Vehicle Sensor Alignment Using Reflective Plate Control Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning vehicle surroundings sensors and headlights lack simplicity and accuracy, often requiring complex calibration and alignment procedures that are prone to errors and deviations due to tolerances in vehicle construction and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a camera and control point system with at least three measuring points to determine the vehicle's driving axis and road plane, allowing for alignment of sensors and headlights by compensating for misalignment through a reflective plate and adjustment mechanism, ensuring accurate alignment parallel to the travel axis and road surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex calibration and alignment procedures are used, then alignment accuracy may be improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective plate with a control point system is introduced as an intermediary between the camera and the vehicle sensor. This plate serves as a mediator that establishes a known reference frame, allowing the camera to determine the driving axis and road plane without complex direct calibrations. The control points on the reflective plate provide geometric references that simplify the alignment calculation process while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective plate creates an optical copy or projection of the control point system that can be captured by the camera. Instead of directly measuring complex vehicle geometry, the system uses the projected control points to derive alignment information. This copying approach transforms a complex measurement problem into a simpler image analysis problem with known geometric relationships.
2Reliability
If traditional alignment methods are used, then alignment can be performed, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to tolerances and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the measurement parameters from direct physical measurements of vehicle components to optical image measurements of control points. By working in the image domain with well-defined geometric parameters (positions of control points on the reflective plate), the system achieves higher precision and reliability that is less sensitive to mechanical tolerances and environmental variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with direct physical contact and measurement with an optical system using a camera and image processing. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, contact errors, and physical tolerance accumulation, providing more reliable and precise alignment measurements that are not affected by mechanical degradation over time.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras and mechanical calibration are used, then alignment accuracy may be improved, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential alignment information requirement from a complex multi-camera system and satisfies it with a single camera observing a reflective plate with control points. By taking out only the necessary measurement function (determining driving axis and road plane) and implementing it through a simplified setup, the system achieves comparable accuracy with significantly improved productivity and ease of operation.
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 enables precise and efficient alignment of vehicle surroundings sensors and headlights, compensating for misalignment and tolerances, ensuring optimal radiation direction and measurement accuracy, suitable for both production and workshop adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (10) and an evaluation device (11) for aligning a distance sensor (2) on a vehicle (1) at a measuring station (8) by means of a reflective plate (17) with a control point system (21) arranged between the vehicle and the camera
Implementation Method 2
a reflective plate (17) with a control point system (21) arranged between the vehicle and the camera
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The method involves detecting a measuring point (6) at a vehicle during a start of the vehicle (1). An adjustment assistance device (17) is placed before a vehicle environmental sensor (2) or headlight (3) of the vehicle. The sensor or the headlight is aligned using a camera (10) and three measuring points (20) at the adjustment assistance device relative to a driving axle (15) and a lane level (12). An adjustment of the sensor or the headlight to the adjustment assistance device is determined, and the sensor or the headlight is aligned during the presence of misalignment. An independent claim is also included for a device for aligning a vehicle environmental sensor or headlight in a vehicle, comprising a camera.