Vehicle lift system with adaptive wireless communication
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A wireless portable vehicle lift system comprising:
- a plurality of substantially identical individual lifts;
a detachable remote control physically connected in wired communication with one of said individual lifts; and
an adaptive communication system for providing wireless communication between said individual lifts, wherein said adaptive communication system is configured to automatically scan a plurality of communication channels and determine a clearest communication channel for wireless communication between said individual lifts,wherein each of said individual lifts comprises—
a base for supporting said individual lift on a floor or the ground,a post coupled to said base and extending upwardly from said base,a carriage configured to engage a wheel of a vehicle,a lifting actuator configured to vertically shift said carriage relative to said post,a height sensor configured to measure a height of said carriage and/or vehicle,a rechargeable battery,a battery charger,an e-stop button,a transceiver configured to operate on said clearest communication channel, anda user interface comprising a display screen,wherein said user interface is configured to display height information, weight information, and battery status information,wherein said user interface is configured to display a pass code screen that prompts the lift operator to enter a pass code,wherein each of said individual lifts is configured to track and/or store lift data relevant to safety, maintenance, and/or proper operation of said lift system,wherein each of said individual lifts is configured to provide a notification of maintenance needs based on said lift data,wherein said lift system is configured to be selectively operated in a paired mode where two of said individual lifts are paired with one another and operate independently of the other of said individual lifts that are not paired.
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Abstract
Wireless portable vehicle lift system incorporating one or more enhanced communication and/or control features. The lift system can incorporate enhanced wireless communication features such as the ability to automatically scan a plurality of communication channels, determine a clearest communication channel, and use the clearest communication channel for wireless communication.
120 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A wireless portable vehicle lift system comprising:
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a plurality of substantially identical individual lifts; a detachable remote control physically connected in wired communication with one of said individual lifts; and an adaptive communication system for providing wireless communication between said individual lifts, wherein said adaptive communication system is configured to automatically scan a plurality of communication channels and determine a clearest communication channel for wireless communication between said individual lifts, wherein each of said individual lifts comprises— a base for supporting said individual lift on a floor or the ground, a post coupled to said base and extending upwardly from said base, a carriage configured to engage a wheel of a vehicle, a lifting actuator configured to vertically shift said carriage relative to said post, a height sensor configured to measure a height of said carriage and/or vehicle, a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, an e-stop button, a transceiver configured to operate on said clearest communication channel, and a user interface comprising a display screen, wherein said user interface is configured to display height information, weight information, and battery status information, wherein said user interface is configured to display a pass code screen that prompts the lift operator to enter a pass code, wherein each of said individual lifts is configured to track and/or store lift data relevant to safety, maintenance, and/or proper operation of said lift system, wherein each of said individual lifts is configured to provide a notification of maintenance needs based on said lift data, wherein said lift system is configured to be selectively operated in a paired mode where two of said individual lifts are paired with one another and operate independently of the other of said individual lifts that are not paired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wireless portable vehicle lift system comprising:
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a plurality of substantially identical individual lifts; an adaptive communication system for providing wireless communication between said individual lifts of said lift system, wherein said adaptive communication system is configured to automatically scan a plurality of communication channels and determine a clearest communication channel for wireless communication between said individual lifts, wherein each of said individual lifts comprises— a base for supporting said individual lift on a floor or the ground, a post coupled to said base and extending upwardly from said base, a carriage configured to engage a wheel of a vehicle and configured to be vertically shiftable relative to said post, a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, an e-stop button, a transceiver configured to operate on said clearest communication channel, and a user interface comprising a display screen. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating a wireless portable vehicle lift system, said method comprising:
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(a) providing a plurality of substantially identical individual lifts, wherein each individual lift comprises a base, a post, a carriage, a rechargeable battery, a display screen, and a radio frequency transceiver capable of operating on multiple channels; (b) positioning said carriages of at least two of said individual lifts into engagement with wheels of a vehicle; (c) establishing a secure wireless communication link between at least two of said individual lifts to thereby form a lift ensemble of said individual lifts, wherein said establishing includes— (i) a lift operator powering up a first of said individual lifts, (ii) said first lift automatically scanning a plurality of communication frequencies or channels and determining a communication frequency or channel of minimal noise content, (iii) said first lift wirelessly transmitting a beacon signal, (iv) a lift operator powering up a second of said individual lifts, (v) said second lift detecting said beacon signal and determining that said second lift is not the first of said individual lifts to be powered up, and (vi) said first and second lifts wirelessly exchanging lift identification information; and (d) lifting a vehicle with said lift ensemble by vertically shifting said carriages of said individual lifts of said lift ensemble in a coordinated manner, wherein during said lifting said individual lifts wirelessly share data with one another so as to coordinate said lifting using collective intelligence of said lift ensemble. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification