NZ627623B - Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle - Google Patents
Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- NZ627623B NZ627623B NZ627623A NZ62762314A NZ627623B NZ 627623 B NZ627623 B NZ 627623B NZ 627623 A NZ627623 A NZ 627623A NZ 62762314 A NZ62762314 A NZ 62762314A NZ 627623 B NZ627623 B NZ 627623B
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- inspection device
- camera
- axis
- inspection
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 255
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004091 panning Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 claims 2
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- 230000037250 Clearance Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000035512 clearance Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001413 cellular Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000012447 hatching Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
Disclosed is a remotely operable inspection device (10) for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle. The inspection device (10) is comprised of a device controller (not shown) configured to control operation of the inspection device (10); a shuttle (12) having first (18) and second (20) parts; and a camera module. The first part (18) of the shuttle (12) is arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis (32) on a surface under a frame of a vehicle. The second part (20) of the shuttle (12) is engaged or engageable with the first part (18). At least part of the second part (20) is arranged to move relative to the first part (18) substantially along a horizontally-extending second axis (40) transverse to the first axis (32). The shuttle (12) is movable between at least a narrow configuration for moving the shuttle (12) under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration (as shown). The first (18) and second (20) parts are arranged such that, when extended, an end of the second part (20) projects out from the side of the first part (18) along the second axis (40). The camera module has a camera (54) configured to generate image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera (54) being movable with the second part (20) relative to the first part (18). amera module. The first part (18) of the shuttle (12) is arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis (32) on a surface under a frame of a vehicle. The second part (20) of the shuttle (12) is engaged or engageable with the first part (18). At least part of the second part (20) is arranged to move relative to the first part (18) substantially along a horizontally-extending second axis (40) transverse to the first axis (32). The shuttle (12) is movable between at least a narrow configuration for moving the shuttle (12) under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration (as shown). The first (18) and second (20) parts are arranged such that, when extended, an end of the second part (20) projects out from the side of the first part (18) along the second axis (40). The camera module has a camera (54) configured to generate image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera (54) being movable with the second part (20) relative to the first part (18).
Description
DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING AN UNDERBODY OF A
VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for inspecting an underbody
of a vehicle.
In particular, a preferred form of the present invention relates to a device, a system and a
method for performing and recording a visual inspection of an underbody of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
The underbodies of motor vehicles, such as cars, buses and trucks, need to be regularly
inspected. The inspections may be part of a regulatory safety inspection regime, or part of a
preventative maintenance programme.
In New Zealand, for example, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) oversees periodic
safety inspections of registered vehicles that use public roads. Most passenger vehicles are
legally required to obtain a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) from the NZTA or an NZTA-approved
agent every six or twelve months. A WOF is a document certifying that a vehicle has passed
a prescribed inspection of safety and roadworthiness. Commercial or heavy vehicles are
similarly required to obtain a certificate of fitness (COF).
The existing WOF inspection process involves an inspector raising a vehicle with a hoist or
jack so the inspector can view the underbody of the vehicle. Alternatively, the inspector may
enter a pit below the vehicle. The inspector then visually inspects the underbody of the
vehicle, including the wheels, the tyres, structural components, suspension components,
steering components and the exhaust system. The inspector determines if the vehicle is in a
condition that satisfies various safety and roadworthiness criteria, or if repairs are required to
bring the vehicle up to or maintain the vehicle in a safe condition.
One problem of existing regulatory inspections is the time taken to complete each vehicle
inspection. Often an inspector is required to interchange several times between a position in
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which the inspector can operate the vehicle, such as in the driver's seat, and a position from
which the inspector can view the underbody of the vehicle. Also, for some checks, two
inspectors are required. A first inspector may be required to operate the vehicle from within
the vehicle while a second inspector observes the underbody of the vehicle. The inspections
can therefore take considerable time and/or be expensive.
Also, an inspector may not be able to safely to view the underbody of the vehicle during
some testing procedures, such as when the vehicle is being tested on a roller brake machine.
Another problem is that the inspections are often subjective. The inspection results typically
cannot be reliably checked or compared later to previous inspection results. It may be
desirable, for example, to review the results of an earlier inspection of a vehicle when the
vehicle has been involved in an accident. Nor can results of previous inspections be readily
checked, for example, when auditing inspections and/or inspectors.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention seeks to address or mitigate one or more of
the above problems.
Additionally or alternatively, an embodiment of the present invention seeks to at least provide
the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a remotely operable inspection device for inspecting an
underbody of a vehicle, the inspection device comprising: a device controller configured to
control operation of the inspection device; a shuttle having first and second parts, the first
part arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis on a surface
under a frame of a vehicle, the second part engaged or engageable with the first part and at
least part of the second part being arranged to move relative to the first part substantially
along a horizontally-extending second axis, the first axis being transverse to the second axis,
the shuttle being movable between at least a narrow configuration for moving the shuttle
under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration, and the first and second parts
being arranged so that, in the extended configuration: a first end of the second part is further
away, in a direction along the second axis, from a middle of the first part than the first end of
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the second part is in the narrow configuration, and the first end of the second part is located
beyond an end of the first part in the direction along the second axis; and a camera module
having a camera and being configured to generate image data representing at least a part of an
underbody of a vehicle, the camera being movable with the second part relative to the first
part.
In one embodiment, the camera module is configured to transmit image data via at least one
communications network.
In one embodiment, the second part is arranged to move relative to the first part substantially
along a vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera vertically towards or away from at
least a part of an underbody of a vehicle.
In one embodiment, the camera module comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to
the second part, the caddy being arranged to move relative to the second part substantially
along a vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera vertically towards or away from at
least a part of an underbody vehicle.
In one embodiment, the camera module comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to
the second part, the caddy being arranged to move relative to the second part substantially
along the vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera towards or away from at least a
part of an underbody vehicle.
In one embodiment, the caddy is arranged to move substantially along the vertically-
extending axis so as to move the camera between at least a retracted position in which at least
a part of the camera is substantially below a top region of the second part and a raised
position in which the part of the camera is substantially above the top region of the second
part.
In one embodiment, the caddy is arranged to move relative to the at least part of the second
part substantially along the second axis so the camera is movable relative to the at least part
of the second part substantially along the second axis.
In one embodiment, the camera module comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to
the at least part of the second part, the caddy being arranged to move relative to the second
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part substantially along the second axis so the camera is movable relative to the at least part
of the second part substantially along the second axis.
In one embodiment, the camera is movable, substantially along the second axis, between a
first position at or near the first end of the at least part of the second part and a second
position at or near a second end of the at least part of the second part.
In one embodiment, the camera has a generally vertically-extending pan axis, and the camera
is configured to rotate relative to the second part about the pan axis.
In one embodiment, the camera has a generally horizontally-extending tilt axis, and the
camera is configured to rotate relative to the second part about the tilt axis.
In one embodiment, the camera is arranged to zoom in and out.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises at least one guard arranged to protect the
camera from colliding with a vehicle when the inspection device is moving.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises at least one sensor arranged on or near
the guard, the sensor being configured to detect if the guard collides with a vehicle when the
inspection device is moving.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a tyre tread gauge for measuring a tread
depth of at least a part of a tyre of a vehicle.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a tyre tread module configured to
generate tread data representing the measured tread depth; wherein the tyre tread module
comprises the tyre tread gauge, and the tyre tread module is configured to transmit the tread
data via at least one communications network.
In one embodiment, the tyre tread gauge has an indicator that visually indicates the measured
tread depth, and the camera module is configured to generate image data representing the
measured tread depth shown on the indicator, and configured to transmit the image data
representing the measured tread depth.
In one embodiment, the tyre tread gauge is mounted to the second part.
In one embodiment, the tyre tread gauge is mounted to the caddy.
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In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises one or more lights for illuminating an
underbody of a vehicle.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a microphone module having a
microphone configured to generate audio data representing sound emanating from a vehicle
during inspection of an underbody of the vehicle, the microphone module being configured to
transmit the audio data via at least one communications network.
In one embodiment, the microphone is mounted to the caddy or the second part.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a power supply for supplying power to
the inspection device.
In one embodiment, the inspection device is configured to be powered by an external power
supply.
In one embodiment, the first part comprises a trolley, the trolley being arranged to engage a
track that extends substantially along the first axis.
In one embodiment, the trolley has at least one wheel that is arranged to engage a track that
extends substantially along the first axis.
The present invention further provides an inspection system configured to inspect an
underbody of a vehicle, the system comprising: an inspection device as defined above; a
system controller configured to control operation of the inspection device, the system
controller comprising or being connected to the device controller, the system controller being
configured to receive at least image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a
vehicle from the camera module of the inspection device; and at least one user device
connected to the system controller via at least one communications network.
In one embodiment, the system controller is configured so an inspector can control operation
of the inspection device using the user device, from a location remote from the inspection
device.
In one embodiment, the user device comprises a display, and the system controller is
configured so an inspector can view on the display, from a location remote from the
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inspection device, one or more images corresponding to image data representing at least a
part of an underbody of a vehicle received from the inspection device.
In one embodiment, the user device comprises a speaker, and the system controller is
configured so an inspector can listen, from a location remote from the inspection device, to
sound corresponding to audio data representing sound emanating from a vehicle received
from the inspection device.
In one embodiment, the user device comprises at least one of a desktop computing device, a
laptop, a tablet and a smart phone device.
In one embodiment, the system controller comprises: computer memory; and a server
connected to the computer memory, the server being configured to receive at least image data
representing at least a part of an underbody of one or more vehicles from the camera module
of the inspection device over a period of time, and to store image data representing at least a
part of a underbody of the one or more vehicles in the computer memory.
In one embodiment, the server is configured so an inspector can access image data stored in
the computer memory via the server, using the user device, from a location remote from the
inspection device.
In one embodiment, the server is configured so that an inspector can access the server using
the user device via a web interface, from a location remote from the inspection device.
In one embodiment, the system comprises a wheel roller bed configured to rotate at least one
wheel of a vehicle.
In one embodiment, the system controller is connected to the wheel roller bed and configured
to control operation of the wheel roller bed during inspection of an underbody of a vehicle.
In one embodiment, the system controller is configured so that an inspector can control
operation of the wheel roller bed using the user device, from a location remote from the
inspection device.
In one embodiment, the system controller is configured so an inspector can control a speed of
the wheel roller bed using the user device, from a location remote from the inspection device.
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In one embodiment, the wheel roller bed comprises a tyre tread gauge arranged to measure
the tread depth of a tyre as the tyre is being rotated by the wheel roller bed, the tyre tread
gauge being configured to transmit tyre tread data representing the measured tread depth to
the system controller.
In one embodiment, the system comprises a track that extends substantially along the
horizontally-extending first axis of the inspection device, the inspection device being engaged
or engaeable with the track so that the inspection device can move substantially along the
first axis on a surface under a frame of a vehicle by traversing along the track.
The present invention further provides a method of inspecting an underbody of a vehicle
using an inspection device, the inspection device comprising: a remotely operable device
controller configured to control operation of the inspection device; a shuttle having first and
second parts, the first part arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first
axis on a surface under a frame of the vehicle, the second part engaged or engageable with
the first part and at least part of the second part being arranged to move relative to the first
part substantially along a horizontally-extending second axis, the first axis being transverse to
the second axis, the shuttle being movable between at least a narrow configuration for
moving the shuttle under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration, and a camera
module having a camera and being configured to generate image data representing at least a
part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera being movable with the second part relative to
the first part; wherein the method comprises: with the shuttle in the narrow configuration,
moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along the first axis, substantially between
wheel tracks of the vehicle; moving the shuttle from the narrow configuration to the extended
configuration by moving the at least part of the second part relative to the first part
substantially along the second axis so that a first end of the second part substantially extends
over one of the wheel tracks of the vehicle; and with the shuttle in the extended
configuration, generating image data representing at least a part of the underbody of the
vehicle.
In one embodiment, moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along the first axis
comprises moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along a longitudinally-extending
axis of the vehicle, so the at least part of the second part is located substantially beyond at
least a first region that extends between opposed wheels of the vehicle and transversely to the
longitudinally-extending axis.
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The present invention still further provides a method of inspecting an underbody of a vehicle
using an inspection device, the inspection device comprising: a remotely operable device
controller configured to control operation of the inspection device; a shuttle having first and
second parts, the first part arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first
axis on a surface under a frame of the vehicle, the second part engaged or engageable with
the first part and at least part of the second part being arranged to move relative to the first
part substantially along a horizontally-extending second axis, the first axis being transverse to
the second axis, the shuttle being movable between at least a narrow configuration for
moving the shuttle under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration, and a camera
module having a camera and being configured to generate image data representing at least a
part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera being movable with the second part relative to
the first part; wherein the method comprises: with the shuttle in the narrow configuration,
moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along the first axis, between adjacent
wheels on one side of the vehicle; moving the shuttle from the narrow configuration to the
extended configuration by moving the at least part of the second part relative to the first part
substantially along the second axis so that a first end of the second part substantially extends
into at least a first region that extends between opposed wheels of the vehicle and
transversely to a longitudinally-extending axis of the vehicle; and with the shuttle in the
extended configuration, generating image data representing at least a part of the underbody of
a vehicle.
In one embodiment, moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along the first axis
comprises moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along a transversely-extending
axis of the vehicle, so the at least part of the second part is located substantially beyond the
wheel track defined by the adjacent wheels.
In one embodiment, moving the shuttle to the extended configuration comprises moving the
at least part of the second part relative to the first part to move the first end of the second part
further away, in a direction along the second axis, from a middle of the first part than the first
end of the second part is in the narrow configuration.
In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting image data from the camera module
via at least one communications network.
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In one embodiment, the method comprises storing image data transmitted from the camera
module in computer memory, the computer memory being remote from the inspection device.
In one embodiment, the method comprises moving the camera relative to the second part
substantially along a vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera vertically towards or
away from the least a part of the underbody of the vehicle.
In one embodiment, moving the camera relative to the second part substantially along the
vertically-extending axis comprises moving the camera between at least a retracted position
in which at least a part of the camera is substantially below a top region of the second part
and a raised position in which the part of the camera is substantially above the top region of
the second part.
In one embodiment, the method comprises moving the camera relative to the at least part of
the second part, substantially along the second axis.
In one embodiment, moving the camera relative to the at least part of the second part,
substantially along the second axis, comprises moving the camera to a first position at or near
the first end of the at least part of the second part or a second position at or near a second end
of the at least part of the second part.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to
the second part, and moving the camera relative to the second part comprises moving at least
a part of the caddy relative to the second part.
In one embodiment, the method comprises one or more of: panning the camera about a
generally vertically-extending pan axis; tilting the camera about a generally horizontally-
extending tilt axis, and zooming the camera in or out.
In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a tyre tread module configured to
generate tread data representing the tread depth of a tyre, the tyre tread module having a tyre
tread gauge for measuring tread depth; and the method comprises measuring the tread depth
of at least one tyre of the vehicle using the tyre tread gauge.
In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting tread data from the tyre tread module
via at least one communications network.
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In one embodiment, the inspection device comprises a microphone module having a
microphone configured to generate audio data representing sound emanating from a vehicle
during inspection of the underbody of the vehicle, and the method comprises transmitting the
audio data via at least one communications network.
In one embodiment, the method comprises an inspector using a user device to control
operation of the inspection device to perform the method, from a location remote of the
inspection device.
The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in
part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term
‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can
also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be interpreted in a
similar manner.
The term 'connected to' includes all direct or indirect types of communication, including
wired and wireless, via a cellular network, via a data bus, or any other computer structure. It
is envisaged that they may be intervening elements between the connected integers. Variants
such as 'in communication with', 'joined to', and 'attached to' are to be interpreted in a similar
manner.
The term 'computer-readable medium' should be taken to include a single medium or multiple
media. Examples of multiple media include a centralised or distributed database and/or
associated caches. These multiple media store the one or more sets of computer executable
instructions. The term 'computer readable medium' should also be taken to include any
medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by
a processor and that cause the processor to perform any one or more of the methods described
above. The computer-readable medium is also capable of storing, encoding or carrying data
structures used by or associated with these sets of instructions. The term 'computer-readable
medium' includes solid-state memories, optical media and magnetic media.
It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also
incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9,
4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for
example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly
disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is
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specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest
value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this
application in a similar manner.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and
widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The
disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any
sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents
in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be
incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that
noun.
As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.
The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the
following gives examples only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an inspection device for inspecting an underbody of a
vehicle, a shuttle of the inspection device being in a narrow and low configuration;
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a
wide and tall configuration;
Figure 3 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a narrow and
low configuration;
Figure 4 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a narrow and
low configuration, showing a camera of the device in alternative locations;
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Figure 5 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a narrow and
low configuration, showing the camera in a raised position;
Figure 6 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a narrow and
tall configuration, showing the camera in a raised position;
Figure 7 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a narrow and
tall configuration, showing the camera in a retracted position;
Figure 8 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a first wide
and low configuration and the camera being in a retracted position;
Figure 9 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a second
wide and low configuration and the camera being in a retracted position;
Figure 10 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a first wide
and tall configuration and the camera being in a retracted position;
Figure 11 is a front view of the inspection device of figure 1, the shuttle being in a second
wide and tall configuration and the camera being in a retracted position;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the camera of the inspection device of figure 1 showing the
modes of movement of the camera;
Figure 13 is a simplified block diagram of a system for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle;
Figure 14 is a plan schematic view of the inspection device of figure 1 being used to inspect
an underbody of a vehicle, with the wheels of the vehicle being shown in solid and the rest of
the vehicle being shown in outline, and the inspection device arranged to move under the
frame of the vehicle between wheel tracks of the vehicle and along a longitudinally-extending
axis of the vehicle;
Figure 15 is a side view of the inspection device of figure 14 under the frame of the vehicle;
Figure 16 is a schematic side view of an alternative wheel roller bed that may be integrated
with the system of figure 13, the wheel roller bed having a tyre tread gauge arranged to
automatically measure tyre tread depth;
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Figure 17 is a plan schematic view of the inspection device of figure 1 being used to inspect
an underbody of a vehicle with the wheels of the vehicle being shown in solid and the rest of
the vehicle being shown in outline, and the inspection device being alternatively arranged to
move under the frame of the vehicle from a side of the vehicle between adjacent wheels on
one side of the vehicle and along a transversely extending axis of the vehicle;
Figure 18 is a simplified block diagram of an example form of a computing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Inspection device
An inspection device 10 that is remotely operable by an inspector to inspect an underbody of
a vehicle is shown in figures 1 to 12. The inspection device 10 may be part of an inspection
system, such as the inspection system shown in figures 13 to 16.
The inspection device 10 comprises a device controller, a shuttle 12, a camera module 14
configured to generate image data representing an underbody of the vehicle, one or more
lights for illuminating the underbody, a tyre tread module 16 for generating tread data
representing a tread depth of a tyre of the vehicle, and a microphone module configured to
generate audio data representing sound emanating from the vehicle during inspection of the
vehicle.
Device controller
The device controller (not shown) is configured to control the operation of the inspection
device 10, including movement of the inspection device by controlling the operation of one
or more electric motors. The device controller is configured to transmit and receive
information, such as to and from a remotely located system controller for example, when
inspecting a vehicle.
Shuttle
The shuttle 12 is configured to move under the frame of a vehicle being inspected. The
shuttle 12 has a lower first part 18, and an upper second part 20. The first and second parts
18, 20 are both elongate members. The first part 18 has first and second ends 22, 24 either
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side of a middle 26 of the first part 18, the middle 26 corresponding to a centrally-located,
vertical axis extending through the first part 18. The second part 20 similarly has first and
second ends 28, 30.
The first part 18 is arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis 32
in either direction. When the inspection device 10 is being used to inspect a vehicle, the first
axis 32 may correspond to a central, longitudinal axis of the vehicle between the tracks of the
wheels of the vehicle for example. Alternatively, as will be discussed below, the first axis
may correspond to a central, transverse axis of the vehicle. In one form of the shuttle 12, the
first part 18 is a trolley arranged to engage a guide or track 34. The trolley has one or more
wheels 36 for engaging the track 34. The wheels may be driven by at least one electrical
motor (not shown) to move the trolley along the track 34.
The second part 20 is engaged or engageable with the first part 18 via interconnecting
members in the form of pivoting linkage arms or levers 38. The second part 20 is arranged to
move relative to the first part 18 substantially along a horizontally-extending second axis 40.
The first axis 32 is transverse to the second axis 40. Preferably, the first axis 32 is
substantially perpendicular to the second axis 40. The second part 20 may be driven by at
least one electrical motor (not shown) to move the second part 20, substantially along the
second axis 40, relative to the first part 18.
With reference to figures 2, 8 and 9, the second part 20 has first and second telescoping
sections 42, 44 arranged relative to one another for telescoping movement of the second part
along the second axis 40 relative to the first part 18. The first section 42 is connected to
the first part 18 by the arms 38. The second section 44 is in the form of a generally U-shaped
channel member that is slidably engaged with the first section 42 to slide, substantially along
the second axis 40, relative to the first section 42.
Narrow and wide (or extended) configurations
The shuttle 12 is movable between at least a narrow configuration shown in figures 1 and 3 to
7, and one or more wide or extended configurations shown in figures 2 and 8 to 11. The
shuttle 12 may be moved to any configuration between the extended configurations shown in
figures 8 and 9 and figures 10 and 11.
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When the inspection device 10 is being used to inspect a vehicle, in the narrow configuration,
the shuttle 12 is advantageously sufficiently narrow to move under a frame of a vehicle
within the tracks of the wheels of the vehicle.
The width of the shuttle 12 (indicated by the reference number 46 in figure 3) in the narrow
configuration shown in figures 1 and 3 to 7, including the wheels 36, is about 900mm. The
length of the first part 18, measured from the first end 22 to the second end 24 along the
second axis 40, may be about 900mm less the widths of the wheels 36, for example. The
length of the first and second sections 42, 44 of the second part 20 in the narrow
configuration may also be about 900mm less the widths of the wheels 36, for example. It
will be understood the width 46 of the shuttle 12 in the narrow configuration could be greater
or less to suit wider or narrower vehicles. Also the lengths of the first part 18 and the second
part 20 could be different to one another. That is, the first part 18 could be longer than the
second part 20, or the second part 20 could be longer than the first part 18.
In the wide condition(s) of the shuttle 12, the second section 44 of the second part 20 may
extend to, over or beyond the wheel tracks of a vehicle being inspected. The second part 20
may be moved to extend outwards from the first part 18 by at least 600mm in each direction,
for example, as indicated by the reference number 48 in figure 8 and the reference number 48
in figure 9.
In the wide configuration shown in figure 8, for example, the first end 28 of the second
section 44 of the second part 20 is further away, in a direction along the second axis 40, from
the middle 26 of the first part 18 than the first end 28 is in the narrow configuration. The first
end 28 is also located beyond the first end 22 of the first part 18 in the direction along the
second axis 40.
Alternatively, in the wide configuration of the shuttle 12 shown in figure 9, the second end 30
of the second section 44 of the second part 20 is similarly further away, in a direction along
the second axis 40, from the middle 26 of the first part 18 than the second end 30 is in the
narrow configuration. The second end 30 is also located beyond the second end 24 of the
first part 18 in the direction along the second axis 40.
Low and tall configurations
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The second part 20 of the shuttle 12 is also arranged to move relative to the first part 18
substantially along a vertically-extending axis 50 so that the shuttle 12 is movable between at
least a low configuration shown in figures 1, 3 to 5, 8 and 9, and a tall configuration shown in
figures 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11. The shuttle 12 may be moved to any configuration between the
low configuration shown in figures 1, 3 to 5, 8 and 9 and the fully-extended tall configuration
shown in figures 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11. The second part 20 is movable relative to the first part 18
substantially along the vertically extending axis 50 by rotating the arms 38 about the first part
18, causing the second part 20 to move vertically away from or towards the first part 18. The
rotation of the arms 38 may be driven by at least one electrical motor (not shown) to move
the second part 20, substantially along the vertically-extending axis 50, relative to the first
part 18.
In the low configuration shown in figures 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9, the overall height of the device 10
(indicated by the reference number 52 in figure 3) may be about 95mm or less, for example,
so that the shuttle 12 can advantageously be moved along the ground under the frame of most
vehicles when the shuttle 12 is in the low configuration. The minimum ground clearance of a
vehicle in New Zealand is 100mm. Alternatively the overall height of the device 10 in the
low configuration may be greater when the device 10 is used for vehicles with greater ground
clearance.
In the tall configuration shown in figures 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11, the second part 20 may raised
vertically relative to the first part 18 by at least 300mm (from the low configuration) to move
the second part 20 closer to the vehicle when inspecting high ground clearance vehicles. The
ground clearance of utility vehicles (or 'utes') and four wheel drive vehicles, for example, is
typically about 200 mm to 250mm. The ground clearance of trucks is normally even larger.
Camera module
The camera module 14 has a camera 54 in the form of a video camera. The camera 54 is
arranged to take both video images and still images. When a vehicle is being inspected, the
camera 54 is arranged to generate image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a
vehicle. The camera module 14 is configured to transmit the image data in real-time to a
remotely located system controller and/or user device.
The camera module 14 comprises a caddy 56 that holds the camera 54 relative to the second
part 20 so the camera 54 is movable with the second part 20 relative to the first part 18. The
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caddy 56 has a body 58 slidably mounted on the second part 20, a platform 60, guards 62,
and telescoping arms 64 for raising and lowering the platform 60 relative to the body 58. The
camera 54 is mounted on the platform 60.
The guards 62 are located on sides of the camera 54 and preferably extend to at least the
height of the camera 54 to protect the camera 54. The inspection device 10 may further
comprise sensors (not shown) on or near the guards 62. When inspecting a vehicle with the
inspection device 10, if the sensors detect the guards 62 colliding with the vehicle, the
sensors may be configured to transmit an error signal to a system controller to stop movement
of the inspection device. The sensors may also be configured to trigger an alarm, such as an
audible or visual alarm. The sensors on or near the guards 62 may be arranged to detect
contact with the vehicle when the camera 54 is moving horizontally, in substantially any
horizontally-extending direction, or upwardly towards the vehicle.
The caddy 56 is arranged to slidably move relative to the second part 20 substantially along
the second axis 40, so as to move the camera 54 with the caddy 56 relative to the second part
20. The camera 54 is movable, substantially along the second axis 40, between a first
position at or near the first end 28 of the second section 44 of the second part 20 (shown in
figure 10) and a second position at or near the second end 30 of the second section 44 of the
second part 20 (shown in figure 11). The camera 54 may be moved relative to the second
part 20 along the second axis 40 to any position between the first position (figure 10) and the
second position (figure 11). When a vehicle is being inspected, this movement enables the
camera 54 to be traversed at least about 2,100mm, for example, from one side/end to the
other side/end of the vehicle. The caddy 56 may be driven by at least one electrical motor
(not shown) to move the caddy 56, substantially along the second axis 40, relative to the
second part 20.
The caddy 56 is also arranged to move the camera platform 60, substantially along a
vertically-extending axis 50, relative to the second part 20 by retracting and extending the
telescoping arms 64. The arms 64 may be retracted and extended by at least one electrical
motor (not shown). The camera platform 60 is movable to move the camera 54 between a
retracted position shown in figures 1, 3, 4 and 7 to 11 in which the camera 54 is located
substantially below a top or top region of the second part 20, and an extended position shown
in figures 2, 5 and 6 in which the camera 54 is located substantially above the top or top
region of the second part 20. The camera platform 60 may be moved to any position between
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the retracted position (figure 3) and the raised position (figure 5). During inspection of a
vehicle, for example, the camera 54 may be moved vertically relative to the second part 20
towards or away from a part of an underbody of the vehicle. The platform 60 may be raised
by up to 200mm relative to the second part 20, as indicated by the reference number in 66 in
figure 5. Raising the platform 60 relative to the second part 20 enables the camera 54 to be
positioned in between the components of a vehicle so an inspector can visually inspect the
performance of components, such as the performance of components under braking. Such
inspections may not be possible when manually inspecting the vehicle using existing
techniques because of safety and other reasons. The ability to raise the camera 54 may also
facilitate other exploratory inspection.
In total, the camera 54 may be positioned at least 600mm, for example, above ground level
for the inspection of vehicle underbody components and structure, as generally indicated by
the reference number 68 in figure 6.
Pan, tilt and zoom
With reference to figure 11, the video camera 54 is a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. The
camera 54 is rotatably mounted on the platform 60, so the device controller can operate the
camera 54 to rotate relative to the second part 20 both about a generally vertically-extending
axis 70 (pan) and a generally horizontally-extending axis 72 (tilt). In one form of the camera
module 14, the camera 54 can pan continuously clockwise or counter-clockwise around the
generally vertically-extending axis 70. There may no limit to the number of rotations about
the vertically-extending axis 70. The camera 54 may be arranged to tilt down from the
horizontal by at least about 45 degrees, for example, and up from the horizontal by at least
about 90 degrees, for example. The camera 54 is also arranged to zoom in and out. The
camera module 14 comprises one or more electrical motor(s) (not shown) for panning, tilting
and zooming the camera 54.
The inspection device 10 may also have one or more lights (not shown) for illuminating an
underbody of a vehicle during an inspection of the vehicle. The lights may be light emitting
diodes (LEDs), for example. The lights may be mounted to the caddy 56 adjacent to the
camera 54 to provide light and to also focus an inspector’s eyes on the components or
structure that the camera 54 is pointed at.
Tyre tread module
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The tyre tread module 16 comprises a tyre tread gauge or probe 74 for measuring the tread
depth of each wheel of a vehicle being inspected. The tyre tread gauge may be a mechanical
gauge or an optical gauge that is configured to optically scan the tyre, for example. The tyre
tread gauge 74 is mounted to and movable with the camera caddy 56. Alternatively, the tyre
tread gauge 74 may mounted to (and movable with) the second part 20, for example.
The tyre tread module 16 is configured to generate tyre tread data representing a tread depth
of each tyre. The tyre tread module 16 may also be configured to transmit the tread data to a
system controller and/or a user device.
Instead of the tyre tread module 16 automatically determining and transmitting tyre tread
data, alternatively the camera 54 may be used to record the tyre tread depth. The tyre tread
gauge 74 may have an indicator (not shown) that visually indicates the measured tread depth.
When inspecting a vehicle, the inspector can remotely move the inspection device 10 and
operate the camera 54. The inspector can position the tyre tread gauge 74 relative to a tyre,
using the camera 54 to ensure that the gauge 74 is positioned correctly. The inspector can
then take a still image of the indicator showing the reading of the tread gauge 74 with the
camera 54. The camera module 14 can then transmit the image data that is representative of
the tyre tread depth reading to a system controller and/or a user device.
Microphone module
The microphone module (not shown) comprises a microphone and is configured to generate
audio data representing sound emanating from a vehicle during inspection of an underbody of
the vehicle. The microphone module is further configured to transmit the audio data to a
system controller and/or a user device. The microphone may be mounted to the caddy 56, for
example, so the microphone is close to the camera 54.
When testing a vehicle, the microphone can pick up noises created by worn suspension
components, worn wheel bearings and steering components, for example. The microphone
may also pick up exhaust system leaks.
Power supply
The inspection device 10 may comprise its own power supply (not shown) for supplying
power to the inspection device 10, including the device controller, the electric motors, the
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camera module 14, the light(s), the tyre tread module 16, and the microphone module. The
power supply may be a rechargeable battery, for example.
Advantageously, the power supply, the electric motors for moving the shuttle 12 and moving
the caddy 56 relative to the shuttle 12, and the device controller are all substantially housed
within the first and/or second parts 18, 20. The device controller may include electronics for
transmitting and receiving data and control signals to control operation of the electric motors,
the camera module 14, the light(s), the tyre tread module 16 and the microphone module. It
will be understood that aspects of the device controller, the camera module 14, the tyre tread
module 16 and the microphone module may be at least partly implemented by an integrated
unit and/or share components.
Alternatively or additionally, the inspection device 10 may be coupled or couplable to an
external power supply via a cable (not shown).
Inspection system
With reference to figure 13 to 16, a system 80 for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle
comprises the inspection device 10, a system controller 82, at least one user device 84, and a
wheel roller bed 86.
System controller
The system controller 82 is configured to control the operation of the inspection device 10,
including movement of the inspection device 10, when inspecting a vehicle. The system
controller 82 is connected to the device controller of the inspection device 10 via at least one
communications network. In one form of the system, the system controller 82 may be
located remotely of the inspection device 10. Alternatively, at least part of the system
controller 82 may be physically located on or within the shuttle 12 for example, and/or share
components with and/or comprise the device controller for example.
The system controller 82 is configured to receive image data from the camera module 14.
The system controller 82 may also be configured to receive tread depth data from the tyre
tread module 16, and/or audio data from the microphone module.
The system controller 82 comprises a server 88 connected to computer memory 90
configured to store data, such as image data. The server 88 may also be configured to store
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tread depth data and/or audio data in the computer memory 90. The computer memory 90
may be a database, for example. The server 88 may be configured to receive image data
representing at least a part of an underbody of one or more vehicles from the camera module
14 of the inspection device 10 over a period of time, and to store the image data in the
computer memory 90.
User device(s)
The user device 84 is connected or connectable to the server 88 via the at least one
communications network. The user device 84 has a display (not shown) on which an
inspector or other user can view in real-time images corresponding to image data representing
the underbody of a vehicle. The user device 84 also has a speaker (not shown). The at least
one user device 84 may comprise, for example, one or more of a desktop computing device, a
laptop, a tablet and a smart phone device. Alternatively, the user device 84 may comprise
another computing device, such as purpose-built computing device.
The at least one communications network between the device controller, the system
controller and the user device may be any suitable wired or wireless communications network
or combination of wired or wireless networks. For example, the communications networks
may comprise a cellular network, a data bus, or any other computer structure. Examples of
communications networks include a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, or
a combination of networks.
The server 88 is configured so an inspector can access the server 88, using the user device 84,
from a location remote from the inspection device 10. The server 88 may configured so that
the user device 84 can access the server 88 via a web interface, for example.
The server 88 and the user device 84 are configured so an inspector can use the user device
84 to remotely control operation of the device controller, control operation of the inspection
device 10, and/or view image data of the underbody of the vehicle from the inspection device
. The inspector may be located in the driver's seat of the vehicle, for example, so the
inspector can operate the vehicle while viewing images of the underbody of the vehicle on
the user device 84.
Figure 18 shows a simplified block diagram of an example form of a computing device 200
that may form at least part of the server 88 and/or the user device 84.
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Sets of computer executable instructions are executed within device 200 that cause the device
200 to perform the methods described above. Preferably the computing device 200 is
connected to other devices. Where the device is networked to other devices, the device is
configured to operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client network
environment. Alternatively the device can operate as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or
distributed network environment. The device may also include any other machine capable of
executing a set of instructions that specify actions to be taken by that machine. These
instructions can be sequential or otherwise.
A single device 200 is shown in figure 15. The term 'computing device' includes any
collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set or multiple sets of instructions
to perform any one or more of the methods described above.
The example computing device 200 includes a processor 205. One example of a processor is
a central processing unit or CPU. The device further includes read-only memory (ROM) 210
and random access memory (RAM) 215. Also included is a Basic Input/Output System
(BIOS) chip 220. The processor 205, ROM 210, RAM 215 and the BIOS chip 220
communicate with each other via a central motherboard 225.
Computing device 200 further includes a power supply 230 which provides electricity to the
computing device 200. Power supply 230 may also be supplemented with a rechargeable
battery (not shown) that provides power to the device 200 in the absence of external power.
Also included are one or more drives 235. These drives include one or more hard drives
and/or one or more solid state flash hard drives. Drives 235 also include optical drives.
Network interface device 240 includes a modem and/or wireless card that permits the
computing device 200 to communicate with other devices. Computing device 200 may also
comprise a sound and/or graphics card 245 to support the operation of the data output device
260 described below. Computing device 200 further includes a cooling system 250 for
example a heat sink or fan.
Computing device 200 includes one or more data input devices 255. These devices include a
keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, mouse, and/or joystick. The device(s) take(s) input from
manual keypresses, user touch with finger(s) or stylus, spoken commands, gestures, and/or
movement/orientation of the device.
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Data output device(s) 260 include(s) a display and/or printer. Device(s) 260 may further
include computer executable instructions that cause the computing device 200 to generate a
data file such as a PDF file.
Data port 265 is able to receive a computer readable medium on which is stored one or more
sets of instructions and data structures, for example computer software. The software causes
the computing device 200 to perform one or more of the methods or functions described
herein. Data port 265 includes a USB port, Firewire port, or other type of interface. The
computer readable medium includes a solid state storage device. Where drives 235 include an
optical media drive, the computer readable medium includes a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-
ray, or other optical medium.
Software may also reside completely or at least partially within ROM 210, within erasable
non-volatile storage and/or within processor 205 during execution by the computing device
200. In this case ROM 210 and processor 205 constitute computer-readable tangible storage
media. Software may further be transmitted or received over a network via network interface
device 240. The data transfer uses any one of a number of well known transfer protocols. One
example is hypertext transfer protocol (http).
Wheel roller bed
With reference to figures 14 and 15, the wheel roller bed 86 has rollers 92 that are configured
to rotate at least one wheel of a vehicle. The wheel roller bed 86 has two sets 86a, 86b of
rollers 92 arranged to rotate wheels on either side of an axle (not shown). When inspecting a
vehicle, the wheel roller bed 86 may be configured to rotate wheels of the vehicle on the
rollers 92 at a predetermined speed.
The system controller 82 may be connected to the wheel roller bed 86, and configured to
control operation of the wheel roller bed 86 during inspection of a vehicle. In one form of
the system, the system controller 82 may be configured so an inspector using the user device
84 can remotely control the operation including the speed of the wheel roller bed 86 during
the inspection.
The wheel roller bed 86 can be operated remotely to enable the inspection of the whole
circumference of the tyre. The wheel roller bed 86 can rotate wheels of the vehicle at a
predetermined speed so that a remotely located inspector can view the whole circumference
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of the tyre for defects with the camera 54. Using the user device 84, an inspector or other
user can control the speed of the wheel roller bed 86, and stop the wheel roller bed 86 if
necessary for a detailed inspection of specific tyre defects.
A side view of a set of rollers 94a of an alternative wheel roller bed 94 for automatically
recording tread depth of a tyre 96 is shown in figure 16. The wheel roller bed 94 comprises
rollers 97 for rotating the tyre 96. The wheel roller bed 94 also comprises a tyre tread gauge
98 for automatically measuring the tread depth as the tyre 96 is rotated by the rollers 97. The
tyre tread gauge may be an optical gauge that uses reflected light to measure the tyre tread
depth. The tyre tread gauge 98 is advantageously configured to measure the tread depth of
the tyre 96 over a plurality of points across the width of the tyre 96 and around the
circumference of the tyre 96, such as by scanning across the tyre 96 as the tyre 96 is rotated.
The measured tread depth data may then be automatically transmitted to the system controller
82. Advantageously the server 88 is configured to store the tread depth data, and an inspector
can access the data using the user device 84.
Shuttle track
The system 80 may also comprise a guide or track 34 that extends substantially along the
horizontally-extending first axis 32 of the inspection device 10. The inspection device 10 is
engaged or engaeable with the track 34 so that the first part 18 of the inspection device 10
moves substantially along the first axis 18 on a surface under a frame of a vehicle by
traversing along the track 34.
As shown in figures 13 and 14 the track 34 may be mounted to the ground, such as a flat floor
of an inspection station or a garage, so the first axis 32 is aligned with a central, longitudinal
axis of a vehicle being inspected. The track 34 may be secured to the ground. The track 34
has two spaced apart track rails, but it will be understood the track 34 may have one or more
rails. The track 34 may extend typically for at least 3 to 4 metres, for example, so the
inspection device 10 can travel the full length of a vehicle being inspected.
Alternatively, the track 34 could be mounted over a pit (not shown) where the pit has already
been fitted. This arrangement would allow much higher vertical movements of the inspection
device 10 to be achieved.
Inspection method
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A first method of inspecting an underbody of a stationary vehicle 100 in the form of a car
using the system 80, including the inspection device 10, will now be described with reference
to figures 14 and 15. The underbody may include, for example, the wheels, the tyres,
structural components, suspension components, steering components and the exhaust system.
The vehicle 100 (shown in outline) is positioned so the track 34 along which the shuttle 12
runs is located between the tracks 102, 104 (indicated by hatching) of wheels 106, 108, 110,
112 of the vehicle 100. The tyres (also indicated using the reference numbers 106, 108, 110
and 112, and shown in solid) of the vehicle 100 travel along the wheel tracks 102, 104 when
the vehicle 100 is driven directly forwards or backwards.
The wheel tracks 102, 104 are generally aligned with a horizontally-extending, central
longitudinal axis (also reference number 32) of the vehicle 100. The rear wheels 110, 112 of
the vehicle 100 are located over the wheel roller bed 86. The inspection device 10 is initially
located in a first, home position, generally indicated by the reference number 116, in front of
the vehicle 100. The shuttle 12 is initially in the narrow and low configuration with the
camera 54 in the retracted position, as shown in figures 1, 3 and 4.
The inspection device 10 can be remotely controlled by the inspector, using the user device
84, to inspect an underbody 118 of the vehicle 100. The inspector may be located remotely
of the inspection device 10, such as in the driver's seat of the vehicle 100 so as to also operate
the vehicle 100 during the inspection. The inspector can view video and still images captured
by the camera 54 on the display of the user device 84, in real-time, while operating the device
. When the inspection is completed, the inspection device 10 may be automatically
configured to return to the home position 116. In the home position 116, the inspection
device 10 may be automatically couplable to an external power supply to recharge an internal
power supply of the inspection device 10. The external power supply may be located at or
near the system controller 80, for example.
To inspect the underbody 118, the shuttle 12 is moved from the home position 116, on the
track 34 along the first axis 32 that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100. In
the narrow configuration, the inspection device 10 can move along the ground under a frame
120 of the vehicle 100 and between the wheel tracks 102, 104 of the vehicle 100.
The inspection device 10 may be moved around to various positions under the frame 120 to
inspect components of the underbody 118 of interest. To inspect the tread of the rear
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tyre/wheel 112 for example, the shuttle 12 may be moved to a second, inspection position
generally indicated by the reference number 122. The shuttle 12 is moved beyond a front
region (indicated by the shaded area 124 in figure 14) between the front tyres/wheels 106,
108, to the inspection position 122 that is generally located intermediate the front region 124
and a rear region (indicated by the shaded area 126 in figure 14) between the rear
tyres/wheels 110, 112. The front region 124 extends between the opposed front tyres/wheels
106, 108 and transversely to the axis 32. The rear region 126 similarly extends between the
opposed rear wheels 110, 112 and transversely to the axis 32. The axles 128 of the front
wheels 106, 108 and axle 130 of the rear wheels 110, 112 are indicated schematically in
outline generally above the regions 124, 126.
In the inspection position 122, between the front and rear regions 124, 126, the inspection
device 10 can be moved to a wide or extended configuration (similar to the wide
configuration of the shuttle 12 shown in figure 9) without colliding with the tyres/wheels 108,
112. The inspection device 10 is moved to the wide configuration by moving the second part
20 of the shuttle 12, relative to the first part 18, along a second horizontally-extending axis 40
that extends transversely to the first axis 32. Preferably, the second axis 40 extends
substantially orthogonally to the first axis 32. The second part 20 moves towards a side of
the vehicle 100 along the second axis 40 by telescoping, relative to the first part 18.
The caddy 56 is also moved relative to the second part 20 along the second axis 40 to move
the camera 54 towards the tyre/wheel 112. The camera 54 is moved from at or near a middle
of the second part 20 in the home position 116, to at or near the second end 30 of the second
part 20 in the inspection position 122.
A side view of the rear wheel 112 with the inspection device 10 in the inspection position
122, under the frame 120 of the vehicle 100, is shown in figure 15. The camera 54 of the
inspection device 10 is focused on the tyre 112.
In the wide configuration of the shuttle 12 of the inspection device 10 at the inspection
position 122, the second part 20 extends over and/or beyond the wheel track 104 of the
wheels 108, 112, without colliding with the tyres/wheels 108, 112. The second end 30 of
second section 44 of the second part 20 is further away, in a direction along the second axis
40, from the middle 26 of the first part 18 than the second end 30 of the second part 20 is
when the shuttle 12 is in the narrow configuration shown at the first, home position 116. In
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figure 14, the shuttle 12 is arranged so that the middle 26 of the first part 18 generally
corresponds to the central longitudinal axis 32 of the vehicle 100. The second end 30 is also
located beyond the second end 24 of the first part 18 in the direction along the second axis 40
(as shown in figure 9).
If necessary, the camera 54 of the inspection device 10 can be moved vertically towards or
away from the vehicle 100 by moving the second part 20, relative to the first part 18,
substantially along a vertically extending axis 50. For example, the shuttle 12 could be
moved from the low configuration shown in figure 9 to the tall configuration shown in figure
The camera 54 of the inspection device 10 can also be moved vertically towards or away
from the vehicle 100 by raising or lowering the platform 60 on which the camera 54 is
mounted. For example, the platform 60 may be raised from the retracted position of the
camera 54 shown in figure 3, to the extended position shown in figures 2, 5 and 6.
The inspector may pan or tilt the camera 54 to point the camera 54 at other components of
interest. The inspector may also zoom the camera 54 in on or away from a component of
interest.
During inspection of the vehicle 100, the camera 54 can be controlled remotely using the user
device 84. The camera module 14 can be configured to start capturing video and/or still
images of the underbody 118 of the vehicle 100 at the start of the inspection process and to
finish at the end of the inspection process. The generated image data, in the form of the
captured video and/or still images, can optionally be processed by the server 88 and
transmitted to the remotely located user device 84 so the inspector can view video and/or still
images of the underbody 118 on the user device's display. Image data of components of
underbody 118 that need further attention or repair can be recorded. For example, image data
may be automatically stored by the system controller 82 in the database 90 so that the image
data can be retrieved at a later date for purposes such as auditing, training, or claims
verification. Alternatively, the system controller 82 may be configured to record the image
data on a separate video recorder for later retrieval.
The inspector can remotely operate the roller wheel bed 86 to rotate the wheels 106, 108,
110, 112 of the vehicle 100 so the inspector can view the whole circumference of the tyre of
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each wheel for defects. The inspector can manipulate the inspection device 10 to position the
camera 54 outside or inside the tyre wall as each wheel 106, 108, 110, 112 is being rotated.
The inspector can also use the camera 54 to accurately position the tread gauge 74 relative to
a tyre of each wheel 106, 108, 110, 112 of the vehicle 100. Using the camera 54 , the
inspector can view the tread gauge 74 to ensure that it is positioned correctly before taking a
reading of the tyre tread. The tyre tread measurements can be recorded by the system 80 so
that they can be retrieved later. For example, the tyre tread measurements may be stored in
the database 90. Alternatively, wheel roller bed 94 (shown in figure 16) may be used to
automatically determine and record the tread depths of the tyres.
As the vehicle 100 is being inspected, the microphone module is configured to generate and
transmit audio data representing sound emanating from the vehicle 100. During the
inspection, an inspector can listen to sound from the underbody 118 on the speaker of the
user device 84. The sound from the underbody 118 may enable the inspector to locate
exhaust leaks, air leaks and mechanical defects, for example. The transmitted audio data may
be stored by the system 80 with the corresponding image data so that that the audio data can
also be retrieved later.
The inspection device 10 may be configured so that it moves through a specific sequence
automatically so the inspector can concentrate on the inspection, rather than controlling the
operation and movement of the inspection device 10. During this automatic sequence option,
an inspector can interrupt the sequence so as to more closely examine a component. The
option of taking a still image is also available during the interrupt operation.
The inspection device 10 may also be configured so that if the sensors arranged on or near the
guards 62 detect a collision with the vehicle, the inspection device 10 stops moving. In the
event of a collision, the inspection device 10 may be configured to automatically retract and
return to the home position 116.
In figure 14, the shuttle 12 is shown in a wide or extended configuration at the inspection
position 122 intermediate the front tyre/wheel 108 and the rear tyre/wheel 112. However, it
will be understood that alternatively the shuttle 12 could be moved to a wide or extended
configuration in a position in front of the front tyres/wheels 106, 108 to inspect the tread of
one of the front tyres 106, 108 from in front for example. The shuttle 12 may be moved to
one of the wide or extended configurations shown in figures 2 and 8 to 11 for example.
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Alternatively, the shuttle 12 could be moved to a wide or extended configuration in a position
after the rear tyres 110, 112 to inspect the tread of one of the rear tyres/wheels 110, 112 from
behind. The camera 54 may be rotated 180 degrees relative to the second part 20 to point
back towards the tyre/wheel 110 (or 112).
The remotely operable inspection device 10 has a number of advantages. The inspection
device 10 can significantly reduce the time taken to inspect the underbody 118 of the vehicle
100. The inspection device 10 advantageously enables the underbody 118 to be inspected by
a single inspector with no assistance, because the inspection device 10 makes it possible for
the inspector to remotely and safely view the underbody 118 while operating the vehicle 100,
such as from the driver's seat, at the same time. The inspection device 10 can also be used to
automatically record vehicle inspections or parts of vehicle inspections, including video and
still images of the underbody 118, so that information can be readily accessed later.
Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, the description includes both example dimensions for some of the components
of the described inspection device 10 and ranges of movements. A person skilled in the art
will recognise that the example dimensions and ranges of movements have been included in
the description to assist a person skilled in the art in putting into practice exemplary
embodiments of the invention, and not as a limitation on the invention as defined in the
presently appended claims. For example, the dimensions of the inspection device could be
larger or smaller to suit larger or smaller vehicles. Further, it will be understood the words
vertical and horizontal, and variations thereof, have been used to describe the movements or
orientation of parts of the inspection device 10 when the inspecting device is arranged in its
normal orientation to inspect a vehicle.
Further, the inspection device 10 has been described above as moving on a track 34 along a
longitudinal axis 32 of the vehicle. However, with reference to figure 17, it will be
understood the inspection device 10 could alternatively move on a track 140 on an axis 142
that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100. The axis 142 may be
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle for example. The
inspection device may be initially located in a home position generally indicated by the
reference number 144, to the side of the vehicle 100. To inspect the inside wall of the
6573308_2.doc
tyre/wheel 108, for example, the inspection device 10 may move along the track 140 to an
inspection position generally indicated by the reference number 146. The inspection device
is moved to the inspection position 146 by moving under the frame 120, between the
adjacent wheels 106, 110 on one side of the vehicle 100, through the wheel track 102 of the
adjacent wheels 106, 110. In the inspection position 146, intermediate the wheel tracks 102,
104, the inspection device 10 can be moved to a wide or extended configuration (similar to
the wide configuration of the shuttle 12 shown in figure 9) without colliding with the
tyres/wheel 106, 108. In the wide configuration shown in figure 17, the second end 30 of the
second part 20 can be moved extend into and/or beyond the front region 124 between the
tyres/wheels 106, 108, without colliding with the tyres/wheels 106, 108.
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external
documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a
context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise,
reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as
an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are
prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.
6573308_2.doc
Claims (60)
1. A remotely operable inspection device for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle, the inspection device comprising: 5 a device controller configured to control operation of the inspection device; a shuttle having first and second parts, the first part arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis on a surface under a frame of a vehicle, the second part engaged or engageable with the first part and at least part of the second part being arranged to move relative to the first part substantially along a horizontally-extending second 10 axis, the first axis being transverse to the second axis, the shuttle being movable between at least a narrow configuration for moving the shuttle under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration, and the first and second parts being arranged so that, in the extended configuration: a first end of the second part is further away, in a direction along the second axis, 15 from a middle of the first part than the first end of the second part is in the narrow configuration, and the first end of the second part is located beyond an end of the first part in the direction along the second axis; and a camera module having a camera and being configured to generate image data 20 representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera being movable with the second part relative to the first part.
2. An inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera module is configured to transmit image data via at least one communications network.
3. An inspection device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second part is arranged to move relative to the first part substantially along a vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera vertically towards or away from at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle.
4. An inspection device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the camera module comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to the second part, the caddy being arranged 6573308_2.doc to move relative to the second part substantially along a vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera vertically towards or away from at least a part of an underbody vehicle.
5. An inspection device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the camera module comprises a 5 caddy that holds the camera relative to the second part, the caddy being arranged to move relative to the second part substantially along the vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera towards or away from at least a part of an underbody vehicle.
6. An inspection device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the caddy is arranged to 10 move substantially along the vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera between at least a retracted position in which at least a part of the camera is substantially below a top region of the second part and a raised position in which the part of the camera is substantially above the top region of the second part. 15
7. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claim 4 to 6, wherein the caddy is arranged to move relative to the at least part of the second part substantially along the second axis so the camera is movable relative to the at least part of the second part substantially along the second axis. 20
8. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein the camera module comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to the at least part of the second part, the caddy being arranged to move relative to the second part substantially along the second axis so the camera is movable relative to the at least part of the second part substantially along the second axis.
9. An inspection device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the camera is movable, substantially along the second axis, between a first position at or near the first end of the at least part of the second part and a second position at or near a second end of the at least part of the second part.
10. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the camera has a generally vertically-extending pan axis, and the camera is configured to rotate relative to the second part about the pan axis. 6573308_2.doc
11. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the camera has a generally horizontally-extending tilt axis, and the camera is configured to rotate relative to the second part about the tilt axis. 5
12. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the camera is arranged to zoom in and out.
13. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one guard arranged to protect the camera from colliding with a vehicle when the inspection 10 device is moving.
14. An inspection device as claimed in claim 13, comprising at least one sensor arranged on or near the guard, the sensor being configured to detect if the guard collides with a vehicle when the inspection device is moving.
15. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a tyre tread gauge for measuring a tread depth of at least a part of a tyre of a vehicle.
16. An inspection device as claimed in claim 15, comprising a tyre tread module 20 configured to generate tread data representing the measured tread depth; wherein the tyre tread module comprises the tyre tread gauge, and the tyre tread module is configured to transmit the tread data via at least one communications network. 25
17. An inspection device as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the tyre tread gauge has an indicator that visually indicates the measured tread depth, and the camera module is configured to generate image data representing the measured tread depth shown on the indicator, and configured to transmit the image data representing the measured tread depth. 30
18. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the tyre tread gauge is mounted to the second part.
19. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, when dependent on any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the tyre tread gauge is mounted to the caddy. 6573308_2.doc
20. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising one or more lights for illuminating an underbody of a vehicle. 5
21. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising a microphone module having a microphone configured to generate audio data representing sound emanating from a vehicle during inspection of an underbody of the vehicle, the microphone module being configured to transmit the audio data via at least one communications network. 10
22. An inspection device as claimed in claim 21, when dependent on any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the microphone is mounted to the caddy or the second part.
23. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, comprising a power supply for supplying power to the inspection device.
24. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the inspection device is configured to be powered by an external power supply.
25. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the first part 20 comprises a trolley, the trolley being arranged to engage a track that extends substantially along the first axis.
26. An inspection device as claimed in any one of claim 25, wherein the trolley has at least one wheel that is arranged to engage a track that extends substantially along the first axis.
27. An inspection system configured to inspect an underbody of a vehicle, the system comprising: an inspection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26; a system controller configured to control operation of the inspection device, the system 30 controller comprising or being connected to the device controller, the system controller being configured to receive at least image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle from the camera module of the inspection device; and at least one user device connected to the system controller via at least one communications network. 6573308_2.doc
28. An inspection system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the system controller is configured so an inspector can control operation of the inspection device using the user device, from a location remote from the inspection device.
29. An inspection system as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the user device comprises a display, and the system controller is configured so an inspector can view on the display, from a location remote from the inspection device, one or more images corresponding to image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle received 10 from the inspection device.
30. An inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 27-29, wherein the user device comprises a speaker, and the system controller is configured so an inspector can listen, from a location remote from the inspection device, to sound corresponding to audio data 15 representing sound emanating from a vehicle received from the inspection device.
31. An inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the user device comprises at least one of a desktop computing device, a laptop, a tablet and a smart phone device.
32. An inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the system controller comprises: computer memory; and a server connected to the computer memory, the server being configured to receive at 25 least image data representing at least a part of an underbody of one or more vehicles from the camera module of the inspection device over a period of time, and to store image data representing at least a part of a underbody of the one or more vehicles in the computer memory. 30
33. An inspection system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the server is configured so an inspector can access image data stored in the computer memory via the server, using the user device, from a location remote from the inspection device. 6573308_2.doc
34. An inspection system as claimed in claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the server is configured so that an inspector can access the server using the user device via a web interface, from a location remote from the inspection device. 5
35. An inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 34, comprising a wheel roller bed configured to rotate at least one wheel of a vehicle.
36. An inspection system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the system controller is connected to the wheel roller bed and configured to control operation of the wheel roller bed 10 during inspection of an underbody of a vehicle.
37. An inspection system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the system controller is configured so that an inspector can control operation of the wheel roller bed using the user device, from a location remote from the inspection device.
38. An inspection system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the system controller is configured so an inspector can control a speed of the wheel roller bed using the user device, from a location remote from the inspection device. 20
39. An inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the wheel roller bed comprises a tyre tread gauge arranged to measure the tread depth of a tyre as the tyre is being rotated by the wheel roller bed, the tyre tread gauge being configured to transmit tyre tread data representing the measured tread depth to the system controller. 25
40. An inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 39, comprising a track that extends substantially along the horizontally-extending first axis of the inspection device, the inspection device being engaged or engaeable with the track so that the inspection device can move substantially along the first axis on a surface under a frame of a vehicle by traversing along the track.
41. A method of inspecting an underbody of a vehicle using an inspection device, the inspection device comprising: a remotely operable device controller configured to control operation of the inspection device; 6573308_2.doc a shuttle having first and second parts, the first part arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis on a surface under a frame of the vehicle, the second part engaged or engageable with the first part and at least part of the second part being arranged to move relative to the first part substantially along a horizontally-extending second 5 axis, the first axis being transverse to the second axis, the shuttle being movable between at least a narrow configuration for moving the shuttle under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration, and a camera module having a camera and being configured to generate image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera being movable with the 10 second part relative to the first part; wherein the method comprises: with the shuttle in the narrow configuration, moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along the first axis, substantially between wheel tracks of the vehicle; moving the shuttle from the narrow configuration to the extended configuration by 15 moving the at least part of the second part relative to the first part substantially along the second axis so that a first end of the second part substantially extends over one of the wheel tracks of the vehicle; and with the shuttle in the extended configuration, generating image data representing at least a part of the underbody of the vehicle.
42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along the first axis comprises moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along a longitudinally-extending axis of the vehicle, so the at least part of the second part is located substantially beyond at least a first region that extends between opposed wheels of the vehicle 25 and transversely to the longitudinally-extending axis.
43. A method of inspecting an underbody of a vehicle using an inspection device, the inspection device comprising: a remotely operable device controller configured to control operation of the inspection 30 device; a shuttle having first and second parts, the first part arranged to move substantially along a horizontally-extending first axis on a surface under a frame of the vehicle, the second part engaged or engageable with the first part and at least part of the second part being 6573308_2.doc arranged to move relative to the first part substantially along a horizontally-extending second axis, the first axis being transverse to the second axis, the shuttle being movable between at least a narrow configuration for moving the shuttle under a frame of a vehicle, and an extended configuration, and 5 a camera module having a camera and being configured to generate image data representing at least a part of an underbody of a vehicle, the camera being movable with the second part relative to the first part; wherein the method comprises: with the shuttle in the narrow configuration, moving the shuttle under the frame of the 10 vehicle along the first axis, between adjacent wheels on one side of the vehicle; moving the shuttle from the narrow configuration to the extended configuration by moving the at least part of the second part relative to the first part substantially along the second axis so that a first end of the second part substantially extends into at least a first region that extends between opposed wheels of the vehicle and transversely to a 15 longitudinally-extending axis of the vehicle; and with the shuttle in the extended configuration, generating image data representing at least a part of the underbody of a vehicle.
44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein moving the shuttle under the frame of the 20 vehicle along the first axis comprises moving the shuttle under the frame of the vehicle along a transversely-extending axis of the vehicle, so the at least part of the second part is located substantially beyond the wheel track defined by the adjacent wheels.
45. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein moving the shuttle to the 25 extended configuration comprises moving the at least part of the second part relative to the first part to move the first end of the second part further away, in a direction along the second axis, from a middle of the first part than the first end of the second part is in the narrow configuration. 30
46. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 45, comprising transmitting image data from the camera module via at least one communications network. 6573308_2.doc
47. A method as claimed in claim 46, comprising storing image data transmitted from the camera module in computer memory, the computer memory being remote from the inspection device. 5
48. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 47, comprising moving the camera relative to the second part substantially along a vertically-extending axis so as to move the camera vertically towards or away from the least a part of the underbody of the vehicle.
49. A method as claimed in claim 46, wherein moving the camera relative to the second 10 part substantially along the vertically-extending axis comprises moving the camera between at least a retracted position in which at least a part of the camera is substantially below a top region of the second part and a raised position in which the part of the camera is substantially above the top region of the second part. 15
50. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 49, comprising moving the camera relative to the at least part of the second part, substantially along the second axis.
51. A method as claimed in claim 50, wherein moving the camera relative to the at least part of the second part, substantially along the second axis, comprises moving the camera to a 20 first position at or near the first end of the at least part of the second part or a second position at or near a second end of the at least part of the second part.
52. A method as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 51, wherein the inspection device comprises a caddy that holds the camera relative to the second part, and moving the camera 25 relative to the second part comprises moving at least a part of the caddy relative to the second part.
53. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 52, comprising one or more of: panning the camera about a generally vertically-extending pan axis; 30 tilting the camera about a generally horizontally-extending tilt axis, and zooming the camera in or out. 6573308_2.doc
54. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 53, wherein the inspection device comprises a tyre tread module configured to generate tread data representing the tread depth of a tyre, the tyre tread module having a tyre tread gauge for measuring tread depth; and the method comprises measuring the tread depth of at least one tyre of the vehicle using 5 the tyre tread gauge.
55. A method as claimed in claim 54, comprising transmitting tread data from the tyre tread module via at least one communications network. 10
56. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein the inspection device comprises a microphone module having a microphone configured to generate audio data representing sound emanating from a vehicle during inspection of the underbody of the vehicle, and the method comprises transmitting the audio data via at least one communications 15 network.
57. A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 56, comprising an inspector using a user device to control operation of the inspection device to perform the method, from a location remote of the inspection device.
58. An inspection device for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle, the inspection device being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
59. An inspection system for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle, the system being 25 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
60. A method of inspecting an underbody of a vehicle using an inspection device, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 6573308_2.doc
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NZ627623A NZ627623B (en) | 2014-07-18 | Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle | |
PCT/NZ2015/050094 WO2016010441A1 (en) | 2014-07-18 | 2015-07-17 | Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle |
AU2015290285A AU2015290285B2 (en) | 2014-07-18 | 2015-07-17 | Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle |
EP15822271.1A EP3169985B1 (en) | 2014-07-18 | 2015-07-17 | Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NZ627623A NZ627623B (en) | 2014-07-18 | Device, system and method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ627623A NZ627623A (en) | 2016-02-26 |
NZ627623B true NZ627623B (en) | 2016-05-27 |
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