Vehicle Sensor Calibration Validation to Cut Alignment Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of vehicle sensors, particularly radar sensors, is complicated and time-consuming due to the need for precise manual adjustments and multiple measurement processes, increasing costs and time required for vehicle assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A calibration method involving a validation step that compares a first relative position of a calibration device with a second relative position acquired by the vehicle sensor, allowing for a complete calibration to be skipped if the deviation is within a predetermined tolerance, using a simplified alignment and external observation if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complete calibration process is performed with multiple measurement processes and manual adjustments, then the calibration precision is improved, but the calibration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary measurement of the calibration device's position using an external measurement system before conducting the full calibration process. This preliminary measurement allows the system to determine in advance whether a complete calibration is necessary, thereby avoiding unnecessary calibration steps and reducing overall calibration time while maintaining precision when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the vehicle sensor to automatically acquire reference objects and determine its own position relative to the calibration device without requiring manual intervention. The sensor system performs self-validation by comparing acquired position data with expected values, automatically determining whether calibration is needed, thus eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustments of the vehicle sensor orientation are performed during calibration, then the calibration accuracy is improved, but the operation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical adjustment system with an automated measurement and determination system. Instead of manually adjusting the sensor orientation, the system uses the vehicle sensor to acquire reference objects and automatically determines the sensor's position and orientation relative to the calibration device. This substitution eliminates manual intervention while maintaining calibration accuracy through automated computational methods
3Productivity
If a validation step is added to check position before complete calibration, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the calibration process into distinct segments: a validation step that checks the calibration device's position using external measurement data, and a conditional complete calibration step. This segmentation allows the system to quickly validate position accuracy using predetermined tolerance values, and only proceed to the more time-consuming complete calibration when the validation fails, thereby improving overall productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A calibration method for a vehicle sensor. The method includes: situating a calibration device having at least one reference object in a field of view of the vehicle sensor, which is situated on a vehicle, ascertaining a first relative position of the calibration device relative to the vehicle through a measurement outside the vehicle, acquisition of the at least one reference object by the vehicle sensor, and determining a second relative position of the at least one reference object relative to the vehicle from acquisition data of the vehicle sensor, and calculating a deviation between the first relative position and the second relative position, the calibration method being terminated if the calculated deviation is already within a predetermined tolerance and a complete calibration of the vehicle sensor being carried out only if the calculated deviation is outside the predetermined tolerance.