Vehicle lift systems with lighting

[0001] This description relates to vehicle lift systems. This description also applies to vehicle wheel alignment systems.

BACKGROUND [0002] The following paragraphs are not tantamount to admitting that all aspects discussed therein constitute state of the art or part of the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0003] Vehicle servicing, including carrying out adjustment procedures, may require precise mechanical adjustments under the vehicle, which in turn may require lighting. Portable luminaires can reduce the mechanic's performance, for example, but not exclusively, such luminaires may need to be frequently recharged while running on battery power and / or may pose a safety risk when connecting the cord.

[0004] From US7308971 it is known to provide a running track of a vehicle support system with a movable surface for supporting vehicle wheels in such a way as to allow a limited range of translational movement around the central position having an automatic centering and locking system.

INTRODUCTION [0005] From a first aspect perspective, a device with a rotatable base is provided for a vehicle lift system as defined in claim 1 in the appended claims [0006] From a second aspect perspective, a vehicle lift system comprising a device with a rotatable base according to first aspect.

[0007] In some embodiments, the lighting module extends tangentially to the inner side of the support structure. The lighting module can be mounted substantially in the same plane relative to the upper bearing surface of the structure, although other mounting arrangements are contemplated.

[0008] In some embodiments, the support structure comprises

A first movable support surface cooperating with the immobilized vehicle wheels, the movable support surface facing the first end of the load-bearing structure. The lighting module may extend tangentially to the first movable support surface and substantially between the first movable support surface and the inner side of the support structure. The lighting module may be elongated and extend substantially in the longitudinal direction. The lighting module can also be hinged essentially with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support structure comprises a second movable support surface cooperating with the controlled wheels of the vehicle, the second movable support surface facing the second end of the support structure. The lighting module may extend tangentially to the second movable support surface and substantially between the second movable support surface and the inner side of the support structure. The lighting module can be mounted in a recess on the base of a second movable support surface.

[0010] In various embodiments, the lighting module may include a protective cover. The protective cover may be located substantially flush with the upper surface of the base. The protective cover may contain a rigid transparent or translucent element. The sealing ring can be placed between the recess and the protective cover. In addition, the protective cover may contain a potting compound.

[0011] In various embodiments, the lighting module may include an assembly of light emitting diodes and / or optical fibers.

DRAWINGS [0012] The drawings attached to this document are intended to illustrate various examples of products, methods and devices as described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of what is represented in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a pair of track devices

A wheel chassis having movable support surfaces and lighting modules;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the lighting module tangent to the first movable support surface;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of lighting modules tangential to the second movable support surface;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a partially exploded lighting module tangent to the second movable support surface;

FIG. 5A and 5B are a side and detailed view of the wheel track device on a scissor lift, respectively; and FIG. 6 is a pneumatic / electric diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS [0013] Various devices and processes are described below to provide an embodiment according to the claimed invention. None of the embodiments described below limits any of the claimed claims. [0014] With reference to FIG. 1, the wheel track device for the vehicle lift system is generally shown as 10. The wheel track device 10 may be used in a variety of vehicle lift systems, including, but not limited to, four-column lift systems and scissor lift systems.

[0015] The wheel track device 10 comprises a supporting structure 12. The supporting structure 12 includes an upper surface 14 for supporting a vehicle, and to illustrate an embodiment, but not exclusively, for supporting a vehicle wheel. Support structure 12 includes first and second ends 16, 18 and a length extending between first and second ends 16, 18 defining longitudinal direction 20. The support structure 12 further includes an inner side and an outer side 22, 24 and a width extending between the inner side and the outer side 22, 24 defining side direction 26.

[0016] The wheel track device 10 includes at least one lighting module 32. The lighting module 32 is mounted on the top surface 14 of the support structure 12. To illustrate an embodiment, but not exclusively, the lighting module 32 can be mounted essentially flush with the upper surface 14 of the support structure 12. The lighting module 32 may extend tangentially to the inner side 22 of the support structure 12. Lighting module 32 is adapted to illuminate the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned on the wheel track device 10, for example, but not limited to illuminate the bottom of the vehicle. The lighting module 32 is adapted to provide lighting directed essentially up towards the parts of the vehicle that require servicing and generally not towards the eyes of the mechanic. The lighting module can also be used to illuminate when the vehicle is on a lift.

[0017] In a hoist system for adjusting vehicle wheel alignment, lighting module 32 may be arranged tangentially to the movable supporting surface of a wheel track device to provide lighting during wheel alignment procedures.

[0018] In some examples, when implemented in a vehicle convergence system, the wheel track device 10 may include a first movable support surface 28. The first movable support surface 28 may be located toward the first end 16 of the support structure 12 and may be determined as a "slipway". The first movable support surface 28 may be a substantially rectangular plate mounted on the support surface (not shown), substantially flush with the top surface 14 of the support structure 12. The first movable support surface 28 may allow limited movement of the stationary or rear wheels of the vehicle in a horizontal plane, at least in the transverse direction 26 relative to the supporting structure 12.

[0019] In some examples, when implemented in a vehicle toe-in system, the wheel track device 10 may include a second movable support surface 30. A second movable support surface

EP 2 477 929 B1 may be located towards the second end 18 of support structure 12 and may be referred to as "rotary plate" or "rotational base". The second movable support surface 30 may be a substantially circular plate mounted on a support surface (not shown), substantially flush with the top surface 14 of the support structure 12. The second movable support surface 30 may allow the steered or front wheels of the vehicle to direct sideways without having to lift the vehicle, and at the same time may enable rotational movement and limited movement in the horizontal plane in the longitudinal and transverse direction 20, 26 relative to the supporting structure 12.

[0020] In some examples, the lighting module 32 includes an assembly or a plurality of light emitting diodes. Light emitting diodes can be high intensity and low voltage diodes. Light emitting diodes can provide better illumination of the work area and can increase lighting reliability. In addition, the use of an assembly or multiple light-emitting diodes can reduce or substantially eliminate the shadow effect in the working area. In some examples, lighting module 32 may include optical fiber. For some applications, further combinations of optical fibers and light emitting diodes may be provided.

[0021] With reference to FIG. The lighting module 32a may extend tangentially to the first movable support surface 28 and substantially between the first movable support surface 28 and the inner side 22 of the support structure 12. The lighting module 32a may be elongated and extend substantially in the longitudinal direction 20. The lighting module 32a can be mounted substantially flush with the first movable support surface 28 and connected to either the first movable support surface 28 or the support structure 12.

[0022] Lighting module 32a may be transversely displaced or spaced in longitudinal directions 20 relative to the first and second ends 34, 36 of the first movable support surface 28. In some specific examples, the first movable support

Surface 28 may have a dimension in the longitudinal direction 20 of about 72 inches, and lighting module 32a may have a dimension in the longitudinal direction 20 of about 24 inches. The distance 15 between the central axis 31 of the second movable support surface 30 and the central axis 33 of the lighting module 32a can be selected in the range from 100 to 120 inches to accommodate and provide optimal lighting for most vehicles.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, the lighting module 32a can be pivotally mounted to either the supporting structure 12 or on the first movable support surface 28, so that the lighting module 32a is essentially pivoted relative to the longitudinal direction 20. The bias allows the lighting provided by the lighting module 32a to be directed according to the needs of the mechanic . In some examples, referring to FIG. 2, the lighting module 32a can be pivotally mounted to the first support structure 12 by means of hinges 62.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 3 and 4, the lighting modules 32b, 32c may extend tangentially to the second movable support surface 30, substantially between the second movable support surface 30 and the inner side 22 of the support structure 14.

[0025] The second movable support surface 30 may comprise a rotatable plate 38 movably mounted to the base 40. The base 40 may include a front part 42, rear part 44, inner side 46, outer side 48 and upper surface 50. Front side 42 may be located in towards the first end 16 of the support structure 12, and rear side 44 can be located towards the second end 18 of the support structure 12 (see FIG. 1). In some examples, the base 40 can be displaceable in a lateral direction 26 relative to the support structure 12 to accommodate vehicles of different widths between the front wheels.

[0026] As shown, the two lighting modules 32b, 32c can be mounted on the upper surface 50 of the base 40. The lighting module 32b can be mounted tangentially to the front surface and the inner sides 42, 46. The lighting module 32c can be mounted tangentially to

The back surface and inner sides 44, 46. Lighting modules 32b, 32c can be mounted substantially flush with the upper surface 50 of the base 40 and embedded in it. In spaced apart lighting modules 32b, 32c can provide substantially complete illumination of the steered wheels when they are turned sideways during wheel alignment procedures.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 4, the base 40 may include a recess 52 in which the lighting module 32c mounted therein is placed. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, lighting module 32c may include an assembly of light-emitting diodes 54. It can be seen that the illustrated example is not limited to light-emitting diodes and may include other light sources such as, for example, optical fibers. The base 40 can serve as a heat absorber for light-emitting diodes 54.

[0028] The lighting module 32c may comprise an outer protective cover 56, which may be a transparent or translucent rigid element, for example a scratch-resistant plastic lens. The outer protective cover 56 may be substantially flush with the upper surface 50 of the base 40 and be secured with screws 58. The lighting module 32c may include a sealing ring 60 disposed between the recess 52 of the base 40 and the outer protective cover 56.

[0029] Optionally, the outer protective cover may comprise a potting compound (not shown) which can be used to seat the light emitting diode assembly 54 and fix it in a recess 52 of the base 40. The potting compound can be selected to have a relatively high transparency and scratch resistance after hardening / hardening.

[0030] Lighting module 32 may be remote controlled. For example, lighting module 32 may be selectively operated by a switch or controlled via a main elevator console (not shown). Optionally or additionally, the lighting module 32 can be activated selectively by a switch located on the elevator itself or on

A support structure 12 or other area that is easily accessible to the mechanic.

[0031] Lighting module 32 can also be turned off automatically. With reference to FIG. 5A and 5B, the wheel track device 10 is depicted as supported on a scissor lift comprising scissor elements 64a, 64b and base 66. A pneumatic limit switch 68 (e.g., FESTO ™ Model No. 12146) is mounted to the scissor element 64a by means of bracket 70. The cam element 72 is mounted on the scissor element 64b and is positioned so as to signal the moment when the wheel track device 10 is at a predetermined height above the floor, for example from about 0.45 m to 0.51 m (18 " or 20 ").

[0032] Also with reference to FIG. 6, an air supply 74 can be supplied to the limit switch 68. The pneumatic signal from the limit switch 68 can be converted into an electrical signal by means of an indicator / switch 76 (for example, SMC ™ Model No. GP46-P10-N01MX30). Indicator / switch 76 can be connected to relays 78, 80. Relays 78, 80 can connect AC to 90, 92 controllers (for example MAGTECH ™ model number LP1025-36C0700). Fuses 86, 88 can be provided to interrupt the power supplied to controllers 90, 92. Controller 90 can supply power to LED 94 units (for example, BIVAR ™ Model No. DLC1333) suitable for lighting module 32a. Controller 92 can provide power to LED 96 assemblies (e.g., LEDBRT ™ Model No. BWL-8C5A21) suitable for 32b, 32c lighting modules.

[0033] When the wheel track device 10 is at a predetermined height or above, the lighting modules 32a, 32b, 32c remain on ("ON"). When the wheel track device 10 is below a predetermined height, the lighting modules 32a, 32b, 32c are automatically turned "OFF" for safety reasons.

[0034] Although this description describes the wheel track device used in vehicle lift systems in particular in the context of measuring toe-in, it should be noted that in this document

Other uses of information are considered. The information contained herein can be used for other vehicle lift system configurations.

[0035] Although the above description provides examples of one or more processes or devices, it should be noted that other processes or devices may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

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