Optical Fixture Verification for Vehicle Sensor Target Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for calibrating and aligning vehicle safety system sensors lack a reliable method to verify the accurate placement of targets or fixtures, which can lead to incomplete or poor performance of the onboard safety systems if the operator fails to correctly position them.
Innovation Solution
A fixture with a set of cameras and an optical projection system that projects visible indicia onto surfaces to guide placement, coupled with a processing system to evaluate images and determine spatial relationships, ensuring proper placement and recording accuracy for vehicle service records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual measurement techniques or visual aids are used to guide operator placement of targets, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because operator accuracy cannot be verified
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of the placed targets using cameras, processes these images to determine actual placement positions, and compares them against expected positions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically verifies placement accuracy without requiring manual measurement by the operator, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement techniques with an automated optical measurement system using cameras and image processing. Instead of relying on the operator's manual measuring tools and skills, the system uses computational vision to automatically detect target positions and verify accuracy, eliminating the trade-off between ease of operation and measurement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent fixtures are used for camera support and target placement, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single unified fixture structure. The same fixture that positions the cameras also supports the optical projection system and provides reference targets for verification. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate independent fixtures while maintaining the adaptability required for different calibration scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate components (camera support structure, projection system, reference targets) into an integrated fixture assembly. By merging these elements, the system reduces the total number of fixtures required while maintaining the functional independence and adaptability needed for various calibration configurations.
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 solution provides a method to verify the correct placement of vehicle service fixtures, ensuring accurate calibration and alignment of safety system sensors, reducing the risk of incomplete or poor performance and facilitating warranty and audit processes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical projection system configured to project visible indicia, such as points or lines, onto surfaces in proximity to the fixture to guide relative placement of vehicle service components
Implementation Method 2
A camera support structure locates the set of vehicle measurement cameras in a vertically-adjustable, spaced arrangement to view features or objects within a vehicle service area
Data Source
AI summary
A machine-vision vehicle service system, and methods of operation, incorporating at least one at least one camera and an optical projector for guiding placement of vehicle service components relative to a vehicle undergoing service. The camera and optical projector are operatively coupled to a processing system configured with software instructions to selectively control a projection axis orientation for the optical projector to enable projection of visible indicia onto various surfaces visible within the field of view of the camera.