Patents by Inventor Volker Uffenkamp

Volker Uffenkamp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8650766
    Abstract: A target system for optical chassis alignment includes a target and a target mounting element having a target receiving element to which the target is attached. The target mounting element is attachable to a wheel of a motor vehicle so that the target is aligned at an angle to the wheel center plane. A significant mark at a known distance from a reference plane and at least two additional undetermined marks are situated on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20130342686
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a measuring system for measuring a vehicle, including a measuring plane for accommodating a vehicle to be measured and two measuring sensors, each of the measuring sensors having at least two camera systems, includes: positioning at least four measuring panels on the measuring plane; orienting the measuring sensors such that at least one measuring panel is in view of each camera system, and each measuring panel is in view of at least one camera system; carrying out a first measuring step of recording images of the measuring panels; interchanging the two measuring sensors; carrying out a second measuring step of recording images of the measuring panels; determining and comparing positions of the measuring panels recorded in the first and second measuring steps; and calculating at least one correction value from the difference between the positions recorded in the first and second measuring steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Wagmann, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 8578765
    Abstract: The following features may be carried out: providing a wheel suspension alignment system having four measuring heads situated in a known position with respect to one another; recording a wheel or a measuring target mounted on it in an initial position of the vehicle; shifting the vehicle from the initial position to at least one further position; recording a wheel, or a measuring target mounted on it, of the vehicle standing in the further position; recording a reference target in at least one of the initial position and the further position of the vehicle, and determining from this an absolute scale; carrying out local 3D reconstructions for determining the translation vectors, the rotation vectors and the wheel rotational angles as well as the wheel rotational centers and the wheel rotational axes of the wheels; and determining the wheel suspension alignment parameters of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20130239421
    Abstract: A calibration frame for calibrating a reference system for vehicle measurement has setting elements, which enable a precise spatial orientation of the calibration frame, and multiple defined points of support, which are designed to accommodate a reference system carrier. In one specific embodiment, the points of support are designed in such a way that the reference system carrier is situatable on the points of support in at least two different orientations. In a second specific embodiment, a leveling element is provided which indicates the spatial orientation of the calibration frame in relation to the earth's gravitation field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Darko Pucnik, Christian Wagmann, Jochen Backes, Sven Hodissen, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 8522609
    Abstract: A method for wheel suspension alignment includes: providing four measuring heads each having a monocular picture recording device; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of a vehicle in an initial position, using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out relative motion between the vehicle and the measuring heads from the initial position into at least one further position; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of the vehicle in the further position, using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out local 3D reconstructions for determining translation vectors, rotation vectors and wheel rotational angles between the at least two positions, and wheel rotational centers and wheel rotational axes from the recorded geometrical details; determining a global scale for the measuring heads by scaling the translation vectors to have the same length; and determining camber, single toe and/or total toe of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20130141545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a measurement system having at least one image recording apparatus (12) having at least two measurement cameras (31, 32) that form a stereo camera system, and having an analysis unit (13), wherein the measurement system is calibrated by means of a calibration device (22) having reference features (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Adriano Macchia, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 8448342
    Abstract: A set according of target assemblages for optical chassis measurement encompasses at least two target assemblages that are each provided for mounting on a wheel of a motor vehicle, as well as a respective target and a target holder having a target receptacle on which the target is mounted. Each of the target holders is mountable on a wheel of a motor vehicle in such a way that the target is oriented at an angle to the wheel center plane. A significant mark and at least two further undetermined marks are disposed on the target, and the spacing of the significant mark from a reference plane of the respective target assemblage is unknown, but the same in each case for all target assemblages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20130089233
    Abstract: A method for determining the tumbling motion of a vehicle wheel and/or a measurement object attached to the vehicle wheel in the context of an axle measurement. The tumbling motion is executed relative to the precise wheel axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel and at least one orientation value is determined between, the precise wheel axis of rotation and a reference axis. Using at least one image recording unit, at least two wheel features that are present on the vehicle wheel or are attached for the measurement are acquired as the vehicle travels past and are evaluated by an evaluation device situated downstream. Using the wheel features recorded as the vehicle travels past, a wheel coordinate system and a feature coordinate system are determined. The wheel coordinate system and the feature coordinate system are set into relation to one another in order to determine the orientation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 8254666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the wheel geometry and/or axle geometry of motor vehicles by means of an optical measuring apparatus. According to said method, at least two recording points are assigned to each other and are referenced in relation to the measuring space with the aid of an image recording system, optionally taking into account reference characteristics and vehicle body characteristics, an object segment (6) comprising the wheel (5) that is to be measured is detected from different perspectives, and the position of wheel characteristics in the measuring space is evaluated during the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Uffenkamp, Guenter Nobis
  • Patent number: 8150144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the rotational axis and the rotating center of a vehicle wheel by means of at least two image capture units assigned to each other in position and situation during the journey of the vehicle, and by means of an analysis unit arranged downstream of said units, processing the recorded image information, taking into account multiple wheel features (10) present on the wheel or attached for the measurement, and by means of at least one bodywork feature present on the bodywork or attached for the measurement, wherein 2D-coordinates of the wheel features (10) and of the at least one bodywork feature are synchronously detected, and from these the 3D-coordinates of the features are calculated at certain time intervals and counted back to a previously established reference time point or corresponding reference position of the vehicle wheel, taking into account the distance traveled by the at least one bodywork feature relative to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20120007958
    Abstract: A method and device are described for measuring a chassis and for measuring the chassis geometry of a vehicle, which includes providing a chassis measurement system having four measurement heads situated in known positions relative to one another, of which each has a monocular image recording device, the position of the measurement heads relative to one another being known, and the distance of the front measurement heads from one another differing from the distance of the rear measurement heads from one another; recording a respective front wheel, or a measurement target attached thereto, in at least one first run-in position of the vehicle using the rear measurement heads; recording the four wheels, or the measurement targets attached thereto, using each of the four measurement heads, in a first main measurement position and in a second main measurement position of the vehicle; carrying out local 3D reconstructions in order to determine the translation vectors, the rotation vectors, and the wheel angles of r
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110308309
    Abstract: In a method for wheel suspension alignment, the following steps are carried out: providing a wheel suspension alignment system having four measuring heads situated in a known position with respect to one another, of which each has a monocular picture recording device, the relative position of the measuring heads with respect to one another being known; recording in each case one wheel or a measuring target mounted on it in an initial position of the vehicle, using each of the four measuring heads; shifting the vehicle from the initial position to at least one further position; recording in each case one wheel, or a measuring target mounted on it, of the vehicle standing in the further position, using each of the four measuring heads; recording a reference target having a known pattern mounted on the vehicle, using one of the four measuring heads in at least one of the initial position and the further position of the vehicle, and determining from this an absolute scale for the measuring heads; carrying out loc
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110302795
    Abstract: A target system for optical chassis alignment includes a target and a target mounting element having a target receiving element to which the target is attached. The target mounting element is attachable to a wheel of a motor vehicle so that the target is aligned at an angle to the wheel center plane. A significant mark at a known distance from a reference plane and at least two additional undetermined marks are situated on the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110265337
    Abstract: A set according of target assemblages for optical chassis measurement encompasses at least two target assemblages that are each provided for mounting on a wheel of a motor vehicle, as well as a respective target and a target holder having a target receptacle on which the target is mounted. Each of the target holders is mountable on a wheel of a motor vehicle in such a way that the target is oriented at an angle to the wheel center plane. A significant mark and at least two further undetermined marks are disposed on the target, and the spacing of the significant mark from a reference plane of the respective target assemblage is unknown, but the same in each case for all target assemblages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110221867
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for the optical axle alignment of wheels of a motor vehicle. At the wheels that are to be aligned, targets are mounted, having optically recordable marks, the targets being recordable by measuring units that have stereo camera devices. In a referencing process, using a referencing device that is integrated into the measuring units, a measuring position reference system is established for the measuring units. In a calibration process, in which a local 3D coordinate system is established using at least three marks of the target, the determination of a reference plane is carried out, using a significant mark of the target. Finally, using the reference plane, a vehicle longitudinal center plane is ascertained, while taking into account the measuring location reference system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Stefan Schommer, Adriano Macchia, Christian Wagmann, Jochen Backes, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110187851
    Abstract: A chassis measuring system according to the invention includes at least one pair of first and second measuring heads (2, 21), which are situated diametrically opposed in the transverse vehicle direction, each measuring head (2, 21) having at least one measuring camera (4, 8; 14, 18) and an illumination device (6, 10; 16, 20) pointing in the same direction as the measuring camera (4, 8; 14, 18), as well as a data processing unit, which is connected to the measuring heads (2, 12) and designed in such a way that it determines the position parameters of the measuring heads (2, 12) relative to each other by comparing the image of the illumination device (16, 20) of the second measuring head (12) recorded by the measuring camera (4, 8) of the first measuring head (2) with stored reference images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Daniel Muhle, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110100107
    Abstract: A method according for wheel suspension alignment includes the following: providing a wheel suspension alignment system having four measuring heads situated in a known position with respect to one another, of which each has a monocular picture recording device; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of a vehicle standing in an initial position, using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out a relative motion between the vehicle, on the one hand, and the measuring heads, on the other hand, from the initial position (A) into at least one further position (E), the relative position of the measuring heads with respect to one another being known; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of the vehicle standing in the further position (E), using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out local 3D reconstructions for determining the translation vectors, the rotation vectors and the wheel rotational angles between the at least two positions,
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 7908751
    Abstract: For optical chassis measurement of motor vehicles at a testing site that has at least one measuring unit having at least two imaging devices associated with one another in position and location, the measuring units are oriented with respect to the testing site with reference characteristics located fixedly at the testing site, evaluation in an evaluation device is effected on a basis orientation data and associated data obtained, for determining chassis data of a motor vehicle, in addition to the reference characteristics located fixedly at the testing site, at least one reference device is positioned which is usable in mobile fashion at the testing site with reference characteristics, and with a totality of reference characteristics in the evaluation device, the orientation data and the association data of the measuring units are obtained, and thus a common measuring station coordinate system is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110052041
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the rotational axis and the rotating center of a vehicle wheel by means of at least two image capture units assigned to each other in position and situation during the journey of the vehicle, and by means of an analysis unit arranged downstream of said units, processing the recorded image information, taking into account multiple wheel features (10) present on the wheel or attached for the measurement, and by means of at least one bodywork feature present on the bodywork or attached for the measurement, wherein 2D-coordinates of the wheel features (10) and of the at least one bodywork feature are synchronously detected, and from these the 3D-coordinates of the features are calculated at certain time intervals and counted back to a previously established reference time point or corresponding reference position of the vehicle wheel, taking into account the distance traveled by the at least one bodywork feature relative to the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110050855
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical measurement device with an image acquisition unit, which has at least two camera units (10) on a holding structure, assigned to each other, using local arrangement and alignment. A stable, low-cost design is obtained by the fact that the holding structure has a one-piece supporting body (1) with mounting structures molded thereon, in which the camera units (10) are accommodated (FIG. 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp