Sonar Angle Measurement Device

Abstract

To provide a sonar angle measuring device with an excellent operability that can be used in a vehicle manufacturing step.SOLUTION: The sonar angle measuring device of the present invention includes: a sensor unit 1 having a sensor 5 for measuring an inclination; and a body 2 having such electric operational units as a vacuum pump 14 and a switch. The sensor unit 1 further includes: a cylindrical body 15; and a sucker 4 in the cylindrical body, which is sucked to the inside of the sensor unit 1. The pressure of the sucker 4 is made negative by the vacuum pump 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sonar angle measuring device that detects the mounting angle of a sonar that uses ultrasonic waves and is attached to a bumper of an automobile or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Sonars that use ultrasonic waves to measure the distance to an object have been used in automobiles for some time now. Such sonars are attached to the rear bumper to detect obstacles when the car is backing up and issue an alarm depending on the distance to the obstacle, or are attached to the corners of the front bumper to similarly issue an alarm depending on the distance to the obstacle. Such sonars need to be attached to the bumper at a specified angle.

[0003] An example of such a device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This device relates to a measuring device that measures the installation angle when a millimeter-wave radar is installed in a vehicle. Since millimeter-wave radars need to be installed with extremely high precision, multiple protrusions are provided on the front of the measuring device, and suction cups are also provided on the front of the measuring device, and the suction cups act to bring the protrusions into contact with the front of the millimeter-wave radar, thereby accurately determining the angle between the millimeter-wave radar and the measuring device.

[0004] On the other hand, sonar as a distance sensor such as a corner sensor or a back sensor using ultrasonic waves does not need to have such an accurate mounting angle. In other words, millimeter wave radar needs to detect obstacles in front of the vehicle while driving at a speed of, for example, 40 km per hour, and since it detects obstacles several tens of meters ahead of the vehicle, even a slight deviation in the mounting angle from the design value makes it difficult to detect the obstacle. In contrast, sonar is a back sensor that detects obstacles behind the vehicle when the vehicle is backing up, and a corner sensor that prevents the corners of the vehicle from touching a wall or the like when turning to exit a parking position, for example, so it is sufficient to measure a distance of about 1 m. For this reason, the mounting angle does not need to be so accurate.

[0005] The device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an ultrasonic distance sensor applied to a vehicle, and is designed to reduce the effect of vehicle vibrations on the distance sensor.

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-112531

[0007] [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2020-85456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for detecting the mounting angle for accurately mounting a distance sensor used in a vehicle, but the present invention aims to measure the mounting angle of a distance sensor that does not require high precision using an inexpensive, easy-to-use device. Furthermore, the technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for preventing malfunction of an ultrasonic distance sensor used in a vehicle, but does not disclose how to set the mounting angle.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a sonar angle measuring device that can be produced inexpensively with a simple structure, is easy to use, and can be easily used by workers on a vehicle production line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention consists of a sensor unit and a main body, and the suction cup on the sensor unit is connected to a suction pump inside the main body via a flexible tube. With the suction pump operating, the sensor unit can be placed against the surface of a sonar installed on a vehicle bumper or the like, and the sensor unit will be adsorbed to the surface of the sonar. The sensor unit has a cylindrical body at the tip, a suction cup is provided inside the cylindrical body, and the sensor unit further has a sensor for measuring inclination, and is configured so that the sensor is horizontal when the imaginary plane formed by the tip of the cylindrical body is vertical. As a result, when the cylindrical body at the tip of the sensor unit is attached to the sonar by the suction cup, the sensor can detect how much the sonar is inclined relative to the vertical. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the sonar angle measurement device of the present invention, the suction cup on the sensor unit is connected to the suction pump via a flexible tube, so that the sensor unit is attached to the sonar surface by touching the suction cup on the tip of the sensor unit to the surface of the sonar installed on the bumper of a vehicle while the suction pump is in operation. Then, the sensor is in a state where it can measure the inclination of the sonar surface.

[0012] In other words, during the vehicle manufacturing process, when a sonar is attached to a bumper and the angle at which the sonar is attached to the horizontal is measured, the worker simply places the sensor unit on the surface of the sonar and adheres it to the surface, allowing the sensor to measure the inclination of the sonar. This allows workers on the vehicle production line to measure the inclination of the sonar with simple operations.

[0013] Since the sonar angle measuring device of the present invention uses a suction cup to attach the sensor unit to the front of the sonar, if there is a groove between the bumper and the sonar, or if there is a step between the bumper and the sonar, if the suction cup is not properly in contact with the front of the sonar, air will leak through the groove or step and the suction cup will not stick to the sonar. Therefore, if the sensor unit is not properly attached, measurement cannot be performed, and erroneous measurement results will not occur. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a sonar unit of a sonar angle measurement device of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sonar unit of a sonar angle measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is being sucked. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sonar unit of a sonar angle measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is adsorbed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main body of the sonar angle measurement device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The invention described in claim 1 of the present invention comprises a sensor unit and a main body, and a suction cup provided on the sensor unit is connected to a suction pump inside the main body via a flexible tube, so that when the suction pump is operated and the cylindrical body at the tip of the sensor unit is placed against the surface of a sonar mounted on a vehicle bumper or the like, the cylindrical body at the tip of the sensor unit adheres to the surface of the sonar. The sensor unit is provided with a sensor that detects inclination, and is configured so that the sensor is horizontal when the imaginary plane formed by the tip of the cylindrical body is vertical. As a result, simply by adhering the cylindrical body at the tip of the sensor unit to the sonar with the suction cup, the sensor can detect how much the sonar is inclined relative to the vertical. vinegar It is possible. EXAMPLES

[0016] The sonar angle measuring device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiment. The sonar angle measuring device of the present invention is composed of a sensor unit 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and a main body 2 shown in Fig. 4, and the sensor unit 1 and the main body 2 are connected by a flexible tube 3 and a cable (not shown because it is general). The sensor unit 1 has a suction cup 4 and is provided with a sensor 5 inside. The sensor 5 detects gravity and detects inclination relative to the horizontal. The suction cup 4 is attached to the hollow side of a hollow operating rod 6 and communicates with the hollow part of the operating rod 6. The tube 3 communicates via an elbow 7 attached to the hollow side of the operating rod 6. In other words, the hollow part of the operating rod 6 communicates with the tube 3 and further communicates with the suction cup 4.

[0017] The control rod 6 is elastically pressed towards the side opposite the suction cup 4 by a spring 8. A button 9 is attached to the end of the control rod 6 opposite the suction cup 4, and the button 9 protrudes from the sensor unit 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a sonar mounted on the bumper of the vehicle, and has a smooth surface. When the button 9 is pressed against the elasticity of the spring 8, the suction cup 4 protrudes from the tip of the cylindrical body 15 of the sensor unit 1. The output signal of the sensor 5 is configured to indicate horizontal when the imaginary plane formed by the tip of the cylindrical body 15 is vertical. In other words, the sensor 5 is installed horizontally inside the sensor unit 1.

[0018] The main body 2 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a display 11, a power switch 12, an operation switch 13, and a vacuum pump 14. A tube 3 is connected to the suction side of the vacuum pump 14. This tube 3 is connected to the elbow 7 of the sensor unit 1. A cable (not shown) that transmits signals from the sensor 5 is also connected from the main body 2 to the sensor unit 1. Of course, a battery that serves as a power source and an electronic board that constitutes a control circuit having a microcomputer are provided inside the main body 2, but these are general and will not be described here. Reference numeral 16 denotes a release valve, which is pressed to release the air pressure inside the tube 3 to the atmosphere. In other words, the vacuum pump 14 has created a negative pressure inside the tube 3, the elbow 7, the operation rod 6, and the suction cup 4, but pressing the release valve 16 causes the above-mentioned insides to become atmospheric pressure.

[0019] The sonar angle measuring device of the present invention is configured as described above, and how to use it will be explained below. First, turn on the power by operating the power switch 12 of the main body 2. This will start the vacuum pump 14, lowering the air pressure inside the tube 3, and air will be sucked in through the suction cup 4. 2, the button 9 is pressed against the elasticity of the spring 8 while the suction cup 4 is pressed against the sonar 10. Then, the suction cup 4 is attached to the surface of the sonar 10 due to the negative pressure inside the suction cup 4.

[0020] The suction cup 4 is pulled by the spring 8 in a direction away from the sonar 10, so that the tip tubular body 15 of the sensor unit 1 is pressed against the sonar 10. As a result, the tip tubular body 15 of the sensor unit 1 is in close contact with the surface of the sonar 10, and the sensor unit 1 is perpendicular to the surface of the sonar 10.

[0021] In this state, the operation switch 13 of the main body 2 is operated to obtain data from the sensor 5. In other words, the sensor 5 outputs data on its inclination relative to the horizontal, and this data is processed by an electronic circuit inside the main body 2 and displayed on the display 11. If this inclination is greater than a predetermined value, the installation condition of the sonar 10 is poor. If the installation of the sonar 10 is good, the display 11 will show that it is good, and if it is poor, a similar display will be made. It is also possible to make a sound to indicate good or poor installation. When the measurement of the inclination of the sonar 10 has been completed by the above operations, the release valve 16 is pressed to open the inside of the suction cup 4 to atmospheric pressure, and the suction cup 4 is removed from the sonar 10.

[0022] In other words, the inclination of sonar 10 can be measured by the simple operation of adhering suction cup 4 of sensor unit 1 to the surface of sonar 10, and workers at the vehicle manufacturing site can easily check the installation state of sonar 10. Furthermore, since the sonar angle measuring device of the present invention can use commercially available parts such as suction cup 4, inclination sensor, and vacuum pump as its main components, it is highly suitable for mass production and can be easily incorporated into vehicle production sites. [Industrial Applicability]

[0023] As explained above, the sonar angle measuring device of the present invention can easily find the inclination of the sonar 14 attached to the bumper of a vehicle, and can check for improper installation of the sonar 14 during mass production of vehicles. If the installation angle is out of specified range, the installation angle of the sonar 14 can be adjusted to within specified range by adsorbing the sensor unit 1 to the sonar 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 1 Sensor unit 2 Main unit 3 Tubes 4 suckers 5 Sensors 6 Control rod 7 Elbow 8. Spring 9 Buttons 10. Sonar 11 Display 12 Power Switch 13 Operation switch 14 Vacuum Pump 15 Cylindrical body 16 Release valve

Claims

[Claim 1] A sonar angle measuring device comprising: a sensor unit having a sensor that detects the mounting angle of an ultrasonic sonar attached to a vehicle; and a main body having a display that shows tilt data from the sensor, said sensor unit being provided with a suction cup that is attached to the ultrasonic sonar attached to the vehicle; a hollow control rod being provided with the suction cup attached to the hollow side of the control rod and communicating with the hollow part of the control rod, the hollow side of the control rod being connected to a flexible tube, whereby the suction cup is connected to a suction pump inside the main body via the flexible tube, the rod-shaped member being elastically compressed by a spring in a direction that draws it into the cylindrical body of the sensor unit, the other end of the rod-shaped member protruding from the other end of the sensor unit via a button, and when the button is pressed, the suction cup protrudes from the tip of the sensor unit so that it can be attached to the ultrasonic sonar attached to the vehicle, and when the button is released, the suction cup is allowed to enter the sensor unit from the tip, the sensor unit being provided with a sensor that measures tilt with respect to horizontal, and the main body being provided with a release valve that releases air pressure within the tube to the atmosphere.

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