System and method for utilization of displacement sensor during placement of vehicle service fixture

A method for locating a vehicle service fixture in three-dimensional space relative to a vehicle, comprising:

• establishing a three-dimensional spatial reference frame associated with said vehicle, said three-dimensional spatial reference frame including a two-dimensional floor plane defined relative to said vehicle;
• identifying, within said established spatial reference frame, a three-dimensional location and spatial orientation of a multi-axis gimbal supporting at least an optical time-of-flight sensor configured to measure distance along a measurement axis using a projected point of illumination;
• locating a placement position on said floor plane for placement of a vehicle service fixture base;
• directing placement of said vehicle service fixture base at said located placement position by orienting said optical time-of-flight sensor to project said point of illumination at said located placement position;
• identifying a position within said three-dimensional spatial reference frame for a selected point on said vehicle service fixture when said vehicle service fixture is aligned to a selected orientation relative to said floor plane;
• guiding an orientation of said vehicle service fixture at said placement position to align said selected point with said identified position;
• calculating a vertical elevation for a target element on said vehicle service fixture at said placement position and orientation of said vehicle service fixture within said established spatial frame of reference;
• and
• guiding an adjustment of said target element on said vehicle service fixture to said calculated vertical elevation.

A method for facilitating placement of a vehicle service fixture relative to a vehicle undergoing service or inspection, comprising:

• establishing a spatial reference frame;
• identifying a location of said vehicle within said spatial reference frame;
• identifying, within said spatial reference frame, a three-dimensional location of a sensor configured to measure a distance along a measurement axis originating at said sensor;
• determining within said spatial frame of reference, a location for placement of said vehicle service fixture relative to said vehicle;
• calculating a spatial orientation for said sensor to align said measurement axis with said selected placement location using said identified three-dimensional location;
• orienting said sensor into alignment with said calculated spatial orientation;
• acquiring a measurement of distance from said sensor to a surface along said measurement axis;
• comparing said acquired measurement of distance to said surface with an expected distance between said sensor and said selected placement location along said measurement axis;
• responsive to a difference between said acquired measurement of distance and said expected distance exceeding a tolerance, calculating a corrected fixture placement location on said surface by altering said selected placement location within said spatial reference frame;
• and
• identifying said corrected placement location to an operator to facilitate positioning of said vehicle service fixture at said corrected placement location.

A method for facilitating placement of a vehicle service fixture relative to a vehicle undergoing service or inspection, comprising:

• establishing a spatial reference frame;
• identifying a location of said vehicle within said spatial reference frame;
• identifying, within said spatial reference frame, a three-dimensional location of a sensor configured to measure distance along a measurement axis;
• determining within said spatial frame of reference, a location for placement of said vehicle service fixture relative to said vehicle;
• calculating a spatial orientation for said sensor to align said measurement axis with said selected placement location using said identified three-dimensional location;
• orienting said sensor into alignment with said calculated spatial orientation;
• acquiring a measurement of distance to a surface along said measurement axis;
• comparing said acquired measurement of distance to said surface with an expected distance between said sensor and said selected placement location along said measurement axis;
• responsive to a difference between said acquired measurement of distance and said expected distance exceeding a tolerance, calculating a corrected placement location on said surface by altering said selected placement location within said spatial reference frame;
• identifying said corrected placement location to an operator to facilitate positioning of said vehicle service fixture at said corrected placement location;
• wherein establishing said spatial reference frame includes acquiring images of a set of optical targets associated with the wheels of said vehicle;
• and
• evaluating said acquired images to establish a floor plane upon which said wheels of said vehicle are disposed, said established floor plane defining said spatial reference frame.