Optoelectronic Sensor Alignment Using Scan Point Coordinate Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the angular position of optoelectronic sensors in motor vehicles are not effective in accurately detecting and correcting misalignments, which can impact the sensor's operation and safety in road traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method and optoelectronic sensor system that uses a transmitter device, a receiver unit with multiple receiver elements, and an evaluation unit to emit and receive light beams, generate a sensor image, and determine angular deviations by comparing sensor and reference coordinate systems, allowing for precise alignment correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods for determining angular position are used, then the sensor operation can be maintained, but misalignment detection and correction accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver unit is divided into multiple receiver elements (first receiver element, second receiver element) that independently detect scan points. This segmentation allows for more precise angular position determination by comparing measurements from multiple elements, directly improving measurement precision while maintaining system reliability through redundant measurement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment adjustment methods with an optical measurement and calculation system. The evaluation unit determines angular position by calculating relationships between scan points detected by different receiver elements, substituting physical mechanical adjustment with computational geometry-based measurement, thereby improving both precision and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiver elements are used to improve alignment detection, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple receiver elements serve dual functions: they detect scan points for generating the sensor image and simultaneously provide measurement data for angular position determination. This multi-functionality allows improved measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components perform both imaging and alignment detection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own scan point detection capability to automatically determine and correct its alignment. The evaluation unit calculates angular position based on scan points detected by the receiver elements, and the system can automatically compensate for misalignments using this self-measured data, eliminating the need for external alignment equipment or complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
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 determination and correction of angular positions, improving the operation and safety of optoelectronic sensors, particularly in semi-autonomous and autonomous driving scenarios, by reliably capturing roadway guidance and objects in the vehicle's surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter device is used to emit light beams into surroundings of the motor vehicle. The light beams reflected at an object are received by means of the receiver unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining at least one alignment of an optoelectronic sensor of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle involves emitting light beams into surroundings of the vehicle by a transmitter device, and receiving light beams reflected at an object by a receiver unit of the sensor. The received light beams are represented as scan points in a sensor image of the surroundings of the vehicle generated by the optoelectronic sensor, and each scan point is assigned to a receiver element. A sensor coordinate system is determined in the generated image using at least two received scan points of the first receiver element, and a reference coordinate system is determined in the generated image using at least one scan point of the first and second receiver elements. An angular deviation is determined by a comparison of the coordinate systems for determining the at least one alignment of the sensor.