U.S. patent application number 15/380541 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for method of adjusting a height of a car floor plane of a railroad car and height adjustment system.
The applicant listed for this patent is TECHNOLOGIES LANKA INC.. Invention is credited to Michel BOCHUD, Paul CARTIER, Jean-Paul DIONNE, Reginald Lawrence WINGATE.
Application Number | 20170174231 15/380541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59065853 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170174231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOCHUD; Michel ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
METHOD OF ADJUSTING A HEIGHT OF A CAR FLOOR PLANE OF A RAILROAD CAR
AND HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
There is provided a method of adjusting a height of a car floor
plane of a railroad car relative to a platform of a train station.
The method includes, using a height adjusting system mounted to an
exterior side of the railroad car adjacent the car floor plane,
emitting a first ultrasonic beam towards the platform of the train
station and monitoring a reflection of the first ultrasonic beam;
and generating a first signal based on said monitoring the
reflection of the first ultrasonic beam. The method includes, using
a processor, operating an actuator of a suspension system of the
railroad car to adjust the height of the car floor plane to a
height of the platform of the train station based on the generated
first signal.
Inventors: |
BOCHUD; Michel; (La
Pocatiere, CA) ; CARTIER; Paul;
(Sainte-Anne-de-La-Pocatiere, CA) ; DIONNE;
Jean-Paul; (Levis, CA) ; WINGATE; Reginald
Lawrence; (Manchester, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TECHNOLOGIES LANKA INC. |
La Pocatiere |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
59065853 |
Appl. No.: |
15/380541 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62268730 |
Dec 17, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61F 5/22 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61D 3/04 20060101
B61D003/04 |
Claims
1. A method of adjusting a height of a car floor plane of a
railroad car relative to a platform of a train station, the method
comprising: using a height adjusting system mounted to an exterior
side of the railroad car adjacent the car floor plane, emitting a
first ultrasonic beam towards the platform of the train station and
monitoring a reflection of the first ultrasonic beam; generating a
first signal based on said monitoring the reflection of the first
ultrasonic beam; and using a processor, operating an actuator of a
suspension system of the railroad car to adjust the height of the
car floor plane to a height of the platform of the train station
based on the generated first signal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said emitting the first
ultrasonic beam further comprises emitting the first ultrasonic
beam outwardly from the railroad car and parallel to the car floor
plane.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said emitting the first
ultrasonic beam further comprises emitting the first ultrasonic
beam parallel to and below the car floor plane, the car floor plane
and a first plane of the first ultrasonic beam having a first
vertical offset below or equal to an eighth of an inch.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is indicative of
a first distance value between the height adjustment system and an
object that appears in a line of sight of the first ultrasonic
sensor.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said adjusting further comprises
lowering the height of the car floor plane until the first distance
value is equal or smaller than an expected distance threshold
value.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, using the height
adjustment system, emitting a second ultrasonic beam along a second
plane parallel to and above the car floor plane and towards the
platform of the train station, monitoring a reflection of the
second ultrasonic beam; and generating a second signal based on
said monitoring the reflection of the second ultrasonic beam,
wherein said adjusting is further based on the second signal.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second ultrasonic
beams each have a beam angle of below 30.degree., preferably below
6.degree. and most preferably below 5.degree..
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the second signal is indicative
of a second distance value between the height adjustment system and
an object that appears in a line of sight of the second ultrasonic
sensor.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said adjusting further comprises
increasing the height of the car floor plane when the second
distance value is equal or smaller than an expected distance
threshold value.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said emitting, monitoring,
generating and adjusting are performed upon receiving of
instructions to adjust the height of the car floor plane.
11. A height adjustment system to be mounted to an exterior side of
a car body of a railroad car, the height adjustment system
comprising: a housing having a back face being removably mountable
to the exterior side of the car body and an opposite front face; at
least one ultrasonic sensor mounted to the front face of the
housing, the at least one ultrasonic sensor being configured to
emit an ultrasonic beam away from the front face of the housing and
outwardly from the car body when the housing is mounted to the
exterior side of the car body; and at least one electrical
connector mounted to the back face of the housing and electrically
connected to the at least one ultrasonic sensor.
12. The height adjustment system of claim 11, further comprising a
processor being enclosed in the housing and in communication with
the at least one ultrasonic sensor and the at least one electrical
connector.
13. The height adjustment system of claim 11, further comprising a
heater mounted to the front face of the housing.
14. The height adjustment system of claim 11, wherein the base face
is removably mountable to the exterior side of the car body via the
at least one electrical connector.
15. A method of adjusting a height of a car floor plane of a
railroad car relative to a platform of a train station, the method
comprising: using a height adjusting system mounted to an exterior
side of the railroad car adjacent the car floor plane, emitting a
first ultrasonic signal towards the platform of the train station;
and monitoring a reflection of the first ultrasonic signal against
the platform, including generating an electromagnetic signal
indicative of whether or not the reflection is detected; and using
a processor to receive the electromagnetic signal and operate an
actuator of a suspension system of the railroad car to adjust the
height of the car floor plane based on the electromagnetic signal
received.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of operating the
actuator includes lowering the height of the car floor plane when
the reflection is not detected and until the reflection is
detected.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising emitting a second
ultrasonic signal towards the platform of the train station, the
second ultrasonic signal being emitted parallel and higher than the
first ultrasonic signal, and monitoring the reflection of the
second ultrasonic signal; wherein the step of using a processor
comprises operating the actuator to raise the height of the car
floor plane if the reflection of both the first ultrasonic signal
and the second ultrasonic signal are detected.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The improvements generally relate to the field of railroad
cars and more particularly relate to height adjustment systems of
such railroad cars.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A typical train generally has a series of railroad cars
moved as a whole along a railroad. Each railroad car generally has
a car body and trucks (i.e. chassis underneath the car body to
which wheel axles and wheels are attached through bearings) movably
mounted to the car body via a suspension system allowing raising
and lowering of a height of a car floor plane of the car body.
[0003] When the train travels from one train station to another,
the suspension system of each railroad car is generally actuated to
raise the car floor plane of the car body to a given height
relative to the rail. For example, the TS 11.03 H and 2.01.L
standards, where applicable, specify that the given height ranges
between 43.5 inches and 45.5 inches depending on passenger loading.
On platforms affected by these standards, the typical train station
generally has a nominal platform height of 42.25 inches relative to
the rail. This implies that, when the train arrives at the train
station, the car floor plane of each railroad car has to be lowered
of about 1.25-3.25 inches in order for the height of the car floor
plane to coincide with the nominal platform height. As can be
understood, the amount of vertical distance that the car floor
plane has to be lowered at each arrival can vary from one station
to another and/or from one passenger load to another.
[0004] Correspondence between the height of the car floor plane and
the nominal platform height of a train station is of importance as
any vertical gap therebetween can be inconvenient. Consequently,
some existing railroad cars are equipped with distance detection
systems configured to match the height of the car floor plane with
the nominal platform height. For instance, one existing distance
detection system is configured to monitor a vertical distance
between a reference point associated to the car body and a
reference point associated to the trucks. When the train arrives at
the train station, the suspension system is actuated to lower the
car floor plane such that the monitored vertical distance reaches a
reference vertical distance which is predetermined so that the
height of the car floor plane is expected to correspond to the
nominal platform height.
[0005] Although existing distance detection systems were
satisfactory to a certain degree, there remains room for
improvement, particularly when the nominal platform height varies
from one train station to another and when the actual height of the
platform varies due to temperature change.
SUMMARY
[0006] It was found that because the existing distance detection
systems are configured to detect the vertical distance between the
car body and the trucks, an unsatisfactory vertical gap can be
created between the car floor plane and the platform when the
actual height of the platform deviates from the nominal platform
height.
[0007] Therefore, there is provided a method of adjusting a height
of the car floor plane based on an actual height of the platform of
the train station. In this method, an ultrasonic beam is emitted
from an exterior side of the railroad car adjacent to the platform
and in direction of the platform while a reflection of the
ultrasonic beam is monitored. Accordingly, the height of the car
floor plane can be adjusted such that the height of the car floor
plane corresponds, within a given threshold height value, to the
actual height of the platform of the train station based on the
monitored reflection of the ultrasonic beam.
[0008] The method can be performed using a height adjustment system
including a housing with a back face connectable to the exterior
side of the car body and an opposite front face where a first
ultrasonic sensor is provided. When the height adjustment system is
mounted to the exterior side of the car body, the first ultrasonic
sensor faces away from the car body and towards the platform. In
some embodiments, the height adjustment system can have a second
"safety" ultrasonic sensor facing away from the car body and
towards the platform but at a vertical position different from the
vertical position of the first ultrasonic sensor.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method of
adjusting a height of a car floor plane of a railroad car relative
to a platform of a train station, the method comprising: using a
height adjusting system mounted to an exterior side of the railroad
car adjacent the car floor plane, emitting a first ultrasonic beam
towards the platform of the train station and monitoring a
reflection of the first ultrasonic beam; generating a first signal
based on said monitoring the reflection of the first ultrasonic
beam; and using a processor, operating an actuator of a suspension
system of the railroad car to adjust the height of the car floor
plane to a height of the platform of the train station based on the
generated first signal.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
height adjustment system to be mounted to an exterior side of a car
body of a railroad car, the height adjustment system comprising: a
housing having a back face being removably mountable to the
exterior side of the car body and an opposite front face; at least
one ultrasonic sensor mounted to the front face of the housing, the
at least one ultrasonic sensor being configured to emit an
ultrasonic beam away from the front face of the housing and
outwardly from the car body when the housing is mounted to the
exterior side of the car body; and at least one electrical
connector mounted to the back face of the housing and electrically
connected to the at least one ultrasonic sensor.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
method of adjusting a height of a car floor plane of a railroad car
relative to a platform of a train station, the method comprising:
using a height adjusting system mounted to an exterior side of the
railroad car adjacent the car floor plane, emitting a first
ultrasonic signal towards the platform of the train station; and
monitoring a reflection of the first ultrasonic signal against the
platform, including generating an electromagnetic signal indicative
of whether or not the reflection is detected; and using a processor
to receive the electromagnetic signal and operate an actuator of a
suspension system of the railroad car to adjust the height of the
car floor plane based on the electromagnetic signal received.
[0012] Many further features and combinations thereof concerning
the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art
following a reading of the instant disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] In the figures,
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an example of a railroad
car having a car body wherein the car body has height adjustment
systems on each exterior side thereof, exemplary of an
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1,
exemplary of an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the railroad car of FIG.
1, showing two height adjustment systems on a same exterior side of
the car body, exemplary of an embodiment;
[0017] FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross sectional views of the railroad car
of FIG. 1, showing a car floor plane of the car body at two
different heights relative to a platform of a train station;
and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an example of a height
adjustment system, exemplary of an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a railroad car 10. As
depicted, the railroad car 10 has a car body 12, a frame 13
supporting the car body 12, and trucks 14 mounted to the frame 13
via a suspension system 16. An enlarged view of the suspension
system 16 is shown in FIG. 1A wherein the suspension system 16 is
shown with an actuator 15 and suspension springs 19. In this
embodiment, the actuator 15 includes one or more hydraulic
cylinders 17 which can be operated by one or more processors
(referred to as the "processor 18") to lower or raise the height of
the car body 12 relative to the railroad during use. The processor
18 is in communication with the actuator 15 to control the height
at which the car body 12 is adjusted.
[0020] For ease of understanding, the car body 12 can be lowered
when the actuator 15 is operated, e.g., by the processor 18, to
compress the suspension springs 19 of the suspension system 16.
Conversely, the car body 12 can be raised when the actuator is
operated, e.g., by the processor 18, to relieve the tension in the
suspension springs 19.
[0021] In the specific embodiment shown, two height adjustment
systems 20 are provided on each exterior side of the car body 12,
adjacent to a car floor plane 22 of the car body 12, for a total of
four height adjustment systems 20. However, in some other
embodiments, there can be a single height adjustment system
provided on either or both of the exterior sides of the car body
12.
[0022] Each height adjustment system 20 is in wired or wireless
communication with the processor 18 such that, upon reception of
instructions to adjust the height of the car floor plane 22, the
processor 18 can operate the actuator 15 of the suspension system
16 to lower the car floor plane 22 of the car body 12 based on
feedback of one or more of the height adjustment systems 20. Such
instructions can follow the reception of an "open command"
associated with the opening of a door of one of the exterior sides
of the car body 12 and from the detection that the railroad car 10
has a speed of less than 3 mph, for instance. Such an "open
command" can be transmitted when a railroad engineer, for instance,
pushes a button.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is described a method
for adjusting a height of the car floor plane 22 when the railroad
car is adjacent to a platform 30. For instance, the method can be
performed when it is detected that the railroad car arrives at a
train station or while the railroad car waits with opened doors at
a train station.
[0024] As mentioned above, each height adjustment system 20 is
mounted to the exterior of the car body 12 and faces away from the
car body and towards the platform 30. As can be seen, the height
adjustment system 20 has a first ultrasonic sensor 32 configured to
emit a first ultrasonic beam 34 outwardly from the car body 12 and
towards the platform 30. In the embodiment shown, the first
ultrasonic beam 34 is emitted horizontally along the car floor
plane 22. The height adjustment system 20 can have a second
ultrasonic sensor 38 (e.g., a safety sensor) above the first
ultrasonic sensor 32 which, when activated, can propagate a second
ultrasonic beam 40 outwardly from the car body 12 towards the
platform 30. Each of the first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and
38 is configured to monitor a reflection of a respective one of the
first and second ultrasonic beams 34 and 40 and to generate a
signal indicative of the monitored reflection. In some embodiments,
the signal can be indicative of an intensity of the monitored
reflection. In some other embodiments, the signal can be indicative
of a distance between the ultrasonic sensor and an object that
appears in a line of sight of the ultrasonic sensor.
[0025] Accordingly, the first ultrasonic sensor 32 is configured to
generate a first signal which is indicative of the reflection of
the first ultrasonic beam 34. In some embodiments, the processor 18
is configured to adjust the height of the car floor plane 22 based
on the first signal. In some embodiments, the first signal is
indicative of a first distance value corresponding to the distance
between the first ultrasonic sensor 32 and an object that appears
in a line of sight of the first ultrasonic sensor 32, such as the
platform 30. The distance can be measured horizontally in some
embodiments. In some embodiments, the first distance value can be
determined based on the intensity of the monitored reflection.
However, in some other embodiments, where the first ultrasonic beam
34 is an ultrasonic pulsed beam, the first distance value can be
determined based on time delays and/or phase shifts between emitted
ultrasonic pulses and their respective reflections such as in
ultrasonic ranging systems. As will be described below, the height
adjustment of the car floor plane 22 can be based on a comparison
of the first distance value with a threshold value.
[0026] Similarly, the second ultrasonic sensor 38 is configured to
generate a second signal which is indicative of the reflection of
the second ultrasonic beam 40. The second signal can be indicative
of a second distance value corresponding to the distance between
the second ultrasonic sensor 38 and an object such as the platform
30. In embodiments where a second ultrasonic sensor 38 is provided,
the processor 18 is configured to adjust the height of the car
floor plane 22 based on the first and second signals. However, the
second ultrasonic sensor 38 is optional.
[0027] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the "open
command" is activated and that the railroad car 10 has a speed
lower than 3 mph, the processor 18 monitors a first distance value
measured using the first ultrasonic sensor 32 that emits the first
ultrasonic beam 34 towards the platform 30. At this stage, if the
monitored first distance value is greater than an expected distance
threshold value 37, it can be deducted that the first ultrasonic
beam 34 is propagated above a top edge 36 of the platform 30 and
therefore the processor 18 maintains operation of the actuator 15
of the suspension system 16 to lower the car floor plane 22 further
below, as shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment shown, the expected
distance threshold value 37 is representative of the expected
distance between the car body 10 and the platform 30. As the car
floor plane 22 is being lowered, the processor 18 continuously
monitors the first distance value and compares it with the expected
distance threshold value 37. Once it is determined that the first
distance value is equal or smaller than the expected distance
threshold value 37, such as shown in FIG. 4, the processor 18 stops
to operate the actuator 15 of the suspension system 16 which stops
the lowering of the car floor plane 22.
[0028] The height of the car floor plane 22 can remain constant
over time unless there is a leak in the hydraulic cylinder(s) 17,
for instance. Nonetheless, the processor 18 continues to monitor
the first distance value until the "open command" disappears (or
upon reception of a "close command"). In some embodiments, when it
is determined that the first distance value increases above the
expected distance threshold value 37 while an "open command" is
activated, it can mean that the height of the car floor level 22
has increased and therefore the processor 18 operates the actuator
15 to lower the car floor plane 22 until the first distance value
is equal or smaller than the expected distance threshold value 37
again.
[0029] Simultaneously to monitoring of the first distance value,
the processor 18 can also monitor the second distance value
measured using the second ultrasonic sensor 38. When the height of
the car floor plane 22 substantially corresponds to the height of
the platform 30, the second distance value is generally greater
than the expected distance threshold value 37. If it is determined
that the second distance value is equal or smaller than the
expected distance threshold value 37, it can mean that the height
of the car floor plane 22 is lower than it should be. Consequently,
in this situation, the processor 18 can operate the actuator 15 of
the suspension system 16 to raise the car floor plane 22 until the
second distance value is greater than the expected distance
threshold value 37 again.
[0030] It is understood that, for a vertical gap between the height
of the car floor plane 22 and the height of the platform 30 to be
acceptable, the height of the car floor plane 22 can be adjusted to
be within a given threshold height value relative to the height of
the platform 30. An example of such a threshold value is 3/8 of an
inch, which has been found to be satisfactory in some embodiments.
In the specific embodiment shown, the first ultrasonic beam 34 is
emitted along a first beam path 24 which is parallel to and below
the car floor plane 22 by a first vertical offset. An example of a
first vertical offset between the first beam path 24 and the car
floor plane 22 is an eighth of an inch. As depicted, the second
ultrasonic beam 40 is emitted along a second beam path 42 parallel
to and above the car floor plane 22 by a second vertical offset. An
example of a second vertical offset between the first and second
beam paths 24 and 42 is an half of an inch. These vertical offsets
can vary. Indeed, in an alternate embodiment, the first beam path
24 is parallel to the car floor plane 22 and its vertical offset
relative to the car floor plane 22 is zero.
[0031] An example of the height adjustment system 20 is shown in
FIG. 5. As depicted, the height adjustment system 20 has a housing
44 having a back face 44a and an opposite front face 44b. In this
specific embodiment, the housing 44 houses the processor 18 in
contrast with the embodiment of FIG. 1 where the processor 18 is
provided outside the height adjustment system 20. The housing 44
can be watertight and can be made of stainless steel. As shown, the
first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 are mounted to the
front face 44b of the housing 44 and one or more electrical
connectors (referred to "the electrical connector" 46) is mounted
to the back face 44a of the housing 44. The electrical connector 46
is connected to the processor 18 which is, in turn, connected to
both the first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38. The
electrical connector 46 can be provided in the form of a Veam
connector. In some embodiments, the back face 44a can be mounted to
the car body via the electrical connector 46. In some other
embodiments, the back face 44a has a mating surface adapted to mate
with the car body. In some embodiments, the car body 12 has a
corresponding electrical connector configured to removably mate
with the electrical connector 46. The car body 12 can also have a
recessed cavity to receive at least a portion of the height
adjustment system 20 during use. The height adjustment system 20
and the recessed cavity of the car body 12 are designed to allow
the first ultrasonic sensor 32 to emit the first ultrasonic beam 34
along the first beam path 24 which can be parallel to but below the
car floor plane 22.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 44 has three
light emitting diodes (referred to as "LEDs 50") mounted thereto.
The LEDs 50 can be useful for troubleshooting the height adjustment
system 20. The LEDs 50 can include two green LEDs indicating when
the first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 detect the
platform 30 and one red LED indicating when a problem arises.
[0033] In alternate embodiments, a pressure value on the hydraulic
cylinder(s) 17 can be monitored by a pressure switch in
communication with the processor 18. If the pressure value exceeds
a certain level, the pressure switch can be operable to disable the
communication between the processor 18 and the actuator 15 thus
allowing the raising of the car floor plane 22. This can provide a
safety measure in case of a failure of the processor 18. The
processor 18 can react by illuminating the red one of the LEDs
50.
[0034] The red LED can also be illuminated when the processor 18
detects a failure of any of the first and second ultrasonic sensors
32 and 38. In some embodiments, the processor 18 monitors the first
and second distance values and, if any one of the first and second
ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 is defective, the processor 18 reads
an "out-of-range" value. The processor 18 can also detect a failure
if the second ultrasonic sensor 38 provides a second distance value
corresponding to the expected distance threshold value 37 while the
first ultrasonic sensor 32 does not. Whenever a fault is detected,
the processor 18 can be operable to raise the car floor plane 22
and disable the height adjustment system(s) 20. If the failure of
any faulty one of the first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38
disappears, the height adjustment system(s) 20 can go back to
normal operation.
[0035] In cold weather conditions, the first and second ultrasonic
sensors 32 and 38 can be blocked by ice and snow. It is thus
convenient to provide a heater 52 adjacent the first and second
ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 which can melt ice and snow
accumulated on the sensors 32 and 38. The heater 52 can be
connected to the processor 18 and even powered by it in some
embodiments. The heater 52 can be embodied by resistive wires, for
instance. The heater 52 is configured to heat an area surrounding
the first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 to prevent
failures associated with ice and snow. The first and second
ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 can be useable even when dirt is
present. If the first and second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38
happen to be covered by mud, the first and second ultrasonic
sensors 32 and 38 may stop working properly. However, in this
situation, the height adjustment system 20 can go back to normal
operation as soon as the mud is cleaned.
[0036] To prevent false triggers, the second ultrasonic sensor 38
is debounced during a longer time than the first ultrasonic sensor
32. This longer debouncing can prevent the activation of the
hydraulic cylinders 17 caused by a passenger stepping in front of
the first and/or second sensors 32 and 38. The first and second
ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 and the processor 18 can be industrial
grade so as to sustain vibration, dirt, water, snow, ice, and/or
temperatures from 40.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. The first and
second ultrasonic sensors 32 and 38 are also designed to withstand
car wash.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second ultrasonic
beam sensors 32 and 38 are chosen to have beam angles, relative to
the horizon, which prevent interference between one another. For
instance, beam angles of below 30.degree., preferably below
6.degree. and most preferably below 5.degree. have been found to be
satisfactory.
[0038] An example of an ultrasonic sensor would be those which are
installed in car bumpers to assist a car driver when parking. In an
embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor will transmit an electrical
signal representative of the distance value measured. For instance,
a frequency of the electrical signal can increase with a proximity
of the object that appears in a line of sight of the ultrasonic
sensor.
[0039] In alternate embodiments, the first and second ultrasonic
sensors 32 and 38 can be configured to emit the first and second
ultrasonic beams 34 and 40 obliquely either from below car floor
plane 22 or from above car floor plane 22. An ultrasonic sensor
which emits an ultrasonic beam obliquely from below the car floor
plane 22 can provide shorter distance values whereas an ultrasonic
sensor that emits an ultrasonic beam obliquely from above the car
floor plane 22 can provide longer distance values.
[0040] As can be understood, the examples described above and
illustrated are intended to be exemplary only. For instance, the
height adjustment performed using the methods and systems described
herein can be based on intensities and/or frequencies of the first
and second signal values rather than the first and second distance
values. In these alternate embodiments, the processor compares the
intensities and/or the frequencies of a respective one of the first
and second signals to a corresponding threshold value. The
processor can be part of a computer having one or more
computer-readable memories. In alternate embodiments, the processor
is provided in the form of any suitable microcontroller or logic
circuit boards. For instance, the processor can receive the
electromagnetic signal in a wired electrical connection or in a
wireless electrical connection. The scope is indicated by the
appended claims.
* * * * *