초록 ▼

An image processing type aligner enables proper set-up of one of two optical adjustment elements used to align an adaptive cruise control sensor or the like mounted on a vehicle. One element, such as a laser beam source, is mounted with the sensor on the vehicle; and the other element, such as a mir

An image processing type aligner enables proper set-up of one of two optical adjustment elements used to align an adaptive cruise control sensor or the like mounted on a vehicle. One element, such as a laser beam source, is mounted with the sensor on the vehicle; and the other element, such as a mirror, is mounted on a stand. A carrier on the stand positions two optical targets of the aligner at transversely spaced apart locations. The stand is positioned between the vehicle and the aligner and manipulated until the aligner indicates that the axis of the adjustment element on the stand is aligned relative to the thrust line of the vehicle. A beam of light is transmitted between the two adjustment elements, and the technician adjusts the sensor until the beam position indicates a desired alignment of the sensor relative to the thrust line.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for use with an image processing wheel aligner, for facilitating alignment of an adaptive cruise control sensor on the front of a host vehicle, the apparatus comprising:a primary support for positioning between one or more image sensors of the wheel aligner and the front of the host

1. An apparatus for use with an image processing wheel aligner, for facilitating alignment of an adaptive cruise control sensor on the front of a host vehicle, the apparatus comprising:a primary support for positioning between one or more image sensors of the wheel aligner and the front of the host vehicle;a secondary support located on the primary support for carrying one of a laser light beam source and a light reflector for co-operating with the other of the laser light beam source and the light reflector associated with the adaptive cruise control sensor on the host vehicle for aligning the adaptive cruise control sensor axis parallel to the thrust line of the host vehicle; anda carrier located on the secondary support, for carrying two optical targets of the image processing wheel aligner at transversely spaced apart locations relative to a longitudinal central axis of the vehicle for facilitating alignment of the one of the laser light beam source and the light reflector relative to the thrust line of the host vehicle. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the secondary support and the carrier are configured to provide a longitudinal offset between the one of the laser light beam source and the light reflector carried by the secondary support and a horizontal axis through the two optical targets,the offset being sufficient that, when the primary support is positioned between one or more image sensors and the front of the host vehicle, there is a necessary separation between the one or more image sensors and the two optical targets, and there is a necessary separation between the laser light beam source and the light reflector. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary support is adapted for mounting the light reflector such that the light reflector is aligned perpendicular to the thrust line of the vehicle so that light incident on the light reflector from the laser light beam source is reflected back along its own path when a laser light beam incident on the light reflector is parallel to the thrust line. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises means for enabling rotation of the two optical targets about a substantially horizontal axis. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a transverse bar rotatably mounted on the secondary support. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary support is mounted on the primary support for rotatable adjustment about a vertical axis relative to the primary support. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier is configured for mounting the targets spaced apart by a distance approximately corresponding to a distance the targets would be spaced apart if mounted on opposite wheels of the host vehicle. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary support is height adjustable relative to the primary support. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a mounting means on the secondary support, for carrying the one of the laser light beam source and the light reflector,the mounting means enabling pivotal movement of the one of the laser light beam source and the light reflector relative to the secondary support, for aligning the one of the laser light beam source and the light reflector relative to the carrier. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the carrier comprises a carrier bar;the secondary support comprises a plurality of bars, which together with the carrier bar form a rectangular framework;the primary support comprises two or more support members vertically supporting corners of the rectangular framework; andthe secondary support comprises a vertical member attached along a bar of the secondary support opposite the carrier bar. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary support comprises:a ground engaging framework; anda pedestal attached to the framework, the pedestal carrying the secondary support. 12. Apparatus for use with an image processing aligner, for facilitating alignment of a sensor on a portion of a host vehicle, the apparatus comprising:two optical adjustment elements for aligning an axis of the sensor parallel to a predetermined line of the host vehicle, a first one of the adjustment elements being for mounting on the vehicle in alignment with an axis of the sensor and for movement with adjustment of orientation of the sensor; anda stand for positioning between one or more image sensors of the wheel aligner and the portion of the host vehicle, the stand comprising:(a) a ground engaging framework;(b) a support coupled to the framework, for carrying a second one of the adjustment elements in an orientation facilitating cooperation with the first adjustment element when mounted on the vehicle; and(c) a carrier, for carrying two optical targets of the image processing wheel aligner at transversely spaced apart locations relative to the host vehicle for facilitating alignment of an axis of the second adjustment element relative to the predetermined line of the host vehicle using the image processing aligner. 13. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the framework includes a vertical pedestal, the support is mounted on the pedestal, and the carrier is mounted on a portion of the support. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the carrier comprises a horizontal bar, and target mounting members attached at opposite ends of the horizontal bar. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the horizontal bar is rotatably mounted on the support. 16. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein:the ground engaging framework comprises at least two vertical support members;elements of the support and the carrier together form a rectangle supported in at least two corners by the vertical support members; andthe support further comprises a vertical member attached to one of the elements along an edge of the rectangle opposite the carrier, for supporting the second adjustment element. 17. A system for aligning an adaptive cruise control sensor mounted on the front of a host vehicle, the system comprising:an image processing wheel aligner comprising one or more image sensors and a processor for processing image signals from the one or more image sensors to compute alignment parameters;two optical targets for imaging by the image processing wheel aligner;two optical adjustment elements for cooperating to align an axis of the adaptive cruise control sensor parallel to a thrust line of the host vehicle, a first one of the optical adjustment elements being mountable in alignment with an axis of the adaptive cruise control sensor and for movement with adjustment of the adaptive cruise control sensor; anda stand for location between the front of the host vehicle and the one or more image sensors, the stand mounting a second one of the optical adjustment elements and mounting the optical targets at transversely spaced apart locations relative to a longitudinal central axis of the host vehicle to enable imaging of the targets on the stand to allow use of the aligner to facilitate alignment of the second of the optical adjustment elements relative to the thrust line of the host vehicle. 18. The system as in claim 17, wherein the stand comprises:a ground engaging framework having a vertical pedestal;a support mounted on the pedestal, for carrying the second one of the adjustment elements; anda carrier mounted on the support, for rotatably mounting of the two optical targets of the image processing wheel aligner at the transversely spaced apart locations. 19. The system as in claim 17, wherein the stand comprises:a ground engaging base plate;a vertical member supported by the base plate for mounting the second one of the optical adjustment elements;one or more vertical ground engaging members supporting the carrier; anda frame attaching the vertical ground engaging members and the carrier to the vertical member supported by the base plate. 20. The system as in claim 17, wherein:the first optical adjustment element comprises a laser beam source; andthe second optical adjustment element comprises a beam reflector. 21. A method of aligning of an adaptive cruise control sensor mounted on the front of a host vehicle, the method comprising steps of:mounting a first of two optical adjustment elements in alignment with an axis of the adaptive cruise control sensor and for movement with adjustment of the adaptive cruise control sensor, a second of the two adjustment elements being mounted on a stand;mounting two optical targets of an image processing wheel aligner on the stand, at determined transversely spaced apart locations relative to an axis of the second adjustment element;positioning the stand with the second adjustment element and the targets between the front of the host vehicle and one or more image input devices of the image processing wheel aligner, wherein the optical targets are located so as to allow imaging thereof by the image processing wheel aligner to determine one or more alignment parameters;obtaining and processing one or more images of the optical targets in the image processing wheel aligner and adjusting the position of the stand, until the image processing wheel aligner indicates that the axis of the second adjustment element is in predetermined alignment relative to the thrust line of the host vehicle;transmitting a beam of light between the two adjustment elements; andduring transmission of the beam of light, adjusting the position of the sensor and the aligned adjustment element until the beam of light is positioned so as to indicate a desired alignment of the axis of the adaptive cruise control sensor relative to the thrust line of the host vehicle. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of mounting two optical targets comprises mounting the targets at opposite ends of an arm mounted on the stand perpendicular to the axis of the second adjustment element. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of obtaining and processing one or more images comprises:rotating the two optical targets about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the second adjustment element;obtaining images of the targets at at least two rotational positions; andprocessing the images of the targets at the at least two rotational positions to determine orientation of the perpendicular axis. 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising operating the image processing wheel aligner to determine the thrust line of the host vehicle. 25. The method as in claim 21, wherein the two adjustment elements comprise a light beam source and a mirror for reflecting the light beam. 26. The method as in claim 25, wherein:the light beam source serves as the first adjustment element; andthe mirror serves as the second adjustment element. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of adjusting the position of the sensor and the aligned adjustment element comprises:observing a beam reflected to the front of the host vehicle by reflection of the light beam from the light beam source by the mirror; andadjusting the position of the sensor and the aligned adjustment element until the reflected beam coincides with the light beam from the light beam source.