FR2815754A1 - Device for orientation of anti-collision radar mounted on road vehicle adjusts reflector in perpendicular way to axes of force of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is mounted on a wheeled vehicle. There is a reflector (10) of radar waves and four individual means (5-8) of geometrical control used to the axes of the vehicle force, so as to adjust the reflector in a perpendicular way to the axes of the force of the vehicle, and sensitively facing the anti-collision radar to be controlled.

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

 The invention relates to a device for controlling the orientation of an anti-collision radar mounted on a wheeled vehicle.

 Currently, some vehicles are equipped with an anti-collision radar mounted on the vehicle in an adjustable manner, in the vicinity of the front license plate. Such a radar must be adjusted in horizontal and vertical orientation, so as to measure the distance separating the vehicle from a possible frontal obstacle, fixed or mobile.

 Depending on the distance constantly measured by the radar and the speed of the vehicle equipped with the radar, an on-board computer system enables the braking system to be controlled in order to avoid a collision with a possible obstacle.

 It is recognized by specialists that the maximum efficiency of an anti-collision radar is obtained when the anti-collision radar is oriented in the direction of advance of the vehicle, defined by the thrust axis of the vehicle.

 A device for controlling the orientation of an anti-collision radar mounted on a wheeled vehicle is known, manufactured and offered for sale by the German company BOSCH.

 However, this device is not satisfactory in the case where the geometry of the vehicle is not correctly adjusted. Indeed, the alignment operations carried out with the known BOSCH device (registered trademark of the German company BOSCH) uses orientable and movable mirrors on a support placed at the front of the vehicle. This technique does not make it possible to obtain the direction of the thrust axis of the vehicle when the geometry of the vehicle is not correctly adjusted.

 The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, by means of a new anti-collision radar orientation control device, in a simple and economical manner, using a technology similar to that used for a geometry control of vehicle.

 The subject of the invention is a device for controlling the orientation of an anti-collision radar mounted on a wheeled vehicle, comprising a radar wave reflector means and four individual geometry control means arranged to determine the thrust axis of the vehicle, so as to adjust the reflecting means substantially

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 perpendicular to the thrust axis of said vehicle and substantially opposite the anti-collision radar to be checked.

 According to other advantageous characteristics of the invention: - the four individual means comprise two individual means intended to be mounted each on a rear wheel and two individual means mounted on a spacing means carrying said radar wave reflector means.

 - The device preferably comprises a means of measurement, monitoring and control for the continuous determination of the thrust axis of the vehicle and for the continuous determination of the orientation of the radar wave reflector means.

 - The radar wave reflector means comprises a reflecting plate making an angle with a fixing means having several distinct fixing positions corresponding to several distinct orientations of said reflecting plate.

 - The fixing means has a symmetrical conformation with respect to the vertical and with respect to the horizontal, so as to mount the reflecting plate according to four distinct orientations.

 the measurement, control and command means is a programmable means containing a geometry control program with a main menu supplemented by a radar orientation control program.

 - the radar orientation control program includes screen presentations allowing interaction with the operator in charge of radar orientation control.

 - the radar orientation control program includes an optional sub-program for revealing the geometry control means mounted on the rear wheels.

 the radar orientation control program presents the operator with continuous measurements of angular values representative of the orientation of the radar wave reflector means relative to the thrust axis of the vehicle.

 a spacing means carrying two individual geometry control means and the radar wave reflector means comprises a bar usable for the

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 truck geometry control and the position of the bar is continuously measured.

The invention will be better understood thanks to the description which follows given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:
FIG. 1 schematically represents a top view of a device according to the invention, during adjustment of a wheeled vehicle equipped with an anti-collision radar.

 FIG. 2 schematically represents a partial rear view in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1 of a reflector panel of the device according to the invention.

 FIG. 3 schematically represents a partial side view in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 1 of a reflector panel of the device according to the invention.

 FIG. 4 schematically represents a screen presentation illustrating a step of covering a device according to the invention.

mise en couvre d'une étape suivante de dispositif selon l'invention. FIG. 5 schematically represents a screen presentation illustrating the

implementation of a next device step according to the invention.

 With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified by identical reference numbers.

 In FIG. 1, a vehicle V equipped with a radar R has two front 1.2 steer wheels and two rear 3.4 wheels. The rear wheels 3.4 are each equipped with a measuring arm 5.6, for example a rear measuring arm of a geometry control device sold under the reference 8675 by the French law company MULLER BEM.

 These measuring arms 5,6 cooperate with each other by transmitting signals in the transverse and longitudinal direction, or by cooperation of associated sensors coupled to one another by a mechanical connection of the flexible wire type, along the bidirectional paths M of measurement. This technique known per se does not require a more detailed description.

 In the traditional geometry control technique, the front measuring arms 7,8 are mounted on the front wheels 1,2 of the vehicle V.

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 In the technique of radar orientation control according to the invention, the measuring arms 7, 8 are mounted on a spacing means, for example an alignment bar 9, for example an alignment bar for a weight vehicle heavy sold under the reference D46551 by the MULLER BEM company under French law.

 The alignment bar 9 also supports a reflector panel 10 intended to reflect the waves coming from the radar to be controlled equipping the vehicle.

 In the method of using the device according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to carry out a prior step of revealing the rear wheels 3, 4 using a geometric control program stored in a control and command cabinet 13 capable of exchanging signals. and control and measurement information with measurement arms 5 to 8. This transmission of information, measurement and control signals can be carried out by wire or by wireless transmission (transmission by radio or by radiation infrared), in a manner known per se.

 After having unveiled only the rear axle comprising the rear wheels 3 and 4, the cabinet 13 is used so that the measuring arms 7,8 correspond to an equal distribution of the angle indicated by the cabinet 13, when used for a conventional geometry check, as being the front parallelism of the positions of the measuring arms 7,8.

 The invention thus makes it possible, using a known control and command cabinet 13, forming part of a known geometry control device, to orient the alignment bar 9 in a centered position and perpendicular to the thrust axis .

 This result has the advantage of being obtained by means of a known device generally present in garages and workshops called upon to implement the invention.

 In addition, the operating program is also generally known to garage owners and workshop managers covering the invention, since this operating program is analogous to a conventional geometry control program, generally used to carry out the geometry control d 'a vehicle.

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 After carrying out these operations, a metallic reflective panel 10 is positioned on the bar 9, substantially opposite the radar to be checked.

 In FIGS. 2 and 3, the reflective panel 10 shown in more detail comprises a positioning means 11 in the form of a cross, so as to modify the position of the reflective panel 10 by turning the reflective panel 10 by quarter turn. This mounting of the reflector panel 10 makes it possible to obtain 4 different angular orientations: two horizontal angular orientations and two vertical angular orientations corresponding to a variation in positive or in negative of a determined angle 12. The angle 12 is defined by the dihedral formed by the reflecting plane of the reflecting panel 10 and the geometric plane P perpendicular to the orientation cross 11. The predetermined angle 12 is preferably chosen to be close to 2 degrees of angle. This value is satisfactory for making four independent radar settings.

 The radar is thus adjusted according to 4 different orientations, to maximize the reception of the reflection from the reflector panel 10 in each orientation.

The average of the four settings gives the maximum detection direction
This orientation adjustment method is accepted and recommended by automobile manufacturers manufacturing wheeled vehicles equipped with anti-collision radar.

 Thus, thanks to the invention, a garage or workshop can use components or material means of known type, to assemble them into a combination according to the invention, in order to obtain an anti-collision radar orientation control device according to the invention. 'invention.

 These material means of known type include for example an alignment bar intended to be positioned at the height of the vehicle registration plate. This alignment bar must be equipped at its ends with a system allowing the mounting of measuring arms or boxes for measuring and controlling vehicle geometry, manufactured for example by the company MULLER BEM under French law, the company CORGHI under Italian law, or any other company manufacturing equipment for measuring and checking vehicle geometry.

<Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 The length of the bar must be predetermined to carry out the implementation of the invention on vehicles of different dimensions. For example, a bar used for the alignment of heavy vehicles is entirely satisfactory.

 The measuring arms 5 to 8 and the measuring cabinet 13 can also be components of a geometry control device of known type.

 The equipment necessary for the covering of the invention consists of a new reflective panel 10 equipped with its orientable mounting cross 11.

This reflector panel can be made of metal, and consist of a sheet of ferrous alloy or aluminum alloy.

 Preferably the dimensions of the reflecting surface of the reflective panel 10 are close to the dimensions of a square having for side five hundred millimeters.

 The thickness of the reflecting surface does not affect the reflection efficiency, and must be sufficient to ensure the rigidity and the non-deformability of the reflective panel 10.

 An aesthetic coating bearing the mark or a distinctive color of the French MULLER BEM company may be affixed to the reflecting surface or to any other location on the panel, without this adversely affecting the reflection function of radar waves.

 As described above, the panel is preferably orientable in at least four orientations: two vertical orientations, respectively positive and negative, of an angle of two degrees relative to the direction of trajectory of the vehicle, and two horizontal orientations positive and negative of one angle of two degrees from the vehicle's direction of travel.

 In the case where the alignment bar is not supported by a geometry control bridge or similar means, this alignment bar can be equipped with two height adjustment jacks allowing the horizontal adjustment of the bar to the using a spirit level indicator.

<Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the software or program elements will now be described, advantageously having to supplement the geometry control program of known type, to facilitate the implementation of the invention.

 It is in fact advantageous to provide for covering the device according to the invention by simply adding subroutines dedicated to the implementation of the invention, in the architecture of a general geometry control program of known type.

 This additional interface can also include a choice between the various radars existing on the market and the various methods of actual adjustment of these radars, recommended and imposed by automobile manufacturers.

 A person skilled in the art will have to adapt the description which follows, by indications drawn up according to the methods recommended by the automobile manufacturer and / or the radar manufacturer. For this reason, the mechanical adjustment of the radar position, which is without difficulty and is prescribed by the manufacturer, is not described further in this study.

 As described in European patent application EP 0 679 865, a method of a geometry control device uses a program comprising several sub-programs with a main menu comprising the following choices: - indication - choice of vehicles - visual control - assessment before adjustment - adjustment - assessment after adjustment.

 This main geometry control menu of known type can be supplemented by an additional choice of "radar adjustment", it being understood that this "radar adjustment" step can be carried out at any time before any other step that can be chosen in the main menu.

<Desc / Clms Page number 8>

 If the operator chooses a "radar adjustment" step on the display screen of the cabinet 13, the screen displays the presentation of the positioning of the sensors represented in FIG. 4.

 In FIG. 4, the screen presentation shows the positioning of the measuring arms 5 to 8, this positioning being described above with reference to FIG. 1.

 The screen presentation represented with reference to FIG. 4 describes a series of steps E1 to E4 intended to guide the operator and to carry out, in a known manner, a possible unveiling of the rear wheels, if the vehicle manufacturer recommends it.

 In the case where the vehicle manufacturer recommends revealing the rear wheels, the first step E1 consists in centering the direction of the vehicle and in locking the steering wheel.

 The second step E2 consists in revealing each rear wheel by rotating it as for a geometry check of known type.

 The third step E3 consists in adjusting the alignment bar 9 to position it perpendicular to the thrust axis of the vehicle.

 The fourth step E4 makes it possible to pass to a next step, after having carried out the disclosure; or directly, without revealing, in the event that the manufacturer of the vehicle to be checked does not allow disclosure on the rear wheels.

 Thus, after having carried out the operations E1 to E4 corresponding to the screen presentation of FIG. 4, or after having directly passed to step E4 in the following screen presentation of FIG. 5, the operator performs the operations shown in Figure 5.

 In FIG. 5, the screen presentation relates to the actual adjustment of the alignment bar 9 equipped with the reflector panel 10 and the measurement arms 7 and 8 by constantly displaying the value of 3 angles A, B and C measured and displayed continuously during the manual movement of the bar 9 equipped with the sensors 7 and 8.

 The angle A is representative of the orientation of the bar 9 relative to the thrust axis of the vehicle, this angle A is given continuously by the control and measurement cabinet 13, by a process similar to that used to assess the distribution of

<Desc / Clms Page number 9>

 front parallelism of each front wheel with respect to the thrust axis of the vehicle, when a vehicle geometry check is carried out.

 The angle B makes it possible to measure the horizontality of the bar 9 equipped with the measurement arms 7 and 8, and is supplied continuously by the control and measurement cabinet 13, in a similar manner to a camber distribution angle in the case of a conventional geometry control.

 The angle C is representative of the distribution of the lateral offset of the bar 9 fitted with the measuring arms 7 and 8 relative to the thrust axis defined by the rear wheels of the vehicle, and is supplied continuously by the cabinet 13 control and measurement, analogously to a lateral offset distribution angle in the case of a conventional geometry control.

 Preferably, the angle A is equal to the half-difference of the angular values lateral left front and lateral right front, and defined as positive if the alignment bar is oriented in a direction corresponding to a turning to the right.

 Preferably, the angle B is defined as the half-sum of the algebraic angles of tilt before left and before right, and chosen as positive if the bar is tilted more to the right than to the left.

 Preferably, the angle C is defined as the half difference of the rear left lateral offset and the rear right lateral offset, and chosen as positive if the bar is more shifted to the right than to the left.

 Of course, the invention is not limited by these choices given only by way of nonlimiting examples, and would also apply to cases where one of the angles A, B, C or equivalent angles would be chosen differently or with a possible reversal of sign, the main thing being that the invention can be implemented in an identical or equivalent manner.

 For example, the precision sought is taken between 10 and 30 minutes of angle for angles A, B and C. These details are entirely satisfactory for carrying out the adjustment of radars currently on the market, it being understood that precision can be improved without difficulty by a more precise adjustment of the bar and by the use of higher definition measurement sensors.

<Desc / Clms Page number 10>

The setting in cover of the invention can thus be carried out economically and quickly, without requiring significant investments on the part of the garage owners or workshop managers. The necessary material investment essentially requires the supply of a reflection panel 10 equipped with its adjustable fixing cross 11 and the optional supply of various adaptation accessories to allow the mounting of the various measuring arms existing on the market.

 The recommended software investment essentially supposes the supply of a suitable subroutine making it possible to complete the geometry control program used to carry out vehicle geometry control in a known manner.

variante de réalisation dans le cadre et l'esprit de l'invention, l'essentiel étant que l'invention puisse être mise en couvre de façon identique ou équivalente par tout autre appareil de contrôle de géométrie utilisé pour effectuer un contrôle de géométrie de véhicule.The invention described with reference to a particular embodiment is in no way limited thereto, but on the contrary covers any modification of shape and any

variant in the context and spirit of the invention, the main thing being that the invention can be covered in identical or equivalent manner by any other geometry control device used to carry out a vehicle geometry control .

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:  1-Device for controlling the orientation of an anti-collision radar mounted on a wheeled vehicle, comprising a means (10) of radar wave reflector and four individual means (5-8) of geometry control arranged to determine the vehicle thrust axis, so as to adjust the reflector means (10) substantially perpendicular to the thrust axis of said vehicle and substantially opposite the anti-collision radar to be checked.  2-Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the four individual means (5-8) comprise two individual means (5,6) intended to be mounted each on a rear wheel (3,4) and two individual means (7 , 8) mounted on a spacer means (9) carrying said radar wave reflecting means (10).  3-Device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the device comprises a means (13) of measurement, control and command for the continuous determination of the thrust axis of the vehicle and for the determination in continuous orientation of the radar wave reflector means (10).  4-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflecting means (10) of radar wave comprises a reflecting plate making an angle with a fixing means (11) having several distinct fixing positions corresponding to several distinct orientations of said reflecting plate.  5-Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that said fixing means (11) has a symmetrical conformation with respect to the vertical and with respect to the horizontal, so as to mount the reflecting plate according to four distinct orientations.  6-Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the means (13) of measurement, control and command is a programmable means containing a geometry control program with a main menu supplemented by an orientation control program of radar.  7-Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the radar orientation control program comprises screen presentations allowing interaction with the operator responsible for the radar orientation control. <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  8-Device according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterized in that the radar orientation control program comprises an optional subroutine for revealing geometry control means (5,6) mounted on the rear wheels ( 3.4).  9-Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the radar orientation control program presents the operator with continuous measurements of angular values representative of the orientation of the reflecting means (10) radar wave with respect to the vehicle's thrust axis.  10-Device according to Claim 2 or Claim 9, characterized in that a spacing means (9) carrying two individual means (7,8) of geometry control as well as the reflective means (10) of radar wave comprises a bar (9) usable for checking the geometry of a truck and in that the position of the bar (9) is continuously measured.