Described is a system (and method) for locating a center point of a lug nut for an automated vehicle wheel removal system. To improve the accuracy of the center point, the system may perform machine learning inferences using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) image data. The system may process a 2D image to infer an initial center point, and potentially improve the accuracy by leveraging a 3D image. More particularly, the system may process a 3D image to infer a location of one or more edges (or edge points) around the perimeter of the lug nut and measure a set of distances between the initial center point and the located set of edges. The system may then refine (or adjust) the center point based on such measurements.
A kick lift can include a top assembly configured to support a vehicle tire to prevent the tire from kicking outward when loosened from the vehicle, a bottom assembly configured to support and position the top assembly, and an automated system. The top assembly can include one or more support rods to support the tire. A support rod drive motor can drive each support rod to extend and retract laterally. Lift components, which can be movable scissor arms or a single vertical lift arm, can be driven by a lift drive motor to be raised and lowered vertically. The bottom assembly can include a movable sled that slides forward and backward on a sled track to account for the location of the vehicle tire. A sled drive motor can drive the movable sled forward and backward. Each of the motors can be controlled by the processor based on various inputs.
Vehicle dimension data describing dimensions of a vehicle are obtained, a robotic apparatus is moved to a position about the vehicle, a reference point of the vehicle is determined, and the robotic apparatus is caused to move to positions about the vehicle based on the reference point. The reference point may be a center point of a selected wheel of the vehicle. A coordinate system of the robotic apparatus is aligned to the reference point of the selected wheel of the vehicle. Based on the aligned coordinate system of the robotic apparatus, operations are performed by the robotic apparatus to remove lug nuts from a wheel hub of the vehicle.
Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.
An apparatus, system and methods for operating an automatic computer vision based low rise vehicle lift. The system and methods involve performing computer vision processes to identify lifting points on the underside of a vehicle based on captured images. Based on the position of the lifting points in a common coordinate system, a lift control system calculates a displacement required to position swing arms and lifting blocks housed in each swing arm under the identified lifting points. The system may then actuate the swing arms and lifting blocks based on these calculations as well as actuate hydraulic cylinders to lift the lifting blocks into contact with the vehicle. The vehicle may then be lifted to a predetermined height where locking link assemblies may engage the locking racks in the base plate to lock the lift in place and transfer the load away from the hydraulic cylinders.
B66F 7/08 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms supported by levers for vertical movement hydraulically or pneumatically operated
B60S 9/12 - Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for only lifting or supporting by fluid pressure of telescopic type
B66F 7/26 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts for selective lifting of parts of vehicles
B66F 7/28 - Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
An apparatus, system and methods for operating an automatic computer vision based low rise vehicle lift. The system and methods involve performing computer vision processes to identify lifting points on the underside of a vehicle based on captured images. Based on the position of the lifting points in a common coordinate system, a lift control system calculates a displacement required to position swing arms and lifting blocks housed in each swing arm under the identified lifting points. The system may then actuate the swing arms and lifting blocks based on these calculations as well as actuate hydraulic cylinders to lift the lifting blocks into contact with the vehicle. The vehicle may then be lifted to a predetermined height where locking link assemblies may engage the locking racks in the base plate to lock the lift in place and transfer the load away from the hydraulic cylinders.
B66F 7/08 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms supported by levers for vertical movement hydraulically or pneumatically operated
B66F 7/06 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms supported by levers for vertical movement
B66F 7/26 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts for selective lifting of parts of vehicles
B60S 9/12 - Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for only lifting or supporting by fluid pressure of telescopic type
B66F 1/00 - Devices, e.g. jacks, for lifting loads in predetermined steps
B66F 7/28 - Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
An apparatus and method for holding a lug nut. The apparatus includes a base (150), a barrel (140), a lug nut engagement assembly (130), a plunger and a cam guide (170). The barrel (140) is coupled with the base (152) allowing the barrel (140) to move upwardly or downwardly within the base (150). The barrel has an internal cam track portion (145). The lug nut engagement assembly (130) includes retractable fingers (132) and is removably affixed to the barrel (140). The plunger (160) is disposed within a portion of the lug nut engagement assembly, the barrel, and the cam guide (170). The plunger (160) has a tip for engagement with the retractable fingers. The cam guide is disposed and moveable within a bottom portion of the barrel. The cam guide (170) has longitudinal rails (172) for engagement with the internal cam track (145) of the barrel.
B25B 23/04 - Arrangements for handling screws or nuts for feeding screws or nuts
B25B 23/10 - Arrangements for handling screws or nuts for holding or positioning screw or nut prior to or during its rotation using mechanical gripping means
8.
AUTOMATED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE WHEELS AND TIRES
Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.
Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.
Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.
Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.
