ADAS Sensor Calibration Alignment Using Optical Positioning Targets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle service systems for calibrating ADAS sensors face challenges in achieving precise positioning of calibration apparatuses and target panels, leading to potential operational errors due to manual intervention and existing systems not ensuring the required accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle service system with a calibration apparatus equipped with optical apparatuses and cameras that capture images of positioning targets, an electronic control system to determine the apparatus's position relative to the vehicle, and a handling assembly to adjust the apparatus into a pre-established calibration position, ensuring high precision and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual positioning is used by an operator, then the system is simple to operate, but positioning precision deteriorates due to dependence on operator expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of positioningVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated optical measurement system. Cameras capture images of positioning targets, and a processing system automatically calculates the calibration apparatus position, eliminating dependence on operator skill while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-positioning by automatically detecting its own location through the optical measurement system. The calibration apparatus equips positioning targets and uses cameras to capture images, allowing the system to autonomously determine its position without external manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If existing automated systems with multiple cameras are used, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates redundant cameras from the system. By using only two cameras positioned on the calibration apparatus to capture images of positioning targets on the vehicle, the system achieves required precision without the complexity of multiple cameras arranged on both the calibration apparatus and vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional arrangement by placing cameras on the calibration apparatus rather than on the vehicle. This reversal simplifies the system architecture while maintaining measurement precision, as the moving calibration apparatus actively captures images of fixed positioning targets on the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If more cameras are deployed to improve measurement precision, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the risk of damage and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary cameras from the system, retaining only the two essential cameras on the calibration apparatus. This reduction minimizes the number of vulnerable components exposed to potential damage while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for accurate calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables precise and automated alignment of ADAS sensors, reducing operational errors and costs by using fewer cameras, minimizing damage risk, and improving measurement precision through stereoscopic vision and self-zero correction.

Implementation Method 1

optical apparatuses (8), which are arranged in a service area (5) in such a way that each pair is opposite the other pair with respect to the longitudinal axis (S) of the vehicle (4). Each optical apparatus (8) is provided with a positioning target (9), which is oriented so as to face the calibration apparatus (2). Two video cameras (10) are mounted in/on the calibration apparatus (2) so as to be arranged in lateral positions on opposite sides with the respect to the calibration device/s (6). The two cameras (10) are oriented/directed towards the respective optical apparatuses (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP4050303B1Vehicle service system and related method of operation
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 TEXA SPA
  • EP4050303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4050303B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4050303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle service system (1) comprising a calibration apparatus (2), which is designed to calibrate an ADAS sensor (3) of a vehicle (4), a calibration device (6) and a position detection system (7), which comprises, in turn, two optical apparatuses (8), which are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle (2) and are configured to capture first images containing images of the vehicle (4). The optical apparatuses (8) have respective positioning targets (9), which are oriented so as to face the calibration apparatus (2). The position detection system (7) further comprises two cameras (10), which are mounted on the calibration apparatus (2) so as to be arranged in lateral positions on opposite sides with respect to the calibration device (6). The two cameras (10) are optically oriented towards the optical apparatuses (8) so as to capture the images of the positioning targets (9) .