Vehicle ADAS Sensor Calibration via Non-Contact Wheel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors on vehicles require periodic realignment due to wear and tear or misalignment caused by driving conditions or collisions, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing non-contact wheel alignment sensors to determine the orientation of vehicle tire and wheel assemblies, a target adjustment frame with actuators to position a calibration target relative to the sensors, and a computer system to actuate the actuators for precise calibration according to OEM specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are aligned and calibrated by the manufacturer during production, then initial sensor accuracy is ensured, but sensors require periodic realignment due to wear and tear or misalignment from driving conditions and collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service calibration by using the vehicle's own sensors to detect the calibration target and determine relative positioning. The vehicle sensor captures images of the calibration target, and the processor automatically calculates position and orientation data without requiring external alignment equipment or manual intervention, allowing the system to self-calibrate periodically
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration target is positioned in advance at a predetermined location relative to the vehicle. The system prepares calibration data including position and orientation information before actual calibration occurs, allowing the sensor to be pre-aligned with the target position so that when calibration is needed, the target is already in the correct location for automatic detection
2Ease of operation
If conventional alignment methods are used, then sensor realignment can be performed, but the process requires manual intervention and complex alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with an optical/image-based detection system. Instead of using mechanical alignment tools and manual adjustment mechanisms, the vehicle's sensor captures images of the calibration target, and a processor automatically calculates positioning data, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image capture to create a digital copy of the calibration target's position and orientation. The sensor takes pictures of the calibration target, and the processor extracts position and orientation information from these images, using the visual copy to determine alignment parameters without requiring physical contact or complex mechanical measurement tools
3Manufacturing precision
If manual calibration procedures are used, then sensors can be recalibrated, but the process is time-consuming and requires precise manual positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from image capture to automatically adjust and determine sensor positioning. The sensor captures images of the calibration target, the processor analyzes the images to determine position and orientation, and this feedback information is used to calculate the exact calibration parameters, enabling precise automatic calibration without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration target contains encoded position and orientation information that is captured as an image copy. The processor extracts this information from the image to determine the precise relative positioning between the vehicle and target, using the visual copy as a reference for accurate automatic calibration measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for aligning a target to a vehicle for calibration of a sensor equipped on the vehicle includes multiple non-contact wheel alignment sensors configured for use in determining the orientation of tire and wheel assemblies of the vehicle. A target adjustment frame includes a target mount moveably mounted on a base frame, and includes multiple actuators configured to selectively move the target mount relative to the base frame, where the base frame is in a known orientation to the non-contact wheel alignment sensors. A computer system selectively actuates the actuators to position a target relative to the vehicle, with the target mount being moveable about a plurality of axes based on the determination of the orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment frame to position the target relative to a sensor of the vehicle whereby the sensor is able to be calibrated using the target.