Method for measuring a component of a motor vehicle, computer program and / or computer-readable medium, measuring system

Abstract

Method for measuring a component of a motor vehicle; wherein the method comprises: acquiring measurement data relating to the component by means of at least one sensor device arranged on the component, wherein the measurement data define a relative arrangement of the sensor device on the component to a vehicle-side reference point; processing the measurement data taking into account the reference point; and outputting the processed measurement data.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for measuring a component of a motor vehicle. The disclosure relates equally to a computer program and / or computer-readable medium and a measuring system for measuring a component of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Measuring vehicle components can be important or desirable for various reasons. In particular, it is crucial to be able to check and, if necessary, adjust the sensor's position to verify the arrangement and alignment of a sensor used to collect data for automated driving functions. Reliable component measurement can also be necessary or desirable for quality assurance purposes.

[0003] Patent application 10 2023 129 179.3, which was not yet published on the filing date of the present disclosure, describes a support structure for a measuring device for determining the position and / or positional tolerance of a component installed on or in a motor vehicle, wherein at least a partially non-planar outer surface of the component is accessible. The support structure comprises a suction element for attaching the support structure to the outer surface of the component by applying a vacuum between the suction element and the component, and a support element for additionally supporting the support structure on the outer surface of the component, wherein the support element at least partially surrounds the suction element. The support structure comprises at least one support element to which at least one measuring element of the measuring device can be attached, wherein the at least one support element is attached to and / or in the support element.

[0004] This allows a measuring device to be attached directly to a non-planar surface of a component in order to determine the component's position or positional tolerance. The suction element and the additional support element ensure stable attachment and alignment of the support structure. By supporting the device on the component's outer surface with the support element, any potential vertical and / or horizontal bending of the suction element is prevented, thus ensuring a secure (multidimensional) hold for the measuring device.

[0005] The measuring device allows the component to be measured relative to the motor vehicle.

[0006] However, there may be use cases, such as that of sensors for acquiring data to perform autonomous driving functions, where the arrangement of a component needs to be measured absolutely, i.e., relative to the vehicle's surroundings. Typically, the absolute measurement of a component's arrangement is performed relative to the vehicle's surroundings because a measuring device or tool is positioned on the ground or surface in the vehicle's vicinity. The vehicle itself may also be positioned on the ground. However, since the vehicle's orientation can be subject to inaccuracies—for example, due to uneven tire pressures, different suspension settings, and / or unevenness in the ground—these inaccuracies can affect the measurement of the component's arrangement.In other words, the motor vehicle may have a potentially unknown roll, pitch and / or yaw angle, which causes the component to be tilted in the same way as the motor vehicle.

[0007] Against the background of this prior art, one objective of the present disclosure is to specify a method and a measuring system, each of which is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the aforementioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the disclosure aims to reliably provide a reference system for measurements on objects or components of a motor vehicle.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0009] The problem is then solved according to one aspect of the disclosure by a method for measuring a component of a motor vehicle; wherein the method comprises: acquiring measurement data relating to the component by means of at least one sensor device arranged on the component, wherein the measurement data define a relative arrangement of the sensor device on the component to a vehicle-side reference point; processing the measurement data taking into account the reference point; and outputting the processed measurement data.

[0010] The disclosure can provide a measurement reference system at a defined location on the vehicle being measured by incorporating the vehicle-side reference point, enabling the component to be measured relative to this point. The vehicle-side reference point is positioned differently from the component and allows for a reference measurement to compensate for the vehicle's orientation through the processing of the measurement data. During the reference measurement, the relative position of the component with respect to the reference point is recorded. The reference point can be selected such that its position and, in particular, its orientation are known. In this way, any roll, pitch, and / or yaw angle of the vehicle can be calculated from the measurement data, thus obtaining measurement data equivalent to an absolute measurement of the component.

[0011] The method thus reliably and robustly provides and utilizes a reference system for measuring the component. This method, or measurement technique, can be used particularly in workshops and / or factories to reliably measure components, for example, during assembly and / or adjustment.

[0012] Optionally, the measurement data is acquired by scanning and / or measuring the reference point and the component. This allows the arrangement and / or orientation of both the reference point and the component to be recorded. This makes it particularly effective to determine the relative arrangement of the component to the reference point.

[0013] Optionally, the measurement data is acquired by multiple sensor devices. This allows for the simultaneous measurement of several components and / or the simultaneous measurement of components at multiple points. Alternatively or additionally, the reference point can be measured simultaneously.

[0014] Optionally, most sensor devices include a first sensor device located at the reference point and a second sensor device located on the component. This allows the reference point and the component to be measured simultaneously.

[0015] Optionally, the method includes: acquiring reference data related to at least one secondary reference point as additional measurement data; and processing and / or outputting the measurement data taking this reference data into account. This allows for the compensation and / or detection of potential positioning errors in the sensor device. If it cannot be ruled out that the provided measurement reference system is precisely positioned and / or oriented, the mounting error can be compensated for by a series of measurements at one or more secondary reference points. The secondary reference points can, for example, be known from a CAD model of the component and / or the vehicle.

[0016] Optionally, the measurement data characterize a translation and / or a rotation between the component and the reference point. This allows for a comprehensive characterization of the component's arrangement relative to the reference point.

[0017] Optionally, the reference point can be defined as fixed to the chassis and / or body. This allows the reference point to be used as a particularly reliable reference. For example, the reference point can be located on a threaded hole intended for attaching a towing eye. The reference point can also be located on a designated section of the chassis and / or body of the vehicle.

[0018] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer program and / or the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the method according to the disclosure and / or steps thereof. Optionally, the computer program and / or the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the process steps described as advantageous or optional in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0019] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a measuring system for measuring a component of a motor vehicle is provided; the measuring system comprises: at least one sensor device for recording measurement data relating to the component; and a data processing device configured to carry out the method according to the disclosure. Optionally, the data processing device is configured to carry out a method step described as advantageous or optional and / or to implement a method feature in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0020] Optionally, the sensor device includes a gyroscope. This allows the sensor device to be used dynamically or actively to measure the component or to acquire measurement data relating to the component. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device can be used statically or passively, thus providing areas and / or points for orientation.

[0021] One embodiment of each is described below with reference to the figures. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a measuring system according to an aspect of the disclosure and a motor vehicle; Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a procedure according to one aspect of the revelation; and Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium according to one aspect of the revelation.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a measuring system 45 according to an aspect of the disclosure and a motor vehicle 50.

[0023] Motor vehicle 50 is a land vehicle. Motor vehicle 50 is a passenger car and / or a commercial vehicle.

[0024] The motor vehicle 50 comprises a component 55. The component 55 is an add-on part that is mounted to a chassis and / or body of the motor vehicle 50. The component 55 can be an environmental sensor installed on and / or in the motor vehicle 50, e.g., a camera, wherein the component 55 is typically accessible at least partially on a non-planar outer surface of an outer skin of the motor vehicle 50 and comprises a non-planar outer surface of a lens.

[0025] Optionally, the vehicle 50 is equipped to perform an automated driving function. For this purpose, the vehicle 50 is equipped to collect and evaluate environmental data using the environmental sensor and to perform the automated driving function based on this data.

[0026] With respect to the motor vehicle 50, a reference point 60 and, optionally, a secondary reference point 61 are defined. The reference point 60 is defined as being fixed to the chassis and / or body. For example, the reference point 60 is located on a frame or chassis and / or the body. The component 55 is mounted to the chassis and / or the body. The chassis and / or the body, and thus the component 55, can have a uniform roll, pitch, and / or yaw angle. The secondary reference point 61 is fixed to the chassis and / or body and is thus defined relative to the reference point 60.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the secondary reference point 61 is defined relative to component 55.

[0028] The measuring system 45 is designed to measure the component 55 of the motor vehicle 50, i.e. to characterize the arrangement and in particular the orientation of the component 55.

[0029] The measuring system 45 comprises one or more sensor devices 40 and a data processing device 46. The data processing device 46 is configured to process the data relating to Fig. 2. The described procedure 100 is to be carried out. For this purpose, the sensor device 40, or the sensor devices 40 and the data processing device 46, are to be used in accordance with Fig. 1. Communicatively connectable. For example, the sensor device 40(s) and the data processing device 46 can be connected via a wireless and / or wired connection for transmitting data and / or transmitting data via a storage medium. The data processing device 46 can thus acquire data recorded by the sensor device 40(s).

[0030] The sensor device 40 comprises, or comprises, a gyroscope and / or is configured as a gyroscope. The sensor device 40 is, or comprises, the sensor devices 40 are each configured to detect a roll, pitch, and / or yaw angle, a first time derivative thereof (i.e., angular velocities), and / or a second time derivative thereof (i.e., angular accelerations).

[0031] The sensor device 40 is configured to acquire measurement data 10 relating to component 55. For this purpose, the sensor device 40 can be positioned on component 55. Furthermore, the sensor device 40 can be positioned at the reference point 60 to acquire the relevant measurement data 10. The measurement data 10 relating to component 55 can thus be related to the reference point 60. The measurement data 10 are acquired by scanning and / or measuring the reference point 60 and component 55, by sequentially positioning the sensor device 40 at the reference point 60 and component 55. The sensor device 40 can be moved from the reference point 60 to component 55 and / or vice versa. The measurement data 10 characterize a translation and / or a rotation between component 55 and reference point 60.

[0032] Optionally, the sensor device 40 can be positioned at the secondary reference point 61 to scan and / or measure the secondary reference point 61. Thus, the sensor device 40 can acquire reference data 11 related to the secondary reference point 61 as further measurement data 10. This can be done analogously to the measurement data 10 related to the reference point 60.

[0033] The measurement data 10 are optionally acquired by a plurality of sensor devices 40. This allows measurement data 10 relating to component 55 and measurement data 10 relating to reference point 60 to be acquired simultaneously, since one of the plurality of sensor devices 40 can be arranged at component 55 and one at reference point 60. The plurality of sensor devices 40 comprises a first sensor device 40 arranged at reference point 60 and a second sensor device 40 arranged at component 55. Optionally, one of the plurality of sensor devices 40 can be arranged at the secondary reference point 61 to simultaneously acquire the measurement data 10 relating to component 55, the measurement data 10 relating to reference point 60, and the measurement data 10 relating to the secondary reference point 61.

[0034] The data processing device 46 is configured to process the measurement data 10 taking into account the reference point 60 or the measurement data 10 relating to the reference point 60. For example, the data processing device 46 can subtract the orientation of the reference point 60 from the component 55. The processing of the measurement data 10 is carried out taking into account the reference data 11. For example, the data processing device 46 can calculate an average value from the orientation of the reference point 60 and from the orientation of the secondary reference point 61 in order to include the reference data 11 when processing the measurement data 10.

[0035] The data processing device 46 is configured to output the processed measurement data 10. The processed measurement data 10 can be output in a way that is perceptible to a user and / or output to a hardware and / or software component for further processing of the measurement data 10.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a procedure 100 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The procedure 100 according to Fig. 2 is a method 100 for measuring a component 55 of a motor vehicle 50. Such a motor vehicle 50 and a measuring system 45 for carrying out the method 100 are related to Fig. 1 described. Fig. 2 is referred to Fig. 1 described.

[0037] Method 100 comprises: Acquiring 110 measurement data 10 relating to component 55 by means of at least one sensor device 40 arranged on component 55, wherein the measurement data 10 define a relative arrangement of the sensor device 40 on component 55 to a vehicle-side reference point 60. The reference point 60 is defined as fixed to the chassis and / or body. The measurement data 10 are acquired by scanning and / or measuring the reference point 60 and component 55. The measurement data 10 characterize a translation and / or a rotation between component 55 and reference point 60.

[0038] The measurement data 10 are optionally acquired by a plurality of sensor devices 40. The plurality of sensor devices 40 comprises a first sensor device 40 arranged at the reference point 60 and a second sensor device 40 arranged at the component 55.

[0039] The procedure 100 optionally includes: Acquisition 115 of reference data 11 related to at least one secondary reference point 61 as further measurement data 10.

[0040] Procedure 100 involves: processing 120 of the measurement data 10 taking into account the reference point 60. The processing 120 and / or output 130 of the measurement data 10 is carried out taking into account the reference data 11.

[0041] Procedure 100 indicates: Output 130 of the processed measurement data 10.

[0042] The expert recognizes that the procedure 100 according to Fig. 2. The procedure can also be carried out in a different order than shown. In particular, it is possible to swap, shift, repeat and / or perform steps of procedure 100 simultaneously.

[0043] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 comprises instructions 201 which, when the program or instructions 201 are executed by a data processing device 46, cause it to execute the method 100 and / or the steps of the method 100 according to Fig. 2 to be carried out.

[0044] The commands 201 can be in the form of program code in any code or language, in particular code suitable for controlling and / or monitoring measurement systems 45. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 can be or comprise any digital data storage device, such as a USB flash drive, hard drive, CD-ROM, SD card, or SSD card. The computer program does not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium, but can also be accessed via the Internet or otherwise. Reference symbol (part of the description) 10 measurement data 11 Reference data 40 Sensor device 45 measuring system 46 Data processing device 50 motor vehicles 55 components 60 Reference point 61 secondary reference point 100 procedures 110 Recording measurement data 115 Collecting reference data 120 Process Spend 130 200 computer program and / or computer-readable medium 201 commands

Claims

[1] Method (100) for measuring a component (55) of a motor vehicle (50); wherein the method (100) comprises: - Acquisition (110) of measurement data (10) relating to the component (55) by at least one sensor device (40) arranged on the component (55), wherein the measurement data (10) define a relative arrangement of the sensor device (40) on the component (55) to a vehicle-side reference point (60); - Processing (120) the measurement data (10) taking into account the reference point (60); and - Output (130) of the processed measurement data (10). [2] Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein - the measurement data (10) are acquired by scanning and / or measuring the reference point (60) and the component (55). [3] Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the measurement data (10) are acquired by a plurality of sensor devices (40). [4] Method (100) according to claim 3, wherein - the plurality of sensor devices (40) comprises a first sensor device (40) arranged at the reference point (60) and a second sensor device (40) arranged at the component (55). [5] A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method (100) comprises: - Acquisition (115) of reference data (11) related to at least one secondary reference point (61) as further measurement data (10); and - the processing (120) and / or output (130) of the measurement data (10) is carried out taking into account the reference data (11). [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the measurement data (10) characterize a translation and / or a rotation between the component (55) and the reference point (60). [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the reference point (60) is defined as fixed to the chassis and / or body. [8] Computer program and / or computer-readable medium (200) comprising instructions (201) which, when the program or instructions (201) are executed by a data processing device (46), cause the device to perform the method (100) and / or the steps of the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Measuring system (45) for measuring a component (55) of a motor vehicle (50); wherein the measuring system (45) comprises: - at least one sensor device (40) for recording measurement data (10) relating to the component (55); and - a data processing device (46) configured to perform the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [10] Measuring system (45) according to claim 9, wherein the sensor device (40) comprises a gyro sensor.

Images