2 shown in Figure 1.

[0043] The structure of the vehicle lift 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is only an example. The invention is also suitable for determining the spatial orientation of vehicle lifts 2 that have a different structure than the one shown in the figures.

[0044] The vehicle lift 2 has four columns 4a, 4b, which are arranged in a rectangular configuration on the measuring platform 1. The four columns 4a, 4b extend essentially vertically upwards from the floor 3 of the measuring platform 1.

[0045] The vehicle lift 2 comprises in particular two front columns 4a, between which a front crossbeam 6a extends, and two rear columns 4b, between which a rear crossbeam 6b extends.

[0046] A left track 10a and a right track 10b extend parallel to each other between the front crossbeam 6a and the rear crossbeam 6b.

[0047] The crossbeams 6a, 6b are movable along the longitudinal extent or height of the columns 4a, 4b, so that the height of the crossbeams 6a, 6b and thus also the height of the guide rails 10a, 10b above the floor 3 of the measuring station 1 is variable.

[0048] On each of the two guide rails 10a, 10b, a turntable 12a, 12b is arranged in a front area facing the front columns 4a or

[0049] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCTdocx] 2020-08-172020-08-17 10:25 designed, which is intended to accommodate a wheel, in particular a front wheel of a vehicle not shown in Figure 1.

[0050] The turntables 12a and 12b are each rotatable about a vertical axis that is orthogonal to the floor 3 of the measuring station 1. This makes it possible to turn the wheels of a motor vehicle positioned on the turntables 12a and 12b in order to perform steering maneuvers.

[0051] On each of the two guide rails 10a, 10b, a sliding plate 14a, 14b is arranged or formed in a rear area facing the rear columns 4b, which is intended to receive a wheel, in particular a rear wheel, of a vehicle.

[0052] The turntables 12, 12b and sliding plates 14a, 14b form the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lift 2. The vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b together define a vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift 2, which determines the spatial orientation of a vehicle arranged on the vehicle lift 2.

[0053] Between the turntables 12a, 12b and the sliding plates 14a, 14b, a measuring head 16a, 16b of a device 30 for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of the vehicle lifting platform 2 is attached on the outside of each of the two guide rails 10a, 10b, which is facing away from the other guide rail 10a, 10b.

[0054] The device 30 for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces of the motor vehicle lifting platform 2 can in particular be a device 30 for chassis measurement.

[0055] Each of the two measuring heads 16a, 16b has at least two cameras 18a, 18b, with at least one camera 18a facing forward in the direction of the front columns 4a and at least one camera 18b facing backward in the direction of the rear columns 4b.

[0056] The cameras 18a, 18b can each be configured as mono cameras 18a, 18b or as stereo cameras 18a, 18b.

[0057] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.docx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 To measure the chassis of a motor vehicle (not shown in the figures), measuring plates 20 are attached to the wheels of the motor vehicle. These are optically detected by the cameras 18a and 18b in the measuring heads 16a and 16b. By evaluating the images taken by the cameras 18a and 18b, the chassis of the motor vehicle can be measured.

[0058] The device 30 shown in Figures 1 and 2 also includes an operating and evaluation device 8, which is positioned on or at the measuring station 1. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operating and evaluation device 8 is designed as a mobile device that is arranged in front of the vehicle lift 2.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the operating and evaluation device 22 can also be permanently attached to a wall 5 of the measuring station 1.

[0060] In order to determine the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lifting platform 2 using a method according to the invention, at least three, in particular four, measuring panels 20 are positioned on or at the guide rails 10a, 10b of the vehicle lifting platform 2, as shown in Figure 2.

[0061] The measuring panels 20 are positioned on the guide rails 10a, 10b, in particular on the turntables 12, 12b and on the sliding plates 14a, 14b, using mobile measuring panel stands 28.

[0062] Measuring panel holders 24a, 24b can also be provided on the guide rails 10a, 10b, which make it possible to attach the measuring panels 20 to the guide rails 10a, 10b. Such measuring panel holders 24a, 24b also determine the positions of the measuring panels 20 on the vehicle lift 2.

[0063] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a measuring board 20 with a mobile measuring board stand 28, in particular with a three-legged measuring board stand 28 or tripod, which can be positioned on a motor vehicle lifting platform 2.

[0064] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCx] 2020-08-172020-08-17 10:25 The measuring board stands 28 should in particular have the same height, so that the measuring boards 20 are arranged at the same height above the ground on all measuring board stands 28.

[0065] The measuring board stands 28 do not need to be of the same height if the individual heights of the measuring board stands 28 are known and are taken into account when evaluating the images of the measuring boards 20 taken by the cameras 18a, 18b.

[0066] The measuring board holders 24a, 24b can in particular be designed in a fixed and known spatial relationship to the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b, so that the spatial relationship between the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b and the measuring boards 20 is known when the measuring boards 20 are attached to the measuring board holders 24a, 24b.

[0067] If the spatial relationship between the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b and the measuring board holders 24a, 24b is not yet known, the spatial relationship between the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b and the measuring board holders 24a, 24b can be determined in a two-stage procedure.

[0068] For this purpose, the measuring panels 20 are first positioned on the vehicle mounting surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b using measuring panel stands 28, and the positions of the measuring panels 20 in this configuration are determined. Then, the measuring panels 20 are attached to the measuring panel holders 24a, 24b, and their positions on the measuring panel holders 24a, 24b are determined. From the measurement results, the positions of the measuring panels 20 attached to the measuring panel holders 24a, 24b in relation to the vehicle mounting surfaces 12a, 12a, 14a, 14b can then be determined.

[0069] After the measuring panels 20 have been positioned on or at the guide rails 10a, 10b of the vehicle lift 2, the measuring panels 20, or the measuring patterns formed on the measuring panels 20, are optically detected by the cameras 18a, 18b, which are contained in the measuring heads 16a, 16b.

[0070] By evaluating the images of the measuring tables 20 or measuring patterns recorded by cameras 18a and 18b, the spatial orientation of the vehicle can be determined.

[0071] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT docx] 2020-08-172020-08-17 10:25 Recording areas 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b in relation to the measuring heads 16a, 16b are determined.

[0072] Each of the measuring heads 16a, 16b also contains a gravity sensor 26a, 26b, which makes it possible to determine the spatial orientation of each of the two measuring heads 16a, 16b with respect to the Earth's gravitational field. Since the two measuring heads 16a, 16b are referenced to each other by suitable reference systems, which are not shown in the figures, it is sufficient if at least one of the two measuring heads 16a, 16b is equipped with a gravity sensor 26a, 26b.

[0073] From the spatial orientation of the measuring heads 16a, 16b in relation to the Earth's gravitational field thus determined and the previously determined spatial orientation of the vehicle recording surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b in relation to the measuring heads 16a, 16b, the orientation of the vehicle recording surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b in relation to the Earth's gravitational field can then be determined.

[0074] Based on the spatial orientation of the vehicle recording surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b thus determined, it can be automatically checked whether the vehicle recording plane defined by the vehicle recording surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b is horizontally oriented, i.e. orthogonally to the Earth's gravitational field.

[0075] The result can be displayed on a display device 9 of the device 30 for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lifting platform 2.

[0076] If the orientation of the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift 2, determined in this way, deviates from a predetermined orientation by more than a predetermined tolerance, instructions can be issued on the display device 9, which are to be carried out by a mechanic to level the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift 2.

[0077] The required spatial alignment, i.e., the maximum deviation between the heights of the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b left and right, front and rear, and diagonally, is usually specified in millimeters. To ensure that all vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lift 2 are arranged in a common plane, it may additionally be required that the areas defined by the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b-

[0078] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT dOCX] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 The vehicle's recording plane is aligned perpendicular to gravity. This is implicitly taken into account during leveling, as the height is measured in the direction of gravity at each measuring point.

[0079] Displaying the previously determined spatial orientation of the vehicle lifting surfaces and / or work instructions for leveling the vehicle lifting platform can be done "live," i.e., while the mechanic is making changes to the configuration of the vehicle lift 2. This allows the mechanic to continuously adapt their leveling actions to the current configuration of the vehicle lift 2. In this way, leveling the vehicle lifting platform can be carried out even faster and more efficiently.

[0080] Successful leveling of the vehicle mounting plane of the vehicle lift 2 can be logged by the evaluation device 8.

[0081] The described procedure for leveling the vehicle lifting platform of the vehicle lift 2 can be carried out successively for different height settings of the vehicle lift 2.

[0082] That is, the crossbeams 6a, 6b and the guide rails 10a, 10b of the vehicle lift 2 can be successively raised to different heights above the floor 3 of the measuring station 1 along the longitudinal extension of the columns 4a, 4b, and the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lift 2 can be checked at each of the different heights and leveled if necessary, as previously described.

[0083] This will further improve the quality of the measurement of vehicle chassis positioned on the vehicle lift 2.

[0084] The previously described procedure for determining and, if necessary, leveling the spatial orientation of the vehicle lifting plane of the vehicle lift 2 can be carried out with an unloaded vehicle lift 2, i.e., a vehicle lift 2 on which no vehicle is positioned. The procedure can be particularly useful on an unloaded vehicle lift 2.

[0085] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT docx] 2020-08-172020-08-1 10:25 times can be carried out, as the positioning of the measuring boards on or at the vehicle lift 2 is not obstructed by a motor vehicle.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally, a method according to the invention can also be carried out with a loaded vehicle lift 2, i.e., with a vehicle lift 2 on which a vehicle is positioned. Since the load of a vehicle can lead to changes in the geometry of the vehicle lift 2, the leveling quality of the vehicle lift 2 can be further improved by checking and leveling the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b and the vehicle support plane while the vehicle lift 2 is loaded with a vehicle.

[0087] When a vehicle is positioned on the vehicle lift 2, the measuring plates 20 cannot be positioned on the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b because these are occupied by the vehicle. To further improve the accuracy of the results and the leveling, a measurement can first be carried out on an unloaded vehicle lift 2 with the measuring plates 20 positioned on the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b. Then, the measuring plates 20 can be moved to positions laterally on the guide rails 10a, 10b, where they can also be positioned and are visible when the vehicle lift 2 is loaded with a vehicle. By taking another measurement in this configuration, the relationship between the two positions of the measuring plates 20 can be determined. The measurement can then be repeated after a vehicle has been positioned on the vehicle lift 2.Based on the previously determined relationship between the two positions of the measuring panels 20, conclusions can then be drawn about the orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle-loaded vehicle lifting platform 2.

[0088] Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a vehicle lift 2 and a device 30 for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lift 2 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the device 30 shown in Figure 4.

[0089] [data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cameras 18a, 18b of the device 30 are not mounted laterally next to the (not shown) motor vehicle on the guide rails 10a, 10b of the vehicle lift 2. Instead, the cameras 18a, 18b are positioned in front of the vehicle lift 2.

[0090] A device 30 for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of a vehicle lift 2, which is designed according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, comprises in particular a camera support 32, which is supported by a column 36 and which extends in the form of a beam substantially horizontally in front of the vehicle lift 2. At least two cameras 18a, 18b are mounted on the camera support 32. The cameras 18a, 18b can be arranged, in particular, near the outer ends of the camera support 32.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, at least three, in particular four, measuring panels 20 are positioned on or at the guide rails 10a, 10b of the vehicle lift 2, in particular on or at the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of the vehicle lift 2. Images are captured with the cameras 18a, 18b, which contain the measuring panels 20 or the measurement patterns formed on the measuring panels.

[0092] From the images taken by the cameras 18a, 18b, the orientation of the vehicle recording surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b and thus the orientation of the vehicle recording plane of the vehicle lift 2 in relation to the cameras 18a, 18b can be determined, as has been previously described for the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0093] At least one gravity sensor 26 is provided on the camera carrier 32 and / or on or in the cameras 18a, 18b, which makes it possible to determine the orientation of the camera carrier 32 and / or the cameras 18a, 18b with respect to the Earth's gravitational field.

[0094] Thus, a device 30 for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of a motor vehicle lifting platform 2, as shown in the embodiment in Figures 4 and 5, can also be used.

[0095] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCx] 2020-08-172020-08-17 10:25 is designed to determine the orientation of the vehicle recording surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b and the vehicle recording plane in relation to the Earth's gravitational field from the images taken by the cameras 18a, 18b and to level them if necessary, as previously described.

[0096] With the methods and devices 30 according to the invention for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b of a vehicle lift 2, the determination of the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b and the vehicle support plane of a vehicle lift 2 and the leveling of the vehicle support plane can be considerably accelerated and simplified. Furthermore, the risk of faulty or inaccurate leveling, which could lead to incorrect results in a subsequent chassis measurement, can be significantly reduced compared to manual leveling.

[0097] As a result, the traffic safety and operational safety of motor vehicles measured on a motor vehicle lifting platform 2, which has been leveled using a method and / or device 30 according to the invention, can be significantly improved.

[0098] [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.dO0X] 2020-08-172020-08-17 10:25

Claims

M27787.2 Patent claims 1. Method for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a vehicle lift (2), wherein the method comprises: positioning at least three measuring panels (20) on or at the vehicle lift (2); optically capturing the measuring panels (20) with at least one camera (18a, 18b); determining the positions of the measuring panels (20) in space; and determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lift (2) from the positions of the measuring panels (20) thus determined in space.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises determining the direction of gravity and determining the orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lifting platform (2) with respect to the direction of gravity.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method comprises positioning four measuring panels (20) on or at the vehicle lift (2).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method comprises positioning the measuring boards (20) with measuring board stands (28), in particular with three-legged measuring board stands (28), on the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lifting platform (2). [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT docx] 2020-08-172020-08-17 10:25 5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method comprises attaching the measuring panels (20) in measuring panel holders (24a, 24b) formed on or in the vehicle lift (2), wherein the measuring panel holders (24a, 24b) are formed in particular on or in the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lift (2).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises positioning the measuring panels (20) on or at rotary tables (12a, 12b) and / or on or at sliding plates (14a, 14b) of the vehicle lifting platform (2).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises outputting and / or displaying information about the specific spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) and / or a vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lifting platform (2) defined by the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b), wherein the method particularly comprises outputting and / or displaying work instructions for leveling the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lifting platform (2).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises jointly varying the height of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lift (2) and determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) at each of the different heights; wherein the method particularly comprises issuing or displaying work instructions for leveling the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift (2) at each of the different heights. [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCX] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of an unloaded motor vehicle lifting platform (2) and / or, wherein the method comprises determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a motor vehicle lifting platform (2) that is loaded with a motor vehicle.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method comprises attaching measuring heads (16a, 16b) of a device (30) for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a motor vehicle lift (2) to the motor vehicle lift (2) or positioning a device (30) for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a motor vehicle lift (2) in front of or behind the motor vehicle lift (2); wherein the device (30) for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a motor vehicle lift (2) is in particular a device (30) for chassis measurement.

11. Method for leveling the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a vehicle lift (2), wherein the method comprises determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift (2) using a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; comparing the orientation of the vehicle receiving plane of the vehicle lift (2) thus determined with a predetermined orientation; and [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.docx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 To make changes to the settings of the vehicle lift (2) until the specified orientation of the vehicle receiving plane deviates from the specified orientation by less than a specified tolerance value.

12. Device (30) for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a motor vehicle lifting platform (2) with at least one camera (18a, 18b), wherein the device (30) is designed to - to optically capture the measuring tables (20) with the at least one camera (18a, 18b) of the device (30); - to determine the positions of the measuring panels (20) in the room; and - to determine the orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lifting platform (2) from the positions of the measuring panels (20) thus determined in space.

13. Device (30) according to claim 12, wherein the device (30) has at least one gravity sensor (26; 26a, 26b) and wherein the device (30) is configured to determine the spatial orientation of the vehicle receiving surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of the vehicle lifting platform (2) with respect to the direction of gravity.

14. Device (30) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the device (30) has two measuring heads (16a, 16b) which are designed and configured to be positioned laterally next to a motor vehicle between the front wheels and the rear wheels of a motor vehicle in order to measure the chassis of the motor vehicle; or [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.doCx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25 wherein the device (30) is designed to be positioned in front of the motor vehicle.

15. Device (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the device (30) is a chassis measurement device.

16. System for determining the spatial orientation of the vehicle support surfaces (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) of a vehicle lift (2), wherein the system comprises a device (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 15 and at least three measuring panels (20) that can be positioned on or at a vehicle lift (2). [ / data / so52 / M / 2 / 277 / 27787 / 250716_M27787-2_Antext_PCT.docx] 2020-08-17 2020-08-17 10:25

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