Patent Application
20190144249
The disclosed inventive concept relates to a lift system for a vehicle. More particularly, the disclosed inventive concept relates to a lift system for a vehicle that operates autonomously to locate lift pads under predetermined lift points of a given vehicle. Once the vehicle is placed in position relative to the lift, the operator needs only to input vehicle identification information and initiate the drive system. After the system is initiated, the lift arms and the lift pads are moved autonomously into position and the lifting operation commences.
Vehicles ordinarily require a variety of services during their operating lifetimes. Some services, such as oil changes, can be performed with the vehicle on a floor of a shop in which a pit is formed in the floor. The oil changers work from the sub-surface pit and thus no vertical movement of the vehicle is necessary. Other under-hood services can also be performed while the vehicle is resting on a shop floor, such as air filter changes and removal and replacement of spark plugs.
However, frequently the vehicle must be lifted off of the shop floor to allow technicians access to the vehicle's underside. In such cases, the vehicle is driven into a service bay with a vehicle lift designed for this purpose. The vehicle lift typically includes a pair of spaced-apart and opposed posts, commonly referred to as a two-post lift. A two-post lift is comprised of four (4) moveable lift arms with vertically adjustable lift pads on the end of the arm. The lift arms on a two-post lift adjust radially to “swing” underneath the vehicle. The two-post lift arm also extends or retracts in an outward and inward fashion to be placed in the appropriate area for proper lifting of the vehicle. Lastly, the lift pad that is on the end of the lift arm must be adjusted to the correct height so the vehicle's lifting point is properly engaged by the two-post lift and there is no interference between the lift arm and the undercarriage of the vehicle.
One of the crucial steps to lift a vehicle off the ground using the industry standard two-post lift includes properly placing the lift arms. The lift arms must be placed accurately to avoid damage to the undercarriage or body panels of the vehicle. Properly placing the lift arms also guarantees vehicle stability while it is off the ground. Vehicle stability while it is off the ground is a critical requirement for the safety of the service technicians as vehicle instability can lead to a vehicle falling off a two-post lift.
Manual placing the lift arms requires knowledge of the proper lift point location on the vehicle. Placement in this manner requires several adjustments to the lift arm and pad. In the automotive industry, it is common for novice technicians to be tasked with entry-level work that includes a vehicle's routine oil change, tire rotation and inspection which require lifting a vehicle. It is possible for any level of experienced technician to improperly locate the lift arm. It is more common for novice technicians to improperly place lift arms which results in a safety concern and the possibility of vehicle damage.
While manually placing the lift arms, the service technician may also sustain immediate or long lasting injuries. While the lift arms slide outward/inward it is possible for a service technician to pinch a finger in the moving arm or lift pad. Manually placing the lift arms requires a technician to get on their hands and knees to properly locate the lift point on the vehicle. Over years of performing vehicle maintenance that requires lifting a vehicle off the ground, bending over and getting on the hands and knees on the concrete shop floor can result in injuries. It is common for service technicians to have a cushion for their knees to prevent injury while placing lift arms.
Adding to the inherent difficulties in arranging lift arms under a vehicle, there is a substantial demand today to provide a customer with a “quick auto service” of some type. Many “quick change” oil services attract customers by offering the convenience of a “no-appointment necessary service” in the most time-efficient manner possible. Today's lift manufacturers and service centers equip their lifts with larger drive motors, thereby decreasing the amount of time required to raise and lower the vehicle, which is marketed to reduce the total length of service. While adding a larger drive motor decreases the amount of time it takes to raise and lower a vehicle, this approach does not address the time consuming process needed to place lift arms.
Accordingly, known approaches to lifting a vehicle for service do not produce satisfactory results. The current approach to lifting a vehicle can present a safety risk to servicing technicians, result in vehicle damage, and include a time consuming process to place lift arms. As vehicle technology increases, so must the manner in which we service these vehicles.
The disclosed inventive concept provides an autonomous vehicle lift system in which the lift arms are automatically placed into their correct positions prior to the vehicle being lifted off of the shop floor for servicing. The autonomous vehicle lift system of the disclosed inventive concept can be adapted for use with a lift having fixed above-ground lift arm posts or retractable in-ground systems. The autonomous vehicle lift system disclosed provides an avenue for reducing the amount of time it takes to rack a vehicle, or to place it on the vehicle lift and lift the vehicle into the air. This can be done while virtually eliminating any risk of injury.
The autonomous vehicle lift system of the disclosed inventive concept includes a pair of spaced apart vertical posts. A vehicle wheel locator is preferably provided on the shop floor to assure that the vehicle is parked in its correct position prior to initiating operation of the autonomous lift. Each post is fitted with a vertically movable lift arm assembly. Each lift arm assembly includes a pair of independently operating lift arms and drive systems for both rotating the arm into position and for extending the arm to its preferred length. The lift arms may be multi-segment and telescoping. At the end of each lift arm is a lift pad that is preferably though not absolutely of the low-profile variety. The lift pads may each include a scissors system for lifting and lowering the pad relative to the associated lift arm. One or more position-locating sensors may be fitted to either or both of the lift pad and the lift arm.
An operator's station is provided that allows the operator to input identifying information about the vehicle. Such information may be the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or may include descriptive information such as the vehicle brand, type, wheelbase and year. A scanner is preferably provided to allow the technician to scan the VIN. Alternatively, the vehicle information may be manually entered using a control board. An interface is provided between the operator's station and the lifting assemblies.
To lift a vehicle using the autonomous vehicle lift system of the disclosed inventive concept, the vehicle to be lifted is moved into position relative to the lift system. At this step one or both of the vehicle's front wheels are positioned onto a front wheel locator. The operator then enters the vehicle's identification information into an operator's station either manually using a keyboard or using a scanner suited for this purpose. Thereafter, once the identification information is entered, the operator uses the operator's station to initiate the autonomous vehicle lifting protocol. Once initiated, no further input by the operator is necessary until after the service is performed to the vehicle and the lift can be moved to its lowered position.
The lift arms are automatically pivoted into position and are extended until the lift pads are positioned beneath the pre-programmed preferred vehicle lift points. The lift pads are then raised until they are in contact with the lift points on the vehicle. Finally, the lift arms raise the vehicle to a pre-selected height to thereby allow the desired vehicle service to be performed. The vehicle remains lifted until the required service is completed and the operator lowers the vehicle, after which the lift arms are returned to their pre-lifting positions in preparation for the next lifting operation.
The autonomous vehicle lift system of the disclosed inventive concept efficiently substitutes twelve steps required by known lift systems for a single easy and safe step. Instead of the operator having to manually pivot, extend and retract each of the four lift arms and then adjust each lift pad, the only requirement is that the operator entering the vehicle identification information and thereafter the placements of the arms and pads are automatically performed.
The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:
In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.
The accompanying figures and the associated description illustrate the autonomous vehicle lift system of the disclosed inventive concept. Alternative versions of the vehicle lift system are illustrated as are alternative version of the lift arms. It is to be understood that the illustrated embodiments are suggestive as the shapes of, for example, the vertical posts and the lift arms, may be adopted without deviating from the spirit or scope of the disclosed inventive concept.
Referring to
The autonomous vehicle lift system 10 includes a set of spaced apart wheel guides 14 and 14′ for guiding the vehicle to be lifted (not shown). The guides 14 and 14′ may be slightly raised off of the floor 12 or may be flush with the floor 12. By providing a definite position system for the vehicle, proper alignment of the lift pads can be undertaken. On one or both of the wheel guides 14 and 14′ a wheel locator is provided to achieve precise positioning of the vehicle. One such wheel locator 16 is illustrated. The wheel locator 16 is a metal tire guide that includes one or more pressure pads 17 to determine the wheel location when the vehicle is positioned on the guides 14 and 14′.
The autonomous vehicle lift system 10 further includes a pair of spaced apart vertical posts 18 and 18′. The vertical posts 18 and 18′ are fixed to the floor 12. A horizontal beam 20 connects one vertical post 18 to the other vertical post 18′ to provide maximum structural integrity.
Movably attached to vertical post 18 is a lift arm assembly that includes a vertically movable lift arm support 24. The vertically movable lift arm support 24 may be vertically lifted up or down by any of several known arrangements, such as by a hydraulic system or a mechanical screw.
Pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 24 is a pivotable lift arm 26. Attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm 26 is a lift pad 28. Also pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 24 is a pivotable lift arm 30. Attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm 30 is a lift pad 32. The lift pads 28 and 32 may be fitted with alignment sensors to assist in proper alignment relative to the lift points defined on the underside of the vehicle. The lift pads 28 and 32 may be of the low-profile type, thereby allowing easy movement beneath the vehicle.
Movably attached to vertical post 18′ is a lift arm assembly that includes a vertically movable lift arm support 34. The vertically movable lift arm support 34 may be vertically lifted up or down by any of several known arrangements, such as by a hydraulic system or a mechanical screw. The vertical post of the vertical posts 18 and 18′ are fitted with a motor pack (not illustrated) to vertically drive the lift arm supports 24 and 34 respectively.
Pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 34 is a pivotable lift arm 36. Attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm 36 is a lift pad 38. Also pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 34 is a pivotable lift arm 40. Attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm 40 is a lift pad 42.
The positions of the pivotable lift arms 26, 30, 36, and 40 relative to the vertically movable lift arm support are adjusted by motors integrally associated with the vertical posts 18 and 18′. A first pair of lift arm motors 45 and 45′ is associated with the vertical post 18 for selectively rotating the pivotable lift arms 26 and 30 respectively. A second pair of lift arm motors 46 and 46′ is associated with the vertical post 18′ for selectively rotating the pivotable lift arms 36 and 40 respectively. The lift arm motors 45, 45′, 46 and 46′ may be any of several arrangements, including but not limited to a hydraulic system or a mechanical screw system.
The autonomous vehicle lift system 10 of the disclosed inventive concept further includes an arrangement by which the identification of the vehicle can be entered. As illustrated, a preferred identification input arrangement is an operator's station 47. The operator's station 47 includes a control board 46 and a vehicle identification input system such as a scanner 48. The control board 46 includes a lift “UP” button and a lift “DOWN” button. The vehicle identifying information can be, for example, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the vehicle year, type and model. The vehicle identifying information can be entered either using the keyboard of the control board 46 or using the scanner 48. An interface is provided between the operator's station 47 and the lifting assemblies. The operator's station 47 further includes an up/down button 49 to complete the lift of the vehicle. While the system of the disclosed inventive concept automatically moves the lift pads 28, 32, 38 and 42 into position once the operator initiates the system as will be explained below, it is necessary for the operator to hold the up/down button 49 to selectively raise or lower the vehicle to maximize safe operation. For example, if a co-worker walks underneath the vehicle the vehicle being lifted appears not to be stable or if some other urgent situation arises, the operator can manipulate the up/down button 49 as needed.
Referring to
The fixed vertical base 56 is part of a telescoping lifting post 58. It is to be understood that while only one telescoping lifting post is illustrated, two such posts are provided in a spaced apart relationship. It is also to be understood that the wheel guides and wheel locator(s) of the embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in
The telescoping lifting post 58 of the autonomous vehicle lift system 50 includes a first vertically movable part 60 that rests entirely or substantially within the fixed vertical base 56 when the autonomous lift system 50 is in its lowered position. The telescoping lifting post arrangement 58 further includes a second vertically movable part 62 that also rests substantially within the first vertically movable part 60 when the autonomous lift system 50 is in its lowered position. A greater or lesser number of vertically movable parts may be adapted for use with the disclosed inventive concept.
The autonomous vehicle lift system 50 further includes a lift arm assembly 64. Both the telescoping lifting post 58 and its opposed lifting post not illustrated are fitted with a motor pack (not illustrated) to vertically drive the lift arm supports. The lift arm assembly 64 includes a vertically movable lift arm support 66 that is fixedly attached to the top of the second vertically movable part 62. Pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 66 is a pivotable and telescoping lift arm 68. Attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm 68 is a lift pad 70. Also pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 66 is a pivotable and telescoping lift arm 72. Attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm 72 is a lift pad 74. The lift pads 70 and 74 may be fitted with alignment sensors to assist in proper alignment relative to the lift points defined on the underside of the vehicle. The lift pads 70 and 74 may be of the low-profile type, thereby allowing easy movement beneath the vehicle.
As illustrated in
The positions of the pivotable lift arms 68 and 72 relative to the vertically movable lift arm support is adjusted by any of several arrangements, including but not limited to a hydraulic system or a mechanical screw system.
The autonomous vehicle lift system 50 of the disclosed inventive concept further includes an arrangement by which the identification of the vehicle can be entered the same as or similar to that set forth above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in
The lift arm assemblies illustrated with respect to the embodiments shown in
Referring to
A vertically movable lift arm support 85 is fixed to the top of the lift post 82. Pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 85 is a first pivotable lift arm 86 that has a pivotable lift arm base 87. The pivotable lift arm base 87 is pivotably attached to the movable lift arm support 85 by a pivot 88. A driven gear 89 is attached to the pivotable lift arm base 87 A pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 90 is telescopingly attached to the pivotable lift arm base 87. A lifting pad 91 is attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 90.
The lift assembly 80 further includes a second pivotable lift arm 91 that has a pivotable lift arm base 92. The pivotable lift arm base 92 is pivotably attached to the movable lift arm support 85 by a pivot 93. A driven gear 94 is attached to the pivotable lift arm base 92 A pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 95 is telescopingly attached to the pivotable lift arm base 92. A lifting pad 96 is attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 95.
As illustrated in
Referring to
The lift arm assembly 103 includes a vertically movable lift arm support 104. Pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 104 is a first pivotable lift arm 105 that has a pivotable lift arm base 106. The pivotable lift arm base 106 is pivotably attached to the movable lift arm support 104 by a pivot 107. A pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 108 is telescopingly attached to the pivotable lift arm base 106. A lifting pad 109 is attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 108.
The lift arm assembly 103 further includes a second pivotable lift arm 110 that is pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 104. The pivotable lift arm 110 has a pivotable lift arm base 111. The pivotable lift arm base 111 is pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 104 by a pivot 112. A pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 114 is telescopingly attached to the pivotable lift arm base 111. A lifting pad 115 is attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 114.
The positions of the pivotable lift arms 105 and 110 relative to the vertically movable lift arm support 104 is adjusted by any of several arrangements, including but not limited to a hydraulic system or a mechanical screw system. One such arrangement, a geared arrangement, is illustrated in
In operation, the two-direction lift arm drive motors 116 and 118 operate in one direction to rotatably position the pivotable lift arms 105 and 110 respectively until the lift pads are in their desired positions for lifting the vehicle and in a reverse direction to move the pivotable lift arms 105 and 110 from under the vehicle to their stowed positions.
Referring to
The lift arm assembly 130 includes a vertically movable lift arm support 132 movably attached to a vertical post of either the above-ground fixed type as shown in
The lift arm assembly 130 further includes a second pivotable lift arm 142 that is pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 132. The pivotable lift arm 142 has a pivotable lift arm base 144. The pivotable lift arm base 144 is pivotably attached to the vertically movable lift arm support 132 by a pivot 146. A pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 148 is telescopingly attached to the pivotable lift arm base 144. A lifting pad 149 is attached to one end of the pivotable lift arm telescoping extension 148.
In a way similar to the method of positioning the pivotable lift arms 105 and 110 relative to the vertically movable lift arm support 104 of the embodiment of the lift assembly shown in
In operation, the two-direction lift arm drive motors 150 and 155 operate in one direction to rotatably position the pivotable lift arms 134 and 142 respectively until the lift pads are in their desired positions for lifting the vehicle and in a reverse direction to move the pivotable lift arms 134 and 142 from under the vehicle to their stowed positions.
The telescoping arms of the disclosed inventive concept may be of a variety of constructions. Two possible constructions are illustrated in
One of the disclosed embodiments for the telescoping lift arm is illustrated in
The first telescoping segment 164 and the second telescoping segment 166 are driven between their extended positions (as illustrated in
An alternative construction of the telescoping arms of the disclosed inventive concept is illustrated in
The lift pads of the disclosed inventive concept may also be of a variety of constructions. A suggested but not exclusive embodiment is illustrated in
One end of the scissors arm 202 is rotatably mounted on a stationary pin 204 that is attached to the lift pad 200. One end of the scissors arm 201 is rotatably mounted on a support bracket 205 that is fixed to the movable arm 198. The other end of the scissors arm 201 is movably attached to a slot 206 formed in the lift pad 200. As illustrated in
A driver 208 is connected to the scissors lift 203. The driver 208 may be pneumatic or may alternatively be a screw mechanism.
The lift pad assembly 196 further includes a locking arrangement to hold the lift pad 200 in its raised position as illustrated. The locking arrangement may be any of a mechanical, pneumatic, electric, electromagnetic, or hydraulic arrangement. One such arrangement is illustrated in
A reciprocating shaft 216 extends from the driver 208 and is connected to the locking foot support 214. A pivotable locking plate 218 is attached to the movable arm 198 by a pivot 220. At the end of the pivotable locking plate 218 opposite the pivot 220 is a locking plate actuators 222 and 222′ and a spring 223. The spring holds tension of the pivotable locking plate 218 against the locking foot 212 when the locking plate actuators 222 and 222′ do not draw down the pivotable locking plate 218 away from the locking foot 212 as described below.
In operation, the pivotable locking plate 218 is first moved into engagement with the locking foot 212 by the locking plate actuators 222 and 222′. The movable arm 198 is thereafter moved so that the lift pad 200 is correctly positioned under the vehicle. The driver 208 is then engaged causing the reciprocating shaft 216 to extend outward and thereby pushing against the locking foot support 214. A scissoring action of the interconnected scissors arms 201 and 202 and the interconnected scissors arms 207 and 209 of the scissors lift 203 occurs, thereby driving the lift pad 200 upward and into contact with the vehicle's underside. As illustrated, the locking foot 212 includes teeth 224 and the pivotable locking plate 218 includes teeth 226.
The teeth 224 are angled in a direction opposite that of the teeth 226. Because of these angles, the teeth 224 and the teeth 226 can slide over one another when the locking foot 212 moves against the pivotable locking plate 218 when the lift pad 200 is being scissored to its raised position as shown. These same angles allow the teeth 224 to engage the teeth 226 to thereby resist movement of the locking foot 212 in a direction back toward the driver 208. Only when the locking plate actuators 222 and 222′ move the pivotable locking plate 218 downward and out of engagement with the locking foot 212 can the locking foot 212 be allowed to move toward the driver 208, thus allowing the lift pad 200 to be lowered out of engagement with the vehicle's underside.
The disclosed inventive concept of a fully autonomous vehicle lift has variations beyond those discussed above and disclosed in
As an alternative to movable lift arms having movable lift pads discussed above, each of the lift ramps 250 and 252 is fitted with a plurality of independently movable lift pads. Referring to the lift ramp 250, a first set of lift pads 254, 254′, 254″ and 254″ and a second set of lift pads 256, 256′, 256″ and 256″ are provided. Referring to the lift ramp 252, a first set of lift pads 258, 258′, 258″ and 258″ and a second set of lift pads 260, 260′, 260″ and 260′″ are provided. Each of the lift pads may be lifted independently as needed to safely and properly be positioned under the vehicle to be lifted. As illustrated in
As noted, each of the lift ramps 250 and 252 may be raised from the garage floor by a number of methods, including a lifting post or, as illustrated in
The step-wise operation of the disclosed inventive concept includes the following steps. The vehicle is first is moved into position relative to the autonomous vehicle lift system. At this step one or both of the vehicle's front wheels are positioned onto a front wheel locator. Then the operator enters the vehicle's identification information into an operator's station either manually using a keyboard or using a scanner suited for this purpose. As soon as the vehicle's identification information is entered and confirmed, the autonomous lift arm placement will initiate. Once initiated, the arms will pivot under the vehicle and will extend or retract as needed to the proper location. Once the arms are in their proper position, the lift pads extend upward.
With the lift arms and the lift pads in position, the operator presses the “UP” button on the operator's station and holds the button down until the vehicle is lifted to its desired height for servicing. No further action is required on the part of the operator until the vehicle service is complete.
Once vehicle service is complete, the operator presses and holds the “DOWN” button until the lift is in its fully lowered position. Automatically, the lift pads lower, the lift arms retract and the lift arms pivot from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle can then be driven out of the service bay. The lift is ready for the next vehicle.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. As a non-limiting example of a possible modification, a gauge or stop that enables the operator to know how many ribs or material are to be removed could readily be provided to the belt cutter as described and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
