DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments of this invention relate to vehicles, and more particularly, to inspecting the under body and outer body of vehicles using thermal effect analysis.

BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicle outer body inspection techniques are known concept used for inspecting an exterior surface of the vehicle for various reasons. The conventional methodology provides an image capturing method of underbody with partial view of location. But the complete packaging and clearance routing details due to the limitations of coverage area as well as thermal effect of surrounding systems cannot be captured in detail. While trying to take a complete photograph of the underbody by the conventional method, it has been observed that there is a mismatch between the images captured view and the original view.
[003] At present, a portable undercarriage vehicle inspection system (UVIS) uses an under vehicle imaging (UVI) module to capture an image of the undercarriage of a vehicle. The UVIS includes multiple scene cameras that capture the associated vehicle scene images. The undercarriage image and the associated vehicle scene images are provided to a power and communications unit (PCU) through a network. These images may be stored in a database repository connected to the network. This system, however, uses a ramp over the ground surface with more sensors, which makes the system more complex.
[004] Another conventional vehicle inspection system includes a single camera adapted to capture a full width image of a vehicle undercarriage in a single scan. However, this system does not perform a thermal imaging analysis of the underbody as well as the other outer body systems of the vehicle.
OBJECT
[005] The principal object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide a method and a system for capturing an image of the underbody of a vehicle.
[006] Another object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide a method and system for capturing an image of the complete outer body of a vehicle.
[007] A further object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide a method and system for obtaining a captured image in a merged format for thermal analysis.
[008] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[009] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1a shows a system for inspecting a vehicle body, according to an embodiment of this invention;
[0011] FIG. 1b illustrates the apparatus for underbody inspection of the system for inspecting a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates examples of separate images and the final output image of the underbody captured by the inspection camera, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates examples of hotspots present in the systems and surrounding components of the underbody of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates the circular rim fixture with motorized 360-degree movement camera for completely capturing the outer body of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a method and system for capturing an image of the underbody of a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1a, the system 100 for inspecting a vehicle body, according to an embodiment of this invention, includes an apparatus 200 for a vehicle underbody inspection and an analysis system 300. In an embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to capture at least an underbody image at various locations and each of the captured image is sent for analysis to the analysis system 300. The analysis system 300 is at least one of a co-located and a remotely located system.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1b, the apparatus 200, for a vehicle underbody inspection of the system 100 for inspecting a vehicle includes a longitudinal frame 202, a height adjustment mechanism 204, at least one camera 206 adapted to be mounted on the longitudinal frame 202, and at least one angle meter 208 adapted to be mounted onto the height adjustment mechanism 204. The height adjustment mechanism 204 has a first height adjustment element 204a and a second height adjustment element 204b. Each of the height adjustment elements 204a and 204b has a base 204c, a first vertical column 204d and a second vertical column 204e. The base 204c is horizontally mounted between the first vertical column 204d and the second vertical column 204e in a moveable manner.
[0019] The longitudinal frame 202 is disposed between the first height adjusting element 204a and a second height adjusting element 204b and is secured to the corresponding base 204c. The longitudinal frame 202 defines a sliding rail 202a therein. The camera 206 is configured to be mounted onto the sliding rail 202a of the longitudinal frame 202 in a slid able manner. In an embodiment, the longitudinal frame 202 is an aluminum frame. The camera 206 is controlled by a motor (not shown) provided at a bottom portion, thereof. The motor (not shown) and the camera 206 are controlled by a remote control (not shown). In an embodiment, the camera 206 is at least one of a thermal imaging camera and a infrared camera.
[0020] Further, in an embodiment the angle meter 208 is provided on the base 204c of at least one of the height adjustment elements 204a and 204b. The angle meter 208 is configured to set zero level setup.
[0021] In operation, a vehicle to be examined is kept over the apparatus 200. The longitudinal frame 202 is moved closer to or away from the vehicle’s underbody by the height adjustment mechanism 204. Thereafter, the camera 206 is triggered from the remote control (not shown) to capture an underbody image of the vehicle at a first predetermined position. Once the first pre-determined position of the vehicle underbody is captured, the camera is moved on to a second pre-determined position over the sliding rail 202a of the longitudinal frame 202 by the motor (not shown) and the camera 206 is triggered from the remote control (not shown) to capture a second underbody image sequence. The camera is then moved on to subsequent positions over the slide rail 202a of the longitudinal frame 202 to capture underbody images at different positions of the vehicle.
[0022] Further, after capturing the entire vehicle under body images, the images of underbody are sent wirelessly to the analysis system 300. The analysis system 300 will merge all the separate images seamlessly to provide a final output. In an embodiment, the camera 206 is set in a panorama view capture mode to sequentially capture images and any hotspots of the vehicle in which case, the analysis system 300 is configured to analyse the merged underbody images.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates examples of separate images and the final output image of the underbody captured by the camera 206 as described herein above, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates examples of hotspots present in components of the underbody of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed hereinabove. Based on the images as shown in FIG. 3, the heat generating points and the thermal stress points of components in the underbody of the vehicle can be determined.
[0025] According to another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, an apparatus 400 is provided for inspecting the vehicle design and layout, clearance, position, packaging and routing, thermal effect of a particular system and surrounding components. The apparatus 400 includes a frame 402, a slide rail 404 and at least one camera 406. The frame 402 of the apparatus 400 is mounted onto the slide rail 404. The frame 402 is adapted to receive the camera 406 in a moveable manner. In an embodiment, the frame 402 of the apparatus 400 defines a circular structure. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide the frame 402 in any structure without otherwise deterring the intended function of the apparatus 402 as can be inferred from this description. The camera 406 is adapted to be moved inside the frame 402 to different locations by a motor (not shown). In an embodiment, the camera 406 is motorized to rotate 360 degrees over the complete vehicle body. In an embodiment, an automation means (not shown) is configured to guide the frame 402 to move the camera from one axis to second axis by clockwise or counter clockwise direction. While capturing the vehicle image at clockwise direction, the analysis system 300 will analyse each image and merge as a single image. The apparatus 400 is configured to be used in any of the following condtions: a) vehicle at static level the apparatus 400 can move on vehicle in X direction or b) apparatus 400 at static level the vehicle can move X direction.
[0026] Currently in vehicle inspections, Ride Height, ADR, Ground Clearance & Thermal age effect which affects component life are being some of the key matrix on Customer Perspective requirements. The methodology as can be inferred from this description helps in analyzing the detailed field failure components / routing due to thermal ageing.
[0027] Embodiments disclosed herein enable real actual vision, clear underbody visibility, cause and effect of surrounding systems thermal spots, accurate & reliable results, and a multi utility approach
[0028] Embodiments herein enable capturing of images of the complete vehicle, which helps in understanding the leakages and losses happening in particular systems like leakages in BIW (Body In White) which affects the performance of a HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) System.
[0029] Embodiments herein provide a portable setup more appropriate for static condition of the vehicle.
[0030] The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
WE CLAIM:
1. A system 100 for inspection of a vehicle body, said system comprising:
an apparatus 200 provided with a camera 206; and
an analysis system 300, wherein
said apparatus 200 configured to capture images of at least an underbody of the vehicle;
the camera 206 adapted to send images to the analysis system 300; and
the camera is at least one of a thermal image and an infrared camera.

2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus 200 includes
a longitudinal frame 202;
a height adjustment mechanism 204; and
at least one angle meter 208 adapted to be provided on said height adjustment mechanism 204.

3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said height adjustment mechanism 204 comprises a first height adjusting element 204a and a second height adjustment element 204b, wherein each of said first and second height adjustment elements 204a and 204b includes a first vertical column 204d, a second vertical column 204e and a base 204c moveably mounted on sad first and second vertical column 204d and 204e; and
said longitudinal frame 202 is disposed between said first and second adjustment elements 204a and 204b.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said angle meter 208 is secured to said base 204c.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the camera 206 is adapted to be moveably mounted onto a sliding rail 202a defined by said longitudinal frame 202.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein an operation and a movement of the camera 206 is controlled by a remote control (not shown).

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said longitudinal frame 202 is an aluminum frame.

8. A method for inspecting an underbody of a vehicle using an apparatus 200, said method comprising:
providing the apparatus 200 under a vehicle to be inspected;
adjusting a height of the apparatus 200 by a height adjustment mechanism 204;
capturing an underbody image at different position of the vehicle by a camera 206; and
transmitting the captured image to an analysis system 300 for analysis and output, wherein
the camera 206 is at least one of a thermal image camera and a infrared camera.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of capturing includes capturing at least one of thermal stress point and heat generating point.

10. An apparatus 400 for inspecting outer body of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a slide rail 404;
a frame 402 adapted to be mounted onto said slide rail 404; and
at least camera 406 adapted to be moveably received inside said frame 402, wherein
said frame 402 defines a circular shape;
said camera 406 is moved in any of clockwise and anti clockwise direction;
said camera 406 is adapted to capture a plurality of images of the outer body of the vehicle; and
said camera 406 is configured to transmit the captured images to a system (not shown) for further analysis.