IMU-Guided ADAS Target Placement Without Line-of-Sight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for guiding the placement of vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) calibration targets or fixtures require an uninterrupted line of sight, which can be obstructed by objects or the vehicle itself, making it difficult to accurately position these targets during service procedures.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) consisting of accelerometers and gyroscopes to track the relative position and orientation of ADAS targets or service fixtures within a vehicle service area, allowing for precise placement guidance without the need for an uninterrupted line of sight, using a controller and processing system to generate directional guidance for technicians.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If optical camera systems or laser emitters are used to guide target placement, then visual guidance can be provided to operators, but the system requires an uninterrupted line of sight which can be blocked by the vehicle or objects in the service area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual guidance capabilityVSAvoidline of sight requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical guidance systems (cameras and laser emitters) with an inertial measurement-based guidance system. The service fixture incorporates an IMU that tracks its own position and orientation through inertial sensing, eliminating the need for external optical observation. This substitution removes the line-of-sight constraint while maintaining guidance functionality, as the fixture autonomously determines its position relative to the vehicle without requiring external optical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an inertial measurement unit as an intermediary between the service fixture and the guidance system. Rather than directly observing the fixture through cameras or lasers, the system uses the IMU's inertial data as an intermediate representation of the fixture's position and orientation. This intermediary enables guidance functionality without requiring direct line of sight to the fixture itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If wheel-mounted targets with camera systems are used to determine vehicle position, then vehicle positioning can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for multiple components and line of sight requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle position determinationVSAvoidsystem components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical measurement systems (wheel-mounted targets with cameras) with inertial measurement-based positioning. The service fixture's IMU autonomously tracks its position and orientation through inertial sensing, eliminating the need for wheel-mounted targets, camera systems, and the associated line-of-sight infrastructure. This substitution maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The service fixture performs its own positioning and orientation measurement through its integrated IMU, without requiring external observation systems. The fixture is self-sufficient in determining its spatial relationship to the vehicle, eliminating the need for separate camera systems and targets mounted on vehicle wheels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables accurate and efficient placement of ADAS targets or service fixtures within the vehicle service area, improving the precision and reliability of ADAS recalibration procedures by providing real-time positional feedback and orientation guidance to technicians.

Implementation Method 1

A vehicle service system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) consisting of accelerometers and gyroscopes capable of estimating a position of the vehicle service system by tracking changes in acceleration and rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentUS11872965B2System and method for gyroscopic placement of vehicle ADAS targets

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY

AI summary

A vehicle ADAS target or fixture is configured with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) consisting of a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes capable of estimating a relative position and orientation within the spatial volume of the vehicle service area by tracking changes in acceleration and rotation. A controller monitors movement of the IMU relative to an established reference location, generating output utilized by a vehicle service system to guide a technician to position and orient the vehicle ADAS target or fixture at a selected location within the vehicle service area required to conduct a vehicle ADAS service procedure.