WO2000001499A1

WO2000001499A1 - Apparatus and method of measurement in vehicle body alignment work in vehicle body measurement

Info

Publication number: WO2000001499A1
Application number: PCT/FI1999/000559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teuvo Olavi VENÄLÄINEN
Original assignee: Autorobot Finland Oy
Priority date: 1998-07-03
Filing date: 1999-06-24
Publication date: 2000-01-13
Also published as: FI981543A; FI110544B; AU4788099A; FI981543A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a measurement apparatus and method in vehicle body alignment work in measurement of a vehicle body. The measurement apparatus comprises a measurement unit (17a2) which comprises a movable measurement arm (40) whose measurement head (65) can be passed to the area to be repaired in the vehicle for the purpose of reading coordinate data. Measurement data are supplied from the measurement unit (17a2) to a central processing unit (100), which central processing unit is further supplied with profile data on the correct profile of the vehicle body, the central processing unit (100) indicating the deviation between the reference data and the coordinate data read from the measurement unit (17a2). In the method, the coordinate data on the profile of the vehicle side to be repaired are passed from the measurement (17a2) to the central processing unit (100) or equivalent, to which the profile data on the corresponding point/line of the undamaged surface of the vehicle are also passed, the central processing unit (100) indicating the difference between said coordinate data.

Description

Apparatus and method of measurement in vehicle body alignment work in vehicle body measurement

The invention relates to a measurement apparatus and method in vehicle body alignment work in measurement of a vehicle body.

The apparatus arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises a device for alignment of a vehicle body, which device includes an alignment table to which a vehicle is attached by means of fastenings. The construction advantageously comprises a lifting gear, by means of which the alignment table can be raised to a desired alignment level. The tools to be coupled with the vehicle, such as pulling ropes or chains, can be connected to the alignment table, preferably by means of straightening booms or equivalent. The apparatus arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises a measurement apparatus that can be fitted around the vehicle to be aligned. The measurement apparatus comprises longitudinal guides on whose support a measurement arch and the measurement units associated therewith can be displaced. Perpendicularly to the centre lines X of the longitudinal guides there is a transverse guide or transverse guides, which can be moved along the longitudinal guide, having received their control from the longitudinal guide, in order to measure the constructions at the bottom of the vehicle. Said transverse guides also act as structural components interconnecting the longitudinal guides.

For the time of measurement, the vehicle is placed on the alignment table and attached to the table from the fastenings, preferably skirt fastenings or equivalent. Onto the alignment table, the measurement apparatus is fitted so that the longitudinal guides of the measurement apparatus are placed on support of the ends of the transverse beams of the alignment table, which beams are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X-axis) of the alignment table. The transverse guides or beams interconnecting the longitudinal guides operate as guides for the lower measurement units connected with them. The measurement arch, and there can also be several arches, comprises a measurement unit, which can be displaced to different positions in the guides provided on the vertical beam of the measurement arch. The measurement head of the measurement unit can be displaced so that it extends to the vehicle to be aligned, placed in the middle of the measurement arch. The measurement unit of the measurement device comprises an elongated arm, which can be displaced to a desired measurement position, and the measurement value can be read electrically from a display of a central processing unit 100, preferably from a display of a PC apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a measurement unit which measures the area/profile to be repaired in the vehicle body and from which coordinate data are transferred to the central processing unit, which central process- ing unit is supplied with the reference data on the corresponding undamaged profile point, for instance, from a compact disc. It is also possible to use other memory units, such as, a memory disc of a computer or equivalent for storing vehicle body profile data for comparison. Thus, the profile data on an undamaged vehicle can be stored on a compact disc, and they can always be utilized even though both sides of the vehicle would have been damaged and the reference data could not be taken from the measurement unit performing comparison on the undamaged side of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the central processing unit 100 receives data on the position of the measurement head from two different measurement units 11 a_γ , 17a₂ and from their different measurement heads 65. One measurement unit reads the undamaged profile of the side of the vehicle and the other measurement unit reads the profile of the body surface to be repaired. The signals received from the measurement units are passed into the central processing unit, which indicates the deviations of the coordinates on the damaged side of the vehicle from those of the undamaged side of the vehicle. Thus, the central processing unit 100 performs difference calculations in various coordinate points and indicates the coordinate deviations on the side of the vehicle to be repaired from a desired value, i.e. from the correct value measured on the other side of the vehicle. Thus, the repair work of the vehicle can be controlled on the basis of the comparison.

The system in accordance with the invention is enabled by the use of a measurement arch in which a measurement unit 17a₁, 17a₂ is connected to both vertical guides of the measurement arch, the above-mentioned measurement and checking of the profile being carried out by means of said measurement units. Since the measurement units 17a₁, 17a₂ are connected to the same measurement arch, they move simultaneously and the same longitudinal position of the vehicle is achieved by means of them. The measurement unit on the side to be repaired is placed at the same level as the measurement unit on the reference side. During profile measurement, the measurement arch is moved, for instance, by displacing the measurement arch on the longitudinal guides in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The profile and the deviation data between the reference side, or the undamaged side of the vehicle, and the side to be repaired are read at given intervals or continuously. By means of the system in accordance with the invention, it is thus possible to accurately repair, for instance, the profile of a damaged door so as to correspond to the correct external form profile of the door.

Characteristic features of the measurement apparatus and method in accordance with the invention are set forth in the claims.

The invention will be described in the following with reference to some preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures of the accompanying draw- ings, to which embodiments the invention is, however, not intended to be exclusively confined.

Figure 1A is a side view of a device for alignment of a vehicle A.

Figure IB shows the alignment device shown in Fig. 1A as viewed from above. Figure 2A shows a measurement device comprising a measurement frame fitted on an alignment table. Centring of the measurement device in compliance with the centre line of the vehicle is shown, and, as shown in the figure, support arms in accordance with the invention are fitted between the measurement frame and the vehicle.

Figure 2B shows the apparatus in accordance with the invention as viewed from above, four support arms being arranged to be coupled with the vehicle to be aligned.

Figure 2C is a sectional view taken along the line I— I in Fig. 2B.

Figure 2D illustrates the apparatus arrangement shown in Fig. 2C as viewed in the direction of the arrow _γ .

Figure 3A illustrates the measurement system in accordance with the invention and in different profile measurement positions.

Figure 3B illustrates the measurement system in accordance with invention.

Figure 3C shows an embodiment of the invention where coordinate data of a measurement unit on the side to be repaired are compared with data derived from a memory disc or equivalent.

As shown in Fig. 1A, the vehicle alignment device comprises an alignment table 10 shown in the figure, which table can be raised and lowered by means of a scissor jack 13 with respect to a base frame 12. The alignment device comprises transverse beams llbι ,llb2,llb₃ and l lb₄ provided in its alignment table 10, on which beams fastenings l la₁, lla2... have been disposed, so that the vehicle to be aligned can be attached to the alignment table by means of the fastenings. Fig. IB shows the apparatus arrangement of Fig. 1A viewed from above. The alignment table 10 comprises longitudinal beams and the transverse beams llb_j, I lb2, llb3 and llb₄ connected with them. The transverse beams are provided with the fastenings llai ,lla2, lla₃ and lla₄, from which the vehicle can be attached to the alignment table 10 for the time of alignment of the vehicle. The aligning can be carried out in the figure by means of pulling ropes or chains or similar tools, in which connection the alignment force can be applied, for example, by means of the pulling rope or chain, for example, through a straightening boom connected with the alignment table, to the area to be straightened on the vehicle.

Fig. 2 A shows a measurement device 15 as fitted on support of the alignment table 10. The measurement device 15 comprises longitudinal guides 153^ 1532, preferably beam constructions, which are placed horizontally parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle A. Perpendicularly to the centre lines X_j of the longitudinal guides, there are transverse guides 16a₁,16a2... , preferably also beams, on which measurement units 17a₁,17a₂... can be placed.

In connection with the longitudinal guides 15a_j and 15a₂, a measurement arch 15b (one or more) can be placed, which comprises vertical beams 15bι ,15b₂, preferably vertical guides, on which the measurement unit 17aι , 17a₂ is arranged to be movable in a vertical direction. The measurement unit 17a₁,17a₂ of the measurement device 15 further comprises a measurement arm 40 connected with said unit and displaceable with respect thereto in a horizontal plane, and a measurement head 65 in said arm. The measurement arch 15b comprises a connecting beam 15b₃ that connects the vertical beams, i.e. the vertical guides 15b_j and 15b₂ from the top. After the measurement apparatus 15 has been centred in compliance with the centre line (O-line) of the vehicle A, the vehicle can be measured at desired points by means of the measurement units 17a₁,17a₂ situated in connection with the measurement arch 15b mounted on the longitudinal guides 15aι , 15a₂ and, similarly, by means of the displaceable measurement units 17a₃, 17a₄ provided on the transverse guides. As shown in Fig. 2A, in accordance with the invention, a device 20 for fastening the measurement apparatus 15, preferably a support arm, is disposed between the vehicle A to be aligned and the measurement apparatus 15. Preferably, there are two fastening devices 20, preferably support arm constructions, on either side of the vehicle A. Favourably, the supporting of the measurement device on the vehicle A is carried out by means of said support arms 20 such that two support arms 20 are supported on one transverse beam or guide 16a₁, 16a₂. On each side of the vehicle, one support arm 20 is supported on the vehicle from the transverse beam 16aι ,16a₂... Preferably, the supporting is carried out such that the support arm is tensioned between the transverse beam 16a_!,16a₂... of the measurement device 15 and the vehicle A to be straightened, which vehicle has been attached to the alignment table 10 at the fastenings 113 , 1132...

Fig. 2B illustrates the apparatus in accordance with the invention viewed from above. The transverse guides 16aι ,16a₂, which comprise the displaceable measurement units 17a₃, 17a (in Fig. 2 A) placed on them, are disposed between the longitudinal guides 15a_j and 15a₂. The transverse guides 16a_j and 16a₂ are guided in the longitudinal guides 15a_{1 ;} 15a₂. The measurement arch 15b is also guided in the longitudinal guides 15a_j and 15a₂. Also, the measurement units 17a₃,17a₄ are guided in the transverse guides 16aι , 16a₂. As shown in the figure, four fastening devices 20 are arranged to support the measurement frame of the measurement apparatus 15 on the vehicle A. Preferably, between the measurement apparatus 15 and the vehicle, there is a fastening device which comprises a support arm that can be tensioned between the vehicle A and the measurement apparatus 15.

Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I— I in Fig. 2B at a longitudinal guide and a transverse guide. As shown in Fig. 2C, the transverse guide 16a comprises bearing means 16b which always keep the longitudinal axis y of the transverse guide 16a_j perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X_j of the longitudinal guides 15a, ,15a₂. As shown in Fig. 2C, the data on the position of the measurement arch 15b are read by using a detector 30 shown in the figure, which detector comprises a stepping motor 31 and an associated toothed wheel 32, which is in engagement with teeth 33 provided along the length of the longitudinal guide. When the measurement arch 15b has been positioned and calibrated initially in a certain position, the stepping motor 31 indicates the distance of shifting apart from the calibration point through a converter to a PC and further to a display. The measure- ment arch 15b is mounted by means of a wheel U_j in a guide groove U₂ in the guide lSa^ Similarly, the measurement unit 17a_{1 ;}17a₂ comprises detector means which indicate the feed-out position of the measurement arm 40 and the height position of the measurement unit lla in the vertical guide 15b₁,15b₂.

Fig. 2D illustrates the apparatus viewed in the direction of the arrow K₁ in Fig. 2C, i.e. from above. The transverse guide 16a₁, 16a₂... comprises a plate part 16d situated at its ends perpendicularly to its bridge beam 16c, which plate part 16d includes a number of bearings 16b, which are fitted in said plate part 16d and arranged to travel along with the plate part in a longitudinal guide groove U₃ in the longitudinal guide 15aι .

Fig. 3 A illustrates the measurement system in accordance with the invention and in different profile measurement positions. The positions la and lb, 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b... are associated with each other. On the side of la, the profile data on the undamaged sheet surface of the vehicle are measured and, on the side of lb, the data on the damaged side are read in a corresponding way, and the measurement data are transferred to a central processing unit 100, which indicates, for instance, on a display of a PC apparatus, the coordinate deviations of the measurement head on the side to be repaired. Thus, as shown in the figure, the profile data on the undamaged side of the vehicle are read by means of the measurement unit 11 ^ and the profile data on the side to be repaired are read by means of the measurement head 65 of the measurement unit 17a₂, and the central processing unit 100 indicates in any given measurement point the coordinate deviations of the side to be repaired.

Measurement may be carried out, for instance, such that the measurement arch is passed in its longitudinal and horizontal guides such that the measurement head 65 of the measurement unit 17a_{l 5} which may comprise a roller 650 at its end, follows the sheet surface of the vehicle and, similarly, on the side to be repaired, the measurement head 65 of the measurement unit 17a₂ is simultaneously passed along the surface to the repaired. In that case, the deviation data in any given horizontal and vertical position is indicated in a Y coordinate.

However, the invention is not intended to be confined merely to the above-mentioned way of reading. The reference measurement unit 17a can be passed, for instance, along the profile shapes of a vehicle door from above downwards on the side of the vehicle and the corresponding data from the measurement head of the measurement unit 17a₂ on the damaged side are read from corresponding points, and the central processing unit 100 indicates the coordinate deviations between the side to be repaired and the undamaged side of the vehicle.

Fig. 3B illustrates further the measurement system in accordance with the invention. The measurement unit \la_l,lla2 can be raised and lowered in the vertical guides 18bι ,18b₂, and the measurement arm 40 connected to the measurement unit I7a₁ , l7a₂ can be passed in a Y direction perpendicularly to the Z directions of the vertical guides. Similarly, the measurement arch 15b and its vertical guide 15b₁ ,15b₂ can be displaced in the horizontal guides 15a_{1 ;}15a2 in the direction of the longitudi- nal axis (X axis) of the vehicle A. Similarly, the coordinate data on the side to be repaired can be read by means of the measurement unit 17a₂ on the vehicle side to be repaired. Signals can be passed from the measurement units lla_γ,lla₂ along signal lines eι ,e₂ to the central processing unit 100, for instance, a PC, which indicates, for instance, by a printer or on a display of the PC, the coordinate deviations on the side to be repaired in different reading points of the profile of the vehicle sheet surfaces.

In accordance with the invention, the measurement unit lla_i,ll ₂ receives its guidance from guides in a way similar to that shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2C. Similarly, the vertical guides 15b₁, 15b₂ comprise a similar signal processing apparatus in which a toothed belt or equivalent is connected to the vertical guide 15b_{l 5} 15b₂, and a toothed wheel situated on the axle of a stepping motor provided in the measurement unit 17a is displaced along the teeth, in which connection the stepping motor indicates the distance travelled. Similarly, the measurement arm 40 can be positioned with respect to the measurement unit 17a_j such that the teeth provided therein move the axle of the stepping motor situated in the measurement unit 17aι through the toothed wheel or equivalent, for instance, a friction wheel situated on the axle of the stepping motor.

The roller 650 placed on the measurement head 65 connected to the end of the measurement arm 40 is drawn to Fig. 3B, said roller 650 being arranged to follow the profile of the surface to be measured. The roller 650 is arranged to be mounted in bearings and arranged to rotate.

Fig. 3C shows an embodiment of the invention in which the central processing unit 100 comprises in connection therewith a memory unit 200 storing the measurement data (coordinates at different profile points) received from the measurement unit 17a_{l 5} in which connection the coordinate points of the surface profile of the vehicle can be stored on a compact disc 300 or on a memory disc, a magnetic tape or equivalent of a computer or the central processing unit. Profile data, i.e. coordinate data, for instance, on some point/line of the body surface in connection with each vehicle type can be stored, for instance, in the memory of the computer, wherefrom it may be utilized. Thus, of an undamaged vehicle, different profiles of the surface of the vehicle body, i.e. surface coordinates from different reading points, may be stored on a memory disc or equivalent, which coordinates are further used in connection with the coordinate data supplied from the other measurement unit 17a₂ when a comparison is made between the profile of the side to be repaired and the correct target profile. An advantage of the arrangement is that, if both sides of the vehicle are badly damaged, repair can nevertheless be performed reliably by means of comparison utilizing the data stored in the memory unit 200.

Claims

1. A measurement apparatus in the alignment work of a vehicle body, which measurement apparatus includes a measurement unit (17a₂) comprising a movable measurement arm (40), whose measurement head (65) can be passed to an area to be repaired in the vehicle for reading coordinate data on the vehicle body, characterized in that measurement data are supplied from the measurement unit (17a₂) to a central processing unit (100), which central processing unit (100) has further been supplied with the correct profile data on the profile of the vehicle body, the central processing unit (100) indicating the deviation between the reference data and the coordinate data read by the measurement unit (17a₂).

2. A measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, for the purpose of comparing the coordinates, the measurement data on the correct profile are supplied from a memory unit (200), for instance, a compact disc (300), or from a computer memory disc or equivalent, and said memory data are compared with the data supplied from the measurement unit (17a╬╣), the central processing unit (100) indicating the difference/differences between the coordinates of the correct profile and the profile to be straightened.

3. A measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reference data on the correct profile are stored on the compact disc (300) or on the computer memory disc or equivalent by passing the measurement head (65) connected to the measurement arm (40) of the measurement unit (1 a╬╣) along the undamaged profile of the vehicle body.

4. A measurement apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the measurement apparatus can be placed in connection with an alignment table (10), to whose fastenings (1132, 1132,1133, 1184) the vehicle is sttsched for the time of the slignment work, 3nd th3t the messurement apparatus (15) comprises measurement units (173^ 1732) ^wrncn csn be moved in a vertical guide (15b╬╣ ,15b₂), and that the vertical guide (15b₁, 15b₂) can be moved further in a longitudinal guide (15a_}, 15a₂), 3nd thst the movsble me3surement arm (40) C3n be fitted to the measurement unit (17a₁, 17a₂), 3nd thst the profile d3ta on the vehicle body on the undamaged side of the vehicle are measured by me3ns of one measurement unit (17a╬╣) 3nd, 3t the same moment, the profile d3t3 on the vehicle side to be repaired are measured by means of the reference measurement unit (17a₂) situated in the other vertical guide provided in the same measurement arch, and thst the dsts from the messurement unit (17a_j) snd from the reference messurement unit (17ai) 3re transferred to the central processing unit (100), in which connection the devistion between the side to be repaired snd the reference side is indicsted by means of the central processing unit (100), for instsnce, a PC.

5. A messurement sppsratus ss clsimed in clsim 4, characterized in thst the messurement unit (17s╬╣ ,17s₂) csn be moved in the verticsl guide (15b! , 15b₂) of the messurement 3rch (18b), snd thst the messurement unit

C3n be moved in its verticsl guide (18b₁,18b₂) to different height positions, snd thst the messurement srch (18b) csn be moved with its verticsl guides (18b₁, 18b₂) in the horizontsl guide (153₂, 1582) ^{m tne} direction of the longitudinal axis (X axis) of the vehicle, and thst the messurement unit comprises a messurement srm (40) whose measurement head (65) can be brought into contact with the vehicle surface to be measured, and that the measurement arm (40) can be displaced perpendicularly (in a Y direction) to the vertical guide (15b2, 15b₂).

6. A measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile measurement of the surface of the vehicle is carried out by means of the measurement units {11 a and 17a₂) at several different points of measurement.

7. A measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measurement arm (40) of the measurement unit (17a ╬╣ , 17a₂) is provided with a measurement head (65) that comprises at its end a roller (650) or equivslent, which csn be slid slong the surfsce profile of the vehicle.

8. Method in vehicle body alignment work in measurement of a vehicle body, characterized in that, in the method, coordinate data on the profile of a vehicle side to be repaired are passed from a measurement unit (17a₂) to a central processing unit (100) or equivalent, to which are also passed the profile data on the corresponding point/line of the undamaged surfsce of the vehicle, the centrsl processing unit (100) indicsting the difference/differences between ssid coordinate data.

9. A method as clsimed in the preceding clsim, characterized in thst the reference data on the correct profile are supplied from a memory unit (200), for instance, a compsct disc (300) or a memory disc.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the reference data on the undamaged profile are stored in the memory unit, for instance, the compact disc (300) or the memory disc by passing a measurement head (65) of the measure- ment unit (17a_╬╣) along the undamaged surface of the vehicle body.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that it uses a measurement apparatus (15) which comprises the measurement units (17a_j, 17a₂) for reading coordinate data on one measurement point of the vehicle by means of one measurement unit (17a_j) and for reading coordinate data on another point of the vehicle by means of the other measurement unit (17a₂), in which connection the differences between the coordinate points indicated by the measurement units (17a_! , 17a₂) are computed in the central processing unit (100) by means of signals derived from the measurement units.

12. A method as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the method, one measurement unit {17 SL ) reads the coordinate data from the undamaged surface of the vehicle, and that the other measurement unit (17a₂) reads the coordinate data from the vehicle surface to be repaired in a XYZ coordinate system.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized in thst, in the method, the messurement unit (Hs_j) is guided such that its measure- ment hesd (65) follows the surfsce of the vehicle snd, st the corresponding point on the other side of the centre 3xis of the vehicle, the messurement unit (17s₂) resding the surfsce to be repaired is guided.

14. A method ss clsimed in 3ny one of the preceding clsims 8 to 13, characterized in thst the messurement sppsratus (15) connected to sn slignment tsble is such thst it comprises guides (158₂,1582), which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle, and verticsl guides (15b╬╣ ,15b₂), the vertical guides (15b╬╣ , 15b₂) moving in the longitudinal guides (15a╬╣ ,15a₂) and comprising the measurement unit (17a╬╣ , 17a₂), which is movable in the vertical guides (15b╬╣ , 15b₂), and that the measurement unit (178₂,1782) *^s fi^tted ^wi^{m a} movable measurement arm (40) which can be moved in a horizontal direction with respect to the measurement unit (17a_j), and that, in the method, the coordinate values measured by means of the measurement heads (65) of the two different measurement units (178 , 1782) ^are compared and the difference between said coordinate values/of said coordinate value is indicated to the central processing unit (100).

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the central processing unit (100) is a PC or equivalent, the difference/differences between the coordinates of the measurement heads (65) of the measurement units (17a₂, 17a₂) connected to the vertical guides of the messurement srch being resdsble from the displsy of the PC or equivslent.

16. A method ss clsimed in sny one of the preceding clsims 8ΓÇö15, characterized in thst the method uses s messurement unit (173₂, 17s₂) whose messurement srm

(40) is provided with a measurement head (65) that comprises at its end a roller (650) or equivalent, which is arranged to slide along the surface of the vehicle when measuring the profile of the surface, for instance, the sheet surface of the vehicle.

17. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 8ΓÇö16, characterized in that, in the method, the measurement head (65) connected to the measurement arm (40) of the measurement unit (17a₂) is passed along the surface of the vehicle body and measurement of the profile of the vehicle body is carried out and, similarly, measurement of the coordinates of the side to be repaired is carried out by means of the measurement head (65) of the other measurement unit (17a₂) provided on the same measurement arch, in which connection, by means of signals passed to the central processing unit (100), the difference between the coordinates of the measurement heads in the measurement units provided on the measurement arch can be computed by means of a program stored in the central processing unit.