Vehicle Sensor Angular Alignment With Two-Point Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensor calibration methods require multiple control points and extensive space, leading to longer cycle times, which is not feasible in high-volume vehicle assembly facilities.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight algorithm using a two-point iterative process for sensor alignment, involving a camera to capture images of calibration points, determine rotational orientation, and generate calibration values, minimizing space and time requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional multi-point calibration method is used, then sensor alignment accuracy is improved, but calibration time and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the calibration approach from using multiple control points to using only two control points, fundamentally altering the calibration parameters. The iterative algorithm compensates for the reduced point count by performing mathematical optimization to achieve accurate sensor alignment despite the simplified calibration setup, thus reducing calibration time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical calibration process involving multiple physical control points with a computational approach using an iterative mathematical algorithm. This substitution allows the system to achieve accurate sensor alignment through software-based optimization rather than relying on extensive physical calibration artifacts, thereby reducing both time and space requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional multi-point calibration method is used, then sensor alignment accuracy is improved, but calibration space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the calibration parameter set from multiple control points to just two control points. This parameter reduction allows the calibration process to be performed in a much smaller physical space, as the iterative mathematical algorithm compensates for the reduced spatial distribution of control points through computational optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a spatially distributed multi-point calibration approach to a computationally intensive two-point approach. By moving the complexity from the spatial dimension to the computational dimension, the system achieves accurate sensor alignment in a compact calibration space while maintaining precision through iterative mathematical processing
3Productivity
If lightweight two-point calibration algorithm is used, then calibration time and space are reduced, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple physical calibration setup with a complex computational algorithm. The iterative mathematical processing compensates for the simplified two-point calibration geometry, performing sophisticated calculations to achieve accurate sensor alignment despite the reduced physical complexity, thus enabling high throughput while managing algorithmic complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for sensor alignment include acquiring a translational vector, a first calibration point location and a second calibration point location, determining an expected rotational orientation in response to the translational vector, the first calibration point location and the second calibration point location, capturing an image of the a first calibration point and the second calibration point, determining a first position of the first calibration point and a second position of the second calibration point in response to the image, calculating a calculated rotational orientation in response to the first position of the first calibration point and the second position of the second calibration point, determining a calibration value in response to the calculated rotational orientation, storing the calibration value and controlling a vehicle in response to the calibration value and a subsequent image.