Vehicle Radar Alignment Check Using Forward Imaging Height Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar devices in vehicles often face misalignment due to variations in vehicle height caused by factors like mis-installed suspension springs or incorrect tires, leading to errors in measurement and unnecessary adjustments or repairs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a forward imaging system and a radar system that estimates the vehicle height and performs a radar alignment test, with an alignment controller determining whether the radar device is aligned and adjusting its aim using a control signal to drive a fastener, ensuring the device is correctly aligned within predefined tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a radar alignment test is performed without checking vehicle height first, then the alignment test can be completed, but the test results will be inaccurate due to height variations causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a vehicle height check using the forward imaging system before conducting the radar alignment test. This preliminary action ensures that height-related measurement errors are identified and corrected in advance, allowing the subsequent alignment test to be performed on a level vehicle surface, thereby improving measurement accuracy without adding significant complexity to the overall process
Solution Approach 2:
The forward imaging system serves as an intermediary tool to measure vehicle height and detect height variations. By using this intermediate measurement system, the patent can identify height-related alignment issues without directly complicating the radar alignment test itself, separating the height verification function from the alignment testing function
2Productivity
If the radar device is adjusted without verifying vehicle height, then alignment adjustments can be made quickly, but unnecessary repairs may be performed when the real issue is with suspension or tires
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary vehicle height verification using the forward imaging system before proceeding with radar alignment adjustments. This preliminary check ensures that height-related issues are identified and addressed first, preventing unnecessary radar adjustments when the actual problem lies with suspension or tires, thereby improving diagnostic reliability while maintaining workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback on vehicle height status before and during the alignment process. By monitoring height variations and providing this information to the operator, the system enables informed decision-making about whether to proceed with alignment adjustments or address underlying height-related issues first, thus improving diagnostic accuracy without significantly impacting productivity
3Device complexity
If vehicle height is not checked before radar alignment testing, then the testing process is simpler, but height variations induce errors in radar measurement leading to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a preliminary vehicle height measurement step using the forward imaging system before conducting the radar alignment test. This preliminary action adds a simple height verification step that prevents measurement errors due to height variations, ensuring that subsequent alignment tests are performed under correct conditions without significantly increasing overall procedure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The forward imaging system acts as an intermediary measurement device that provides height information to guide the alignment testing process. By using this intermediate system to verify vehicle height status, the patent can ensure alignment precision is not compromised by height variations while keeping the added complexity minimal and localized to the height verification function
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 approach accurately determines and corrects radar device alignment, preventing errors caused by vehicle height variations and ensuring accurate detection of obstacles, thereby reducing unnecessary repairs and improving radar system performance.
Implementation Method 1
capturing, by a camera of the imaging system, one or more images of a stationary object; and determining, by the imaging system, a position of the camera relative to a feature captured by the one or more images to estimate the vehicle height
Implementation Method 2
emitting one or more radio waves toward a reference panel positioned a predefined distance from the radar device; calculating an emission angle of the radio waves with respect to a reference axis based on radio waves reflected from the reference panel and received by the radar device
Implementation Method 3
The radar marker is configured to reflect radio waves emitted by the radar device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed toward a method and system for checking a vehicle height and radar aim of a vehicle. The method includes estimating, by a forward imaging system disposed in a vehicle, a vehicle height, and determining whether the estimated vehicle height is within a predefined height tolerance. The method further includes performing, by a radar system disposed in the vehicle, a radar alignment test to determine whether a radar device of the radar system is aligned within a predefined angular range, and adjusting the alignment of the radar device in response to the vehicle height being within the predefined height tolerance and the radar device being misaligned.