Jig and aiming method

Abstract

This tool provides a way to perform aiming work more easily, even if the vehicle width varies depending on the model. [Solution] The jig 1 used for aiming a camera mounted on a vehicle comprises a scale 10 arranged in multiple locations according to the width of the vehicle, one of which is aligned with the vehicle's centerline C1, and a first marker 21 arranged at a distance from the scale 10 according to the width, for confirming the continuity of images between a first camera located in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and a second camera located in the lateral direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a jig and an aiming method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for more simply and accurately aiming devices mounted on vehicles are known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a laser is irradiated from a laser device installed at the center of the rear of a vehicle, a laser target is installed in front of the vehicle so that the irradiated laser passes through a slit portion, an aiming target is installed at a position level with the laser target, and an aiming method is disclosed in which a recognition device for recognizing the front of the vehicle recognizes the aiming target.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the vehicle width may vary depending on the vehicle type, it is assumed that it may be difficult to cope with some vehicle types with the conventional aiming method. In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a jig and an aiming method that can more easily perform aiming work even when the vehicle width varies depending on the vehicle type.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A jig according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a jig used for aiming work of a camera mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a scale arranged in a plurality according to the width of the vehicle, one of which is aligned with the center line of the vehicle; and a first marker arranged at a distance from the scale according to the width, for confirming the continuity of images between a first camera located in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and a second camera located in the lateral direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

[0006] An aiming method according to one embodiment of this disclosure is performed on the camera mounted on the vehicle using the above-described jig. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, it is possible to provide a jig and an aiming method that can perform aiming work more easily, even if the vehicle width differs depending on the vehicle model. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a jig according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the jig on the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of target placement relative to a jig positioned with the vehicle in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a jig 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The jig 1 is used for aiming work of a camera mounted on a vehicle.

[0010] Jig 1 includes a scale 10, a plurality of markers 20 including a first marker 21, a second marker 22, and a third marker 23, a position marker 30, an auxiliary line 40, and a cutting line 50. Jig 1 is configured as a single sheet on which the scale 10, the first marker 21, the second marker 22, and the third marker 23 are drawn. For example, Jig 1 is configured as a single sheet on which, in addition to the scale 10 and the plurality of markers 20, the position marker 30, the auxiliary line 40, and the cutting line 50 are drawn.

[0011] The material of jig 1 may be any material, for example, one that is strong and robust against tearing, strong and water-resistant against moisture, and / or strong and stain-resistant against dirt. For example, the material of jig 1 may be polypropylene. For example, jig 1 as a whole is composed of a rectangular shape having a short side and a long side.

[0012] Multiple scales 10 are arranged according to the width of the vehicle, with one aligned to the vehicle's centerline C1. The scales 10 are drawn on the jig 1, for example, as a straight line extending along substantially the entire short side of the jig 1 in the direction of the jig 1's short side. Multiple scales 10 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the jig 1 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the jig 1. In this disclosure, “short side” is, for example, the direction along the short side of the jig 1. “Long side” is, for example, the direction along the long side of the jig 1.

[0013] Scale 10 also includes a numerical value indicating the distance D from the lateral centerline C1 of the vehicle to the longitudinal centerline C2 of the first marker 21. The distance D is determined according to the type of vehicle. In Figure 1, as an example, the distance D is shown when the centerline C1 of a vehicle of a predetermined type is aligned with the scale 10 located in the longitudinal center of the five scales 10. The numerical values ​​included in scale 10 are listed in multiple different units corresponding to the vehicle width for a single distance D, such as 1400 mm and 4.59 ft. If text such as cautionary notes is also drawn on the jig 1, the text may be listed in multiple different languages.

[0014] The first marker 21 of the multiple markers 20 is positioned at a distance from the scale 10 corresponding to the width of the vehicle and is used to confirm the continuity of images between a first camera positioned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second camera positioned in the lateral direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The first marker 21 is drawn on the jig 1, for example, as a cross shape. On the other side in the longitudinal direction, the first marker 21 is positioned at a distance D from the scale 10 corresponding to the width of the vehicle. The longitudinal center line C2 of the first marker 21 is drawn on the jig 1 as a straight line extending along the short side of the jig 1, covering almost the entire short side of the jig 1. The short center line C3 of the first marker 21 is drawn on the jig 1 as a straight line extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The second marker 22 among the multiple markers 20 is used to confirm whether the first camera, positioned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is able to capture images in parallel. The second marker 22 is drawn on the jig 1, for example, as a straight line. The second marker 22 is positioned adjacent to the first marker 21 on the other side in the longitudinal direction, on the longitudinal side.

[0016] The third marker 23 among the multiple markers 20 is used to confirm whether the second camera, located to the side of the vehicle, is capturing images in parallel. The third marker 23 is drawn on the jig 1 as, for example, a straight line. The third marker 23 is positioned adjacent to the scale 10 on one side in the longitudinal direction, on the longitudinal outside. The length of the straight line of the third marker 23 is shorter than, for example, the length of the straight line of the second marker 22.

[0017] The position marker 30 is positioned relative to the first marker 21 and is used to set up the first target T1, described later, for measuring the distance to the first camera located in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The position marker 30 is drawn on the jig 1 as a pair of markers arranged so that they are separated from each other along the shorter direction, with a shape of crosshairs arranged within a rectangular frame. The position marker 30 is located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, longitudinally outside the center line C2 of the first marker 21. The position marker 30 is positioned so that one side along the longitudinal direction of the first marker 21 and part of it overlap.

[0018] Multiple auxiliary lines 40 are arranged according to the width of the vehicle, and one is used to set up the second target T2, described later, for measuring the distance to the second camera. The auxiliary lines 40 are drawn on the jig 1 as straight lines extending along the short side of the jig 1, for example, along the short side. On the other side in the longitudinal direction, the auxiliary lines 40 are located longitudinally outward with respect to the center line C2 of the first marker 21. Multiple auxiliary lines 40 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction on the other side in the longitudinal direction. For example, the distance between one auxiliary line 40 and another auxiliary line 40 adjacent to one auxiliary line 40 is smaller than the distance between one scale mark 10 and another scale mark 10 adjacent to one scale mark 10. In Figure 1, seven auxiliary lines 40 are drawn on the jig 1 along the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The cutting lines 50 are used to separate the second marker 22 and the third marker 23 from a single sheet of jig 1. Two cutting lines 50 are drawn on jig 1, for example, as straight lines extending along the shorter side of jig 1 over substantially the entire shorter side of jig 1. The first cutting line 50 is located between the outermost auxiliary line 40 in the longitudinal direction and the second marker 22. The second cutting line 50 is located between the outermost scale mark 10 in the longitudinal direction and the third marker 23.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the jig 1 with respect to the vehicle V in FIG. 1. The jig 1 is used for aiming work, for example, as a pair of sheets in which each configuration shown in FIG. 1 is drawn symmetrically about the left-right axis and the printing patterns are different from each other, or as two sheets in which the printing patterns are the same as each other and are arranged in an inverted manner. The jig 1 is arranged with respect to the vehicle V such that the short side direction is parallel to the front-rear direction D1 of the vehicle V and the long side direction is parallel to the side direction D2 of the vehicle V.

[0021] When the aiming work is performed, four jigs 1 are arranged, two in front of the vehicle V and two behind the vehicle V, in a state where each scale 10 is aligned with the center line C1 of the vehicle V. For example, each jig 1 is arranged in front of or behind the vehicle V with the second marker 22 and the third marker 23 cut off by two cut lines 50, respectively. Among each jig 1, the scale 10, the first marker 21, the position marker 30, and the auxiliary line 40 are arranged in front of or behind the vehicle V while being drawn on one sheet. The two second markers 22 are bonded to each other and arranged at the front and rear of the vehicle V, respectively. Each of the four third markers 23 is arranged on the side of the vehicle V.

[0022] More specifically, the four first markers 21 are arranged at the four corners of a rectangular shape surrounding the outside of the vehicle V, respectively. Two of the four second markers 22 are arranged as one marker in a state of overlapping each other at the front and rear of the vehicle V, respectively. Two of the four third markers 23 are arranged on the extension lines of the center line C2 in the side direction D2 of the first marker 21 on both sides of the side of the vehicle V, respectively.

[0023] A method of arranging a plurality of markers 20 in the aiming operation will be described in detail. First, a marking member including a string, a thread, a rope, a measuring tape, etc. is stretched, and the center line L1 and the reference line L2 are arranged as marks. For example, the reference line L2 is marked with a first point by hanging a weighted tip from one side of the vehicle V in the side direction D2 to the ground, and a second point is similarly marked on the ground for the other side of the side direction D2. The marking member is arranged by being fixed to the ground so as to pass through the first point and the second point. The starting point includes, for example, any location determined for each vehicle type of the vehicle V. For example, the starting point includes locations at the rear of the vehicle such as the upper end of the rear wheel bumper and the mold end. For example, the center line L1 is marked with a third point by hanging a weighted tip to the ground so as to pass through the center of the rear emblem of the vehicle V, and a fourth point is marked by hanging a weighted tip to the ground so as to pass through the center of the front emblem of the vehicle V. The marking member is arranged by being fixed to the ground so as to pass through the third point and the fourth point.

[0024] The first marker 21 is arranged at an appropriate distance D corresponding to the vehicle type away from the center line L1 by arranging the sheet of the jig 1 with the scale 10 corresponding to the vehicle type of the vehicle V among the plurality of scales 10 drawn together with the first marker 21 aligned with the center line L1. The two second markers 22 bonded to each other are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line L1 in the side direction D2 by aligning the center on the center line C3 drawn on the sheet of the jig 1 with the center line L1. The third marker 23 is arranged on a side line L3 arranged by stretching the marking member in the front-rear direction D1 along the center line C2 of the first marker 21.

[0025] The distance along the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the first marker 21 located in front is a. The distance along the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the first marker 21 located behind is b. The distance along the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the third marker 23 located further behind is c. The distance along the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the third marker 23 located further forward is d. Distances a, b, c, and d are appropriately determined for each type of vehicle V by referring to, for example, a table that associates the appropriate values ​​of these distances for each type of vehicle V.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of target placement relative to the jig 1 positioned with the vehicle V in Figure 2. During the aiming operation, the targets are positioned in line with the position markers 30 of the jig 1, with two in front of the vehicle V, two behind the vehicle V, one on each side of the vehicle V on the center line L1, and one on each side of the vehicle V, for a total of eight targets.

[0027] Three first targets T1 are formed by one target located in front of the vehicle V on the center line L1, and two targets located in front of the vehicle V in line with the position marker 30 of the jig 1. Similarly, three first targets T1 are positioned behind the vehicle V. Three second targets T2 are formed by two targets located on both the front and rear sides of the vehicle V on one side of the lateral direction D2 in line with the position marker 30 of the jig 1, and one target located outside the lateral line L3. Similarly, three second targets T2 are positioned on the other side of the lateral direction D2.

[0028] The second target T2, located outside the lateral line L3, is positioned on a line where a marker member is extended in the longitudinal direction D1 along the auxiliary line 40 corresponding to the vehicle type of vehicle V, which is one of several auxiliary lines 40 drawn on the sheet of the jig 1. The distance in the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the first target T1, located in front of vehicle V on the center line L1, is e. The distance in the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the first target T1, located behind vehicle V on the center line L1, is f. The distance in the longitudinal direction D1 from the reference line L2 to the second target T2, located to the side of vehicle V, is g. Distances e, f, and g are appropriately determined for each vehicle type of vehicle V by referring to, for example, a table in which appropriate numerical values ​​of these distances are associated for each vehicle type of vehicle V.

[0029] The aiming method for the cameras mounted on vehicle V is performed using the jig 1 described above. In the aiming method, the first camera located in front of vehicle V is adjusted using three first targets T1 located in front. Similarly, the first camera located in rear is adjusted using three first targets T1 located in rear. In the aiming method, each of the three first targets T1 is used to measure the distance to the first camera on vehicle V. In the aiming method, the second camera located to the side of vehicle V is adjusted using three second targets T2. In the aiming method, each of the three second targets T2 is used to measure the distance to the second camera on vehicle V.

[0030] In the aiming method, the connection between the first image captured by the first camera and the second image captured by the second camera is confirmed, for example, by the state of the cross shape of the first marker 21 displayed on the adjustment screen inside the vehicle V. The first camera and the second camera are each adjusted by the operator so that the cross shape of the first marker 21 is not asymmetrically shifted around the center, but is displayed on the adjustment screen in the correct shape, and the images are connected correctly.

[0031] In the aiming method, whether the first camera and the second camera are capturing images in parallel is confirmed, for example, by the arrangement of the straight shapes of the captured second marker 22 and third marker 23 relative to a frame displayed on an adjustment screen inside the vehicle V. The first camera is adjusted by the operator so that the straight shape of the second marker 22 fits correctly within the frame. The second camera is adjusted by the operator so that the straight shape of the third marker 23 fits correctly within the frame.

[0032] According to the jig 1 of the above embodiment, aiming work can be performed more easily even if the vehicle width differs depending on the vehicle type. For example, by aligning the center line C1 of the vehicle V with the scale 10 of the jig 1 for each vehicle type to which the onboard camera aiming work is to be performed, the position of the first marker 21 in the lateral direction D2 relative to the center line C1 can be easily and appropriately adjusted to match the width of the vehicle V. By simply positioning the jig 1 in an appropriate position for each vehicle type in line with the center line C1 of the vehicle V, the first marker 21 on the jig 1 can be easily and appropriately positioned in a position that matches the width of the vehicle V during the aiming work. Therefore, compared to the conventional technique, which involves measuring the distance around the vehicle V multiple times to set the marker and attaching masking tape or the like to the floor to align it as a marker for checking the image of the onboard camera, the working time required for camera aiming work is significantly reduced. Unlike the conventional technique, where markers formed with masking tape or the like cannot be reused, the jig 1 can be repeatedly used for aiming work on other identical or different vehicle types of vehicles simply by repositioning it. This allows for flexible handling of aiming operations for multiple vehicles V. For example, the jig 1 consists of two sheets on which position markers 30 indicating the target placement position are drawn, and these sheets are offset to match the width of the vehicle, enabling aiming operations for all vehicle types with different widths.

[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure can be implemented in other predetermined forms besides the embodiments described above without deviating from its spirit or essential features. Therefore, the prior description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the prior description but by the added claims. Any modifications within their equivalent scope are included therein.

[0034] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component described above are not limited to those shown in the above description and drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as they can achieve their function. Each component of the illustrated jig 1 is a functional concept. The specific form of each component is not limited to those shown. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Jig, 10 Scale, 20 Marker, 21 First Marker, 22 Second Marker, 23 Third Marker, 30 Position Marker, 40 Auxiliary Line, 50 Cutting Line, C1, C2, C3 Centerline, D Distance, D1 Front / Back Direction, D2 Side Direction, L1 Centerline, L2 Reference Line, L3 Side Line, T1 First Target, T2 Second Target, V Vehicle

Claims

1. A jig used for aiming a camera mounted on a vehicle, Multiple scales are arranged according to the width of the vehicle, with one scale aligned to the centerline of the vehicle. A first marker is positioned at a distance from the scale according to the width, and is used to confirm the continuity of images between a first camera located in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and a second camera located in the lateral direction intersecting the front-rear direction. A jig equipped with the following features.

2. The jig according to claim 1, A second marker for confirming whether the first camera is capturing images in parallel, A third marker for confirming whether the second camera is capturing images in parallel, A jig that further incorporates these features.

3. The jig according to claim 2, A jig comprising a single sheet on which the scale, the first marker, the second marker, and the third marker are drawn.

4. A jig according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A fixture further comprising a position marker positioned relative to the first marker and used for setting a target for measuring the distance to the first camera.

5. A jig according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A jig used in the aiming operation, wherein each component is drawn symmetrically and the printed patterns are different for each other as a pair of sheets, or as two sheets with identical printed patterns that are arranged in reverse.

6. A method for aiming a camera mounted on a vehicle, using the jig described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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