SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE ORIENTATION OF A SURFACE

Abstract

This system (1) for measuring the orientation of a surface (1) to control the orientation of a sensor comprises a photonic emitter (4) capable of emitting a directional light beam (5) towards said vehicle sensor (3), a target (7) having a receiving area (12), a structure (9) forming a rigid link between the photonic emitter (4) and the target (7) and configured to maintain the photonic emitter (4) and the target (7) in a relative position such that an emission of a directional light beam (5) by the emitter (4) incident on a surface of the vehicle sensor (3) results in at least a partial reflection of said incident light beam (5) into a reflected beam (6) to the receiving area (12) when the sensor (3) has said surface oriented within a predefined range of permissible orientations,the target being configured to be small enough that said reflected beam (6) does not reach said receiving area (12) when said sensor surface (3) is not within said predefined permissible orientation range. Figure for the abbreviation: [Fig 1],

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE ORIENTATION OF A SURFACE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the determination of the orientation of ultrasonic sensors used in the field of the automotive industry under the acronym "USS" for the Anglicism "UltraSonic Sensor" or under the acronym "UPA" for the Anglicism "Ultrasonic Parking Assyst".

[0002] These sensors, generally four to six in number on a vehicle, are arranged on the front and / or rear bumpers of the vehicle, to enable it to detect nearby obstacles.

[0003] In response to the European regulation known as “GSR2”, car manufacturers must ensure the conformity of vehicles in production by taking orientation measures for these sensors.

[0004] The present invention aims to propose a system for measuring the orientation of a surface of such a sensor installed on a portion of a vehicle to control its positioning, as well as a control line capable of simultaneously controlling the positioning of several sensors installed on the vehicle, and a control method using the measurement system. Previous techniques

[0005] Currently, to control the orientation of the USS and UPA sensors installed on a motor vehicle and guarantee production conformity, an operator manually carries out a complete scan of the vehicle to obtain a three-dimensional model which he positions in relation to its four wheels and to a reference frame, then he notes three or four points on each sensor, deduces various measurement angles, and processes this data electronically to obtain an orientation of the sensor.

[0006] The specified process takes several hours of specialized technician work per vehicle.

[0007] In addition, the process presents significant risks of error, which leads to additional costs: firstly, because the scan combined with computer processing often leads to facets of the modelling because the sensor is sometimes located slightly behind the vehicle shield or in a funnel, then because the different measurement entries can also lead to errors.

[0008] In another known measurement method; in direct depth reading by laser, it is difficult to position the lasers which must be placed perpendicular to the surface to be measured, and the points being close to approximately twelve millimeters, the The casings of the lasers, several centimeters thick, interfere with each other. Statement of the invention

[0009] The aim of the invention is to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a system allowing the direct measurement of the orientation of the sensors by an operator or by automated control means, for checking the conformity of these sensors, the system and its method of implementation being capable of combining the advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability.

[0010] In view of the above, the subject of the invention is a system for measuring the orientation of a surface to control the orientation of a sensor or radar for a vehicle, comprising a photonic emitter capable of emitting a directional light beam towards a flat surface of said sensor or radar for a vehicle, a target having a reception zone, a structure forming a rigid connection between the photonic emitter and the target and configured to maintain the photonic emitter and the target in a relative position such that an emission of a directional light beam by the incident emitter on said surface of the sensor or radar for a vehicle causes at least partial reflection of said incident light beam into a beam reflected up to the reception zone.When the sensor with said surface oriented in a predefined range of admissible orientations, and the target being configured to indicate in direct reading a sensor orientation fault depending on the beam reflected on the reception zone.

[0011] Preferably, the transmitter comprises a coherent light source such as a laser.

[0012] For example, the angle of incidence formed by the incident beam on the surface of the sensor is between five and seventy degrees, preferably less than thirty-five degrees.

[0013] Advantageously, the system can be equipped with automated control means comprising an optical detector adapted to detect the arrival of the reflected beam on the reception zone, the automated control means being coupled to a means of switching on the transmitter and configured to automatically sanction the belonging of the orientation of the vehicle sensor to the predefined range of admissible orientations as a function of the detection by the optical detector of a beam reflected on the reception zone.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the automated control means are fixed to the structure.

[0015] In one embodiment, the target comprises a plate of at least partially transparent material from half a millimeter to two millimeters thick. The level of transparency is chosen for the protection of the operator so that he is not bothered by the laser beam when reading the information on the reading grid of the receiving plate. In the case of using an optical detector, the latter is configured to scan the reception area through said plate from a side of said plate opposite that where the vehicle sensor is located, the level of transparency and the color of the reception area being able to be distinct from that of the rest of the target to promote contrast and facilitate the reading of the information

[0016] Advantageously, the target comprises indicators superimposed on the reception zone and configured to allow an inclination of the vehicle sensor to be deduced relative to the predefined range of admissible orientations as a function of the arrival of the beam reflected on said indicators.

[0017] The invention also relates to a line for controlling the orientation of sensors and / or radars for vehicles installed on a portion of a vehicle, comprising a frame configured to maintain said portion of the vehicle in a predetermined position, and at least one system as described above, configured for measuring a sensor installed on the portion of the vehicle, said system having its structure permanently fixed to the frame.

[0018] Preferably, the vehicle sensor orientation control line is used to control several vehicle sensors installed on the vehicle portion and at least one system comprises several systems each having its structure permanently fixed on the frame and each being configured for measuring the orientation of a surface of one of the sensors or radars installed on the vehicle portion.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the orientation of the surface of a vehicle sensor using a system as described above, comprising the steps of:

[0020] - position the transmitter and the target on the structure in their relative position suitable for the measurement of the orientation of the vehicle sensor surface;

[0021] - emit the incident beam on the sensor or on the vehicle radar with the transmitter;

[0022] - carry out a check of the target hit by the reflected beam coming from the vehicle sensor by an operator and / or by automated control means;

[0023] - sanction the belonging of the orientation of the vehicle sensor to the range of predefined admissible orientations. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention will be better understood from a detailed study of an embodiment taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] represents a measuring system according to the invention, in perspective view.

[0026] [Fig.2] shows a vehicle with ultrasonic sensors, in side view.

[0027] [Fig.3] represents the rear shield of a vehicle comprising sensors at ultrasound, front view.

[0028] [Fig.4] represents the target used in the system according to the invention.

[0029] [Fig.5] represents a control line on which is mounted a portion of vehicle having installed sensors intended to be measured by a plurality of systems according to the invention. Detailed description

[0030] [Fig.l] illustrates the system of the invention, which has as its subject a system 1 for measuring the orientation of a flat surface to control the orientation of a vehicle sensor 3.

[0031] The vehicle sensor 3 is intended to be installed on a vehicle 2 such as that shown in [Fig.2].

[0032] For the purposes of the description, reference will be made to a direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ conventionally used in automobile design, in which the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0033] The sensor 3 is for example an ultrasonic sensor known in the automotive sector by the acronym “USS” for the anglicism “UltraSonic Sensor” or by the acronym “UPA” for the anglicism “Ultrasonic Parking Assyst”.

[0034] These sensors, generally four to six in number on a vehicle 2, are arranged on the front and / or rear bumpers of the vehicle 2, as illustrated by [Fig. 3], slightly set back from the bumper of the vehicle 2 or in a funnel on a bumper, to allow the vehicle 2 to detect obstacles close to the front or to the rear.

[0035] The system 1 could also be applied for the orientation of other sensors 3, for example radars installed in the shield crosspieces of a vehicle 2, the location of the radar being behind the skin of the shield of the vehicle 2.

[0036] The system 1 comprises a photonic transmitter 4 capable of emitting a directional light beam 5 towards said vehicle sensor 3.

[0037] The transmitter 4 comprises, for example, a coherent light source, which makes it possible to provide a very precise unidirectional light beam for the measurement, and to distinctly identify the incident 5 and reflected 6 beams relative to the sensor 3.

[0038] The transmitter 4 may in particular comprise a laser capable of emitting a beam, which may be a conventional commercial pointer laser of medium power, unlike known techniques which require several examples of measuring lasers per- particularly expensive.

[0039] The system 1 comprises a target 7 having a reception zone 12, as illustrated by [Fig. 4], which is for example a predetermined surface of the target 7 corresponding to all the position possibilities of the point 8 so that the diagnosis of positioning of the sensor 4 in a predefined range of admissible orientations is positively sanctioned.

[0040] The target 7 is configured to be able to indicate in direct reading a sensor orientation fault as a function of the reflected beam 6 on the reception zone 12.

[0041] The target 7 is for example configured in size and with a grid large enough to allow and facilitate direct reading, by an operator or by a sensor, of a sensor orientation defect, in a range offering an orientation margin of the order of two to three degrees of angle.

[0042] The system 1 comprises a structure 9 forming a rigid connection between the photonic emitter 4 and the target 7, so as to hold them fixedly relative to each other.

[0043] The structure 9 is configured to maintain the photonic emitter 4 and the target 7 in a relative position such that: - on the one hand, an emission of a directional light beam 5 by the transmitter 4 incident on a flat surface of the sensor or radar for vehicle 3 causes at least partial reflection of said incident light beam 5 into a reflected beam 6 up to the reception zone 12 when the sensor or radar 3 has said surface oriented within a predefined range of admissible orientations.

[0044] Thus, after a first calibration, an arrival of the reflected beam 6 on the target 7, in particular on its reception zone 12, makes it possible to characterize the orientation of the vehicle sensor 3.

[0045] The structure 1 allows, thanks to the use of a transmitter 4 which is very sensitive to shape defects of the sensor 3, requiring only one laser per sensor 3, with direct reading of the defect, and without the need for comparative calculations of positions of different lasers, a simple, economical and rapid regular validation of the conformity of the production of a vehicle comprising these sensors 4.

[0046] For example, the angle of incidence formed by the incident beam 5 on the surface of the sensor 3 is between five and seventy degrees.

[0047] The angle of incidence corresponds by definition to the angle between the incident ray 5 and the normal to the surface of the sensor 4 at the point of incidence, which is equal to the angle between this normal and the reflected ray 6.

[0048] The angle of incidence also corresponds to half the angle formed between the incident ray 5 and the reflected ray 6.

[0049] It must be greater than five degrees of angle to avoid the laser 4 being in the same space as the target 7 and hindering the observation of the reception zone 12 for the control of the arrival of the angle reflected on this zone 12.

[0050] The angle of incidence must be less than seventy-five degrees so as not to be hindered by the walls of a possible cone or funnel around the sensor 3.

[0051] The angle of incidence is preferably less than thirty-five degrees, the optimal range being five to thirty degrees.

[0052] With these angles, as long as the dispersion of the relative position of the sensor 3 with respect to the transmitter 4 remains within a tolerance interval of plus or minus five millimeters, this has a minimized and negligible influence on the final position of the arrival point 8 of the reflected ray 6 on the reception zone 12.

[0053] This position of the arrival point 8 then varies in fact from less than two tenths of a millimeter to two hundred and fifty millimeters, which corresponds to an angle defect of less than one tenth of a degree of angle, therefore much lower than the reading precision made by the human eye on the target 7.

[0054] Furthermore, the smaller the angle of incidence, the easier it is to make a common support between the emitter 4 and the target 7, therefore the more the size of the structure 9 is minimized.

[0055] The presence of the arrival point 8 in the reception zone 12 can be checked directly by an operator, or, alternatively, the system 1 can also include automated control means.

[0056] The automated control means comprise an optical detector adapted to detect the arrival of the reflected beam 6 on the reception zone 12.

[0057] The automated control means are coupled to a means for switching on the transmitter 4 and configured to automatically sanction the belonging of the orientation of the vehicle sensor 3 to the predefined range of admissible orientations as a function of the detection by the optical detector of a reflected beam 6 on the reception zone 12.

[0058] It is also possible to conveniently imagine that the automated control means is formed of a camera coupled to image recognition software so as to enable the position of point 8 to be recognized relative to the reading grid printed on the receiver 12 (or configured in the image analysis software) and to obtain in this way a precise value of the defect.

[0059] This precision makes it possible to monitor production drift.

[0060] This eliminates the need for the operation of scanning the reception zone 12 carried out by an operator.

[0061] Advantageously, the automated control means are fixed to the structure 9, which makes it possible to guarantee that these means are correctly maintained in position relative to the target. 7 and transmitter 4.

[0062] It is very advantageous for the transmitter 4, in particular if it comprises a laser source, and the target 7, to be linked together and connected to the automated control means, since this makes it possible to place them fixedly in relation to a nominal model of the vehicle generally carried out by computer-aided design, and therefore to make the control operation repeatable.

[0063] In one embodiment, the target 7 comprises a plate of at least partially transparent material half a millimeter to two millimeters thick, and the optical detector is configured to scan the reception area 12 through said plate 7 from a side of said plate 7 opposite that where the vehicle sensor 3 is located.

[0064] This embodiment with a target 7 comprising a plate of at least partially transparent material half a millimeter to two millimeters thick can be produced with or without automated control means, with an operator observing said plate, for example by looking through said plate.

[0065] The target 7 is for example partially or entirely made of a thin transparent plastic plate comprising acrylic plastic, for example polymethyl methacrylate, which is a transparent thermoplastic material sufficiently light, durable and resistant to shocks and photonic emissions for the system 1.

[0066] Polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate can also be used, which are types of thermoplastic plastics chosen for their strength, durability and low cost.

[0067] Advantageously, the target 7 comprises indicators superimposed on the reception zone 12 and configured to allow an inclination of the vehicle sensor 3 to be deduced relative to the predefined range of admissible orientations as a function of the arrival of the reflected beam 6 on said indicators.

[0068] These indicators, illustrated by [Fig.4], comprise for example an orthogonal axis centered on the reception zone 12 and a grid making it possible to identify the location of the arrival point 8 relative to said center of the reception zone 12.

[0069] The target 7 is therefore placed in such a way relative to the emitter 4 in the nominal position that the reflected beam 6 touches it in its center at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines.

[0070] Thus, if there is a rotation of this sensor 3 relative to its nominal position, the reflected beam 6 touches an area of ​​the reception area 12 which is different from the center.

[0071] Another system of reference than a grid can be used in an equivalent manner as a reading grid, for example an angular reference from a polar reference.

[0072] The marking makes it possible in particular to identify whether the arrival point 8 arrives too far below or, as in the illustrated example, too far above a horizontal axis, which makes it possible to identify that the sensor 4 has its orientation turned too far upwards along a horizontal axis, and to identify whether the arrival point 8 arrives too far to the left or, as in the illustrated example, too far to the right of a vertical axis, which makes it possible to identify that the sensor 4 has its orientation turned too far to the right along a vertical axis.

[0073] In the example target 7 illustrated, the operator can search whether the arrival point 8 is in a conformity range corresponding to the predefined admissible orientation range of the sensor 3, calculated to plus or minus three degrees, both for the Alpha azimuth axis or for the Beta elevation axis.

[0074] The dotted grid as illustrated and given as an example allows a reading of up to plus or minus five degrees to continue measurements in the event of a fault.

[0075] The grid pitch is regular so that a measurement with a graduated tool can complete its reading if the defect goes outside this grid.

[0076] We can also imagine an analysis of the shape of the arrival point 8 in addition to its position on the reception zone 12, since it will tend to be of substantially round section in the center and to deform towards elliptical shapes depending on its distance from the center.

[0077] The indicators make it possible to provide more information on the position of the sensor 3 as a function of the arrival point 8 of the reflected ray 6 on the reception zone 12.

[0078] For example, the indicators form angular, positional markers, or a grid, which are for example screen-printed on the target 7.

[0079] In the case of indicators that are to be visually scrutinized by an observer, a less transparent material such as virgin polypropylene may be used for target 7.

[0080] This limited transparency allows compaction of the control means and facilitates the eye comfort of the person for direct reading of the indicators when taking the measurement.

[0081] The thickness and material of the plastic plate 7, which may be more or less transparent, will therefore be adapted so as to avoid any risk of eye discomfort for the operator during repeated reading of the results, depending on the strength of the emitter 4, particularly if it is a laser.

[0082] It is recommended to use a thin plate, for example one to two millimeters thick maximum, which makes it possible to avoid the deviation of the light as it passes through the material of the target 7 having a significant influence on the accuracy of the measurement.

[0083] As illustrated by [Fig.5], the system 1 can be used alone or in several examples so as to form a line for controlling the orientation of vehicle sensors 3 installed on a vehicle portion 2, comprising a frame 14 configured to maintain said vehicle portion 2 in a predetermined position, and at least one system 1 as described previously, said system 1 being configured for the measurement of a sensor installed on the vehicle portion 2, and said system 1 having its structure 9 permanently fixed on the frame 14.

[0084] The extensions 10, 11 which support the pairs of transmitters 4 and targets 7 are permanently mounted on the frame 14, preferably also fixedly relative to the control means for their reference setting, for example by means of bases 13 bolted to the frame 14.

[0085] An extension 11 supporting the transmitter 4 may further comprise angular orientation means 11 for adjusting its position relative to a given sensor 4 installed on a given portion of vehicle 2.

[0086] The pairs of emitters 4 and targets 7 can be separated by approximately thirty centimeters from the shield fixed on the control means, so as to be able to mount and dismount the shields to be tested without having to remove them.

[0087] When the targets 7 are assembled in this way on the control means, the operator can directly read the results on said targets 7.

[0088] Preferably, the vehicle sensor orientation control line 3 serves to control several vehicle sensors 3 installed on the vehicle portion 2, and the line provides several systems 1 each having its structure 9 permanently fixed on the frame 14 and each being configured for measuring the orientation of a surface of one of the sensors installed on the vehicle portion 2.

[0089] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the orientation of the surface of a vehicle sensor 3 using a system 1 or on a control line, the method comprising the steps of:

[0090] - position the transmitter 4 and the target 7 on the structure 9 in their relative position suitable for measuring the orientation of the surface of the vehicle sensor 3;

[0091] - emit the incident beam 5 on the vehicle sensor 3 with the transmitter 4;

[0092] - carry out a check of the reach of the reflected beam 6 coming from the sensor for vehicle 3 by an operator and / or by automated control means;

[0093] - sanction the belonging of the orientation of the sensor for vehicle 3 to the range of predefined admissible orientations.

[0094] A system 1 with a single light beam is thus produced, which is particularly compact and which allows simpler integration on a control line, and the implementation of which is a simple method because it is very insensitive to shape defects in the shield of the order of plus or minus three millimeters.

[0095] Finally, the reading of the fault is direct and can be easily automated by adding of a detection system, without the need to scan the shield or heavy processing of the information.

[0096] This implementation, which is faster and less expensive, can be used regularly to validate the conformity of the production of vehicles 2, particularly automobiles comprising UPA or USS sensors 3, as well as for radars placed on the technical face of the shields.

Claims

Claims

1. System for measuring the orientation of a surface (1) for controlling the orientation of a vehicle sensor (3), comprising a photonic emitter (4) capable of emitting a directional light beam (5) towards a flat surface of said vehicle sensor or radar (3), a target (7) having a reception area (12), a structure (9) forming a rigid connection between the photonic emitter (4) and the target (7) and configured to maintain the photonic emitter (4) and the target (7) in a relative position such that an emission of a directional light beam (5) by the emitter (4) incident on said surface of the vehicle sensor or radar (3) results in at least partial reflection of said incident light beam (5) into a reflected beam (6) up to the reception area (12) when said surface is oriented within a predefined range of admissible orientations,the target being further configured to indicate in direct reading a fault in the orientation of the sensor as a function of the beam reflected (6) on the reception zone (12).,

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter (4) comprises a coherent light source such as a laser.

3. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, in which the angle of incidence formed by the incident beam (5) on the surface of the sensor (3) is between five and seventy degrees, preferably less than thirty-five degrees.

4. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising automated control means comprising an optical detector adapted to detect the arrival of the reflected beam (6) on the reception zone (12), the automated control means being coupled to a means for switching on the transmitter (4) and configured to automatically sanction the belonging of the orientation of the vehicle sensor (3) to the predefined range of admissible orientations as a function of the detection by the optical detector of a reflected beam (6) on the reception zone (12).

5. System (1) according to claim 4, wherein the automated control means are fixed to the structure (9).

6. System (1) according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the target (7) comprises a plate of at least partially transparent material of half a millimeter to two millimeters thick, and the optical detector is configured to scan the area of receiving (12) through said plate (7) from a side of said plate (7) opposite that where the vehicle sensor (3) is located.

7. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the target (7) comprises indicators superimposed on the reception zone (12) and configured to allow an inclination of the vehicle sensor (3) to be deduced relative to the predefined range of admissible orientations as a function of the arrival of the reflected beam (6) on said indicators.

8. Line for controlling the orientation of sensors and / or radars for a vehicle (3) installed on a portion of vehicle (2), comprising a frame (14) configured to maintain said portion of vehicle (2) in a predetermined position, and at least one system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 configured for the measurement of at least one sensor installed on the portion of vehicle (2), said system (1) having its structure (9) permanently fixed on the frame (14).

9. Line for controlling the orientation of sensors and / or radars for a vehicle (3) according to claim 8, in which several vehicle sensors (3) are installed on the vehicle portion (2) and the at least one system (1) comprises several systems (1) each having its structure (9) permanently fixed on the frame (14) and each being configured for measuring the orientation of a surface of one of the sensors or radars installed on the vehicle portion (2).

10. Method for controlling the orientation of a surface of a vehicle sensor (3) using a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: - positioning the transmitter (4) and the target (7) on the structure (9) in their relative position suitable for measuring the orientation of the surface of the vehicle sensor (3); - emitting the incident beam (5) on the sensor or on the vehicle radar (3) with the transmitter (4); - carrying out a check of the target being reached by the reflected beam (6) coming from the vehicle sensor (3) using an operator and / or using automated control means; - sanctioning the orientation of the vehicle sensor (3) belonging to the predefined range of admissible orientations.