Calibration plate-holding device

Abstract

A holding device (22) for mounting and holding the calibration plate (12) on the frame (11), the holding device comprising: a mechanical connection device (24) configured to connect the holding device (22) to the frame (11); a holder (26) enabling fastening of the calibration plate (12) to the holding device (22); a sensor device (28) which is designed to provide data which enables a determination of a current position of the holding device (22) on the machine frame (11); and a transmitting device (34), which is designed to transmit data enabling a determination of the current position of the holding device (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device for mounting and holding a calibration plate on a calibration device, the calibration plate being provided for calibrating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] For calibrating a driver assistance system installed in a motor vehicle, a calibration device is used, in particular in a workshop area, which has at least one measuring plate ("calibration plate"). At least one optical pattern is formed on the at least one calibration plate, which optical pattern is optically detected by an image recording device of the driver assistance system to be calibrated in order to calibrate the driver assistance system.

[0003] In order to be able to calibrate the driver assistance system with the required accuracy, the position and orientation of one or more calibration plates in front of the motor vehicle must be set as accurately as possible to the values ​​specified by the manufacturer of the driver assistance system to be calibrated. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve and in particular simplify the positioning of a calibration plate provided for calibrating a driver assistance system in front of a motor vehicle.

[0005] The invention comprises a holding device for mounting and holding a calibration plate, in particular an optical calibration plate, on a frame of the calibration device, wherein the holding device comprises: a mechanical connection device, which is configured to connect the holding device to the frame movably and, if necessary, immovably, so that the holding device is supported by the frame; a bracket, which enables the calibration plate to be mounted on the holding device; and a sensor device, which is configured to provide data that enables the current position of the holding device to be determined on the frame. The holding device also comprises a transmitting device and / or an output device.

[0006] The transmitting device is designed to transmit data which enable the current position of the holding device to be determined, so that the data can be received by a corresponding receiving device.

[0007] The output device enables data and / or instructions to be output to a user of the calibration device. The output device can in particular include a display device that enables optical indications to be output to the user. In this way, the current position of the holding device and / or instructions for correctly positioning the holding device can be displayed to the user.

[0008] The invention also includes a calibration device, in particular for calibrating an image recording device of a driver assistance system. The calibration device comprises a frame and at least one holding device according to the invention that can be mounted on the frame. The calibration device can in particular comprise a support or an arm that is mounted on the frame so that its height can be adjusted. At least one holding device can be mounted displaceably and, if necessary, fixedly on the support or arm that is adjustable in height.

[0009] The invention further comprises a method for determining the position of a calibration plate, in particular an optical calibration plate, mounted on a calibration device according to the invention. The method comprises detecting data by means of at least one sensor device that enables the current position of a holding device on the calibration device to be determined. The method further comprises transmitting data representing the determined position of the holding device on the calibration device by means of a transmitting device and / or outputting or displaying the data by means of an output device.

[0010] The present invention also includes a method for positioning a calibration plate, in particular an optical calibration plate, on a calibration device according to the present invention, wherein the method comprises: mounting the calibration plate on a holding device, determining the position of the holding device on the calibration device using the method according to the present invention as described above, and changing the position of the holding device until the determined position of the holding device is consistent with a predetermined position.

[0011] The holding device according to the invention, the calibration device according to the invention and the method according to the invention make it possible to easily determine with high precision the current position of the calibration plate relative to the frame of the calibration device by means of at least one sensor device.

[0012] In this way, the calibration plate can be positioned quickly and reliably at a desired or predetermined position on the calibration device. The risk of errors when calibrating the driver assistance system, which could result from incorrect positioning of the calibration plate, can thus be reduced.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least one sensor device comprises at least one optical sensor which is designed to read an optically readable scale mounted or formed on the calibration device in order to determine the current position of the holding device and thus also the current position of the measuring plate on the calibration device. The optically readable scale can include a human-readable scale, for example a scale with numbers. Additionally or alternatively, the scale can include a particularly well-machine-readable scale, for example a barcode (“barcode”).

[0014] The combination of an optical sensor and an optically readable scale that can be read by the optical sensor can be easily realized since optical scales that are already available as scales, for example measuring tapes and folding rulers that are provided at the calibration device, can be used.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one optical sensor is designed to detect an optical pattern formed on the base in order to be able to check the position of the optical pattern on the base. The optical pattern can be formed in particular on a mat located on the base. The pattern can be provided for calibrating a camera of the motor vehicle, for example a reversing camera.

[0016] The at least one optical sensor can also be designed to optically detect and check the position of at least one radar reflector which is provided for calibrating a radar sensor of the motor vehicle.

[0017] In one embodiment, the holding device has at least one angle sensor which enables the roll angle and / or pitch angle of the support to be determined. The at least one angle sensor can be equipped in particular with an angle sensor display device which can be read by at least one optical sensor of the sensor device. The values ​​acquired by the at least one angle sensor can then be read automatically and made available for further evaluation.

[0018] In one embodiment, the holding device additionally has an illumination device, which is configured to illuminate at least the region of the optically readable scale that is read by the optical sensor, respectively. Depending on the sensitivity of the optical sensor, the illumination device can emit light in the visible range, in the infrared range and / or in the ultraviolet range to illuminate the scale.

[0019] In one embodiment, at least one sensor device comprises at least one magnetic sensor and / or at least one mechanical sensor. In such an embodiment, the scale is designed such that it can be read by the magnetic sensor and / or the mechanical sensor.

[0020] Magnetic sensors and mechanical sensors work reliably even under unfavorable light conditions. The magnetic sensor is also insensitive to dirt and mechanical wear of the scale. The magnetic sensor therefore has a high degree of operational reliability.

[0021] In one specific embodiment, the holding device additionally comprises a data processing device which is designed to process data provided by the at least one sensor device in order to determine the current position of the holding device on the machine rack.

[0022] In this way, the current position of the holding device can be determined autonomously by the holding device and displayed on a display device if necessary. The setting of the desired position of the holding device and the calibration plate can thereby be significantly simplified.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the data processing device can be arranged independently of the holding device, thereby reducing the weight and cost of the holding device.

[0024] In one embodiment, the holding device additionally comprises an identification device, which enables identification of the calibration plate arranged in the holder of the holding device. In this way, the desired position of the holding device on the rack can be determined based on the calibration plate currently used and identified by the identification device. If necessary, the used and identified calibration plate can be recorded in the calibration protocol, for example, for later evaluation.

[0025] In particular, in a calibration system in which different calibration plates are used alternately, the risk of using an incorrect calibration plate that is not suitable for the driver assistance system currently being calibrated and / or the risk of incorrectly positioning the calibration plate currently in use can be reduced by automatically identifying the calibration plate currently in use with the aid of an identification device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the identification device comprises an RFID reading device configured to read identification data from an RFID element mounted at the calibration board currently in use. Different calibration boards can be easily, quickly and reliably identified by using an RFID element mounted at the calibration board and an RFID reading device arranged at a holding device to read the RFID element mounted at the calibration board.

[0027] In one embodiment, the holding device comprises an output device which enables data and / or instructions to be output to a user of the calibration device. The output device can in particular comprise a display device which enables optical indications to be output to the user. In this way, the current position of the holding device and / or instructions for correctly positioning the holding device can be displayed to the user. This can further simplify the correct positioning of the holding device and can further reduce the risk of errors during positioning.

[0028] The output device can also include an acoustic output device which indicates, for example by outputting a signal sound, whether the holding device is correctly positioned.

[0029] In one embodiment, the holding device comprises an input device which enables data and / or commands to be input into the holding device. The data can include, for example, the desired position of the calibration plate and / or the type of calibration plate currently in use and / or the type of driver assistance system currently to be calibrated.

[0030] In one specific embodiment, the display device is designed as a touch-sensitive display screen (“touchscreen”), so that the display device can also be used as an input device.

[0031] In one embodiment, the sensor device includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor can be configured to provide data that enables determination of the current position of the holding device along a first direction. The second sensor can be configured to provide data that enables determination of the current position of the holding device along a second direction.

[0032] The second direction is not oriented parallel to the first direction. The second direction can be oriented in particular orthogonally to the first direction.

[0033] The first sensor can be designed, for example, to determine the position of the holding device in a horizontal direction. The second sensor can be designed, for example, to determine the position of the holding device in a vertical direction. The second sensor can be designed in particular to determine the height of the holding device above the base.

[0034] In one embodiment of the calibration device according to the invention, a first optically readable scale and a second optically readable scale are formed on the calibration device. In this embodiment, at least one holding device has a first optical sensor, which is designed to determine the current position of the holding device along the first direction by reading the first optically readable scale. At least one holding device also has a second optical sensor, which is designed to determine the current position of the holding device along the second direction by reading the second optically readable scale.

[0035] The position of the holding device and the measuring plate mounted on the holding device in two dimensions or directions can be determined using at least two sensors. The measuring plate mounted on the holding device can thus be positioned particularly easily and reliably with high precision at a predetermined position in space.

[0036] In one embodiment, the calibration plate has an optical code that can be read by at least one optical sensor of the sensor device. The optical code can be, for example, a barcode (“barcode”) or a QR code. The optical code can include information about the calibration plate that enables unambiguous identification of the calibration plate. As an alternative or in addition, the optical code can include information about the position at which the calibration plate is positioned on the carrier.

[0037] In the method according to the invention for adjusting the position of a calibration plate on a calibration device, the position of the holding device on the carrier can be changed manually or by means of a motor provided in the holding device.

[0038] The motor can automatically position the holding device at a predetermined position. A holding device that does not have a motor and is therefore positioned manually has a lower weight and is more cost-effective than a holding device equipped with a motor.

[0039] In one specific embodiment, the method for setting the position of a calibration plate on a calibration device comprises clearly identifying the calibration plate mounted on the holding device. The desired target position at which the calibration plate is to be positioned can then be determined or determined based on the identified calibration plate. In this way, different calibration plates provided for calibrating different driver assistance systems can be positioned at the positions prescribed for the respective calibration plates. The risk of incorrect positioning of the calibration plate can thus be reduced.

[0040] The method can in particular include reading data identifying the calibration plate by an RFID element attached to the calibration plate. In this way, the calibration plate can be identified particularly easily and reliably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram shows a top view onto a measuring platform with a motor vehicle and a calibration device designed according to the invention,

[0043] Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of a calibration device constructed according to the invention,

[0044] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a holding device constructed according to the invention,

[0045] Figure 4 An example is shown for an optical sensor configured to read a scale extending in a vertical direction installed at a calibration device.

[0046] Figure 5 A rear view of a measuring plate mounted on a carrier is shown, wherein an optical sensor is mounted on a holding device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic top view shows a measuring platform 2 having a motor vehicle 4 which is equipped with a driver assistance system 6 . The driver assistance system 6 comprises an image recording device 8 .

[0048] The calibration device 10 is positioned in front of the motor vehicle 4. The calibration device 10 comprises a calibration plate 12, in particular having Figure 1 The invisible optical pattern (see Figure 2 ), the optical pattern being optically detectable by the image recording device 8 in order to calibrate the driver assistance system 6 and / or the image recording device 8 of the driver assistance system 6. Optionally, an RFID element 48 can be mounted on the calibration plate 12, which enables the calibration plate 12 to be identified.

[0049] The calibration plate 12 is generally oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis F of the motor vehicle 4 , as shown in FIG. Figure 1 as shown in .

[0050] Figure 2 A perspective view of a calibration device 10 designed according to the invention is shown, which has a calibration plate 12 for calibrating a driver assistance system 6 installed in a motor vehicle 4, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 as shown in .

[0051] The calibration device 10 comprises a frame 11 having a support column 18 supported at a base 14 and extending substantially in a vertical direction orthogonal to the bottom of the measuring platform 2 .

[0052] The base 14 is equipped with rollers 16 which enable the frame 11 to be moved on the bottom of the measuring platform 2 .

[0053] The roller 16 can be provided with Figure 2 The brakes can be activated in order to prevent the frame 11 from rolling away unintentionally after the frame 11 has been positioned in the desired position in front of the motor vehicle 4 .

[0054] The leveling elements 15 arranged on the base 14 make it possible to align the base 14 in such a way that the struts 18 extend vertically.

[0055] A height-adjustable carrier 20 or arm is mounted on the support 18, which extends in a horizontal direction substantially orthogonal to the support 18. The height-adjustable carrier 20 is mounted on the support 18 in such a way that it can be displaced along the support 18. The height of the carrier 20 above the base of the measuring platform 2 can thereby be set.

[0056] The height-adjustable support 20 can be fixed at different positions along the support column 18 , ie at different heights above the base of the measuring platform 2 .

[0057] On the support 20 by means of a holding device 22 (see Figure 3 ) to mount the calibration plate 12 in such a way that the holding device 22 can be moved along the carrier 20, that is, in the horizontal direction, together with the calibration plate 12. Figure 2 The image is blocked by the calibration plate 12.

[0058] The holding device 22 can be fixed in a desired position on the carrier 20 in order to determine the position of the calibration plate 12 along the carrier 20 .

[0059] In front of the calibration device 10 there is a mat 54 on which the optical pattern 52 is formed.

[0060] Figure 3 A perspective view of a holding device 22 designed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0061] The holding device 22 comprises a mechanical connecting device 24 which is designed to connect the holding device 22 to the carrier 20 and to support the holding device 22 on the carrier 20 in such a way that the holding device 22 can be displaced along the carrier 20 .

[0062] The mechanical connection device 24 can be designed, for example, as a slide which can be moved along the carrier 20. The mechanical connection device 24 can also have ( Figure 3 Rollers (not visible) are provided to improve the mobility of the mechanical connecting device 24 along the carrier 20.

[0063] The mechanical connecting device 24 can also have a releasable fixing device or brake, such as a clamping device, which can fix, in particular clamp, the mechanical connecting device 24 in a desired position on the carrier 20, so that when the fixing device or the brake is activated, the mechanical connecting device 24 can no longer be moved along the carrier 20.

[0064] The mechanical connection device 24 also has at least one bracket 26, which enables the connection ( Figure 3 (not shown) calibration plate 12 (see Figure 2 ) is fastened to the mechanical connection device 24.

[0065] The support 26 can include, for example, one or more magnets, which enable the calibration plate 12 to be fastened to the support 26 by magnetic force. The magnets can be permanent magnets. The magnets can also be electromagnets, which can be electrically activated and deactivated, so that the calibration plate 12 can be fixed to the support 26 by activating the electromagnets and can be easily released from the support 26 again when necessary by deactivating the electromagnets.

[0066] As an alternative or in addition, the bracket 26 can have ( Figure 3 A mechanical fastening device (not shown) enables the calibration plate 12 to be mounted and fixed mechanically on the mechanical connecting device 24 , for example by clamping and / or by a form-fitting connection.

[0067] The holding device 22 further comprises a sensor device 28 which is designed to provide data which allow the current position of the holding device 22 on the machine frame 11 to be determined.

[0068] The sensor device 28 can have, for example, a (first) optical sensor 29a, in particular a camera, wherein the (first) optical sensor 29a is designed to optically detect or read a scale 30 formed on the carrier 20 in order to be able to determine the current position of the holding device 22 along the carrier 20.

[0069] The scale 30 can be designed, for example, as an optically readable measuring rod, which can also be read by a person, such as Figure 3 The scale 30 can also have Figure 3 Numbers not shown.

[0070] As an alternative or in addition, the scale 30 can be designed as a code that is easily machine-readable, for example as a barcode (“barcode”). The scale 30 can also be designed such that it can be read by a magnetic sensor 29a and / or a mechanical sensor 29a.

[0071] Optionally, the sensor device 28 can also furthermore include a second sensor 29 b which is designed to determine the height of the holding device 22 above the base of the measuring platform 2 .

[0072] The second sensor 29b can be, for example, another optical sensor which is designed to read a second scale 31 (see FIG. 1 ) extending in the vertical direction and mounted on the calibration device 10. Figure 2 ).

[0073] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a second optical sensor 29 b is shown, which is designed to read a second scale 31 installed on the calibration device 10 and extending in the vertical direction.

[0074] At least one of the first optical sensor 29a and the second optical sensor 29b can be designed to optically detect an optical code 50, for example a barcode (“barcode”) or a QR code, formed on the calibration plate 12, in order to enable the calibration plate 12 to be identified based on the optical code 50 attached to the calibration plate 12. The optical code 50 can be formed in particular on the back side of the calibration plate 12, which faces one of the optical sensors 29a, 29b when the measuring plate 12 is mounted on the holding device 22.

[0075] Figure 5 A rear view of the measuring plate 12 mounted on the carrier 20 is shown. Figure 5 Furthermore, holding device 22 is shown with a first optical sensor 29 a which is able to read a scale 30 formed on carrier 20 in order to be able to determine the position of holding device 22 with measuring plate 12 along carrier 20 .

[0076] The first optical sensor 29 a can also record an image of the optical code 50 arranged on the rear side of the measuring plate 12 , so that the measuring plate 12 can be unambiguously identified based on the image of the optical code 50 recorded by the first optical sensor 29 a .

[0077] At least one of the first optical sensor 29a and the second optical sensor 29b can also be designed to detect an optical pattern 52 formed on the bottom of the measuring platform 2 in front of the calibration device 10, so as to be able to determine the position of the optical pattern 52 on the bottom of the measuring platform 2. The optical pattern 52 can be provided, for example, for calibrating a camera, in particular a reversing camera of a motor vehicle.

[0078] The optical pattern 52 can be formed in particular on a mat 54 which is placed on the bottom of the measuring platform 2 in front of the calibration device 10, such as Figure 2 as shown in .

[0079] At least one angle sensor 56 can also be provided on the support 20 or the holding device 22, which allows the roll angle and / or pitch angle of the support 20 to be determined. The angle sensor 56 can include an acceleration sensor which detects the influence of the gravitational acceleration (gravity) on the angle sensor 56.

[0080] It is also possible to provide two angle sensors 56 , of which one angle sensor is designed to determine the roll angle of the support 20 and the other angle sensor is designed to determine the pitch angle of the support 20 .

[0081] The at least one angle sensor 56 can be designed to transmit its measurement results wirelessly, for example via a wireless local area network or Or it can be transmitted by wire, for example via a USB connection, to the sensor device 28 or to an external evaluation device.

[0082] The at least one angle sensor 56 can also be equipped with an angle sensor display device, such as an LCD display or an LED display screen, wherein the angle sensor display device is arranged in the field of view of one of the optical sensors 29a, 29b so that the values ​​displayed on the angle sensor display device can be read by the optical sensors 29a, 29b. In this way, the measured values ​​acquired by the at least one angle sensor 56 can be read by the optical sensors 29a, 29b and provided for evaluation.

[0083] The second sensor 29 b can also be designed as a magnetic sensor or a mechanical sensor in order to read a correspondingly designed magnetic or mechanical second scale 31 .

[0084] The second sensor 29b can also be configured as an ultrasonic sensor, which can determine the height of the holding device 22 above the bottom of the measuring platform 2 by measuring the running time of the ultrasonic signal between the second sensor 29b and the bottom of the measuring platform 2. If the second sensor 29b is configured as an ultrasonic sensor, the second scale 31 can be omitted.

[0085] Holding device 22 also includes a data transmission device 34 , in particular a transmitting device, which is designed to transmit data provided by sensor device 28 and which allow the current position of holding device 22 on carrier 20 to be determined and in this way forward to an external device 36 .

[0086] Optionally, the holding device 22 can also include a receiving device 35 which enables data to be received from an external device 36 .

[0087] The data can be transmitted in particular wirelessly, for example via Connection, wireless LAN connection or radio connection in the UHF band. Alternatively, data can also be transferred between the holding device 22 and the external device 36 via a cable connection (not shown), for example, via a USB connection or other serial data connection.

[0088] Not only the data provided by the sensor device 28 (“raw data”) but also the data processed in the control unit 32 of the holding device 22 can be transmitted to the external device 36 .

[0089] The control unit 32 can include in particular a data processing device 38, for example with a microprocessor, which is designed to process the raw data provided by the at least one sensor device 28 in order to determine the current position of the holding device 22 on the rack 11. In the data processing, not only computer-assisted image processing and image evaluation methods, such as, for example, computer-assisted pattern recognition, but also methods of artificial intelligence (“deep learning”) can be used.

[0090] exist Figure 3 In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , holding device 22 also has a display device 40 , which enables data provided by sensor device 28 and / or data provided by data processing device 38 to be displayed in such a way that they can be read by a user.

[0091] In particular, the current position of the holding device 22 along the carrier 20 can be displayed on the display device 40, as determined from the data provided by the sensor device 28. If the current position is determined by the sensor device 28, the height of the holding device 22 above the bottom of the measuring platform 2 can also be displayed.

[0092] Optionally, a target position can also be displayed in which the holding device 22 should be positioned. In this case, the difference between the current position and the target position and / or instructions can also be displayed to the user for moving the holding device 22 along the carrier 20 or along the support 18. For example, an arrow can be displayed on the display device 40, which tells the user in which direction the holding device 22 must be moved in order to position it at the predefined target position.

[0093] When the holding device 22 is at the desired target position, a confirmation can also be displayed on the display device 40, i.e., the current position of the holding device 22 is correct. As an alternative or in addition, the confirmation and / or the instruction for moving the holding device 22 can be output by the acoustic output device 42 as an acoustic signal.

[0094] Holding device 22 may also have an input device 44 , for example a keyboard, which allows a user to enter data, such as a desired target position and / or information about currently used calibration plate 12 and / or information about driver assistance system 6 to be calibrated.

[0095] The display device 40 can be designed in particular as a touch-sensitive display screen (“touch screen”), so that the display device 40 can also be used as an input device 44 .

[0096] The holding device 22 can additionally have a calibration plate identification device 46 which enables an identification of the calibration plate 12 mounted on the holding device 22 .

[0097] The identification device 46 can include, for example, an RFID reading device configured to read an RFID element 48 (see Figure 1 ) to read the authentication data.

[0098] As described above, if the calibration plate 12 is identified by an optical code 50 mounted on or constructed on the calibration plate 12 and readable by one of the optical sensors 29a, 29b, an identification device 46 for reading data from the RFID element 48 mounted on the calibration plate 12 is not required.

[0099] The identification data may include in particular information about the calibration plate 12 , which information may be used to calibrate the driver assistance system 6 . The identification data may also include information about the correct position of the calibration plate 12 on the calibration device 10 .

[0100] The identification data may also include an identifier which uniquely identifies calibration plate 12 and thus enables the data required for calibrating driver assistance system 6 to be derived from a table (“look-up table”) and / or from a database in which the required data for a plurality of optical calibration plates 12 are stored.

[0101] The table or database can be stored locally in the holding device 22. The table or database can also be stored independently of the holding device 22, for example in an external device 36, and can be called up via a data connection. The table or database can also be stored outside the measuring platform 2, in particular in a central server of the manufacturer, and can be called up, for example, via the Internet. It is also possible that a local database with the required data is stored in the external device 36, which is updated when necessary or at regular intervals, for example via the Internet.

[0102] Identification device 46 can be designed to be pluggable, for example in the shape of a USB plug, so that holding device 22 can be equipped with identification device 46 in a targeted manner by inserting identification device 46 if desired, in particular if calibration device 10 is used alternately with different calibration boards 12 .

[0103] The pluggable identification device 46 enables the identification device 46 to be provided as an option, wherein the identification device 46 can be omitted in order to reduce the costs for the calibration device 10 if the identification device 46 is not required, for example because the calibration device 10 is always used with the same calibration board 12 .

[0104] The holding device 22 also comprises a control unit 32, which comprises, for example, a data processing device 38 for processing data provided by the at least one sensor device 28. The control unit 32 can also be designed to control the sensor device 28, the transmitting device 34, the receiving device 35, the display device 40, the acoustic output device 42, the input device 44 and the identification device 46 and coordinate the communication between these devices 28, 34, 35, 40, 42, 44.

[0105] Holding device 22 may also include an electrical energy source 33 , such as a storage battery, a battery or a solar cell, which is designed to supply sensor device 28 , transmitting device 34 , receiving device 35 , display device 40 , acoustic output device 42 , input device 44 and identification device 46 with electrical energy.

[0106] Alternatively, the sensor device 28, sending device 34, receiving device 35, display device 40, acoustic output device 42, input device 44 and identification device 46 can also be supplied with electrical energy from an external energy source, in particular a power supply, via a cable connection (not shown in the figure), such as a USB cable.

[0107] The use of the holding device 22 according to the invention can significantly simplify the positioning of the calibration plate 12 on the calibration device 10. In addition, the risk of incorrect positioning of the calibration plate 12 and thus the risk of incorrect calibration of the driver assistance system 6 can be significantly reduced. In this way, the reliability of the calibration can be significantly improved.

Claims

1. A holding device (22) for mounting and holding a calibration plate (12) on a frame (11), wherein: The holding device (22) has: A mechanical connection device (24) configured to mechanically connect the holding device (22) to the frame (11); a bracket (26) which enables the calibration plate (12) to be mounted on the holding device (22); a sensor device (28) configured to provide data enabling determination of a current position of the holding device (22) on the frame (11); a transmitting device (34) configured to transmit data enabling determination of the current position of the holding device (22); and / or An output device (40) is capable of outputting data that can determine the current position of the holding device (22); wherein the output device (40) particularly comprises a display device.

2. The holding device (22) according to claim 1, in, At least one sensor device (28) comprises at least one optical sensor (29a, 29b).

3. The holding device (22) according to claim 2, in, The holding device (22) has at least one optical sensor (29a, 29b) which is designed to detect an optical pattern (52) formed on the bottom in order to be able to determine the position of the optical pattern (52) on the bottom.

4. A holding device (22) according to claim 2 or 3, in, The holding device (22) has at least one angle sensor (56) which enables the roll angle and / or pitch angle of the support (20) to be determined; In this case, the at least one angle sensor (56) is equipped in particular with an angle sensor display device which can be read out by an optical sensor (29a, 29b) of the holding device (22).

5. A holding device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The holding device (22) additionally comprises a data processing device (38) which is designed to process the data provided by the at least one sensor device (28) in order to determine the current position of the holding device (22).

6. A holding device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The holding device (22) additionally comprises an identification device (46) which enables identification of a calibration plate (12) arranged in a holder (26) of the holding device (22); The identification device (46) comprises in particular an RFID reader device which is designed to read identification data from an RFID element (48).

7. The holding device (22) according to claim 1, comprising an input device (44) which enables data and / or commands to be input into the holding device (22).

8. A holding device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The sensor device (28) comprises a first sensor (29a) and a second sensor (29b); wherein the first sensor (29a) is configured to provide data enabling determination of a current position of the holding device (22) along a first direction; and wherein the second sensor (29b) is configured to provide data enabling determination of a current position of the holding device (22) along a second direction, the second direction being not oriented parallel to the first direction; In this case, the second direction is oriented in particular orthogonally to the first direction.

9. A calibration device (10), in particular a calibration device (10) for calibrating an image recording device (8) of a driver assistance system (6), comprising: a frame (11); and at least one holding device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, which can be movably mounted on the frame (11); in, The calibration device (10) comprises in particular a carrier (20) which is mounted on the frame (11) in a height-adjustable manner, and wherein at least one holding device (22) can be movably mounted on the height-adjustable carrier (20).

10. The calibration device (10) according to claim 9, in, At least one optically readable scale (30a, 30b) is configured on the frame (11); and The at least one holding device (22) has at least one optical sensor (29a, 29b) which is designed to determine the current position of the holding device (22) on the machine frame (11) by reading the at least one optically readable scale (30).

11. The calibration device (10) according to claim 10, in, The frame (11) has a first optically readable scale (30a) and a second optically readable scale (30b); wherein the at least one holding device (22) has a first optical sensor (29a) configured to determine a current position of the holding device (22) along a first direction by reading the first optically readable scale (30a); wherein the at least one holding device (22) has a second optical sensor (29b) configured to determine a current position of the holding device (22) along a second direction by reading the second optically readable scale (30b); and Therein, the second direction is not oriented parallel to the first direction, wherein the second direction is oriented in particular orthogonally to the first direction.

12. The calibration device (10) according to claim 9, comprising at least one calibration plate (12) which can be arranged at or in a support (26) of the holding device (22); in, The calibration plate (12) in particular has an RFID element (48) which includes information about the calibration plate (12) and / or about a predetermined position of the calibration plate (12) on the calibration device (10); and / or In particular, the calibration plate (12) has an optical code (50) which can be read by an optical sensor (29a, 29a) of the holding device (22), wherein the optical code (50) includes information about the calibration plate (12) and / or about a predetermined position of the calibration plate (12) on the calibration device (10).

13. Method for determining the position of a calibration plate (12) at a calibration device (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: The method comprises arranging the calibration plate (12) at or in a support (26) of the holding device (22) and determining the position of the holding device (22) at the calibration device (10) by means of the at least one sensor device (28), The method comprises, in particular, transmitting data representing the determined position of the holding device (22) on the calibration device (10) using the transmitting device (34) and / or outputting or displaying the data using the output device (40).

14. Method for positioning a calibration plate (12) on a calibration device (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: The method comprises determining the position of the holding device (22) on the calibration device (10) by means of a method according to claim 12 or 13, and changing the position of the holding device (22) until the determined position of the holding device (22) corresponds to a predetermined position, Therein, the method comprises in particular a motor-driven change of the position of the holding device (22), or wherein the method comprises a manual change of the position of the holding device (22).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, in, The method includes identifying the calibration plate (12); The method comprises, in particular, reading data from an RFID element (48) mounted on the calibration plate (12), the data identifying the calibration plate (12) and / or a predetermined position of the calibration plate (12) on the calibration device (10); and / or The method comprises, in particular, detecting an optical code (50) mounted on the calibration plate (12) using an optical sensor (29a, 29b), wherein the optical code (50) comprises information which clearly identifies the calibration plate (12) and / or a predetermined position of the calibration plate (12) on the calibration device (10).

Images