Sensor-Cluster Apparatus with Adjustable Mounting for ADAS Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) face limitations in sensor functionality due to environmental factors like darkness and severe weather, which affect the reliability of camera and radar sensors, necessitating the integration and convergence of heterogeneous sensors, but require physical calibration and arrangement to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-cluster apparatus with a body member mounted on a case, featuring a position control device comprising a ball joint, tension spring, and actuator, allowing for precise adjustment of sensor positions and angles, enabling the integration and calibration of camera, infrared, lidar, and radar sensors to compensate for environmental limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heterogeneous sensors are integrated and converged to complement each other in different environments, then the reliability of sensor data is improved, but the complexity of physical arrangement and calibration is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heterogeneous sensors (camera, radar, lidar, infrared) into a single integrated sensor cluster assembly. This merging approach allows the sensors to work together complementarily in different environmental conditions while managing the complexity through unified structural support and integrated calibration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-calibration functionality where the sensor cluster can automatically detect and correct positional deviations without requiring manual external calibration. This self-service mechanism reduces the complexity of physical arrangement and calibration by enabling the system to self-adjust based on detected misalignments.
2Reliability
If sensor positions are fixed for stable operation, then the reliability of sensor function is improved, but the ability to correct misalignment and position changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable and reconfigurable sensor mounting structures that allow dynamic repositioning of sensors within the cluster. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to misalignments and position changes while maintaining operational reliability through controlled adjustability rather than fixed positioning.
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
The apparatus ensures continuous data collection and environmental sensing by calibrating sensor positions and angles, enhancing the reliability of ADAS systems by overcoming environmental limitations and facilitating easy maintenance and data supplementation among sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring having one end connected to the case and the other end connected to the body member to provide elastic force that resists a tensile load
Implementation Method 2
a ball joint in which a ball stud having a ball at an end thereof and a casing stud having a casing, which accommodates the ball and allows the ball stud to be freely rotated, at an end thereof are coupled to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor-cluster apparatus, in which a sensor configured to detect and collect external environment information is mounted in a case. The sensor-cluster apparatus includes a body member on which one kind or more of sensors are mounted on one surface thereof, a case in which an inner space is provided, and one surface thereof is opened to define an opening and on which the body member is mounted so that each of the sensors is exposed to the opening, and a position control device mounted inside the case to adjust a mounting position or a mounting angle of the body member.