Measuring setup

Abstract

Measuring setup for carrying out tests on the settings of vehicle components, ➢ wherein the measuring setup includes a vehicle positioned in the measuring setup, ➢ wherein the measuring arrangement comprises a measuring device (1) having a measuring surface (11), ➢whereby the measuring surface (11) is designed to measure the intensity distribution of radar beams incident on the measuring surface (11), ➢ wherein the measuring device (1) is movable in a horizontal plane in the measuring arrangement, ➢ wherein the measuring device (1) has a bearing element, ➢ wherein a vertically extending column (3) is supported on the support element, ➢ wherein guide rails (9, 10) running parallel to the column (3) in a holding plane can be attached or are attached (5, 6) such that the longitudinal directions of the guide rails (9, 10) running parallel to the holding plane are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the column (3) in a neutral position, ➢whereby the measuring surface (11) has guide elements in the area of ​​a side edge, by means of which the measuring surface (11) can be attached to the guide rails (9, 10) which run parallel in a holding plane, ➢ that the measuring surface (11) is movable along these guide rails (9, 10), and ➢ that the surface normal of the measuring surface (11) runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the parallel guide rails (9, 10) when the measuring surface (11) is attached to the guide rails (9, 10) by means of the guide elements, ➢ wherein the measuring device (1) has an optical measuring unit (12) by means of which the measuring device (1) of the measuring arrangement can be positioned relative to the vehicle positioned in the measuring arrangement in such a way that the axis of symmetry of the vehicle can be measured and displayed via symmetry points of the body of the vehicle positioned in the measuring arrangement for carrying out tests, ➢ wherein by measuring and displaying the optical measuring unit (12) the measuring device (1) in the measuring arrangement can be aligned so that the longitudinal directions of the two parallel guide rails (9, 10) run parallel to the direction of the axis of symmetry of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring arrangement for carrying out tests of settings of vehicle assemblies according to claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2023 130 504 A1, a method is known in which a measuring surface is positioned perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of a vehicle to measure the intensity distribution of radar beams within the measuring surface. This is intended to determine the intensity distribution and the radiation direction of a vehicle's radar sensor. To measure the radiation direction, it is known to position this measuring surface at at least two different distances from the vehicle. This allows a straight line to be determined from the intensity distributions within the measuring surface during the two measurements at different distances. This straight line can, for example, pass through the point of maximum intensity in each of these measurements. Other symmetry points of the intensity distribution within the surface can also be evaluated. The radiation direction of a radar beam from the vehicle's radar sensor can be derived from the orientation of this straight line.

[0003] In the present invention, a measuring device is arranged in the measuring arrangement, which has a measuring surface. The measuring surface is configured to measure the intensity distribution of radar beams incident on the measuring surface.

[0004] This measuring surface is held and positioned within the measuring setup (height adjustment, distance adjustment to the vehicle, alignment of the measuring surface with the vehicle's axis of symmetry). The measuring device is movable within the setup in a horizontal plane. The measuring surface is positioned by adjusting the measuring device relative to the vehicle's radar sensor so that the intensity distribution is completely mapped onto the measuring surface. A defined distance to the radar sensor and the height of the measuring surface can be measured and recorded. The orientation of the measuring surface is set perpendicular to the direction of the vehicle's axis of symmetry. The vehicle component being tested is therefore the vehicle's radar sensor. The intensity of the radar beams and their direction of radiation relative to the vehicle's axis of symmetry are checked.

[0005] On a vertically extending column, parallel guide rails are attached or can be attached in a holding plane in such a way that the longitudinal directions of the guide rails running parallel in a holding plane are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the column.

[0006] The measuring surface has guide elements in the area of ​​a side edge, by means of which the measuring surface can be attached to the guide rails running parallel in a holding plane in such a way that the measuring surface can be moved along these guide rails.

[0007] The measuring device includes an optical measuring unit by means of which the vehicle's axis of symmetry can be measured and displayed using symmetry points on the body of a vehicle positioned in the measuring setup. Through the measurement and display by the optical measuring unit, the measuring device can be aligned within the measuring setup so that the longitudinal directions of the two parallel guide rails run parallel to the direction of the vehicle's axis of symmetry. This axis of symmetry extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0008] The measuring device according to the present invention has the advantage that, for a test to be carried out, the measuring device only needs to be positioned and aligned once relative to the vehicle. Due to the sliding capability of the measuring surface along the parallel guide rails, two successive measurements can advantageously be performed, in which the measuring surface is positioned with the same orientation relative to the vehicle's axis of symmetry. The distances of the measuring surface from the vehicle's radar sensor are different and can be measured.

[0009] The measuring device can, for example, be designed with a base plate to which rollers are attached on its underside. In the measuring arrangement, the base plate is thus oriented parallel to the floor of the measuring arrangement – ​​i.e., at least substantially horizontally. This allows the base plate to be moved in the horizontal plane. Advantageously, the rollers have brakes, so that the base plate is braked after reaching a target position (at least by a distance less than the tolerance for the deviation of the actual position of the base plate from this target position) and is thus secured against accidental movement during measurement. The rollers can consist of a suitable combination of roller blocks and rollers that are rotatable and brakeable around their vertical axis.

[0010] In the described embodiment with the base plate and the rollers attached to it, the bearing element on which the vertically extending column is mounted is integrated into the base plate. The base plate can, for example, have a circular recess in which the vertically extending column is mounted. This mounting can advantageously be achieved using a ball bearing. This allows the column to rotate about the vertical axis. It is particularly advantageous that the column can be secured (braked) in any angular position of rotation about the vertical axis to prevent accidental rotation of the column during measurement operations.

[0011] The column can advantageously have a profile that stabilizes it against twisting when loads are attached to one side of the column. This profile can be, for example, T-shaped, double-T-shaped, or U-shaped.

[0012] The guide rails, which run parallel in a holding plane, can be attached to a mounting plate according to the embodiment described here. The measuring surface has guide elements in the region of one side edge, by means of which the measuring surface can be attached to the guide rails running parallel in a plane in such a way that the measuring surface is slidable along these guide rails. ➢ The guide rails can be attached to the underside of the mounting plate. The measuring surface is then suspended from the mounting plate via the guide elements. ➢ The guide rails can also be mounted on the top of the mounting plate. In this case, the measuring surface is mounted on the mounting plate, positioned above the guide elements.

[0013] Furthermore, after the measuring surface is attached to the guide rails using the guide elements, the surface normal of the measuring surface runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide rails. This assumes that the measuring surface is flat.

[0014] The mounting plate is flat. The mounting plate is attached to the column in such a way that the surface normal of the mounting plate runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the column.

[0015] This ensures that the guide rails are attached to the column in such a way, or can be attached in such a way, that the longitudinal directions of the guide rails running parallel in a holding plane are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the column in a neutral position.

[0016] The measuring device has an optical measuring unit by means of which symmetry lines or symmetry points of the body of a vehicle positioned in the measuring arrangement can be measured and displayed.

[0017] This is a fundamental principle of headlight testing and aiming devices. These devices are used to check the beam direction and the beam pattern of the headlights, and to adjust them if necessary during the measurement process. These devices are aligned with the symmetry line of the vehicle body.

[0018] The optical measuring unit can consist of a laser beam used to measure characteristic points or lines of the vehicle body. It is also known to correlate photographic images of a vehicle with reference images to determine the angle of symmetry of the vehicle body relative to the direction in which the photograph was taken.

[0019] By measuring and displaying the data with the optical measuring unit, the measuring device in the measuring arrangement can be aligned so that the longitudinal directions of the two parallel guide rails run parallel to the axis of symmetry of the vehicle. This axis of symmetry extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0020] The measuring device in the measuring arrangement according to the present invention has the advantage that, for a test to be carried out, the measuring device only needs to be aligned once with respect to the vehicle. Due to the sliding capability of the measuring surface along the parallel guide rails, two successive measurements can advantageously be performed, in which the measuring surface is oriented in the same way relative to the vehicle each time. The distances of the measuring surface from the vehicle vary as a result of the sliding along the guide rails and can be measured by measuring the distance to the vehicle's radar sensor.

[0021] To ensure reproducibility of the different distances, detents can be provided for the movement of the measuring surface along the guide rails, so that defined distances result from moving the measuring surface into these detents. The distance to the vehicle can also be measured using a point laser.

[0022] In the embodiment of the measuring arrangement according to claim 2, the column of the measuring device is mounted on the bearing element in such a way that it is rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the column.

[0023] This proves advantageous insofar as, after shifting the base plate in the horizontal plane, it is possible to subsequently readjust the column—and thus also the guide rails attached or attachable to the column—by rotating the column around its longitudinal axis. This readjustment is a fine-tuning following the shift of the column's bearing (shifting the base plate in the described embodiment).

[0024] This rotatability can be achieved by mounting the column in a recess in the base plate via a ball bearing.

[0025] Advantageously, the column can be locked in position once it reaches the desired rotation around its longitudinal axis. This can be achieved by braking the column against further rotation.

[0026] This advantageously prevents the column from being unintentionally twisted during the measurement work.

[0027] In the embodiment according to claim 3, the orientations of the longitudinal directions of the guide rails running parallel in a plane relative to the longitudinal direction of the column are adjustable in the sense of a rotation about an axis that is perpendicular to both the guide rails and the longitudinal axis of the column. Furthermore, the parallelism of the guide rails is maintained in this setting.

[0028] Typically, the floors of vehicle test stands in the area where the vehicle stands during the measurement work, as well as in the area in front of the vehicle where a headlight testing device is located (and thus also the measuring device according to the present invention), are manufactured with high requirements for flatness and exhibit only small tolerances with regard to an inclination of the surface to the horizontal plane.

[0029] In the embodiment according to claim 4, the guide rails, which run parallel in one plane, are attached to the column such that a connecting line exists which intersects each of the guide rails and the longitudinal axis of the column at a right angle. Furthermore, this connecting line intersects the guide rails, which run parallel in one plane, with respect to their longitudinal direction, in the region of their midpoint.

[0030] This design proves advantageous because it keeps the torque generated when the measuring surface is moved along the guide rails small in both measuring positions. With the design according to claim 4, the distances to the column are approximately equal in both measuring positions. While a lower torque can be achieved in one of the two measuring positions with a different guide rail arrangement, where the measuring surface is closer to the column, the distance between the measuring surface and the column in the other measuring position then increases, resulting in a higher torque in that position.

[0031] Alternatively or in addition to these measures regarding torque, the construction can also be designed to be so stable that occurring torques do not lead to deformation.

[0032] The distance between the measuring surface and the column determines, via the torque, the degree to which the column can bend. The positioning and measuring devices align the measuring device under the assumption that no bending occurs. Therefore, it is advantageous to design the structure so that any bending that does occur is minimal.

[0033] The bending can be prevented constructively by a suitable profile of the column, by having a double-T profile, a C-profile or a U-profile.

[0034] In the embodiment according to claim 5, the guide rails running parallel in the holding plane are vertically displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the column. During this displacement, the orientation of the plane relative to the longitudinal direction of the column remains unchanged.

[0035] This design proves advantageous because it allows the size of the measurement area to remain limited. The measurement area can be positioned vertically so that the radar beam(s) strike the measurement area in a way that enables meaningful data analysis.

[0036] Longitudinal movement of the column can be achieved by providing detent positions for the mounting plate along the column. To ensure reproducibility of the respective measurement conditions, a height measuring device can also be provided for adjusting the height of the mounting plane, by means of which the distance of a reference point on the measuring surface from the ground is measured.

[0037] Furthermore, the mounting plate can be held upwards by a guide cable, one end of which is attached to the mounting plate. The guide cable can be routed over a pulley at the top of the column so that it runs downwards on the other side. Advantageously, a counterweight can be attached to the other end of the guide cable. This counterweight is dimensioned to compensate for the weight of the mounting plate with its guide rails and the measuring surface attached to them.

[0038] This design prevents the column from bending due to torque caused by a one-sided weight load.

[0039] In the embodiment according to claim 6, at least two detent positions are provided for the guide elements of the measuring surface when moving along the guide rails, which have a defined distance from each other.

[0040] This makes it possible to perform two measurements, in which the measuring surface is positioned at two mutually defined distances in front of the vehicle.

[0041] This configuration has already been explained in connection with claim 1.

[0042] In the embodiment according to claim 7, a distance measuring element is assigned to the measuring surface for measuring the distance of the measuring surface to a vehicle located in the measuring arrangement.

[0043] This makes it advantageous to record the measurement conditions during the measurements, so that these measurement conditions are documented and reproducible.

[0044] In the embodiment of the measuring arrangement according to claim 8, a height measuring element is assigned to the measuring surface for measuring the height of a reference point of the measuring surface above the ground.

[0045] This makes it advantageous to record the measurement conditions once the measuring surface is fully positioned for carrying out the measurements.

[0046] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. The single figure shows a measuring device 1, which is part of a measuring arrangement according to the present invention. In addition to the measuring device 1, a vehicle is also positioned in the measuring arrangement, which is not shown in the figure.

[0047] The measuring device 1 has a base plate 2. Rollers (not visible here) are attached to the underside of this base plate 2, allowing the measuring device 1 to be moved horizontally. Advantageously, these rollers are lockable, so that once the measuring device 1 has reached a target position, it is secured against accidental movement from that position.

[0048] Starting from the base plate 2, a column 3 extends vertically upwards. This column 3 has a U-profile.

[0049] The column 3 is mounted on the base plate 2 such that the column 3 can rotate relative to the base plate 2 about a longitudinal axis of the column 3 in accordance with arrows 4. Advantageously, the column can be braked during this rotation at various angular positions, so that once a desired angular position has been reached, the column is secured against accidental rotation from that position.

[0050] A retaining plate 5 is attached to column 3. The retaining plate 5 is fastened to column 3 by means of a fastening element 6. The fastening element 6, together with the retaining plate 5, can be moved vertically along column 3 in the direction indicated by arrow 7.

[0051] The fastening element 6 is connected to a counterweight 8 by means of a deflection cable. The deflection cable leads upwards from the fastening element 6 and then over the upper end of the column 3 (there via a deflection pulley, which is also not shown) back down to the counterweight 8.

[0052] This ensures that the weights attached to the column are kept in balance. Furthermore, the mounting plate 5 can be moved vertically with minimal effort because the weight of the mounting plate 5 and the attached measuring surface 11 is compensated by the counterweight 8.

[0053] Two dashed lines, 9 and 10, are drawn on the mounting plate 5. These lines 9 and 10 represent parallel guide rails that are attached to the underside of the mounting plate 5.

[0054] The measuring surface 11 is attached to the two guide rails via guide elements. This allows the measuring surface 11 to be moved along the guide rails.

[0055] The intensity distribution of incident radar beams in the measuring surface 11 can be measured using the measuring surface 11.

[0056] The measuring device 1 also includes an optical measuring unit 12, which can, for example, correspond to the known optical measuring units of headlight testing devices. With such an optical measuring unit 12, the measuring device 1 can be measured in relation to the line of symmetry of the body of a vehicle positioned in the measuring arrangement. The measuring surface 11 in the measuring device 1 can thus be aligned relative to the axis of symmetry of the vehicle body by means of its adjustability and the adjustable features. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2023 130 504 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Measuring setup for carrying out tests of settings of vehicle components, ➢ wherein the measuring setup includes a vehicle positioned in the measuring setup, ➢ wherein the measuring arrangement comprises a measuring device (1) having a measuring surface (11), ➢where the measuring surface (11) is designed to measure the intensity distribution of radar beams incident on the measuring surface (11), ➢ wherein the measuring device (1) is movable in a horizontal plane in the measuring arrangement, ➢ wherein the measuring device (1) has a bearing element, ➢ wherein a vertically extending column (3) is supported on the support element, ➢ wherein guide rails (9, 10) running parallel to the column (3) in a holding plane can be attached or are attached (5, 6) such that the longitudinal directions of the guide rails (9, 10) running parallel to the holding plane are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the column (3) in a neutral position, ➢whereby the measuring surface (11) has guide elements in the area of ​​a side edge, by means of which the measuring surface (11) can be attached to the guide rails (9, 10) which run parallel in a holding plane, ➢ that the measuring surface (11) is movable along these guide rails (9, 10), and ➢ that the surface normal of the measuring surface (11) runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the parallel guide rails (9, 10) when the measuring surface (11) is attached to the guide rails (9, 10) by means of the guide elements, ➢ wherein the measuring device (1) has an optical measuring unit (12) by means of which the measuring device (1) of the measuring arrangement can be positioned relative to the vehicle positioned in the measuring arrangement in such a way that the axis of symmetry of the vehicle can be measured and displayed via symmetry points of the body of the vehicle positioned in the measuring arrangement for carrying out tests, ➢ wherein by measuring and displaying the optical measuring unit (12) the measuring device (1) in the measuring arrangement can be aligned so that the longitudinal directions of the two parallel guide rails (9, 10) run parallel to the direction of the axis of symmetry of the vehicle. [2] Measuring arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by , that in the measuring device (1) the column (3) is mounted on the bearing element in such a way that it is rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the column (3). [3] Measuring arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , ➢ that in the measuring device (1) the orientations of the longitudinal directions of the guide rails (9, 10) which run parallel in a plane are adjustable relative to the longitudinal direction of the column (3) in the sense of a rotation about an axis which is perpendicular to both the guide rails (9, 10) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the column (3), and ➢ that the parallelism of the guide rails (9, 10) is maintained with this setting. [4] Measuring arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , ➢ that the guide rails (9, 10) running parallel in a holding plane are attached to the column (3) such that a connecting line exists which intersects each of the guide rails (9, 10) and the longitudinal axis of the column (3) at a right angle, and ➢ that this connecting line intersects the guide rails (9, 10) running parallel in a plane - with respect to their longitudinal direction - in the area of ​​their center. [5] Measuring arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , ➢ that the guide rails (9, 10) running parallel in a holding plane are displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the column (3) (7), ➢whereby, during this displacement (7), the orientation of the plane relative to the longitudinal direction of the column (3) remains unchanged. [6] Measuring arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , ➢ that the guide elements of the measuring surface (11) have at least two detent positions when moved along the guide rails (9, 10) and ➢that these rest positions have a defined distance from each other. [7] Measuring arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that a distance measuring element is assigned to the measuring surface (11) for measuring the distance of the measuring surface (11) to the radar sensor of the vehicle under test. [8] Measuring arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that a height measuring element is assigned to the measuring surface (11) for measuring the height of a reference point of the measuring surface (11) above the ground.

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