Position adjustment device for reflector, detection method and detection device

laser light is beamed substantially perpendicular to a screen member, while temporarily fixing the laser transmitter at three of more points at regular intervals in a rotary direction about the rotary axis TA. The rotary axis TA is defined by a straight line that passes through the light emitting opening of the laser transmitter and is substantially perpendicular to the screen member. The beamed direction of the laser light beamed from a laser transmitter is adjusted by a transmitter position adjustment portion so as to make the laser light hit the center of the three or more points on the screen member.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application relates to and incorporates by reference Japanese Patent application No. 2008-152138 filed on Jun. 10, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a position adjustment device for a reflector used for detecting radar devices. The present invention also relates to a detection method and a detection device for detecting radar devices using the reflector whose position has been adjusted by the position adjustment device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-33254 discloses a radio darkroom as a device for precisely adjusting a position of an object to be measured and a measurement means.

The wave darkroom disclosed in the above Patent Publication comprises a turntable on which an antenna to be measured is placed, and also comprises a measurement antenna that is placed at a distance from and faces the antenna to be measured. It further comprises a light beam device that beams laser light passing through the center of the turntable to place the antenna at a determined position. The determined position of the antenna is given by the light spot of the laser light beamed from the light beam device.

Meanwhile, detection of radar devices mounted to automobiles requires such an arrangement that a radar device and a reflector used for reflecting radio waves beamed from the radar device are to be placed, for example, in a wave dark box in a face to face manner. In this detection step, the radar device is fixed to a mounting table so as to face the reflector. Generally, the detection of radar devices is performed in such a manner that one radar device fixed to the mounting table subjected to the detection is thereafter replaced by a subsequent radar device to be detected. Therefore, the mounting table and the reflector have to be positioned to permit the radar device to be fixed to the mounting table so as to accurately face the reflector.

A positioning of the mounting table and the reflector can be performed using the light beam device (laser pointer) that is adapted to beam the laser light as introduced, for example, in the above Patent Publication. However, in this positioning method, accuracy of the positions of the mounting table and the reflector determined by the laser pointer depends on the degree of accuracy of the laser pointer (±0.1 degrees). Thus, highly accurate positioning and, hence, detection exceeding ±0.1 degrees could be impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in such view, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a position adjustment device capable of further highly precisely adjusting a position of a reflector, and to provide a detection method and a detection device.

A position adjustment device for reflector designed to pursue the above object is used for adjusting a position of a reflector. The reflector is placed so as to face a radar device that is fixed to a fixing table, and reflects radio waves beamed from the radar device. The detection device comprises a screen member having a surface that is substantially perpendicular to a ground surface. The detection device also comprises a light emitting portion that is disposed to face the screen member and beams laser light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the screen member.

The position adjustment device for reflector also comprises a fixing member for temporarily fixing the light emitting portion at regular intervals at three or more points along a rotational direction. The light emitting portion rotates about a rotary axis that is defined by a straight line passing through a light emitting opening of the light emitting portion that beams the laser light.

The position adjustment device for reflector further comprises a position adjustment means for light emitting portion used for adjusting a direction of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion to make the laser light hit the center of spots defined around the circumference of the laser light. The spots are marked at three or more points on the screen member by the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion.

Temporarily fixing the light emitting portion at the three or more points at regular intervals about the rotary axis causes the beamed spots (three or more points) to be located on a circle circumference. The circle circumference is drawn about such a center point on the screen member that the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion onto the screen member at a precisely determined position. The rotary axis is defined by the straight line that passes through the light emitting opening and is substantially perpendicular to the screen member having a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface. That is, the three or more points are determined to be located on the circle circumference drawn about the beamed point of the laser light that is perpendicularly beamed to a reference plane. The reference plane is perpendicular to the ground surface on which the position adjustment device is placed.

Accordingly, adjusting the direction of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion so as to make the laser light hit the center of the beamed spots (three or more points) on the screen member can correct variation of the light emitting portion. The laser light is to be used as a base to adjust the position of a reflector. The position adjustment of the reflector using the position adjustment device including the light emitting portion precisely positioned permits further highly precise positioning of the reflector.

A detection method for detecting radar device according to the present invention to achieve the above object is performed after the reflector's position has been adjusted.

The detection method uses the reflector that reflects radio waves beamed from a radar device fixed to a fixing table. The radar device is adapted to receive the radio waves reflected from the reflector to detect the radar device.

The detection method comprises a step of beaming laser light substantially perpendicular to a screen member. The laser light is beamed from a light emitting portion of a position adjustment device used for adjusting a position of the reflector. The screen member is placed substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

The step of beaming laser light comprises a rotary beam step for beaming laser light from a light emitting portion while temporarily fixing the light emitting portion at regular intervals at three or more points along a rotational direction. The light emitting portion rotates about a rotary axis. The rotary axis is defined by a straight line passing through a light emitting opening of the light emitting portion that emits the laser light.

The step of beaming laser light also comprises a light-emitting-portion adjustment step for adjusting a direction of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion to make the laser light hit the center of spots. The spots are defined at three or more points on the screen member by the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion.

The step of beaming laser light further comprises a reflector adjustment step for adjusting a position of the reflector based on the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion of the position adjustment device fixed to the fixing table. The reflector is positioned to face the position adjustment device. The position of the position adjustment device has been adjusted in the preceding light-emitting-portion adjustment step.

Temporarily fixing the light emitting portion at the three or more points at regular intervals about the rotary axis allows the beamed points (three or more points) to be located on a circle circumference drawn about such a center point on the screen member that is the spotted point of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion precisely positioned. The rotary axis is defined by the straight line that passes through the light emitting opening and is substantially perpendicular to the screen member having a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

That is, the three or more points are determined to be located on the circle circumference drawn about the projected point of the laser light. The laser light perpendicularly beamed to a reference plane. The reference plane is perpendicular to the ground surface on which the position adjustment device is placed.

Accordingly, adjusting the direction of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion so as to make the laser light hit the center of the beamed spots (three or more points) on the screen member can correct a variation of the light emitting portion. The laser light is to be used as a base to adjust the position of a reflector. Placing the adjusted position adjustment device to the fixing table to face the reflector, and adjusting the reflector's position based on the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion permits further highly precise positioning of the reflector.

When the reflector's position is adjusted using the position adjustment device, the detection method can further include a mirror mounting step in which a mirror is mounted to the center of the reflector. The mirror mounting step is performed in the reflector adjustment step, wherein the laser light is beamed to the reflector provided with the mirror. The reflector is adjusted to a desired position where the laser light reflected from the mirror hits a predetermined area.

Merely making the laser light reflected from the mirror hit the predetermined area allows a simple positioning of the reflector.

When the mirror used has a dimension varying from the diameter of the beamed spot of the laser light, such a variation adversely presents deviation in the positioning. Therefore, in the reflector adjustment step, the mirror having a dimension similar to a diameter of the beamed spot of the laser light is required, because such an arrangement results in little variation in the positioning.

The radar device fixed on the fixing table and the reflector can be designed to be placed in a wave dark box that has side wall faces covered with a wave absorber, so that an automatic transportation step can be provided to automatically convey the radar device fixed to the fixing table into the wave dark box.

This automated step can preferably improve the number of man-hours for positioning.

Further, an automatic power connection step can be included to automatically connect and disconnect a power connecter to/from the radar device fixed to the fixing table.

This automated step can also preferably provide the improved man-hours.

A detection device for detecting radar device according to the present invention to achieve the above object is used after the reflector's position has been adjusted. The detection device uses a radar device fixed to a fixing table and the reflector that reflects radio waves beamed from the radar device, and the radar device is adapted to receive the radio waves reflected from the reflector.

The detection device comprises a screen member having a surface that is substantially perpendicular to a ground surface. The detection device also comprises a light emitting portion that is disposed to face the screen member and beams laser light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the screen member.

The detection device also comprises a fixing member for temporally fixing the light emitting portion at regular intervals at three or more points along a rotational direction. The light emitting portion rotates about a rotary axis that is defined by a straight line passing through a light emitting opening of the light emitting portion that beams the laser light.

The detection device further comprises a reflector-position adjustment means for adjusting a position of the reflector. The reflector-position adjustment means uses a position adjustment means for light emitting portion for adjusting a direction of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion to make the laser light hit the center of the positioning spots. The spots are defined at three or more points on the screen member by the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion.

Temporarily fixing the light emitting portion at the three or more points at regular intervals about the rotary axis allows the beamed points (three or more points) to be located on a circle circumference. The circle circumference is drawn about such a center point which is defined precisely by the laser emitted from the light emitting portion precisely positioned. The rotary axis is defined by the straight line that passes through the light emitting opening and is substantially perpendicular to the screen member having a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

That is, the three or more points are determined to be located on the circle circumference drawn about the projected point of the laser light that is perpendicularly beamed to a reference plane. The reference plane is perpendicular to the ground surface on which the position adjustment device is placed.

Accordingly, a variation of the light emitting portion can be corrected by adjusting the direction of the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion so as to make the laser light hit the center of the positioning spots (three or more points) on the screen member. The laser light is to be used as a base to adjust the position of a reflector.

This arrangement allows further highly precise positioning of the reflector, because the reflector's position is adjusted by the position adjustment device whose position has been adjusted in advance. That is, this arrangement provides a centering of the reflector.

The detection device can comprise a mirror at a center of the reflector. The reflector-position adjustment means can be adapted to act so that the reflector is adjusted to a position where the laser light beamed from the light emitting portion and reflected from the mirror hits a predetermined area.

A simple positioning of the reflector can be completed by merely making the laser light reflected from the mirror hit the predetermined area.

However, when the mirror used in this step has a dimension varying from the diameter of the beamed spot of the laser light, the variation adversely causes deviation in the positioning. Therefore, the mirror is required to have a dimension similar to a diameter of the beamed spot of the laser light to present little deviation in the positioning.

Further, the radar device fixed to the fixing table and the reflector can be designed to be placed in a wave dark box that has sidewall faces covered with a wave absorber. Such a design can provide an automatic transportation means to automatically convey the radar device fixed to the fixing table into the wave dark box.

This arrangement can preferably reduce the man-hours required for positioning spots.

Further, an automatic power connection means can be included in the detection device to automatically connect and disconnect a power connecter to/from the radar device fixed to the fixing table.

This means can preferably make the detection device reduce the man-hours required to for positioning spots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to the drawings.

The detection device in this embodiment is used in detection of radar devices W (such as millimeter wave radar devices), which are to be mounted to automobiles. As will be described in details later, the detection device uses a reflector410that reflects radio waves beamed from a radar device W fixed to a fixing table700. The radar device W is adapted to receive the radio waves reflected from the reflector410, which in turns detect the radar device. The detection device in this embodiment uses a position adjustment device100to perform a positioning of the reflector41.

First, with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4, the position adjustment device100used for adjusting a position of the reflector410will be described.FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a schematic construction of a position adjustment device100according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective view showing a schematic construction of a correction stay according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 3A,3B,3C,3D and3E are perspective views showing an adjustment step of laser beam axes beamed from the position adjustment device100according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4is a perspective view showing a schematic construction of a target member50of the position adjustment device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The position adjustment device100is adapted to beam laser light that is used as a base for adjusting (making alignment of) a position of the reflector410. The position adjustment device100includes a laser transmitter30and is adjusted (corrected) to be positioned so that laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30perpendicularly hits a reference face (which is perpendicular to a ground surface on which the position adjustment device100is placed). The reflector410, which will be described in details later, is used in detecting radar devices W. The reflector410is positioned to face the radar device W that is fixed to a fixing table, and reflects radio waves beamed from the radar device W.

As shown inFIG. 1, the position adjustment device100consists of a substantially flat mounting plate10to which a transmitter-position adjustment member (light-emitting-position adjustment means)20is perpendicularly provided. The member20is attached to a center portion of one side face (which is a reference face perpendicular to the ground surface) of the mounting plate10. A laser transmitter (light emitting portion)30is fixed to a distal end face (the other face with respect to the connecting face to which the mounting plate10is attached) of the transmitter-position-adjustment member20with a transmitter fixing member40.

The mounting plate10comprises fixing holes11,12,13,14and a positioning bolt15. The fixing holes11,12,13,14are used for temporarily fixing the laser transmitter (light transmitting portion)30at three or more points (four points in this embodiment) at regular intervals along one rotary direction. The positioning bolt15is used as a base for determining the regular intervals. The laser transmitter30rotates about a rotary axis TA that is defined by a straight line passing through a light emitting opening31of the laser transmitter30and running substantially perpendicular to a screen member300. The screen member300has a face that is substantially perpendicular to the surface ground.

As shown inFIG. 2, the correction stay200to which the mounting plate10is mounted comprises a board210, a fixing portion220that is standing upright from the board210, and a adjusting-member-insertion hole240. The hole240allows the transmitter-position-adjusting member20and the laser transmitter30of the position adjustment device100fixed to the fixing portion220to pass therethrough. The fixing portion220of the correction stay200is provided with fixing projections221,222,223,224,225,226,227and228, which correspond to the fixing holes11,12,13and14. The fixing portion220is also provided with position reference holes231,232,233and234, which correspond to the position reference bolt15. The position reference holes231-234are disposed at 90-degree intervals with respect to the center of the adjusting-member-insertion hole240. That is, the position reference hole231is disposed at a three o'clock direction, the position reference hole232at a twelve o'clock direction, the position reference hole233at a six o'clock direction, and the position reference hole234is disposed at a nine o'clock direction.

The transmitter-position-adjusting member20comprises a X-Y stage21that is used for adjusting the position of the laser transmitter30(beamed direction of laser light) in the left-and-right and up-and-down directions (XY directions), and an angle adjusting stage24for adjusting the laser transmitter30in the angle direction. The X-Y stage21is provided with adjusting knobs22,23that is adapted to move the laser transmitter30in the left-and-right and up-and-down directions. The angle adjusting stage24is provided with adjusting knobs25,26that are used for moving the laser transmitter30in the angle direction.

The laser transmitter30includes semiconductor laser chips and the like, and beams laser light from the light emitting opening31. The laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30can vary in its beamed direction. That is, the laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30sometimes does not move straight forward (to a reference surface perpendicular to the ground surface on which the position adjustment device100is placed).

The position adjustment (correction) of the laser transmitter30included in the position adjustment device100according to the preferred embodiment will be described. First, the position adjustment device100and a screen member300are positioned face-to-face. The screen member300has a face that is perpendicular to the ground surface.

Then, a beaming operation of the laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30is carried out, while temporally fixing the laser transmitter30at 90-degree intervals in a rotary direction about the rotary axis TA. The rotary axis TA is defined by a straight line that passes through the light emitting opening31of the laser transmitter30and that is substantially perpendicular to the screen member300.

In this operation, four spots are defined by the laser on the screen member300. Then, an adjustment of the position of the laser transmitter30(the beamed direction of the laser light) is performed so that the laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30hits the center of the four marks. This adjustment is carried out by the X-Y stage21and/or the angle adjusting stage24.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3A, the position adjustment device100and the screen member300are positioned facing with each other, and the laser light is beamed from the laser transmitter30in a three o'clock direction. In this step, the beamed spot P1of the laser light on the screen member300should be marked (using a scriber, for example).

The position adjustment device100in this stage is fixed to the correction stay200in such a constructional combination that the position reference bolt15is inserted in the position reference hole231, the fixing projection222in the fixing hole11, the fixing projection221in the fixing hole12, the fixing projection226in the fixing hole13, and the fixing projection225is inserted in the fixing hole14. The correction stay200should be fixed to a worktable with a vise and the like so that its reference face (face of the fixing portion200, for example) confronts the screen member300in a face-to-face manner.

Then, as illustrated inFIG. 3B, the position adjustment device100is rotated about the rotary axis TA, and the laser light is beamed from the laser transmitter30in a six o'clock direction. In this step, the beamed spot P2of the laser light on the screen member300should be marked (using a scriber, for example). The position adjustment device100in this stage is fixed to the correction stay200in such a constructional combination that the position reference bolt15is inserted in the position reference hole234, the fixing projection228is inserted in the fixing hole11, the fixing projection227in the fixing hole12, the fixing projection224in the fixing hole13, and the fixing projection223is inserted in the fixing hole14.

Then, as illustrated inFIG. 3C, the position adjustment device100is rotated about the rotary axis TA, and the laser light is beamed from the laser transmitter30in a nine o'clock direction. In this step, the beamed spot P3of the laser light on the screen member300should be marked (using a scriber, for example). The position adjustment device100in this stage is fixed to the correcting stay200is such a constructional combination that the position reference bolt15is inserted in the position reference hole233, the fixing projection226is inserted in the fixing hole11, the fixing projection225in the fixing hole12, the fixing projection222in the fixing hole13, and the fixing projection221is inserted in the fixing hole14.

Then, as illustrated inFIG. 3D, the position adjustment device100is rotated about the rotary axis TA, and the laser light is beamed from the laser transmitter30in a twelve o'clock direction. In this step, the beamed spot P4of the laser light on the screen member300should also be marked (using a scriber, for example). The position adjustment device100in this stage is fixed to the correcting stay200is such a constructional combination that the position reference bolt15is inserted in the position reference hole232, the fixing projection224is inserted in the fixing hole11, the fixing projection223in the fixing hole12, the fixing projection228in the fixing hole13, and the fixing projection227is inserted in the fixing hole14.

As illustrated inFIG. 3E, after marking the four spots P1-P4, the position adjustment of the laser transmitter30(beamed direction of the laser light) is performed so that the laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30hits the center of the four marks. This adjustment is carried out by the X-Y stage21and/or the angle adjusting stage24. This step completes the position adjustment (correction) of the laser transmitter30included in the position adjustment device100.

Temporarily fixing the laser transmitter30at the three or more points at regular intervals about the rotary axis TA allows the beamed points (three or more points) to be spotted on a circle circumference. The circle circumference is drawn with a center point precisely defined by the projection of the laser beam onto the screen member300. The rotary axis TA is defined by the straight line that passes through the light emitting opening31and is substantially perpendicular to the screen member300having a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

That is, the three or more points are located on the circle circumference drawn about the beamed point of the laser light that is perpendicularly beamed to a reference plane. The reference plane is perpendicular to the ground surface on which the position adjustment device100is placed.

Accordingly, a variation of the laser transmitter30can be corrected by adjusting the direction of the laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30so as to make the laser light hit the center of the beamed spots (three or more points) on the screen member300.

For confirmation, the spots of twelve to nine o'clock directions can be marked again, and an amount of variation can be measured. An angle variation θ° of the laser transmitter30after plus-minus (±) correction is defined by the following formula:
arcTAN(amount of variation in the markings (mm))/distance between the position adjustment device 100 and the screen member 300 (mm))×½

Further, the directions of the beamed laser light are not restricted to four ways, which are three, six, nine and twelve o'clock directions, though such directions have been introduced in the embodiment. That is, beaming the laser light to three or more points from the laser transmitter30at regular intervals in the rotary direction can carry out the object of the present invention; wherein the laser transmitter30is adapted to rotate about the rotary axis TA that passes through the light emitting opening31of the laser transmitter30and is perpendicular to the screen member300.

Further, the position adjustment device100is prepared to beam the laser light that is determined to be a base for adjusting the position of the reflector410. As will be described thereafter, the position of the reflector410is adjusted based on the laser light beamed from the position adjustment device100and reflected from the reflector410(mirror540). As shown inFIG. 4, the laser transmitter30can be provided with a target member50at its front face (in the direction the laser light beams). The target member50comprises a laser-light-transmission hole51through which the laser light beamed from the light emitting opening31passes. The laser light reflected from the reflector410(mirror540) hits the target member50. The target member50is adapted to be a guide in adjusting the position of the reflector410. The target member50is composed of a plurality of circles drawn about the laser-light-transmission hole51.

With reference toFIGS. 5 to 8, the reflector410whose position is to be adjusted using the above position adjustment device100will be described.

FIG. 5is a perspective view showing a schematic construction of a reflector device400according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is a perspective view showing a schematic construction of a mirror jig500according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7is a perspective view showing a schematic construction where the mirror jig500is mounted to a reflector according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8is an explanatory plane view showing a positioning of the mirror jig500and the reflector410according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The reflector device400is designed to reflect radio waves beamed from a radar device W. The reflector device400comprises a reflector410having, for example, three reflection surfaces that form a concaved pyramid, and an angle adjustment stage420used for adjusting the angle of the reflector410. The reflector device400also comprises legs441,442and443that support a left-and-right adjustment bolt430used for adjusting the position of (the adjustment stage of) the reflector410in the left-and-right direction. The legs441-443also support the reflector410, the angle adjustment stage420, the left-and-right adjustment bolt430, and others. The reflector device400further comprises up-and-down adjustment bolts451,452and453that are designed to adjust the position of the reflector410in the up-and-down direction.

The position adjustment of the reflector410is performed according to a position where reflected laser light hits. The laser light is beamed from the position adjustment device100, reflects at the reflector410and hits the reflector410. However, some types of the reflectors410used in detection of the radar devices are designed to reflect radio waves, and are thus not suited for reflecting the laser light.

Therefore, as shown inFIG. 6, this preferred embodiment introduces a mirror jig500that is mounted to the reflector device400so as to adjust the position of the reflector410. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the mirror jig500is provided at its center with a mirror540(the mirror540is set at the center hole), and clump members510,520and530that are provided with respect to three edges of the reflector410.

As shown inFIG. 7, the mirror jig500is mounted to the reflector410at the side of reflection face with the clamp members510,520and530. As shown inFIG. 8, for example, the mirror jig500can be clumped to the reflector410at its prepared clump positions510a,520aand530a, by moving the mirror jig500in the lower right direction on the drawing (FIG. 8) with respect to the vertical direction, based on two reference edge surfaces of the reflector410(the reference faces410a,410b). The mirror jig500is designed so that the mirror540takes place at the center of the reflector410when the mirror jig500is mounted to the reflector410.

Merely making the laser light reflected from the mirror540hit the predetermined area allows a simple positioning of the reflector410.

When the mirror540used has a dimension varying from the diameter of the beamed spot of the laser light, such a variation adversely presents deviation in positioning the reflector410. Therefore, the diameter of the mirror540should be designed to have substantially the same size as the spot diameter of the laser light (4 mm to 6 mm, for example).

One example presents the laser transmitter30that beams the laser light with a spread angle of 0.0687 degree. Such a spot diameter of the laser light beamed from the laser transmitter30that is 5000 mm apart from the laser transmitter30becomes: tan 0.0687×5000=5.99. Accordingly, the diameter of the mirror540should be 6 mm.

Such an arrangement can be completed by making the dimension of the mirror540be substantially equal to the spot diameter, or by making the hole of the mirror jig500be substantially equal to the spot diameter, in order to cause the disposed dimension of the mirror540to be substantially the same as the spot diameter.

These arrangements preferably restrain the variation in position adjustment of the reflector410.

With reference toFIGS. 9 to 10, a detection device using the reflector410whose position has been adjusted by the position adjustment device100will be described.

FIG. 9is a plane sectional view showing a schematic construction of a wave dark box600according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10is a side sectional view showing a schematic construction of the wave dark box600according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The detection device detects a radar device W using the radar device W fixed to a fixing table700and the reflector410that reflects radio waves beamed from the radar device W. The detector device is adapted to receive the radio waves reflected from the reflector410.

The detector device comprises a wave dark box600, a left-and-right adjustment bolt430, an angle adjustment stage420, up-and-down adjustment bolts451,452,453(reflector position adjustment means), the reflector410(reflector device400) adjusted by the position adjustment device100, and the fixing device700used for fixing the radar device W.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the detection of the radar device is performed inside the wave dark box600. The wave dark box600has an open face (insertion hole660) used for inserting the radar device W therethrough, and is provided with a wave absorber670on the other faces (bottom face610, side faces620,630, back face640and upper face (ceiling)650).

The reflector device400is positioned so as to place the reflector410at the side of the back face640inside the wave dark box600. The fixing table700adapted to fix the radar device W and the position adjustment device100is disposed at the side of the insertion hole660inside the wave dark box600. The reflector410is placed inside the wave dark box600, and the position adjustment of the reflector410is performed inside the wave dark box600.

The fixing table700includes a guide710and a base720that is movably secured to the guide710. The radar device W and the position adjustment device100are fixedly placed on the base720with a fixing member (not shown). The radar device W and the position adjustment device100fixed to the base720are conveyed to a predetermined position. The predetermined position designates a location where the radar device W is to be detected (for example, five meters away from the reflector410).

A detection method for detecting the radar device W using the detection device will be described.

Initially, a reflector adjustment step for adjusting the position of the reflector410is performed. In this step the position adjustment device100is fixed to the base720, and the base720is moved along the guide710to the position where the radar device W is detected. In this stage, the position adjustment device100should be placed so as to face the reflector410.

Then, laser light is beamed from the laser transmitter30of the position adjustment device100to the mirror540mounted to the reflector410. The laser light beamed to the mirror540reflects and beams back to the side of the laser transmitter30. The reflected laser light is beamed to the target member50. The beamed position on the target member50where the laser light hits determines a variation of the reflector410. Then, the position of the reflector410is adjusted (alignment is performed) so as to make the laser light hit substantially the center of the target member52, using the left-and-right adjustment bolt430, the angle adjustment stage420, and the up-and-down adjustment bolts451-453.

After completion of the positioning of the reflector410, the radar device W is fixed to the base720, and the base720is moved along the guide710to a position where the radar device W is detected. In this stage, the radar device W should be placed to face the reflector410. Then, the radio waves are beamed from the radar device W and reflect at the reflector410and are received by the radar device W, by which step the radar device W is detected.

In this detection method, the position adjustment device100whose position has been adjusted in advance as described above adjusts the position of the reflector410. Such an arrangement allows the further highly precise positioning of the reflector410. That is, such an arrangement provides a centering of the reflector410.

The reflected laser light (the spot beamed on the target member52) tends to spread and appear fuzzy, which makes the precise measurement of the dimension of position variation to be difficult. Therefore, the dimension of position variation can be replaced by maximum variation between centers. The maximum variation between centers is defined by the formula of ((the spot diameter beamed on the target member52)−(the diameter of the laser light transmittance hole51))/2 (mm).

Then, the dimension of variation of the reflector410whose position has been adjusted can be measured. An angle variation θ2° of the reflector410is defined by the following formula:
arcTAN(the maximum variation between centers (mm)/(2×(the distance between the position adjustment device 100 and the reflector 410 (mm)))

Modified Example 1

As a modified example 1, the placement and removal of the radar device W into/from the wave dark box600can be performed automatically.FIG. 11is a plane view showing a schematic construction of an automatic transportation device according to the modified example 1.FIG. 12is a side elevation view showing a schematic construction of the automatic transportation device according to the modified example 1.FIG. 13is a front elevation view showing a schematic construction of the automatic transportation device according to the modified example 1.

As illustrated inFIGS. 11,12,13, the modified example 1 provides the automatic transportation device (automatic transportation means)700a, which comprises a guide710a, a base720a, a fixing member721aand an electric cylinder730. The guide710ais disposed between the inside and outside of the radio wave dark box600in the vicinity of the insertion hole660of the radio wave dark box600.

The base720ais movably secured to the guide710aand is provided with a fixing member721aon the upper face thereof. The fixing member721ais adapted to fix the radar device W. The base720ais driven by the electric cylinder730so as to move between the outside and inside of the radio wave dark box600along the guide710a. The electric cylinder730can be connected to a control device (personal computer, for example) with wired or wireless control system to operate in accordance with control signals sent from the control device.

A detection of the radar device W using the automatic transportation device700will be described.

First, the base720ais positioned outside the radio wave dark box600by operating the electric cylinder730. If the base720ais already positioned outside the radio wave dark box600, the operation of the electric cylinder730is not needed.

Then, the radar device W is fixed to the fixing member721aof the base720athat is placed outside the radio wave dark box600. Further, the electric cylinder730is operated to transfer the base720a, to which the radar device W is fixed, to a predetermined position inside the radio wave dark box600(the automatic transportation step).

That is, the radar device W fixed to the base720ais automatically transferred to the inside of the radio wave dark box600. The base720ais adapted to stop at a position that is determined by a distance between the radar device W and the reflector410. The position at which the radar device W stops can be determined by the length of the guide710a, or by control signals sent from the control device, i.e., driving amount of the electric cylinder730(the amount the base720ais moved).

Following the detection of the radar device W, the electric cylinder730is operated to transfer the base720a, to which the radar device W is fixed, to the outside of the radio wave dark box600.

Automatically placing and displacing the radar device W into/from the radio wave dark box600is preferred because such an arrangement reduces the number of man-hours required to positioning it.

Modified Example 2

A modified example 2 presents a construction that the connection and disconnection of a power connecter to/from to the radar device W is done automatically.FIG. 14is a side elevation view showing a schematic construction of an automatic transportation device according to the modified example 2.

As shown inFIG. 14, the automatic power connection device (automatic power connection means)800comprises a guide800, an electric cylinder820, a support pin830, a connecter holder840, a connecter850and floating springs860.

The guide810is provided to the fixing table700in the vicinity of the radar device W that is fixed to the fixing member of the fixing table700(the base720). The guide810is placed in such a manner that allows the main body870to move parallel to the ground surface to connect and disconnect a connecter W1of the radar device W to/from a connecter850. The guide810should be provided at least with such a length that allows the above movement of the guide810.

The main body870includes the connecter850to be electrically connected to the connecter W1of the radar device. The main body870is mounted to the guide810capable of moving by the electric cylinder820. The main body870is adapted to allow the floating springs860to float the connecter holder840about the support pin830. The connecter holder840is used for holding the connecter850.

The electric cylinder820can be connected to a control device (personal computer, for example) with wired or wireless control system to operate in accordance with control signals sent from the control device.

The connecter W1of the radar device W can inevitably present angle variations caused by inaccurate assembly. However, the construction introduced in the modified example 2 enables the above floating connecter850to absorb such angle variations of the connecter W1of the radar device W.

A detection of the radar device W using the automatic power connection device800will be described.

Before starting the detection of the radar device W, the electric cylinder820is operated to move the main body870to the radar device W (connecter W1) that is fixed to the fixing member of the fixing table700(base720). The movement of the main body870causes the connecter W1of the radar device W to be connected with the connecter850(the automatic power connection step).

After completion of the detection of the radar device W, the electric cylinder820is operated to move the main body870apart from the radar device W (connecter W1) that is fixed to the fixing member of the fixing table700(base720), in a direction opposite to the initial direction at the beginning of the detection. The movement of the main body870causes the connecter W1of the radar device W to be disconnected from the connecter850(the automatic power connection step).

Automatically connecting and disconnecting the radar device W to/from the radio wave dark box850is preferred because such an arrangement reduces the number of man-hours required for positioning the radar device W.