Vehicle Calibration Wall with Laser Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating driver assistance systems, particularly camera systems integrated into windshields, require complex measurements of the rear axle and additional measuring units, which is inefficient and unnecessary when the vehicle's axles are undamaged and correctly adjusted, such as after a windshield repair.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a mobile calibration wall with a calibration panel and wheel mounts equipped with lasers and adjustable scales, allowing for precise alignment and calibration of the camera system without requiring additional measuring units or complex rear axle measurements, by positioning the calibration wall parallel to the vehicle and ensuring the camera system matches a stored target image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional measuring units are used to determine exact vehicle position and orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary rear axle measurement step from the calibration process. By recognizing that the calibration wall can serve as a fixed reference point, the method eliminates the need for complex rear axle measurements and additional measuring units, while still achieving precise camera system calibration through the simplified front-axle-only approach
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the reference plane for calibration, establishes the measurement baseline, and defines the spatial relationship between the camera and vehicle. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate measuring units that would otherwise be required to establish these reference relationships
2Measurement precision
If complex rear axle measurement is performed, then calibration accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the time-consuming rear axle measurement step from the calibration workflow. By using the calibration wall as a fixed reference and performing measurements only at the front axle, the method significantly reduces calibration time while maintaining accuracy through the simplified measurement geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration wall is pre-positioned and established as a fixed reference point before the actual calibration measurements begin. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for repeated complex measurements during the calibration process, allowing for faster execution while maintaining precision
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 efficient calibration of camera systems without the need for rear axle measurement, reducing costs and time, and allowing calibration in scenarios where the vehicle's axles are undamaged, such as after windshield repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a laser, which is also attached in a height-adjustable manner by means of a locking screw
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a device for calibrating assistance systems, preferably integrated into windscreens, of vehicles (34), said systems comprising a movable calibration wall (11) and two wheel pickups (20) which are each equipped with a laser (32), wherein within the scope of the method according to the invention it is ensured that the calibration wall (11) is positioned with an applied or printed-on calibration reference image at a defined distance parallel to the front of the vehicle, with the result that actual images of the calibration reference image are then captured by means of the assistance system and compared with a calibration reference image stored in the camera, wherein the calibration is concluded when this comparison documents the necessary correspondence between the actual image and the reference image within the scope of the predefined tolerances.