Clamping holder for positioning a support at a wheel of a motor vehicle, and system for calibrating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle

Abstract

A clamping holder (2) for positioning a support (15) on a wheel (14) of a motor vehicle (20) comprises a base frame (4), which is designed to be positioned on a floor at the wheel (14) of the motor vehicle (20), and a pivotable frame (6), which can be pivoted relative to the base frame (4) between a released position and a clamping position. In the released position, the pivotable frame (6) is oriented substantially parallel to the base frame (4). In the clamping position, the pivotable frame (6) is oriented at an acute angle to the base frame (4).

Description

[0001] R.417304

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Clamping bracket for positioning a support on a wheel of a motor vehicle and system for calibrating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle

[0006] The invention relates to a clamping holder for positioning a support on a wheel of a motor vehicle and a system for calibrating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle, comprising at least one clamping holder according to the invention.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] To calibrate sensors of driver assistance systems installed in a motor vehicle, calibration targets, cameras and / or similar devices must be positioned in predetermined positions on the motor vehicle.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a device that facilitates and simplifies the positioning of calibration targets, cameras and / or similar devices intended for calibrating the sensors of driver assistance systems on a motor vehicle.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] The invention comprises a clamping holder for positioning a support on a wheel of a motor vehicle. The clamping holder has a base frame designed to be positioned on a surface at the wheel of the motor vehicle, and a pivotable frame that is pivotable relative to the base frame between a released position and a clamped position. When it is arranged in the released position, the R.417304

[0012] - 2 -

[0013] The pivoting frame is essentially aligned parallel to the base frame. When it is arranged in a clamping position, the pivoting frame is aligned at an acute angle to the base frame.

[0014] The invention also includes a system for calibrating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle. A system according to the invention comprises two clamping brackets according to the invention, which are designed to be clamped to two wheels of the motor vehicle, the two wheels being arranged on opposite sides of the motor vehicle, in particular on a common axle of the motor vehicle. Each of the two clamping brackets is connected to a vertical support extending vertically upwards from the respective clamping bracket. The system further comprises a horizontal support extending above the hood of the motor vehicle between the two vertical supports, and which is designed and configured to support a device for calibrating a driver assistance system.

[0015] A clamping holder according to the invention can be easily, quickly, and securely fixed to a wheel of a motor vehicle by pivoting the pivotable frame from the released position to the clamped position. Devices intended for calibrating the sensors of driver assistance systems can be attached to a support connected to the clamping holder and thus easily, quickly, and securely positioned in predetermined positions in front of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In one embodiment, the base frame and the pivoting frame are each U-shaped with a central area and two legs that extend essentially at right angles to each other from the respective central area.

[0017] Frames designed in this way can be particularly well positioned on a motor vehicle wheel and attached and fixed to the wheel by pivoting the pivoting frame. R.417304

[0018] - 3 -

[0019] In one embodiment, the two legs of the pivoting frame are arranged inside the two legs of the base frame. In an alternative embodiment, the two legs of the pivoting frame are arranged outside the two legs of the base frame. In a further embodiment, the two legs of the pivoting frame can also be arranged above the two legs of the base frame.

[0020] In one embodiment, the two legs of the pivoting frame are pivotably connected to the two legs of the base frame by means of joints. The joints can be arranged or formed, in particular, at the ends of the legs facing away from the respective central area.

[0021] In one embodiment, the base frame has rollers and / or handles to facilitate the handling and / or transport of the clamping holder.

[0022] The rollers can be arranged at the joints, especially at the axes of the joints.

[0023] In one embodiment, contact elements are attached to the pivoting frame, in particular to the inner sides of the two legs of the pivoting frame, which are designed to bear against a wheel, in particular a tire, of a motor vehicle when the pivoting frame is in the clamping position.

[0024] In one embodiment, the mounting elements are pivotably attached to the pivoting frame, so that they can fit snugly against the tire, in particular against a tread surface of the tire, when the pivoting frame is pivoted into the clamping position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the clamping holder has a screw that is connected to the base frame and the pivoting frame in such a way that the pivoting frame can be moved between the released position and the clamped position by turning the screw. R.417304

[0026] - 4 -

[0027] With the help of such a screw, the swiveling frame can be easily moved from the loosened position to the clamped position, especially with little effort, in order to securely attach the clamping holder to the wheel.

[0028] In one embodiment, the screw is equipped with a torque limiter to prevent damage to the wheel or tire of the motor vehicle caused by excessive clamping force resulting from overtightening the screw.

[0029] In one embodiment, the screw is connected to the central area of ​​the base frame and to the central area of ​​the pivoting frame, so that the force exerted by the screw on the two legs is symmetrical. A screw attached to the central areas of the two frames is also easily accessible when the clamping bracket is mounted on the wheel of a motor vehicle.

[0030] In one embodiment, the clamping holder, in particular the base frame, has at least one receptacle or coupling, in particular a quick coupling, which makes it possible to attach a vertical support or a strut to the base frame.

[0031] With the help of such a mount or coupling, a vertical support and / or a strut can be attached to the clamping bracket particularly quickly and reliably.

[0032] In one embodiment, a system according to the invention additionally has at least one diagonal strut extending between the base frame of at least one clamping bracket and the associated vertical support in order to stabilize the vertical support.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0034] Brief description of the figures R.417304

[0035] - 5 -

[0036] Figure 1A shows a first perspective view of a clamping holder according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Figure 1B shows a second perspective view of a clamping holder according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a clamping holder according to an embodiment of the invention, which is mounted on a wheel of a motor vehicle.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a system for calibrating vehicle environment sensors of driver assistance systems with two clamping holders according to the invention.

[0040]

[0041] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a clamping holder 2 according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 1B shows a second perspective view of a clamping holder according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] The clamping holder 2 comprises an outer base frame 4 and a frame 6 which is pivotable relative to the base frame 4.

[0043] The base frame 4 is U-shaped and comprises a central area 40 and two legs 41, 42, which extend in a horizontal plane parallel to each other at an essentially right angle from the two ends of the central area 40.

[0044] Two handles 45 are formed on the central area 40 of the base frame 4 to simplify the handling of the clamping holder 2.

[0045] The pivoting frame 6 also has a central area 60 and two legs 61, 62, which extend in a horizontal plane parallel to each other at a substantially right angle from the central area 60. R.417304

[0046] - 6 -

[0047] The central area 60 of the pivoting frame 6 extends essentially parallel to the central area 40 of the base frame 4 and the two legs 61, 62 of the pivoting frame 6 extend essentially parallel to the two legs 41, 42 of the base frame 4.

[0048] Joints 51, 52 are formed at the outer ends of the legs 41, 42, 61, 62, which are turned away from the respective central area 40, 60.

[0049] Each of the joints 51, 52 connects one leg 61, 62 of the pivoting frame 6 pivotably with one of the two legs 41, 42 of the base frame 4.

[0050] The joints 51, 52 are also equipped with rollers 43, which make it possible to easily move the clamping holder 2 across the floor of a measuring station.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B, the ends of the legs 41, 42 of the base frame 4 are fork-shaped to accommodate a roller 43 each.

[0052] In each of the joints 51, 52, the two legs 41, 42, 61, 62 and a roller 43 are arranged on a common axis that extends at a right angle through the two legs 41, 42, 61, 62.

[0053] The two legs 61, 62 of the pivoting frame 6 are each formed with a slight bend along their longitudinal extent, so that the central area 60 of the pivoting frame 6 is arranged above the central area 40 of the base frame 4 when the pivoting frame 6 is in its released position, as shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B.

[0054] Between the central area 60 of the swiveling frame 6 and the central area 40 of the base frame 4 extends a screw 8 with a handle 12.R.417304

[0055] - 7 -

[0056] A threaded element 10 is screwed onto the screw 8. The threaded element 10 is arranged within a threaded element holder 64, which is formed on the central area 60 of the pivotable frame 6.

[0057] The threaded element 10 has an internal thread which engages with an external thread formed on the outer circumference of the screw 8.

[0058] When the screw 8 is turned, the threaded element 10 therefore moves linearly along the longitudinal axis of the screw 8. The direction of the linear movement of the threaded element 10 along the longitudinal axis of the screw 8 depends on the direction of rotation of the screw 8.

[0059] By turning the screw 8, the pivoting frame 6 can be pivoted between its released position, shown in Figures 1A and 1B, about the axes of the two joints 51, 52 into a clamping position in which the pivoting frame 6 is arranged at an acute angle to the base frame 4, as shown in Figure 2.

[0060] On the inner sides of the two legs 61, 62 of the pivoting frame 6, which face the interior of the U-shaped pivoting frame 6, a contact element 71, 72 is attached to each side. The contact elements 71, 72 are designed to bear against a wheel 14, in particular a tire 16, of a motor vehicle 20 when the pivoting frame 6 has been pivoted into the clamping position, as shown in Figure 2.

[0061] The system elements 71, 72 each comprise a fastening area 73, 74 which extends parallel to the respective leg 61, 62 and which is attached to the respective leg 61, 62 by means of a screw 81, 82 in such a way that the respective system element 71, 72 can be pivoted about the axis of the screw 81, 83.

[0062] On the side facing away from the mounting area 73, 74, which faces the interior of the pivotable frame 6, the mounting elements 71, 72 each have a contact area 75, 76 formed with a wave-shaped surface, which is intended to align with the R.417304

[0063] - 8 -

[0064] The tire 16 of the wheel 14 comes into contact and the respective mounting element 71, 72 is fixed there when the swiveling frame 6 is swivelled into the clamping position.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a clamping holder 2 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is mounted on a wheel 14 of a motor vehicle 20.

[0066] To attach the clamping holder 2 to the wheel 14, the clamping holder 2 is positioned on the wheel 14 such that the base frame 4 is arranged on the ground next to the wheel 14 such that the wheel 14 is located between the legs 41, 42, 61, 62 of the base frame 4 and the pivoting frame 6, as shown in Figure 2.

[0067] The pivoting frame 6 is then pivoted from its loosened position, shown in Figures 1A and 1B, into the clamping position shown in Figure 2 by turning the screw 8.

[0068] In the clamping position, the pivoting frame 6 is aligned at an acute angle to the base frame 4, and the two mounting elements 71, 72 rest against the tire 16 of the wheel 14, in particular against the tread of the tire 16, thereby fixing the clamping holder 2 to the wheel 14.

[0069] The contact force with which the two mounting elements 71, 72 are pressed against the tire 16 of the wheel 14 can be adjusted by turning the screws 8. A torque limiter 9 can be provided in or on the screw 8, which limits the torque when tightening the screw 8 and thus also the force exerted by the two mounting elements 71, 72 on the tire 16 of the wheel 14. This prevents the tire 16 from being damaged by excessive pressure from the two mounting elements 71, 72.

[0070] The base frame 4 is provided with one or more receptacles or couplings 43, 44, which make it possible to attach and fasten further elements, in particular supports 15 and / or struts 17, to the base frame 4. R.417304

[0071] - 9 -

[0072] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a vertical support 15 is attached to the coupling 44 shown on the left, which extends vertically upwards from the base frame 4.

[0073] A diagonal strut 17 extends between a section of the support 15, which is spaced vertically from the base frame 4, and a second coupling 43, which is formed on the right side of the base frame 4 shown in Figure 2, to stabilize the vertical support 15.

[0074] Furthermore, a support device 18 is attached to the vertical support 15, which has a contact surface 19 that supports the vertical support 15 on the tire 16 of the wheel 14.

[0075] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a system 30 for calibrating vehicle environment sensors of driver assistance systems in a motor vehicle 20, wherein the system 30 comprises two clamping holders 2 according to the invention.

[0076] The two clamping holders 2 are attached to the two front wheels 14 of the motor vehicle 20 by pivoting the pivoting frame 6, as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 2.

[0077] Each of the two clamping holders 2 has a vertical support 15 attached, which extends vertically upwards from the respective clamping holder 2.

[0078] A diagonal strut 17 extends between each vertical support 15 and the base frame 4 of the respective clamping holder 2, as is also shown in Figure 2.

[0079] The system 30 further comprises a horizontal support 32, which extends above the engine hood 22 of the motor vehicle 20 in a substantially horizontal direction between the two vertical supports 15. R.417304

[0080] - 10 -

[0081] A device 34 for calibrating vehicle environment sensors of a driver assistance system, which are installed in the motor vehicle 2, is attached to the horizontal support 32.

[0082] The clamping holders 2 according to the invention make it possible to quickly, safely and reliably position a device 34 for calibrating vehicle environment sensors of a driver assistance system in a suitable position in front of the vehicle environment sensors to be calibrated, in particular in front of the windshield 24, of a motor vehicle 20, as shown by way of example in Figure 3.

Claims

R.417304 - 11 - Patent claims 1. Clamping holder (2) for positioning a support (15) on a wheel (14) of a motor vehicle (20), wherein the clamping holder (2) comprises: a base frame (4) designed to be positioned on a floor at the wheel (14) of the motor vehicle (20); a pivotable frame (6) which is pivotable relative to the base frame (4) between a released position and a clamped position; wherein the pivoting frame (6) in the released position is oriented essentially parallel to the base frame (4); and wherein the swiveling frame (6) is aligned at an acute angle to the base frame (4) in the clamping position.

2. Clamping holder (2) according to claim 1, wherein the base frame (4) and the pivotable frame (6) are each U-shaped with a central area (40, 60) and two legs (41, 42, 62, 62) extending substantially at right angles to each other from the respective central area (40, 60).

3. Clamping holder (2) according to claim 2, wherein the two legs (62, 62) of the pivotable frame (6) are arranged within the two legs (41, 42) of the base frame (4).

4. Clamping holder (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the two legs (62, 62) of the pivotable frame (6) are pivotably connected to the two legs of the base frame (4) by joints (51, 52); wherein the joints (51, 52) are arranged, in particular, at the ends of the legs (41, 42, 62, 62) facing away from the respective central region (40, 60). R.417304 - 12 - 5. Clamping holder (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping holder (2) has a screw (8) which is connected to the base frame (4) and the pivoting frame (6) in such a way that the pivoting frame (6) can be moved between the released position and the clamping position by turning the screw (8).

6. Clamping holder (2) according to claim 5, wherein the screw (8) is equipped with a torque limiter (9).

7. Clamping holder (2) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the screw (8) is connected to the central area (40) of the base frame (4) and to the central area (60) of the pivoting frame (6).

8. Clamping holder (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one contact element (71, 72) is provided on the pivotable frame (6) which is designed to bear against the wheel (14), in particular a tire (16), of the motor vehicle (20) when the pivotable frame (6) is in the clamping position, wherein the contact elements (71, 72) are in particular pivotably attached to the pivotable frame (6).

9. Clamping holder (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one receptacle or coupling (43, 44), in particular a quick coupling, is provided on the base frame (4) which makes it possible to attach a vertical support (15) to the base frame (4).

10. System (30) for calibrating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle (20), wherein the system (30) comprises: two clamping holders (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which are designed to be clamped to two wheels (14) of the motor vehicle (20), wherein the two wheels (14) are located, in particular, on opposite sides of the motor vehicle (20); R.417304 - 13 - wherein each of the two clamping holders (2) is connected to a vertical support (15) which extends vertically upwards from the respective clamping holder (2); wherein the system (30) further comprises a horizontal support (32) extending above the bonnet (22) of the motor vehicle (20) between the two vertical supports (15) and which is designed and configured to support a device (34) for calibrating a driver assistance system.

11. System (30) for calibrating a driver assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the system additionally has at least one diagonal strut (17) extending between the base frame (4) of at least one clamping holder (2) and the associated vertical support (15).

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