Axial Misalignment Determination for Vehicle Object Detection Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection sensors, such as sonar and radar, can experience axial misalignment when mounted on vehicles, leading to errors in object detection due to incorrect inclination angles detected by inclination sensors, which are not accurately accounting for positional relationships between sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor unit with an object detection sensor and an inclination sensor that acquires initial and mounted inclination angles to determine axial misalignment by aligning the detection direction before mounting and accounting for errors in positional relationships to ensure accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the object detection sensor is mounted on the vehicle without pre-calibration, then the mounting process is simple and fast, but axial misalignment occurs leading to detection position errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing inclination angle measurement and axial misalignment determination before the object detection sensor is mounted on the vehicle. The sensor unit is temporarily disposed on a flat surface, inclination angles are measured in multiple directions, and misalignment is determined prior to final installation. This pre-calibration ensures detection accuracy is established before mounting, resolving the contradiction between simple mounting and accurate detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inclination sensor is attached at a displaced position, then the attachment process is more flexible, but axial misalignment cannot be determined with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the inclination angle as an intermediary measurement to indirectly determine axial misalignment. Instead of directly measuring the positional relationship between the object detection sensor and inclination sensor, the system measures inclination angles in multiple directions and calculates misalignment from these angle differences. This intermediary approach allows accurate misalignment determination even when sensors are attached at displaced positions, maintaining both mounting flexibility and measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If axial misalignment is not determined, then the system operation is simple, but detection position errors occur corresponding to the misalignment amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment adjustment mechanisms with a computational approach. Instead of using adjustable mounts or mechanical alignment tools, the system uses inclination sensors to measure angles and computationally determines axial misalignment. This substitution of mechanical alignment procedures with sensor-based measurement and calculation simplifies the overall system while maintaining high detection accuracy.
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
This method allows for high-accuracy determination of axial misalignment, reducing detection position errors by accounting for inclination sensor displacement and vehicle vibrations, thereby improving object detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an inclination sensor which detects an inclination angle as inclination with respect to a second predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor unit including an object detection sensor and an inclination sensor is mounted to a vehicle, and axial misalignment of the object detection sensor is determined as follows. A first inclination angle acquiring step of disposing the sensor unit, so that a first predetermined direction is aligned with a second predetermined direction before the sensor unit is mounted to the vehicle, and acquiring a first inclination angle detected by the inclination sensor from the inclination sensor, is performed. Then, a second inclination angle acquiring step of mounting the sensor unit on the vehicle and acquiring a second inclination angle detected by the inclination sensor from the inclination sensor, is performed. Finally, an axial misalignment determining step of determining whether axial misalignment has occurred at the object detection sensor, based on the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle, is performed.