JP3626729B2 - Axis adjustment device for in-vehicle components - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an on-vehicle member shaft adjusting device for adjusting an axis of a member attached to a vehicle body to a predetermined azimuth angle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a radar device used in an ACC system (adaptive cruise control system), Stop & Go system (traffic jam tracking system), inter-vehicle warning system, etc. is mounted on a vehicle, the axis of the radar device correctly points in the preset direction. Otherwise, the system may malfunction due to erroneous detection of an oncoming vehicle in the adjacent lane, or the system will not operate because only the road surface, overpass and signboard are detected and no preceding vehicle is detected.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-178856 discloses an apparatus for performing an operation (aiming) for matching the axis of a radar apparatus with a preset direction. This device stops the vehicle so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference reflector, receives an electromagnetic wave transmitted from a radar device provided in the vehicle and receives a reflected wave reflected by the reference reflector, and is detected. The direction of the axis line of the radar apparatus is detected from the direction of the reference reflector, and the axis line of the radar apparatus is aimed so that this direction coincides with a preset direction.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-38123 discloses a laser that is irradiated from a radar device by disposing a CCD sensor that can move between a first position near the vehicle body and a second position far from the vehicle body in front of the radar device. A device that detects the deviation of the axis of a radar device by comparing the positions of light receiving spots where light is received by a CCD sensor at the first and second positions is disclosed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, what is described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-178856 requires that the vehicle be stopped so as to be in a correct positional relationship with respect to the reference reflector. Can no longer do. Therefore, the work of stopping the vehicle at the correct position is extremely important, and there is a problem that much time and labor are required for the work. In addition, since the radar device actually irradiates the reference reflector with electromagnetic waves, there is a problem that a wide space for arranging the vehicle and the reference reflector with a predetermined distance is required.
[0006]
Also, the one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-38123 also requires that the vehicle be stopped so as to be in a correct positional relationship with respect to the CCD sensor, and that the CCD sensor be moved toward and away from the vehicle body. There is a problem that a large space is required.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily adjust the angle of the axis of an in-vehicle member such as a radar device without requiring a large space.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an on-vehicle member axis adjusting device for adjusting an axis of a member attached to a vehicle body to a predetermined azimuth angle, a light source for irradiating a predetermined disposed in a positional relationship with said member, together rotatably mounted on said light source, a first polarizing filter light from the light source is transmitted, the relative transmission direction of the light from the light source Filter angle adjusting means for adjusting the rotation direction of the first polarizing filter to a predetermined angle, a second polarizing filter provided on the member so as to receive light from the light source, and the second polarized light with respect to the light transmission direction the angle of the direction of rotation of the filter, and an adjustable adjustment means by moving the member, the angularly adjusted to a predetermined angle by using the filter angle adjusting means the The second polarizing filter is provided on the member in such a positional relationship that light transmitted through the polarizing filter is blocked by the second polarizing filter if the axis of the member coincides with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body. An on-vehicle member axis adjusting device is proposed, in which the axis of the member can be adjusted by the adjusting means so that light transmitted through the first polarizing filter is blocked by the second polarizing filter .
[0009]
According to the above configuration, when the light from the light source arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the in-vehicle member is irradiated to the second polarizing filter provided on the member after passing through the first polarizing filter, the axis of the member is predetermined. The light transmitted through the first polarizing filter is blocked by the second polarizing filter. If the axis of the member does not match the predetermined azimuth, the light passes through the first polarizing filter. Light passes through the second polarizing filter. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize whether or not the axis of the member coincides with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body simply by monitoring the state of the light transmitted through the second polarizing filter, and if not coincident, the member is moved by the adjusting means. Can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body , and the azimuth angle of the axis of the member can be adjusted easily and without requiring a large space. Further, since the angle of the rotation direction of the first polarizing filter with respect to the transmission direction of the light from the light source is adjusted to a predetermined angle by the filter angle adjusting means, the polarization direction of the light incident on the second polarizing filter provided on the member is set correctly. Thus, the azimuth angle of the axis of the member can be correctly recognized.
[0010]
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, the member is an outside world sensing unit that senses a situation outside the vehicle, and the predetermined azimuth is a normal value of the outside world sensing unit. An on-vehicle member axis adjusting device is proposed, which is an azimuth angle of a detection direction axis.
[0011]
According to the above configuration, since the member is an external sensing unit that senses a situation outside the vehicle, and the predetermined azimuth is an azimuth of a normal detection direction axis of the external sensing unit, the azimuth of the external sensing unit is The situation outside the vehicle can be accurately sensed by adjusting the azimuth angle of the normal detection direction axis.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the predetermined azimuth angle is an azimuth angle in the lateral direction of the vehicle body of the regular detection direction axis. A shaft adjusting device is proposed.
[0013]
According to the above configuration, since the predetermined azimuth angle is the azimuth angle in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, the situation of the predetermined area in the left-right direction of the vehicle body can be reliably sensed by the external field sensing means.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, an on-vehicle member shaft adjusting device is proposed in which the filter angle adjusting means is a level.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, since the filter angle adjusting means is constituted by a level, it is possible to easily perform an operation for adjusting the angle of the rotation direction of the first polarizing filter to a predetermined angle.
[0016]
The radar device Sr of the embodiment corresponds to the external sensing means or member of the present invention, the light 22 of the embodiment corresponds to the light source of the present invention, and the level 25 of the embodiment corresponds to the filter angle adjusting means of the present invention. Correspond.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a radar device, FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of the arrow 4 in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow 5 in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when the axis of the radar device is correctly adjusted, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when the axis of the radar device is shifted to the left and right, and FIG. It is a figure explaining the basic principle of the present invention.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a radar device Sr (member of the present invention) for detecting an object such as a preceding vehicle existing in the traveling direction of a vehicle V is a front grill in an engine room 11 that is opened and closed by a hood 10. It arrange | positions in the rear part of 12 so that the axis line L1 may face the front. Note that the terms front, rear, left and right used in this specification are based on the occupant seated on the seat, and their definitions are shown in FIG.
[0019]
As apparent from FIGS. 3 to 6, the bracket 13 for supporting the radar device Sr is formed by bending a metal plate into a U-shaped cross section in a plan view, and its four corners are formed by four bolts 14. Fixed to. The radar device Sr includes a rectangular parallelepiped casing 15, and three stays 15a, 15b, and 15c are integrally projected on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The three stays 15a, 15b, 15c of the casing 15 of the radar device Sr are fixed to the welding nuts 17a, 17b, 17c of the bracket 13 via adjustment bolts 16a, 16b, 16c, respectively. The rear part fits into an opening 13 a formed on the front surface of the bracket 13. The adjustment bolts 16a, 16b, and 16c are inserted into the bolt holes of the stays 15a, 15b, and 15c from the front, and the vicinity of the heads are fitted in the bolt holes, and the stays 15a, 15b, and 15c are moved by the push nut 19. It is locked to the rear surface and is prevented from coming off in a rotatable state.
[0020]
Of the three adjustment bolts 16a, 16b, 16c, the two adjustment bolts 16a, 16b are arranged on the upper left and right of the front surface of the casing 15 of the radar device Sr, and the remaining one adjustment bolt 16c is the upper left adjustment. It is arranged below the bolt 16a, that is, at the lower left of the front surface of the casing 15.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, a light 22 as a light source is provided on a bracket 21 detachably fixed to the lower surface of the front end of the bonnet 10 so that the vertical angle can be adjusted via a fulcrum pin 23 extending in the left-right direction. It is done. A circular first polarizing filter 24 is provided in front of the light 22, and the first polarizing filter 24 can arbitrarily adjust the rotational position of the light 22 around the axis L <b> 2. A level 25 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the circular first polarizing filter 24. When the rotational position of the first polarizing filter 24 is adjusted so that the level 25 is horizontal, the level of the light emitted from the light 22 is reduced. Among them, the component that vibrates in the horizontal direction is blocked, and only the component that vibrates in the vertical direction is transmitted.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a rectangular mirror 26 with a reflecting surface facing upward is fixed to the horizontal upper surface of the casing 15 of the radar device Sr, and a second polarizing filter 27 is disposed on the upper surface of the mirror 26. Superimposed. The second polarizing filter 27 is 90 ° out of phase with respect to the first polarizing filter 24, and the component that vibrates in the vertical direction is blocked from the incident light, and only the component that vibrates in the horizontal direction is transmitted. It is like that.
[0023]
Next, the basic principle of the present invention using the first and second polarizing filters 24 and 27 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0024]
When the first polarizing filter 24 is not attached to the light 22, the light emitted from the light 22 includes a component h that vibrates in the horizontal direction and a component v that vibrates in the vertical direction (see FIG. 10A). . When the first polarizing filter 24 is attached to the light 22, the component h that vibrates in the horizontal direction is blocked, and only the component v that vibrates in the vertical direction is transmitted (see FIG. 10B). If the light quantity when the first polarizing filter 24 is not attached is 100%, the light quantity when the first polarizing filter 24 is attached is 50%, which is half.
[0025]
When the axis L2 of the light 22 is directed downward in the vertical plane, and the light that has exited the light 22 and passed through the first polarizing filter 24 is reflected by the mirror 26 disposed horizontally, the reflected light is a component that vibrates in the vertical direction. Only v is included, and the amount of light is 50%, the same as before reflection (see FIG. 10C). When the second polarizing filter 27 is attached to the upper surface of the mirror 26, the light incident on the mirror 26 and the reflected light pass through the second polarizing filter 27, but the second polarizing filter 27 is a component that vibrates in the vertical direction. Since it is arranged in the direction to block v, the amount of reflected light of the mirror 26 becomes 0%, and the mirror 26 and the second polarizing filter 27 appear black (see FIG. 10D).
[0026]
However, the amount of reflected light from the mirror 26 is completely 0% when the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is correctly adjusted in the left-right direction, that is, the axis L1 of the radar device Sr in FIG. Only when it overlaps L3. That is, when the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is shifted from the vehicle body longitudinal axis L3 to the left and right, a part of the light incident on the mirror 26 is transmitted through the second polarizing filter 27 according to the amount of the shift, The amount of reflected light does not match 0%. As an extreme case, considering the case where the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is directed to the left or right of the vehicle body perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis L3, the total amount of incident light on the mirror 26 is the second polarization. The light is transmitted through the filter 27 and reflected.
[0027]
Based on the principle described above, the amount of reflected light from the mirror 26 is observed with an illuminometer 28 (see FIG. 10D) or visually, thereby detecting a lateral shift of the axis L1 of the radar device Sr. .
[0028]
Next, a procedure for adjusting the axis L1 of the radar device Sr will be described.
[0029]
First, the bonnet 10 of the vehicle V equipped with the radar device Sr is opened, and the light 22 is attached to the lower surface of the front end portion via the bracket 21. As indicated by a solid line in FIG. 7, the level 25 is fixed at a position where the level 25 indicates the horizontal by rotating the first polarizing filter 24 around the axis L2 in a state where the axis L2 of the light 22 is aligned in the horizontal direction. As described above, by using the level 25, the position of the first polarizing filter 24 in the rotational direction can be adjusted easily and accurately. In this state, due to the action of the first polarizing filter 24, the component h that vibrates in the horizontal direction is blocked by the light emitted from the light 22, and only the component v that vibrates in the vertical direction is transmitted (FIG. 10B). )reference). Subsequently, the light 22 is swung downward around the fulcrum pin 23 and fixed to a position where the upper surface of the casing 15 of the radar device Sr is directed.
[0030]
Subsequently, the light 22 is emitted to irradiate the mirror 26 on the upper surface of the casing 15 of the radar device Sr. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, if the axis L1 of the radar device Sr coincides with the vehicle body longitudinal axis L3 as viewed from above, that is, if the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is correctly adjusted in the left-right direction, The light transmitted through the first polarizing filter 24 is blocked by the second polarizing filter 27, and the illuminance detected by the illuminometer 28 becomes less than a predetermined threshold. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 9, when the axis L1 of the radar device Sr does not coincide with the vehicle body longitudinal axis L3 as viewed from above, that is, the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is not adjusted correctly in the left-right direction. A part of the light transmitted through the first polarizing filter 24 passes through the second polarizing filter 27, and the illuminance detected by the illuminance meter 28 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, by adjusting the illuminance detected by the illuminometer 28 to be less than a predetermined threshold while changing the mounting angle of the radar device Sr, the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is set to the azimuth angle of the normal detection direction axis. Can be matched.
[0031]
Adjustment of the mounting angle of the radar device Sr is performed as follows. That is, if the upper right adjustment bolt 16b is screwed into the welding nut 17b without operating the reference upper left adjustment bolt 16a and lower left adjustment bolt 16c, the right side of the radar device Sr approaches the bracket 13. , The axis L1 of the radar device Sr can be adjusted rightward. Conversely, if the upper right adjustment bolt 16b is loosened with respect to the welding nut 17b, the right side of the radar device Sr is separated from the bracket 13. The axis L1 of the radar device Sr can be adjusted to the left by moving in the direction of
[0032]
If the lower left adjustment bolt 16c is screwed into the welding nut 17c without operating the upper left adjustment bolt 16a and the upper right adjustment bolt 16b, the lower side of the radar device Sr approaches the bracket 13. By moving in the direction, the axis L1 of the radar device Sr can be adjusted downward. Conversely, if the lower left adjustment bolt 16c is loosened with respect to the welding nut 17c, the lower side of the radar device Sr is separated from the bracket 13. The axis line L1 of the radar device Sr can be adjusted upward by moving in the direction in which it moves.
[0033]
Although the description of the detection of the vertical deviation of the axis L1 of the radar device Sr is omitted, the same method as the detection of the horizontal deviation of the axis L1 described above may be adopted, or any other arbitrary A technique may be adopted.
[0034]
As described above, by using the first and second polarizing filters 24 and 27 in combination, it is possible to easily and accurately detect the deviation of the axis L1 simply by irradiating the light of the light 22 to the radar device Sr. . Further, there is a problem that the axis adjustment using the conventional reference reflector or the CCD sensor requires a large space. However, according to the method of this embodiment, the axis adjustment can be performed in a narrow space.
[0035]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can perform a various design change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
[0036]
For example, in the embodiment, the radar device Sr is exemplified as a member attached to the vehicle body, but the present invention can be applied to any member having an axis to be adjusted, such as a camera or a headlight.
[0037]
Further, the mirror 26 of the embodiment is not always necessary, and the second polarizing filter 27 fixed so as to protrude from the casing 15 may be directly irradiated with light.
[0038]
In the embodiment, the light amount of the reflected light from the mirror 26 is detected by the illuminance meter 28, but it can be detected visually.
[0039]
Moreover, although the Example demonstrated the adjustment of the left-right direction of the axis line L1 of the radar apparatus Sr, this invention is applicable also to the adjustment of the up-down direction of the said axis line.
[0040]
Further, if the shaft is adjusted by operating the actuator instead of manually operating the three adjusting bolts 16a, 16b and 16c, the workability is further improved.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second polarizing filter provided on the member after the light from the light source arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with the vehicle-mounted member is transmitted through the first polarizing filter. If the axis of the member coincides with the predetermined azimuth when the light is irradiated, the light transmitted through the first polarizing filter is blocked by the second polarizing filter, and the axis of the member coincides with the predetermined azimuth. Otherwise, the light that has passed through the first polarizing filter passes through the second polarizing filter. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize whether or not the axis of the member coincides with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body simply by monitoring the state of the light transmitted through the second polarizing filter, and if not coincident, the member is moved by the adjusting means. Can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body , and the azimuth angle of the axis of the member can be adjusted easily and without requiring a large space. Further, since the angle of the rotation direction of the first polarizing filter with respect to the transmission direction of the light from the light source is adjusted to a predetermined angle by the filter angle adjusting means, the polarization direction of the light incident on the second polarizing filter provided on the member is set correctly. Thus, the azimuth angle of the axis of the member can be correctly recognized.
[0042]
According to the invention described in claim 2, since the member is an external sensing means for sensing a situation outside the vehicle, and the predetermined azimuth is an azimuth of a normal detection direction axis of the external sensing means, The situation outside the vehicle can be accurately sensed by adjusting the azimuth angle of the external sensing means to the azimuth angle of the normal detection direction axis.
[0043]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined azimuth angle is the azimuth angle in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, it is possible to reliably sense the state of the predetermined area in the left-right direction of the vehicle body by the external sensing means.
[0044]
According to the invention described in claim 4 , since the filter angle adjusting means is constituted by a level, it is possible to easily perform the operation of adjusting the angle of the rotation direction of the first polarizing filter to a predetermined angle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a radar device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the radar device in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the radar device. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the light and the first polarizing filter. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the axis of the radar device is shifted to the left and right. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the basic principle of the present invention using a polarizing filter.
16a adjustment bolt (adjustment means)
16b adjustment bolt (adjustment means)
16c adjustment bolt (adjustment means)
18 Car body 22 Light (light source)
24 first polarizing filter 25 level (filter angle adjusting means)
27 Second polarizing filter L1 axis
L3 body longitudinal axis Sr Radar device (external sensing means, member)

Claims (4)

In the on-vehicle member axis adjusting device for adjusting the axis (L1) of the member (Sr) attached to the vehicle body (18) to a predetermined azimuth angle,
A light source (22) disposed in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the member (Sr) and irradiating the member (Sr);
Together rotatably mounted on said light source (22), a first polarization filter light from the light source (22) is transmitted (24),
Filter angle adjusting means (25) for adjusting the rotation direction of the first polarizing filter (24) with respect to the transmission direction of light from the light source (22) to a predetermined angle;
A second polarizing filter (27) provided on the member (Sr) so as to receive light from the light source (22);
Adjustment means (16a, 16b, 16c) capable of adjusting the angle of the rotation direction of the second polarizing filter (27) with respect to the light transmission direction by moving the member (Sr);
With
The light transmitted through the first polarizing filter (24) whose angle has been adjusted to a predetermined angle using the filter angle adjusting means (25) is such that the axis (L1) of the member (Sr) is the vehicle longitudinal axis (L3). The second polarizing filter (27) is provided on the member (Sr) in such a positional relationship that it is blocked by the second polarizing filter (27).
The axis (L1) of the member (Sr) is adjusted by the adjusting means (16a, 16b, 16c) so that the light transmitted through the first polarizing filter (24) is blocked by the second polarizing filter (27). axis adjustment device of the in-vehicle member, characterized in that adjustable. The said member (Sr) is an external field sensing means for sensing a situation outside the vehicle, and the predetermined azimuth angle is an azimuth angle of a normal detection direction axis of the external field sensing means. A vehicle-mounted member axis adjusting device. 3. The on-vehicle member axis adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined azimuth angle is an azimuth angle in a vehicle body left-right direction of the normal detection direction axis. The on-vehicle member shaft adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the filter angle adjusting means (25) is a level.

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