阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆升降监测和预测的系统 (System for vehicle lift monitoring and prediction ) 是由 D·史密斯 R·埃利奥特 A·多伊尔林 于 2020-05-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种车辆升降系统包括多个移动升降柱,每个移动升降柱包括用于发送和接收无线信号的无线通信系统,所述多个移动升降柱中的每个移动升降柱还包括用于检测所述多个移动升降柱的倾斜量的倾角计。远程控制单元包括无线通信系统,所述无线通信系统能够将无线控制信号传输至所述多个移动升降柱。控制单元与所述多个升降柱相关联以用于控制所述多个升降柱的操作,所述控制单元还接收指示所述多个移动升降柱的倾斜量的信号,并且如有任何移动升降柱具有超过预定量的倾斜量则提供警告信号。(A vehicle lifting system includes a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column including a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, each of the plurality of mobile lifting columns further including an inclinometer for detecting an amount of inclination of the plurality of mobile lifting columns. The remote control unit includes a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns. A control unit is associated with the plurality of lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of lifting columns, the control unit also receiving signals indicative of the amount of tilt of the plurality of moving lifting columns and providing a warning signal if any moving lifting column has an amount of tilt exceeding a predetermined amount.)

1. A vehicle lift system, comprising:

a plurality of moving lifting columns, each of the plurality of moving lifting columns further comprising an inclinometer for detecting an amount of tilt of the plurality of moving lifting columns;

a control unit associated with the plurality of lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of moving lifting columns, the control unit further receiving signals indicative of an amount of tilt of the plurality of moving lifting columns and providing a warning signal if any moving lifting column has an amount of tilt exceeding a predetermined amount.

2. The vehicle lifting system of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether two or more moving lifting columns are tilted too far in opposite directions during lifting and possibly causing errors.

3. The vehicle lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a tilt correction program to achieve horizontal lifting.

4. The vehicle lift system of claim 3, wherein the tilt correction procedure includes inserting a shim plate under a leg of the mobile lift column.

5. A vehicle lift system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column comprising a hydraulic lifting system having a battery for powering the hydraulic lifting system, each of the plurality of mobile lifting columns further comprising a battery voltage sensor and a load sensor; and

a control unit associated with the plurality of mobile lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of mobile lifting columns, the control unit estimating and reporting current battery conditions based on signals from the battery voltage sensors and the load sensors of the plurality of mobile lifting columns.

6. The vehicle lift system of claim 5, wherein the load sensor is a hydraulic pressure sensor.

7. The vehicle lifting system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit determines a battery condition based on a voltage change rate of the battery when the battery is in a load state.

8. The vehicle lift system of claim 5, wherein the control unit determines battery condition based on a change in sleep voltage between cycles.

9. A vehicle lift system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column comprising a hydraulic lifting system having a battery for powering the hydraulic lifting system, wherein the hydraulic system is capable of providing a variable amount of equalization correction, each of the plurality of mobile lifting columns further comprising a battery voltage sensor; and

a control unit associated with the plurality of moving lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of moving lifting columns, the control unit calculating a charge amount change amount in the system based on a signal from the battery voltage sensor of the moving lifting column, wherein the control unit provides a warning message if an equalization correction and the amount of charge change exceeds a predetermined level.

10. A vehicle lift system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column comprising a hydraulic lifting system having a battery for powering the hydraulic lifting system, wherein the hydraulic system is capable of providing a variable amount of equalization correction, each of the plurality of mobile lifting columns further comprising a load cell; and

a control unit associated with the plurality of moving lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of moving lifting columns, the control unit calculating a load change in the system based on the load sensors of the plurality of moving lifting columns, wherein the control unit provides a warning message if a balance correction amount and a load change amount exceed predetermined levels.

11. The vehicle lift system of claim 9, wherein the load sensor is a hydraulic pressure sensor.

12. A vehicle lift system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column comprising a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

a system controller having a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns; and

a control unit associated with the plurality of lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of lifting columns, the control unit monitoring a message error rate between the system controller and the plurality of moving lifting columns and providing a warning signal if the message error rate between the system controller and any one of the plurality of moving lifting columns exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a system for vehicle lift monitoring and prediction.

Background

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

Vehicle lift systems may be used to lift various types of vehicles relative to the ground. Some vehicle lifting systems are formed from a set of movable above-ground lifting columns. The moving column can be easily positioned relative to the vehicle. The moving column may then be activated to lift the vehicle from the ground in a coordinated/synchronized manner. It may be desirable to provide a system for vehicle lift monitoring and prediction.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A vehicle lifting system includes a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column including a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, each of the plurality of mobile lifting columns further including an inclinometer for detecting an amount of inclination of the plurality of mobile lifting columns. The remote control unit includes a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns. A control unit is associated with the plurality of lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of lifting columns, the control unit also receiving signals indicative of the amount of tilt of the plurality of moving lifting columns and providing a warning signal if any column has an amount of tilt exceeding a predetermined amount.

According to another aspect, a vehicle lifting system includes a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column including a hydraulic lifting system having a battery for powering the hydraulic lifting system. The column may also be powered by an AC power cord. The plurality of mobile lifting columns each include a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Communication may also be through wires between the posts. Each of the plurality of moving lifting columns further includes a battery voltage sensor and a hydraulic pressure sensor. The remote control unit includes a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns. A control unit is associated with the plurality of moving lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of lifting columns, the control unit estimating and reporting current battery conditions based on signals from the battery voltage sensors and the hydraulic pressure sensors of the plurality of moving lifting columns. The control unit may be capable of determining a battery degradation condition based on a voltage change rate of the battery when the battery is in a load state. Alternatively, the control unit may be capable of determining the battery degradation condition based on a change in sleep voltage between cycles.

According to another aspect, a vehicle lifting system includes a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column including a hydraulic lifting system having a battery for powering the hydraulic lifting system. The plurality of mobile lifting columns include a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Each of the plurality of moving lifting columns further comprises a battery voltage sensor. A remote control unit having a wireless communication system is capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns. A control unit associated with the plurality of lifting columns controls operation of the plurality of moving lifting columns. The control unit calculates a charge amount variation in the system based on a signal from the battery voltage sensor of the moving lifting columns, wherein the control unit provides a warning message if the charge amount variation between the plurality of moving lifting columns exceeds a predetermined level.

A vehicle lifting system includes a plurality of mobile lifting columns, each mobile lifting column including a hydraulic lifting system having a battery for powering the hydraulic lifting system. The plurality of mobile lifting columns each include a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Each of the plurality of moving lifting columns further comprises a hydraulic pressure sensor. The remote control unit includes a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns. A control unit is associated with the plurality of lifting columns for controlling operation of the plurality of moving lifting columns. The control unit calculates the amount of load change in the system based on the hydraulic pressure sensors of the plurality of moving lifting columns, wherein the control unit provides a warning message if the amount of load change between the plurality of moving lifting columns exceeds a predetermined level. Alternatively, a load sensor or a motor amp draw (motor amp draw) may be used to sense the load.

A vehicle lift system includes a plurality of mobile lift columns, each mobile lift column including a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The remote control unit includes a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lifting columns. A control unit associated with the plurality of moving lifting columns controls operation of the plurality of lifting columns. The control unit monitors a message error rate between the remote control unit and the plurality of moving lifting columns and provides a warning signal if the message error rate between the remote control unit and any one of the plurality of moving lifting columns exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary lift system including four moving lift columns;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exemplary moving lifting column of the lifting system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the lift system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary control unit display of a shim for leveling a moving lift column determined to be unleveled;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a prediction sequence for determining battery condition;

FIG. 6 is a voltage versus time graph for analyzing the rate of change of voltage while in a load state to diagnose a battery degradation condition;

FIG. 7 is a voltage versus time graph for analyzing the change in sleep voltage between cycles to diagnose a battery degradation condition;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a prediction sequence for detecting an abnormally moving lift column component condition; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a prediction sequence for monitoring message error rates between a remote control unit and a plurality of moving lift columns.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between," "directly adjacent to," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary lift system 10 including a plurality of mobile lift columns 12 and a remote control unit 14. The remote control unit 14 is operable to control the moving lifting column 12 to selectively raise or lower the vehicle relative to the ground. Although four moving lift columns 12 are shown, it should be understood that any other suitable number of columns 12 (e.g., six, eight, etc.) may be used to form lift system 10. Each moving lifting column 12 is shown to include a set of legs 16 that support the moving lifting column 12 relative to the ground. The moving lifting column 12 is also shown to include a support fixture or bracket 18 to provide support for the vehicle relative to the lifting column 12.

As further shown in fig. 2, the mobile lifting column 12 also has wheels 20 and handles 22 to allow the column 12 to move along the ground. The moving lifting column 12 may thus be selectively positioned with relative ease, as may be desired to accommodate different vehicles having different wheel spacings or wheel counts (e.g., to move additional moving lifting columns 12 into place or remove excess moving lifting columns 12, etc.), to replace the first moving lifting column 12 with a second moving lifting column 12 to service the first moving lifting column 12, etc.

As shown in fig. 2, each mobile lifting column 12 also includes a lifting mechanism, shown as a hydraulic system 24. The hydraulic system 24 is operable to move the carriage 18 vertically relative to the ground. The carriage 18 is configured to engage a component of the vehicle (e.g., a wheel, etc.) to enable the moving lift post 12 to raise and lower the vehicle relative to the ground. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the configuration of the carriage 18 may vary to accommodate a variety of vehicles.

As shown in further detail in fig. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, each hydraulic system 24 of the present example may include: hydraulic cylinders and pistons 26, a pump 28, and a series of valves 30 that control the flow of hydraulic fluid. In particular, pump 28 and valve 30 are in fluid communication with hydraulic cylinder and piston 26 such that pump 28 and valve 30 communicate fluid to and from cylinder and piston 26. Carriage 18 rises and falls with the piston of hydraulic cylinder and piston 26 so that pump 28 and valve 30 can be controlled to control the vertical height at which carriage 18 is located.

Processor 34 is in electrical communication with pump 28 and valve 30 to control the operation of pump 28 and valve 30. Of course, any other suitable structure, component, or technique may be used for hydraulic system 24. For example, any suitable system, feature, mechanism, or component, including but not limited to a screw, belt, or gear mechanism, may be used in addition to or in place of hydraulic system 24, such as to raise or lower carriage 18.

Each lifting column 12 also includes a control unit 36 that may be used to control, monitor and/or program operation of the lifting system 10. For example, any one of the control units 36 may be used to define participation in an ad hoc column control group based on the available mobile lifting columns 12, and then control the mobile lifting columns 12 when in the ad hoc column control group. The control unit 36 may also have a display 38 configured to provide a visual indication to the operator that the moving lifting column 12 has been assigned to an ad hoc column control group. The display 38 may include a graphical representation of the vehicle and a graphical representation of the available mobile lifting columns 12 positioned relative to the graphical representation of the vehicle. The control unit 36 may illuminate the graphical representations of the available mobile lifting columns 12 that have been selected for the ad hoc control group, thereby providing the operator with immediate visual confirmation of which mobile lifting columns 12 have been selected and where those mobile lifting columns 12 are associated with the vehicle. Control unit 36 includes a processor 34 operable to process information/commands and relay information/commands to/from other components of control unit 36.

It should be understood that each control unit 36 may communicate with the remote control unit 14. For example, when an operator uses the control unit 36 to create an ad hoc control group of columns, the identity of the columns 12 in that control group may be transmitted to the remote control unit 14. Furthermore, the lifting command entered by the control unit 36 may be sent to the remote control unit 14, and the remote control unit 14 may then relay the lifting command to the moving lifting column 12 that has been assigned to the ad hoc column control group. The remote control unit may serve as the system controller. In alternative embodiments, the system controller may be a separate unit that wirelessly communicates with both the remote control unit 14 and the control unit 36, or the system controller may be one of the control units 36 on one of the columns 12 present in the system.

A wireless transceiver 42 is also provided at each mast 12 represented in fig. 3 and is operable to wirelessly relay information and commands between the mast 12 and the remote control unit 14, as will be described in greater detail below. The wireless transceiver 42 may be a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver and/or may take other forms as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

As also shown in fig. 3, the mobile lifting column 12 includes a corresponding battery 44. The battery 44 is rechargeable and is operable to power all aspects of the operation of its respective moving lifting column 12. In particular, each battery 44 is operable to power the pump 28, the control unit 36, the transceiver 42, and/or any other electrically powered components in each column 12.

The remote control unit 14 may include a housing 50 having a display 52 and a series of input buttons 54. Input buttons may be designated to control the up and down motion or to navigate a displayed menu on the remote control. The input buttons designated for controlling the lifting movement can only be activated when the lifting system enables wireless remote lifting operation. The remote control unit 14 may further include: a processor 56 in communication with the display 52 and the series of input buttons 54; and a wireless transmitter/receiver 58. The remote control unit 14 includes a battery 62. The battery 62 may be rechargeable and operable to power all aspects of the operation of the remote control unit 14. In particular, the battery 62 may be operable to power the display 52, the processor 56, the wireless transmitter/receiver 58, and/or any other electrically powered components in the remote control unit 14. The input buttons 54 may be incorporated into the touch screen of the display 52 or may be separate input buttons.

As shown in fig. 3, each moving lift column 12 also includes an inclinometer 64 for detecting the amount of tilt of the moving lift column 12. The inclinometer 64 may be calibrated to a zero position where the mast is standing parallel to gravity. The remote control unit 14 may poll each moving lifting column 12 to determine if any of the columns are too far from horizontal, or if two or more columns are leaning too far in opposite directions during the lifting process, possibly causing errors. Based on the detected amount of tilt of the mobile lift column 12, the processor 56 of the remote control unit 14 may determine and display the correct shim to achieve horizontal lift, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the shim height may be calculated by: the distance between the shimmed load pads is multiplied by the tangent of the floor slope angle between them. The remote control can then be rounded to the nearest shim height, which will minimize the tilting of the post. In particular, as shown in the shim display diagram 66 of FIG. 4, it is suggested to add an 1/2 inch shim 68 at the front end of the left leg 16 and to add a 1/4 inch shim 70 at the rear end of the left leg 16. It should be understood that other types of level compensation devices may be used, including height adjustable feet supported by adjustment screws, cam mechanisms adjustable to level the moving lifting column 12, or an automatic leveling system that may be controlled by the remote control unit 14 to compensate for the leveling of the moving lifting column 12.

Referring to fig. 3, the moving lifting column 12 includes a battery voltage sensor 72 associated with the battery 44 and a hydraulic pressure sensor 74 associated with the hydraulic system 24. When a motor load is applied to the battery 44, the voltage will drop and then continue to drop until the load is removed, at which point the battery voltage will return to the new resting voltage. As shown in fig. 5, in step 76, the present disclosure calculates a battery state of charge of the battery 44 based on the resting voltage using the battery voltage sensor 72. In step 78, the system calculates the motor load based on the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure sensor 74. In step 80, the system further measures the voltage drop of the battery 44 when the load is applied. For example, based on characterizing the battery, the system may expect a voltage drop of one volt per 4000 pounds of load placed on the carriage 16 for a well-conditioned battery.

As shown in fig. 6, the system may utilize the rate of change of the voltage of the battery 44 while in a load state to estimate the battery condition. For example, for a well-conditioned battery, the system may expect a rate of change of 0.0015 volts/second per 1000 pounds applied to the cradle. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the system may utilize the change in battery resting voltage between cycles to estimate battery condition. For example, based on the measured load and cycle duration, the system may expect the difference between sleep cycles to be 0.25V. The system then estimates and reports the current battery condition. If the battery condition is not representative of a predetermined battery response condition, the user may be notified that the battery is degrading and maintenance may be considered.

In a lift system, the system controller will monitor the position of the individual lift cylinders and equalize them. In the current state, the problem of lift equalization is only discovered when the component degrades to such an extent that it causes an out-of-level error message. Under normal conditions, the lift will engage a hydraulic calibration valve to divert flow and equalize the lift cylinders in the system. In an abnormal situation, the controller would have to engage the two-stage valve to provide hard equalization to equalize the system. Specific factors contributing to hard equalization include: battery state of charge imbalance between the moving lift columns 12, capacity imbalance between the moving lift columns 12, and component issues such as hydraulic valve blockage, pump leakage, and motor wear. The battery voltage sensor 72 and the hydraulic pressure sensor 74 may be used to monitor and understand the amount of equalization caused by the cause of the anomaly and provide an indication that the equalization components may be out of tolerance for troubleshooting and maintenance purposes.

As shown in fig. 8, in step 82, the prediction order may include: the amount of charge change in the system is calculated based on each of the battery voltage sensors 72 of the moving lift columns 12. Further, in step 84, the system may calculate the amount of load change in the system based on each of the hydraulic pressure sensors 74 moving the lift column 12. The system may then determine if the change is normal or, if the change is abnormal, may report an abnormal component message in step 86. For example, if the system detects a change in battery voltage of greater than five volts, the system may alert the user to check battery charge and status. Alternatively, if the load difference between the columns is greater than 3:1, the system will alert the user to check and redistribute the weight. If the battery and load are within tolerance, the system will recommend that a service call be placed to check the hydraulic system.

The present disclosure may also monitor the message error rate between each mobile lifting column 12 of the mobile lifting column system and the system controller. Before communication errors begin to occur frequently, the system may provide an indication to the user that the radio link is minimally being performed. As shown in fig. 9, the processor may calculate the message air rate for each moving lift column 12 at step 90. In step 92, the system may estimate the probability of communication error based on the message error rate and the total number of moving lift columns 12 in the system. Then, in step 94, the system may display the message error rate for each column and if the probability of communication error exceeds a desired threshold, the user may be alerted that the communication link is weak, resulting in a message error rate above the desired threshold. For example, the system may include four columns, and the system controller may send twenty messages per second evenly between columns. An error may be generated if the response from each column is not heard within a predetermined time, such as one second. The user may wish to be alerted if the message error rate results in more than 50% chance of error in ten minutes of operation. The error probability can be calculated as 1- (1- (1- (error rate)) < lambda > (number of messages sent per second remote/total number of columns)) < lambda > (expected number of minutes between errors) < 60 >. In this case, if the message error rate of any leg exceeds 25%, the system will change the user to a weak radio link. When a message is sent from the system controller or the column controller, the system may further indicate whether a message is missing to isolate a potentially faulty radio.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where appropriate, and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if the embodiment is not specifically shown or described. As such may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.