Device for determining an orientation of a sensor installed on a bumper of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for determining an orientation of a sensor installed on the body of a motor vehicle, the sensor having a planar surface which is accessible from the outside. The device comprises an elongate main body, with the main body having a planar contact face at one end and, at the other end, at least one recess for receiving at least one measuring bar. The elongate recess is designed such that a longitudinal axis of the recess runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body. The planar contact face of the main body is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the main body runs parallel to a normal vector of the planar surface of the sensor when the planar contact face of the main body is in surface contact with the planar surface of the sensor.

Description

[0001] Device for determining the orientation of a sensor mounted on a bumper of a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for determining an orientation of a sensor installed on a body of a motor vehicle, as well as a kit of parts comprising the device.

[0003] In modern motor vehicles, especially automobiles, driver assistance systems known as parking aids (park distance control, PDC) are increasingly being installed, which are intended to make parking the vehicle easier, especially in tight spaces.

[0004] Ultrasound-based systems, for example, are known from the state of the art. These systems operate with ultrasonic sensors integrated into the front and / or rear bumper of the vehicle. A distinction is made between two-, four-, six-, eight-, and twelve-channel systems, which means that two, four, or six round ultrasonic sensors are installed in each bumper. These sensors send and receive ultrasonic signals and transmit the acquired data to a control unit, which uses the ultrasonic signal propagation time to calculate the distance between the vehicle and an object reflecting the ultrasonic signal.

[0005] In order to determine the distance correctly, it is necessary that the ultrasonic sensors are correctly adjusted, i.e. aligned in a predetermined manner.

[0006] Particularly in the case of rear-end collisions and / or parking bumps, the bumper itself may be essentially undamaged, but the alignment of the ultrasonic sensors may have changed, which can lead to at least limited functionality of the parking aid due to misaligned sensors.

[0007] In addition, the functionality of the parking aid is tested during the development process by the vehicle manufacturer, for example, as part of a homologation process. This homologation of the parking aid is particularly necessary due to new regulations such as UNECE R158 and its subsequent amendments, which also require precise alignment of the sensors within a tolerance range of a few degrees.

[0008] In both cases, i.e. in the field (e.g., after an accident) and during development (e.g., for homologation purposes), the alignment of the sensors can only be determined with great effort using state-of-the-art means. Determining the alignment is difficult due to the relatively small sensor surface and the sometimes recessed installation position. Therefore, it is not immediately obvious, even to the naked eye, whether a sensor is misaligned. Furthermore, in the field or in workshops, a suitable and usually cost-intensive measuring device for determining the position or alignment is often not available and / or not economically viable.

[0009] Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a device which is suitable for overcoming at least the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the invention.

[0011] According to this, the object is achieved by a device for determining an orientation of a sensor installed on a body, in particular a bumper, of a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor has a flat plane accessible from the outside.

[0012] The device comprises an elongated main body, the main body having a flat contact surface at one end and at least one recess for receiving at least one measuring rod at the other end. The elongated recess is designed such that a longitudinal axis of the recess runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body. The flat contact surface of the main body is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the main body runs parallel to a normal vector of the flat plane of the sensor when the flat contact surface of the main body is in surface contact with the flat plane of the sensor.

[0013] The device described allows the use and provision of a cost-effective tool that solves the problem of determining sensor alignment described above, allowing for very easy detection of misalignment after repairs, accidents, and / or installation. This makes it easy to point out errors during homologation, for example, allowing for rapid response and successful homologation with technical services.

[0014] The sensor can be, for example, an ultrasonic sensor of a parking aid as described above, which can be installed, for example, in a front and / or rear bumper of the motor vehicle. However, the disclosure is not limited to such sensors. Rather, it can be any type of sensor that has a flat surface and is installed in and / or on the motor vehicle in such a way that the flat contact surface of the device can be brought into contact with the flat surface of the sensor.

[0015] The flat surface of the sensor can also be referred to as the flat (contact) surface. The respective end of the main body can also be referred to as the end piece or end region.

[0016] A planar (contact) surface can be understood as a flat, even, i.e. non-curved, outer surface of a device.

[0017] Since the at least one recess is designed to accommodate at least one measuring rod, an opening in the recess is arranged such that the measuring rod can be inserted into the recess from the outside in such a way that the measuring rod, if it is of a sufficient length, is visible from the outside, i.e. protrudes outwards from the recess. The recess is therefore shorter than the measuring rod. A normal vector is understood to be a vector that is orthogonal (i.e. at right angles, vertical) to the respective surface or plane. A straight line with this vector as the directional vector is called a normal. Since the flat contact surface of the main body is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the main body runs parallel to the normal vector of the flat plane of the sensor when the flat contact surface of the main body is in flat contact with the flat plane of the sensor, the longitudinal axis of the main body represents an extension of a sensor axis.This makes it possible to determine the position or orientation of the sensor axis and thus of the sensor by means of measuring rods that can be inserted into the recess.

[0018] The device can be made of various materials, such as wood and / or plastic. It is conceivable that the device could be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process, particularly 3D printing.

[0019] Optional further developments of the device described above are described in detail below.

[0020] A normal vector of the planar contact surface of the main body can run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. The normal vector of the planar contact surface of the main body can run parallel to the normal vector of the planar plane of the sensor if the planar contact surface of the main body is in surface contact with the planar plane of the sensor.

[0021] The at least one recess can be designed as a blind hole or a through hole.

[0022] The device may further comprise the at least one measuring rod which is cylindrical and is received and fixed in the at least one recess such that a longitudinal axis of the at least one measuring rod extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

[0023] The device can have four of the above-described at least one recess. The four recesses can each accommodate a measuring rod, also described above, in the manner described above. The four recesses can be arranged at a distance of 90° from each other. In this case, the recesses are preferably designed as blind holes whose respective longitudinal axes enclose an angle of 90°.

[0024] The device can have two of the at least one recesses described above. The two recesses can each accommodate a measuring rod, also described above, in the manner described above. The two recesses can be arranged at a distance of 90° from each other. In this case, the recesses are preferably designed as through holes whose respective longitudinal axes enclose an angle of 90°.

[0025] The main body can be cylindrical. Additionally or alternatively, the main body can have a taper in a region between one end, where the flat contact surface is formed, and the other end, where the at least one recess is formed. Additionally or alternatively, the main body can have a length of 2 cm to 4 cm.

[0026] The main body may have an adhesive element on the flat contact surface for releasably attaching the device to the flat plane of the sensor.

[0027] The device may comprise a weighted cord attached to the end of the main body at which the at least one recess is formed.

[0028] The main body may have a further planar contact surface formed at the other end of the main body at which the at least one recess is formed, and whose normal vector runs parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main body.

[0029] Furthermore, a kit of parts is provided which comprises the device described above and at least one measuring rod for receiving in the at least one recess of the device and / or a protractor for contacting the further flat contact surface of the main body.

[0030] This protects the spatial juxtaposition of the functionally coordinated individual components. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and a system can also be provided, for example, in which the protractor, which can be analog and / or digital, is in contact with the further flat surface of the device. Additionally or alternatively, the disclosure also relates to a use of the device and / or the kit of parts for determining the orientation of the sensor. It is conceivable that the sensor is also part of the system and / or the kit of parts. What has been described above with reference to the device also applies analogously to the system, the kit of parts and the use of the device.

[0031] The above description can be summarized in other words and in relation to a more concrete embodiment as described below, which merely includes a description of optional features and does not limit the disclosure.

[0032] The disclosure is based on the principle of describing an alignment aid that is easy to manufacture, e.g., one that can be produced using a 3D printing process, and which is applied flat to the center point of a PDC sensor installed in a bumper using reversible means, e.g., an adhesive pad. Using a double-sided, removable adhesive pad, the flat surface of the measuring aid can be applied to the flat surface of the PDC sensor and temporarily held in place. The cylindrical shape of the measuring aid means this is also possible with recessed PDC sensors. The flat surface of the alignment aid is in flat contact with the sensor and forms an extension of the sensor axis. Feedthroughs of the alignment aid, which are preferably arranged exactly at right angles, accommodate two straight, clearly visible rods, which visually signal the installation position of the sensors in relation to the bumper.By extending the axes, even the smallest deviation in position can be visually detected and can be repaired, for example, in a specialist workshop. The measuring aid or alignment aid is designed as a cylinder with flat surfaces, whereby a tapered cylinder serves to reduce the mass of the alignment aid. The system can be created using 3D rapid prototyping so that it can be distributed quickly worldwide. The tapered cylinder has a base area corresponding to the surface of a conventional PDC sensor (approx. 1.2 cm). To reduce leverage, the extension of the PDC sensor axis must be reduced to a necessary minimum (e.g. 2 to 4 cm). This offers sufficient degrees of freedom for alignment. In the cylinder, as an extension of the axis, there are two feedthroughs offset by 90° and parallel to the support surface, into which measuring or dipsticks can be inserted in a precisely positioned manner.The dipsticks used should be balanced in terms of length and weight. Therefore, a length of 20 cm is sufficient. The dipsticks can be made of wood or lightweight, stable plastics or fiberglass. The diameter of the dipsticks ranges from approximately 2 to 4 mm. The dipsticks used simulate the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor alignment. With a temporarily attached measuring aid, the optical bearing of the dipsticks makes it easy to position the sensor vertically and horizontally relative to the vehicle axis. The surface of the measuring aid is also parallel to the base so that a water level can be created electronically or conventionally using a spirit level, and thus the deviation of even recessed sensors from the earth's axis can be precisely determined. In addition, the system is designed to be easy to disassemble. This allows for minimal storage and transport.In principle, it is conceivable to provide the device as a kit.

[0033] An embodiment is described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows schematically a system comprising a device for determining an orientation of a sensor installed on a bumper of a motor vehicle in a side view, and

[0035] Fig. 2 shows schematically the device from Figure 1 in a plan view.

[0036] In the following description of the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same objects in Figures 1 and 2. The system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a device 2 for determining the orientation of a sensor 4 installed on a bumper 3 of a motor vehicle (not shown). In addition to the device 2, the system 1 comprises an angle measuring device 5.

[0037] The sensor 4 has a planar plane 41 accessible from the outside. The device 2 comprises an elongated main body 21, wherein the main body 21 at one end

[0038] 22 has a flat contact surface 23 and, at the other end 24, two recesses 25 designed as through holes (schematically indicated in Figure 2), which accommodate one of a total of two measuring rods 6. It would also be conceivable to design one of the recesses 25 as a blind hole and to provide four measuring rods 6.

[0039] The elongated recesses 25 are each formed such that a longitudinal limb of the recess 25, which runs parallel to the respective measuring rod 6, runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 26 (dashed line in Figure 1 ) of the main body 21.

[0040] The flat contact surface 23 of the main body 21 is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the main body 21 runs parallel to a normal vector of the flat plane 41 of the sensor 4 or a sensor axis when the flat contact surface 23 of the main body 21 is in planar contact with the flat plane of the sensor 4 (see the dashed line in Figure 1, which represents a position of both the longitudinal axis of the main body 21 and the sensor axis). A normal vector of the flat contact surface 23 of the main body 21 is also designed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body 21, and the normal vector of the flat contact surface

[0041] 23 of the main body 21 is consequently formed parallel to the normal vector of the flat plane 41 of the sensor 4 when the flat contact surface 23 of the main body 21 is in planar contact with the flat plane 41 of the sensor 4 (see also dashed line in Figure 1).

[0042] As can be seen from Figure 1, the main body 21 has a tapered portion to save material in an area between one end 22, where the flat contact surface 23 is formed, and the other end 24, where the two recesses 25 are formed. The main body, which is dumbbell-shaped due to the tapered portion, has a length of approximately 3 cm in this case.

[0043] The main body 21 also has an adhesive element (not shown) on the flat contact surface 23 for releasably fastening the device 1 to the flat plane 41 of the sensor 4.

[0044] The measuring rods 6, like the main body 21, are each cylindrical and are received and fixed in the respective recess 25 such that a longitudinal axis of the measuring rods 6 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body 21 (the angle of 90° is indicated in Figure 1 by the dashed, curved arrow). The longitudinal axes of the two recesses 25 are arranged at a distance of 90° from each other (the angle of 90° is indicated in Figure 1 by the dashed, curved arrow).

[0045] The measuring rods 6 allow a determination of whether the sensor axis is rotated to the vertical (as shown by way of example in Figure 1) and / or horizontal if the measuring rods 6 do not run parallel to the vertical or horizontal. In order to determine the angle between the measuring rod 6 and the vertical, the device has a weight or plumb line 7 which is attached by a cord to the end of the main body 21 on which the recesses 25 are formed. By means of a ruler, a distance (see double arrow in Figure 1) of the measuring rod 6 from the weight 7 can be calculated and, knowing the dimensions of the cord and / or the measuring rod, the angle which the measuring rod 6 forms with the vertical can be calculated.

[0046] Furthermore, the main body 21 has another flat contact surface 26, which is formed at the other end of the main body 21, where the recesses 25 are formed, and whose normal vector also runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body 21 (again, see the dashed line in Figure 1). The protractor 5 (in this case, for example, an electronic protractor) can be brought into flat contact with the flat surface 26 of the main body 21 in order to determine an angle of the sensor axis to the horizontal and vertical. List of Reference Symbols

[0047] 1 System 2 Device for determining the orientation of the sensor

[0048] 21 main body

[0049] 22 first end

[0050] 23 first flat surface / contact surface

[0051] 24 second end 25 recesses for measuring rods

[0052] 26 second flat surface

[0053] 3 bumper

[0054] 4 Sensor

[0055] 41 flat surface 5 protractor

[0056] 6 dipstick

[0057] 7 Lot

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (2) for determining the orientation of a sensor (4) installed on a body (3) of a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor (4) has a planar plane (41) accessible from the outside, characterized in that the device (2) has: - an elongated main body (21) wherein the main body (21) has a flat contact surface (23) at one end (22) and at least an elongated recess (25) for receiving at least one measuring rod (6) at the other end (24), - wherein the recess (25) is designed such that a longitudinal axis of the recess (25) runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body (21), and - wherein the planar contact surface (23) of the main body (21) is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the main body (21) is parallel to a normal vector of the planar plane (41) of the sensor (4) when the planar contact surface (23) of the main body (21) is in planar contact with the planar plane (41) of the sensor (4).

2. Device (2) according to claim 1 , characterized in that: - a normal vector of the planar contact surface (23) of the main body (21) runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body (21), and - the normal vector of the planar contact surface (23) of the main body (21) runs parallel to the normal vector of the planar plane (41) of the sensor (4) when the planar contact surface (23) of the main body (21) is in planar contact with the planar plane (41) of the sensor (4).

3. Device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one recess (25) is designed as a blind hole or through hole.

4. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (2) further comprises at least one measuring rod (6), which is cylindrical in shape and is received and fixed in the at least one recess (25) such that a longitudinal axis of the at least one measuring rod (25) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body (21).

5. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (2) has two or four of the at least one recess (25), optionally each with a measuring rod (6) according to claim 4, which are arranged at a distance of 90° from each other.

6. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: - the main body (21) is cylindrical in shape, - the main body (21) optionally has a tapering in a region between one end (22), where the planar contact surface (23) is formed, and the other end (24), where at least one recess (25) is formed, and - the main body (21) optionally has a length of 2 cm to 4 cm.

7. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the main body (21 ) has an adhesive element on the flat contact surface (23) for releasably fastening the device (2) to the flat plane (41 ) of the sensor (4).

8. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device has a cord weighted with a weight (7) which is attached to the end (24) of the main body (21) on which the at least one recess (25) is formed.

9. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the main body (21) has a further flat contact surface (26) which is formed at the end (24) of the main body (21) where the at least one recess (25) is formed, and its normal vector runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body (21). Kit-of-parts comprising the device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9 together with at least one measuring rod (6) for receiving in the at least one recess (25) of the device (2) and / or, insofar as related to claim 9, a protractor (5) for contacting the further planar contact surface (26) of the main body (21).

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