ADAS Sensor Calibration on Irregular Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating advanced driver assistance (ADAS) sensors face challenges in accurately positioning calibration structures on non-horizontal and irregular service surfaces, leading to orientation errors due to deviations from manufacturer-specified conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a control unit to generate positioning data based on characterization data of the service surface, incorporating inclination indicators and actuators to adjust the calibration device's position and orientation, ensuring correct alignment with the ADAS sensors despite surface irregularities, by using a spatial reference system and correction factors to compensate for deviations from a horizontal plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the calibration structure is positioned on a non-horizontal service surface, then the calibration can be performed on irregular surfaces, but orientation errors occur due to deviation from manufacturer-specified horizontal positioning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the positioning parameters by introducing inclination indicators (levels) that measure the actual orientation of the calibration structure relative to the horizontal plane. Correction factors are calculated based on these measured inclination parameters, allowing the system to compensate for non-horizontal surfaces and maintain accurate alignment despite surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical assumption of a perfectly horizontal service surface with an electronic/optical measurement system (inclination indicators) that detects and quantifies surface irregularities. This substitution allows the system to adapt to real-world conditions rather than requiring ideal mechanical conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the service surface is perfectly horizontal and regular, then accurate calibration positioning is achieved, but the system cannot adapt to real-world irregular service surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using inclination indicators to continuously monitor the orientation of the calibration structure. The measured inclination data feeds into correction factor calculations, which then adjust the positioning instructions provided to the operator. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate alignment even when the service surface deviates from horizontal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating correction factors based on measured surface irregularities before the actual calibration process begins. The system characterizes the service surface in advance, determines the necessary positioning adjustments, and provides corrected positioning data to the operator before alignment is attempted, ensuring accurate positioning from the start.
3Ease of operation
If manual positioning methods are used without surface characterization, then the calibration process is simple, but positioning accuracy deteriorates on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically measuring the service surface characteristics using inclination indicators and autonomously calculating the correction factors needed for accurate positioning. Rather than requiring manual measurement and calculation by the operator, the system performs these functions automatically, providing corrected positioning data that improves accuracy without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for calibrating an advanced driver assistance (ADAS) sensor of a vehicle (9) comprises the following steps: generating positioning data (52) to facilitate positioning a support structure (3) at a working position in proximity to a service area (8); sending a calibration command to an electronic control unit (95) of the vehicle (9) to determine an interaction between the ADAS sensor and a calibration device (41); processing data received from the electronic control unit (95) of the vehicle (9) in order to generate calibration data, wherein a control unit (11) retrieves characterization data (51) and generates the positioning data (52) as a function of the characterization data (51).