Mobile calibration apparatus for vehicle sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11009586-B2
Application number	US-201816113096-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2018
Priority date	Aug 31, 2017
Publication date	May 18, 2021
Grant date	May 18, 2021

Abstract

A mobile sensor calibration apparatus that is operable to be mounted to the side of a service vehicle to perform calibrations outside of a workshop environment. The mobile sensor calibration apparatus may further comprise platform members to provide an even surface for a subject vehicle having sensors needing calibration. In some embodiments, the mobile sensor calibration apparatus may be compacted and stored in the service vehicle during transportation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sensor calibration apparatus having a primary member comprising:
a base of the primary member having a number of stabilizing members, at least one stabilizing member comprising a hitch mechanism configured to mount the primary member to a separate support structure;
a first adjustable support extending from the base in a substantially vertical direction;
a first adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the first adjustable support and configured to control degree of extension of the first adjustable support from the base in the substantially vertical direction;
a second adjustable support affixed to the first adjustable support and extending therefrom in a substantially horizontal direction;
a second adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the second adjustable support and configured to control degree of extension of the second adjustable support from the first adjustable support in the substantially horizontal direction;
a number of target mounts configured to detachably affix a reflective calibration target to the second adjustment support;
a number of vertical range finders affixed to the second adjustable support, each of the number of vertical range finders being operable to determine a distance of the extension of the first adjustable support from the base; and
a number of horizontal range finders affixed to the second adjustable support, each of the number of horizontal range finders being operable to determine a distance of the extension of the second adjustable support from the first adjustable support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the number of stabilizing members comprises an extending foot structure operable to level the apparatus horizontally when connected to the separate support structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first adjustable support comprises a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment is affixed to the base and comprises a threaded shaft defined within the first segment, a second segment comprises a threaded rod configured to interact with the threaded shaft of the first segment, and the first adjustment mechanism is a rotational mechanism configured to rotate the threaded rod of the second segment within the threaded shaft of the first segment.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism is configured to be operated by an electric motor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a number of secondary platform members distinct from the primary member, the secondary platform members having height-adjustable foot structures and configured to support the weight of a vehicle having sensors.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a number of measuring instruments affixed to the primary member, wherein the number of secondary platform members further comprise a target configured to provide a distance measurement of the secondary platform when targeted by one of the number of measuring instruments.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism is configured to be operated using a first electric motors and the second adjustment mechanism is configured to be operated using a second electric motor.

8. The apparatus of 7 , wherein the first electric motor and the second electric motor are configured to be controlled via a wireless connection with a portable controller device.

9. The apparatus of 7 , wherein the hitch mechanism is configured to mount the apparatus to a vehicle, and wherein the first electric motor and the second electric motor are configured to be controlled via an interface disposed within the vehicle.

10. The apparatus of 9 , wherein the first electric motor and the second electric motor are configured to draw power from a power source disposed within the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second adjustable support comprises a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment is affixed to the first adjustable support and comprises a threaded shaft defined within the first segment, a second segment comprises a threaded rod configured to interact with the threaded shaft of the first segment, and the second adjustment mechanism is a rotational mechanism configured to rotate the threaded rod of the second segment within the threaded shaft of the first segment.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism is configured to be operated by an electric motor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second adjustable support further comprises a third segment comprised of a thread rod configured to interact with the threaded shaft of the first segment, and the apparatus further comprises a third adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the second adjustable support and configured to rotate the threaded rod of the third segment within the threaded shaft of the first segment, the rotation of the third adjustment mechanism being independent of the rotation of the second adjustment mechanism.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism and the third adjustment mechanism are configured to be operated by an electric motor.

15. A sensor calibration system, the system comprising:
a primary member having a base comprising a number of stabilizing members, at least one stabilizing member comprising a hitch mechanism configured to mount the primary member to a separate support structure, a first adjustable support extending from the base in a substantially vertical direction, a first adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the first adjustable support and configured to control degree of extension of the first adjustable support from the base in the substantially vertical direction, a second adjustable support affixed to the first adjustable support and extending therefrom in a substantially horizontal direction, a second adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the second adjustable support and configured to control degree of extension of the second adjustable support from the first adjustable support in the substantially horizontal direction, a number of target mounts configured to detachably affix a reflective calibration target to the second adjustment support, a first number of range-finder mounts operable to detachably affix a first range finder to the first adjustable support, and a second number of range-finder mounts operable to detachably affix a second range finder to the second adjustable support;
a number of targets configured to be detachably affixed to the target mounts of the primary member;
a first range finder configured to be detachably affixed to the first range-finder mount;
a second range finder configured to be detachably affixed to the second rage-finder mounts; and
a number of platform members distinct from the primary structure, the platform structures having a platform surface, height-adjustable foot structures operable to adjust the height of the platform surface.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a vehicle having a 3-point receiver hitch, the primary member being mounted to the vehicle using the hitch mechanism and the 3-point receiver hitch.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism is controlled using a number of electric motors.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the number of electric motors are operable to draw power from a power source disposed within the vehicle.

19. A mobile sensor calibration system comprising:
a vehicle having an electric power source disposed therein, the vehicle further defi

Assignees

• Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc
• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Zack Steven
• Newkirk Daniel

Classifications

• G01S17/88

  Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications · CPC title

• G01S7/403 Primary

  in azimuth, i.e. in the horizontal plane · CPC title

• G01S7/4034

  in elevation, i.e. in the vertical plane · CPC title

• G01S2013/93271

  in the front of the vehicles · CPC title

• G01S7/4972

  Alignment of sensor · CPC title