Automotive Lift Adapter Spotting With Camera-Guided Lift Point Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of lifting a vehicle using frame-engaging lifts is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and potentially dangerous due to the need for manual adjustment and visual confirmation of lift points, which can lead to miscommunication and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lift system with automated positioning capabilities using cameras, sensors, and optical locators to identify and align lifting members with vehicle lift points, allowing for partially or fully autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment and visual confirmation are used to position lifting members, then the process allows for direct human control and verification, but it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and potentially dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical adjustment with an automated optical detection system. Cameras capture images of the vehicle underside, image processing algorithms automatically identify lift points, and the system computes optimal lifting member positions without requiring personnel to visually spot or manually adjust components
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the lifting equipment to automatically identify and position itself relative to the vehicle lift points. The image processing system and position computation occur autonomously, allowing the equipment to self-adjust without continuous human intervention or spotter verification
2Reliability
If multiple personnel are deployed for visual spotting and manual adjustment, then safety monitoring is improved, but labor intensity and communication complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human spotters and manual communication systems with an automated optical detection and image processing system. Cameras and computational algorithms perform the safety monitoring and position verification functions that previously required multiple personnel to visually confirm and communicate lift point alignment
3Adaptability or versatility
If lifting members are manually positioned to accommodate various vehicle types and lift point locations, then versatility is maintained, but the adjustment process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image processing to detect the actual positions of lift points on different vehicle types and dynamically computes adjusted lifting member positions. The system adapts to various vehicle geometries, lift point locations, and orientations by processing visual data and calculating optimal positioning parameters for each specific configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary image capture and processing to identify lift points before the lifting operation begins. By pre-computing the optimal positions of lifting members based on detected lift point locations, the system eliminates the need for repeated manual adjustments during the lifting process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves the efficiency and safety of vehicle lifting by reducing manual adjustments and visual confirmations, enabling faster and more precise engagement with lift points.
Implementation Method 1
an optical locator that projects a light pattern
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A vehicle lift system uses locally and globally available datasets to provide various automated and semi-automated lift positioning modes that may be used to position lift arms(14, 16) and engage adapters (108) with lift points of a vehicle. A set of sensors (140) are used to determine a position and orientation of a vehicle within a lift area. Each lift arm includes a camera (112, 212) that is coupled to the lift arm with a static field of view relative to the adapter despite extension, retraction, or rotation of lift arm members. The cameras provide images of the adapter and its surroundings that may be analyzed with object recognition to identify the vehicle's lift points. Lift point positions may also be determined using back-calculation. Automatic positioning of the lift arms may be performed based on identified lift points and may also include projection of an optical locator from a locator within the adapter.