초록 ▼

An image processing type aligner enables proper set-up of one of two 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

An image processing type aligner enables proper set-up of one of two 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 at least one image sensor of the aligner system. The stand is positioned in front of the vehicle and manipulated until the aligner indicates that the axis of the adjustment element on the stand is aligned relative to a desired line of the vehicle, for example, the thrust line. 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 line of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for aligning a control sensor mounted on a host vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of optical targets for mounting at predetermined points on the vehicle; an image processing aligner comprising at least one first image sensor and a processor for processing i

What is claimed is: 1. A system for aligning a control sensor mounted on a host vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of optical targets for mounting at predetermined points on the vehicle; an image processing aligner comprising at least one first image sensor and a processor for processing image signals representing an image containing one or more of the plurality of optical targets for computing a line of the host vehicle; two optical adjustment elements for cooperating to align an axis of the control sensor parallel to the line of the host vehicle, a first one of the optical adjustment elements being mountable in alignment with an axis of the control sensor and for movement with adjustment of the control sensor; a second image sensor for coupling to the processor of the image processing wheel aligner; and a stand for location across the line of the host vehicle, the stand mounting a second one of the adjustment elements and mounting the second image sensor to enable imaging of at least one of the targets through the second image sensor and processing of image signals from the second image sensor to facilitate alignment of the second of the adjustment elements relative to the line of the host vehicle. 2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the stand comprises: a ground engaging member; a vertical pedestal supported on the ground engaging member; a support mounted on the pedestal, for carrying the second one of the adjustment elements; and a carrier bar mounted with the support, for mounting of the second image sensor at a location spaced apart from a vertical axis of the stand. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the stand further includes means for mounting the second image sensor for adjustable rotation about a substantially horizontal axis of the carrier bar. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the stand further comprises means for mounting the bar and the support for unified adjustable rotation about a substantially vertical axis of the pedestal. 5. The system as in claim 1, wherein: the first adjustment element comprises a laser beam source; and the second adjustment element comprises a beam reflector. 6. The system as in claim 1, wherein: the first adjustment element comprises a beam reflector; and the second adjustment element comprises a laser beam source. 7. The system as in claim 1, wherein the aligner is a wheel aligner, and the optical targets are adapted for mounting on wheels of the host vehicle. 8. The system as in claim 7, wherein the at least one first image sensor of the aligner comprises a plurality of image sensing modules at spaced apart locations for imaging of the optical targets when the targets are mounted on the wheels of the host vehicle. 9. The system as in claim 8, wherein the second image sensor comprises a plurality of image sensing modules at spaced apart locations on the stand, for imaging of the optical targets when the targets are mounted on the wheels of the host vehicle. 10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the second image sensor comprises a plurality of image sensing modules at spaced apart locations on the stand, for imaging of the optical targets when the targets are mounted on the host vehicle. 11. A method of aligning a control sensor mounted on a host vehicle, the method comprising: mounting a first of two adjustment elements in alignment with an axis of the control sensor and for movement with adjustment of the control sensor; mounting a second of the two adjustment elements on a stand; mounting an image sensor of an image processing aligner on the stand, at a transversely spaced apart location relative to the second adjustment element; positioning the stand with the second adjustment element and the image sensor across a line of the host vehicle; processing images of one or more optical targets on the vehicle from the image sensor, to determine the line of the host vehicle and orientation of the second adjustment element on the stand relative to the line of the host vehicle, and adjusting the stand relative to the line of the host vehicle to achieve a desired orientation of the second adjustment element; transmitting a beam between the two adjustment elements; and during transmission of the beam, adjusting the position of the sensor and the aligned first adjustment element, until the beam is positioned so as to indicate a desired alignment of the axis of the control sensor relative to the line of the host vehicle. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the line of the host vehicle is a thrust line determined in relation to wheels of the host vehicle. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the desired orientation of the second adjustment element is perpendicular to the line of the host vehicle. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the desired orientation of the second adjustment element is parallel to the line of the host vehicle. 15. A method of aligning a control sensor mounted on a host vehicle, the method comprising: mounting a first of two adjustment elements in alignment with an axis of the control sensor and for movement with adjustment of the control sensor; positioning a stand across a line of the host vehicle, wherein a second of the two adjustment elements is mounted on the stand and an image sensor of an image processing aligner is mounted on the stand at a location spaced apart from the second adjustment element; processing images of one or more optical targets on the vehicle from the image sensor, to determine the line of the host vehicle and orientation of the second adjustment element on the stand relative to the line of the host vehicle and adjusting the stand relative to the line of the host vehicle to achieve a desired orientation of the second adjustment element; transmitting a beam between the two adjustment elements; and during transmission of the beam, adjusting the position of the sensor and the aligned first adjustment element, until the beam is positioned so as to indicate a desired alignment of the axis of the control sensor relative to the line of the host vehicle. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the line of the host vehicle is a thrust line determined in relation to wheels of the host vehicle. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the desired orientation of the second adjustment element is perpendicular to the line of the host vehicle. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the desired orientation of the second adjustment element is parallel to the line of the host vehicle.