Vehicle Adjustment Guidance via Camera and Alignment Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for motor vehicle adjustment work lack effective interaction between wheel alignment devices and repair manuals, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies, as technicians must manually adjust settings without real-time guidance.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables direct data exchange between wheel alignment devices and a display device, which serves as a repair guide, providing detailed instructions and real-time feedback on screw direction and toe/camber adjustments, using cameras, data processing units, and input means for vehicle identification, allowing for continuous measurement and correction of adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a technician performs adjustments on the vehicle based on values determined by a wheel alignment machine, then the alignment work can be completed, but communication between the wheel alignment machine and the technician is limited because the technician is located under the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
A camera worn by the technician captures images of the adjustment area and transmits them to a display device positioned above the vehicle. This intermediary system bridges the communication gap between the technician underground and the alignment machine above, allowing real-time visual feedback without requiring the technician to emerge frequently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical communication methods (hand signals, physical inspection) with an electronic image transmission system. The camera and display device create an electronic link that substitutes for the physical presence requirement, enabling remote visual monitoring and improving information flow.
2Loss of information
If the user consults repair manuals in paper or electronic form after determining toe and camber values, then adjustment instructions can be obtained, but the user must perform another wheel alignment to ensure correct work execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by capturing images of the actual adjustment work and comparing them with the required adjustment patterns stored in the database. The display device shows whether the technician is performing the correct actions, enabling immediate correction of errors without waiting for post-adjustment verification through re-alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by continuously monitoring the adjustment process in real-time rather than waiting for final verification. The image comparison with database patterns allows the system to detect and alert the technician about incorrect actions before they complete the adjustment, preventing the need for rework.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system provides detailed instructions including screw rotation direction, then adjustment accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures images of the adjustment area and performs image recognition to identify the specific adjustment component and its current state. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention to determine what adjustments are needed, providing detailed guidance automatically based on the visual analysis of the captured images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of information delivery from generic text instructions to specific visual feedback with annotated images showing exact screw locations and rotation directions. By transforming the information into a visual format that directly overlays or references the captured images, the system provides precise guidance without requiring complex additional hardware.
4Productivity
If the user manually identifies the vehicle type, then the adjustment process can begin, but user errors can occur leading to incorrect target values
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual vehicle identification with automated image recognition technology. The camera captures images of the vehicle, and the system automatically compares these images with the database to identify the vehicle type and retrieve the corresponding adjustment parameters. This substitution eliminates human error in identification while maintaining rapid process speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-identification by automatically capturing and analyzing vehicle images without requiring user input. The image recognition algorithm independently determines the vehicle type and configures the appropriate adjustment parameters, making the process both fast and reliable without manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method for carrying out adjustment operations on a motor vehicle, in particular during an axle measurement, having at least one camera (14) for capturing images of one or more vehicle details, having a data-processing unit (16) for processing the images captured by the camera (14), having a memory (17) which contains documentation and/or image information about adjustment operations on motor vehicles, having a playback means (15) for presenting documentation and/or images and/or image information and having an axle-measurement device (5) which supplies data about the measurement of the motor vehicle to the data-processing unit (16).