Array type visibility detector and application method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses an array type visibility detector and an application method thereof, and relates to the technical field of visibility detectors. The array type visibility detector comprises a support, a signal processing module and a data output and control module which are connected between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The support comprises a transmitter support, a receiver support and a horizontal connecting frame. The transmitter support and the receiver support are respectively rotated on the end portions of the horizontal connecting frame. The application adopts a driving mode of a connecting rod to adjust the deflection angles of the optical transmitter and the optical receiver. Compared with the gear set mode in the prior art, the application avoids the effects that the gears are easy to wear and need to be supported at the meshing positions. Meanwhile, in the application, the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are rotationally connected with the horizontal connecting frame, and the connecting rod drives the rotation of the optical transmitter and the optical receiver. In the stable mode, a two-point supporting mode is adopted to ensure the stability of the positioned optical transmitter and optical receiver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of visibility detector technology, and in particular to an array-type visibility detector and its application method. Background Technology

[0002] Array-type visibility detectors are widely used in the field of highway transportation. For sections of road such as highway tunnel entrances and mountain curves where fog is frequent, they can be quickly deployed to form a network for monitoring, triggering linkage measures such as tunnel lighting enhancement. They can also communicate with vehicle navigation systems to push real-time visibility information for the road ahead to drivers.

[0003] The working process involves emitting an infrared beam of a specific wavelength, receiving the scattering signal from particulate matter in the target area, analyzing the light intensity attenuation law, and retrieving the visibility value. Therefore, its structure comprises an optical emission module, an optical receiving module, a signal processing module, a data output and control module, and a support frame for connecting the various modules.

[0004] In the prior art, the optical transmitting module and the optical receiving module rotate on the horizontal connecting frame through the optical transmitting bracket and the optical receiving bracket. The driving method is mainly driven by a rotating motor to drive the deflection. In the prior art, the motor directly drives the deflection, resulting in large adjustment errors. Therefore, the conventional choice is to use the motor output end to adjust the deflection of the optical transmitting bracket and the optical receiving bracket through a gear set. That is, by changing the gear meshing ratio in the gear set, the deflection angle can be easily controlled.

[0005] The use of gear sets for drive presents the following problems: The optical transmitter and receiver brackets rely primarily on the meshing of gears within the gear set for support. However, after prolonged use, wear can occur at the gear meshing points, leading to loosening of the optical transmitter and receiver brackets. This can result in either bracket experiencing a deflection error. Furthermore, the support force of the optical transmitter and receiver brackets depends mainly on the gear sets at their ends. Since the center of gravity of the optical transmitter and receiver brackets is located downwards, prolonged use can easily cause deformation of the brackets or increase wear on the gear sets, further affecting the deflection error of either bracket. This deflection error directly impacts the visibility detector's performance; specifically, when the angles of the optical transmitter and receiver modules are inconsistent, the following problems arise:

[0006] 1. Signal Acquisition Efficiency: The core principle of array-type visibility detectors (especially forward / backscattering type) is to capture the light signal emitted by the transmitter and scattered by particles in the atmosphere through the receiver. If the tilt angles of the transmitter and receiver are mismatched (e.g., the design is a 42° angle, but the actual deviation is too large), the "intersection area of ​​the light signals" will deviate from the preset sampling space. This may result in the receiver failing to capture the scattered light or capturing a signal that is too weak / too strong, directly leading to invalid or distorted detection data.

[0007] 2. Measurement accuracy deviation: Visibility calculation requires the correspondence between "scattered light intensity in the preset sampling space" and "atmospheric extinction coefficient," and this correspondence is calibrated at a specific transmitting and receiving angle. If the actual angle differs from the design value, this calibration relationship will be broken, and even if a signal can be acquired, the calculated visibility value will deviate significantly from the true value (such as underestimating or overestimating visibility). Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that the gear-driven method in the prior art easily leads to a mismatch in the tilt angle between the transmitter and the receiver, and to propose an array-type visibility detector and its application method.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] An array-type visibility detector includes a bracket connected between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, a signal processing module, and a data output and control module. The bracket includes a transmitter bracket, a receiver bracket, and a horizontal connecting frame. The transmitter bracket and the receiver bracket are respectively rotatable on the ends of the horizontal connecting frame, and the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are respectively mounted on the transmitter bracket and the receiver bracket.

[0011] A connecting seat is provided below the center of the bottom of the bracket, and extension seats are provided on both sides of the connecting seat. The two extension seats are connected to the transmitter bracket and the receiver bracket respectively by connecting rods.

[0012] A first ranging component is provided below the horizontal connecting frame, and the first ranging component measures the distance between the horizontal connecting frame and the connecting seat.

[0013] A second ranging component is provided on both sides of the connecting seat, and the second ranging component measures the distance between the connecting seat and the extension seat.

[0014] Preferably, the first ranging component consists of a first transmitter and a first receiver;

[0015] The second ranging component consists of a second transmitter and a second receiver.

[0016] Preferably, the transmitter bracket, receiver bracket, and horizontal connecting frame are rotatably connected via shaft A.

[0017] Preferably, the ends of the two connecting rods are rotatably connected to the transmitter bracket and the receiver bracket respectively via shaft B.

[0018] Preferably, the center of axis A and the center of axis B on the transmitter bracket are arranged along the length direction of the transmitter bracket;

[0019] The center of axis A and the center of axis B on the receiver bracket are arranged along the length direction of the receiver bracket.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting rod and the extension seat are rotatably connected by a shaft C, and the center of the shaft C and the center of the shaft B are arranged along the length direction of the connecting rod.

[0021] Preferably, the distance measured by the first ranging component is the projected distance between the center of axis C and the center of axis A in the vertical direction.

[0022] Preferably, the distance measured by the second ranging component is the distance between axis C and the vertical center line of the connecting seat.

[0023] Preferably, at least one vertically arranged passive telescopic rod is further connected between the transmitter bracket, the receiver bracket and the horizontal connecting frame. One end of the passive telescopic rod slides horizontally along the length direction of the horizontal connecting frame, and the other end is rotatably connected to the side wall of the transmitter bracket or the receiver bracket through shaft D. The center of shaft D is located on the straight line between the center of shaft A and the center of shaft B.

[0024] The passive telescopic rod is equipped with a calibration distance measuring component to measure the projected distance between the center of axis D and the center of axis A in the vertical direction.

[0025] This invention also discloses an application method for an array-type visibility detector, comprising the following steps:

[0026] Rotation adjustment of optical transmitter and optical receiver: The angle of transmitter bracket and receiver bracket can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the connecting seat and extension seat and adjusting the state of the linkage.

[0027] Rotation angle measurement of optical transmitter and optical receiver: The rotation angle of optical transmitter and optical receiver is calculated from the results of measurements by the first ranging component and the second ranging component.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0029] This invention uses a linkage drive to adjust the deflection angle of the optical transmitter and optical receiver. Compared with the gear set method in the prior art, it avoids the effects of easy wear of gears and the need to rely on the gear meshing point for support. At the same time, this invention is based on the rotational connection between the optical transmitter and optical receiver and the horizontal connecting frame, and the linkage drives the optical transmitter and optical receiver to rotate. In terms of stability, a two-point support method is adopted to ensure the stability of the optical transmitter and optical receiver after positioning.

[0030] The present invention also measures and calculates the deflection angle of the optical transmitter and optical receiver by moving the connecting seat and the extension seat in conjunction with the first and second ranging components. Compared with the angle sensor measurement in the prior art, which is easily affected by the wear of the gear set and the support, the adjustment method of the present invention is stable and ensures the accuracy of the measurement data.

[0031] Finally, the present invention also includes a passive telescopic rod and a calibration ranging component, which can judge and detect the bending condition of the transmitter bracket and receiver bracket, ensure the stability of the transmitter bracket and receiver bracket, and thus ensure that the deflection angle of the optical transmitter and optical receiver is the same, ensuring the accuracy of the detection data. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an array-type visibility detector proposed in this invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the bracket, connecting seat, extension seat, and connecting rod;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram for measuring the deflection angle of an optical transmitter or receiver;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram for determining the state of the transmitter or receiver bracket when it is bent.

[0036] In the diagram: 1. Optical transmitter; 2. Optical receiver; 3. Support; 30. Transmitter support; 31. Receiver support; 32. Horizontal connecting frame; 4. Connecting seat; 5. Extension seat; 6. Linkage rod; 7. Passive telescopic rod. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Reference Figures 1-4 An array-type visibility detector includes a bracket 3 connected between an optical transmitter 1 and an optical receiver 2, a signal processing module, and a data output and control module, wherein the signal processing module and the data output and control module are concentrated in a control box, and the control box is fixedly installed on the bracket 3 by bolts or welding.

[0038] The optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 are existing technologies. In some embodiments, the optical transmitter 1 is usually composed of an LED light source or a laser diode, which is responsible for emitting a stable infrared light or visible light beam in a specific direction as a detection signal source. The optical receiver 2 adopts an array-type photoelectric sensor such as a CCD or CMOS array to receive light signals scattered by particulate matter such as fog, haze, and dust in the atmosphere. It can capture scattered light from different angles at the same time, thereby improving the comprehensiveness of data acquisition.

[0039] The improvement of this application document in the prior art lies in the structural improvement of the mounting bracket 3 of the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2. The linkage adjustment method is adopted instead of the transmission gear set method in the prior art. Furthermore, the deflection angle of the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 is obtained by measuring with two range sensors.

[0040] The improvement of the stent 3 in the prior art in this embodiment is as follows:

[0041] The bracket 3 includes a transmitter bracket 30, a receiver bracket 31, and a horizontal connecting frame 32. The optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 are respectively mounted on the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31, wherein the mounting method can be either plug-in or bolt-positioning. Preferably, the ends of the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 are provided with plug-in portions, and the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31 are provided with plug-in slots corresponding to the plug-in portions. After the plug-in portions are inserted into the plug-in slots, they are positioned by bolts or snap-fit.

[0042] Furthermore, the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31 are respectively rotatably mounted on the ends of the horizontal connecting frame 32. Preferably, the transmitter bracket 30, the receiver bracket 31 and the horizontal connecting frame 32 are rotatably connected by shaft A.

[0043] Furthermore, a connecting seat 4 is provided at the bottom center of the bracket 3, and extension seats 5 are provided on both sides of the connecting seat 4. The two extension seats 5 are connected to the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31 respectively via connecting rods 6. Preferably, the ends of the two connecting rods 6 are rotatably connected to the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31 respectively via shaft B; in addition, the connecting rods 6 and the extension seats 5 are rotatably connected via shaft C.

[0044] In this embodiment, when adjusting the deflection angle of the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2, the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31 can be adjusted. Further adjustment is as follows: first, adjust the distance of the connecting seat 4 in the vertical direction, then adjust the distance of the extension seat 5 extending outward relative to the connecting seat 4, and adjust the deflection angle of the transmitter bracket 30 and the receiver bracket 31 through the connecting rod 6.

[0045] It should be noted that the two extension seats 5 can move outward by the same driving component, such as a double-ended screw, to ensure that the two extension seats 5 move outward by the same distance. In other embodiments, the two extension seats 5 can also be controlled to move by independent linear driving components such as cylinders or push rod motors.

[0046] Based on the aforementioned support structure 3 and the adjustment structure of the optical transmitter 1 and optical receiver 2, this embodiment discloses a calculation method for measuring the angle of the optical transmitter 1 and optical receiver 2. This calculation method mainly relies on the first ranging component and the second ranging component.

[0047] The first ranging component is located below the horizontal connecting frame 32. The first ranging component measures the distance between the horizontal connecting frame 32 and the connecting seat 4. Specifically, the distance measured by the first ranging component is the vertical projection distance between the center of axis C and the center of axis A, which is denoted as H1.

[0048] The second ranging component is set on both sides of the connecting seat 4. The second ranging component measures the distance between the connecting seat 4 and the extension seat 5. Specifically, the distance measured by the second ranging component is the distance between the axis C and the vertical center line of the connecting seat 4, which is denoted as H2.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 In this embodiment, after measuring the values ​​of H1 and H2, and combining them with the positions of shaft A and shaft B, the deflection angles of the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 are obtained through triangles and inverse trigonometric functions. Although this method obtains the required angle value through two distance measurements and calculations, it changes the situation in the prior art where the use of an angle measuring instrument is easily affected by positional deviations caused by gear friction. Compared with the prior art, the detection in this application is driven by a hardware gear set. Furthermore, the support of the prior art relies entirely on the gear shaft. This application increases the force points by using a two-point support method, namely the force point on shaft A and the force point on shaft B, making the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 more stable after installation and less affected.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 and 3 Axis A is Figure 3 Point A is marked in the middle, and axis B is... Figure 3 Point B, marked in the middle, and point D, the vertical projection of the center of connecting seat 4 onto the horizontal connecting frame 32, are the vertical projections of the center of connecting seat 4 onto the horizontal connecting frame 32. Axis C is... Figure 3 Point C is marked in the middle. The vertical projection point of the center of axis C onto the connecting seat 4 is point E. Since the position of axis B is stable, the length between AB is taken as a constant and is denoted as H3. Since the connection position between connecting seat 4 and horizontal connecting frame 32 is fixed, the length between AD is taken as a constant and is denoted as H4. The length between DE is H1. The length between CE is H2. The length between CB is a constant and is denoted as the length of connecting rod 6, which is denoted as H5.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 When the deflection angles of optical transmitter 1 and optical receiver 2 are adjusted, the positions of points C and E change. To facilitate the calculation of the deflection angles of optical transmitter 1 and optical receiver 2, points A and C are connected, and the distance is denoted as H6. After connecting A and C, the deflection angles of optical transmitter 1 or optical receiver 2 are divided into a and b.

[0052] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the deflection angle of optical transmitter 1 or optical receiver 2 is as follows:

[0053] Calculate the deflection angle of optical transmitter 1 or optical receiver 2: a + b;

[0054] Where a = arctan[H1 / H4-H2]; b = arccos[H6] 2 +H3 2 -H5 2 [ / 2×H3×H6];H6=[H1] 2 +H4-H2 2 ] 1 / 2 .

[0055] In some implementations, to ensure the accuracy of the length between AB, that is, to ensure that the line connecting AB is horizontal with the length direction of the transmitter bracket 30, the center of the transmitting shaft A and the center of the transmitting shaft B are set along the length direction of the transmitter bracket 30; similarly, the center of the transmitting shaft A and the center of the transmitting shaft B on the receiver bracket 31 are set along the length direction of the receiver bracket 31.

[0056] Furthermore, to ensure the accuracy of the length between B and C, that is, to ensure that the center of shaft C and the center of shaft B are set along the length direction of connecting rod 6, and to ensure that the length of BC is equal to the length of connecting rod 6, specifically, in the actual determination process, the length of BC needs to take into account the installation position of shaft C and shaft B as well as the radius of shaft C and shaft B. For example, if the distance between the outermost wall of shaft C and the end of the connecting rod is Z, the distance between the outermost wall of shaft B and the end of the connecting rod is K, the radius of shaft C is L, the radius of shaft B is F, and the length of connecting rod 6 is G, then the length of BC = GZKLF.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first ranging component consists of a first transmitter and a first receiver. It should be noted that: 1. The initial positions of the first transmitter and the first receiver are located on the horizontal line of AD, thus ensuring the accuracy of H1 data measurement. 2. When setting point E, that is, point E is the ranging point of the first ranging component, a detection groove is provided inside the connecting seat 4, and point E is located on the bottom surface of the detection groove. The moving component driving the connecting seat 4 can be a linear drive such as a cylinder or a push rod motor. To protect the first ranging component, a telescopic sleeve can be connected between the connecting seat 4 and the horizontal connecting frame 32. The telescopic sleeve consists of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, with the inner sleeve sliding inside the outer sleeve. The first ranging component and the linear drive component driving the connecting seat 4 are both located inside the telescopic sleeve.

[0058] The further second ranging component consists of a second transmitter and a second receiver. It should be noted that: 1. The initial positions of the second transmitter and the second receiver are located on the horizontal line of DE to ensure the accuracy of H2 data measurement. 2. When measuring the H2 distance, it is sometimes necessary to consider the thickness of the extension seat 5 and the radius of shaft C, because the ranging point of the second ranging component is generally on the outer wall of the extension seat 5. Therefore, the thickness of the extension seat 5 and the radius of shaft C need to be added to the ranging measurement of the second ranging component. In some other methods, the distance of the installation position of shaft C also needs to be considered. 3. A telescopic sleeve can also be added between the extension seat 5 and the connecting seat. Its structure is the same as the telescopic sleeve structure between the connecting seat 4 and the horizontal connecting frame 32, serving to protect the second ranging component and the linear drive unit that drives the horizontal sliding of the extension seat 5.

[0059] Finally, in some embodiments, based on the connection seat and linkage driving the optical transmitter 1 and optical receiver 2, this application also provides a calibration component. When the transmitter bracket 30 and receiver bracket 31 deform during long-term outdoor use, such as due to external impacts such as flying stones, causing a bend at a certain point between axis A and axis B of the transmitter bracket 30, the length between A and B is affected, thus affecting the accuracy of subsequent measurements of the deflection angle of the transmitter bracket 30. Therefore, a calibration detection component is also provided, specifically configured as follows:

[0060] Reference Figure 4 At least one vertically arranged passive telescopic rod 7 is also connected between the transmitter bracket 30, the receiver bracket 31 and the horizontal connecting frame 32. One end of the passive telescopic rod 7 slides horizontally along the length of the horizontal connecting frame 32, and the other end is rotatably connected to the side wall of the transmitter bracket 30 or the receiver bracket 31 through a shaft D. The center of shaft D is located on the straight line between the center of shaft A and the center of shaft B. As the transmitter bracket 30 or the receiver bracket 31 deflects, the length of the passive telescopic rod 7 and the connection position between the passive telescopic rod 7 and the horizontal connecting frame 32 change.

[0061] The passive telescopic rod 7 is equipped with a calibration distance measuring component to measure the vertical distance between the center of axis D and the center of axis A.

[0062] Based on this, the deflection angle of the optical transmitter 1 or the optical receiver 2 is obtained by measuring H1 and H2 in this application. The length between axis A and axis D is a constant value, denoted as H7. It can be calculated that the vertical distance between axis D and axis A is: F = H7 × arcsinQ. The data obtained by calibrating the ranging component is H8. By comparing the values ​​of H8 and F, it is determined whether the transmitter bracket 30 or the receiver bracket 31 is bent. That is, when the values ​​of H8 and F are different or there is a significant error, the transmitter bracket 30 or the receiver bracket 31 has obvious deformation, and it can be repaired or manually corrected. When the values ​​of H8 and F are the same, the transmitter bracket 30 or the receiver bracket 31 is normal and will not affect normal use.

[0063] The calibration ranging component is the same as the first ranging component or the second ranging component.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An array-type visibility detector, comprising a bracket (3) connected between an optical transmitter (1) and an optical receiver (2), a signal processing module, and a data output and control module, characterized in that, The bracket (3) includes a transmitter bracket (30), a receiver bracket (31) and a horizontal connecting frame (32). The transmitter bracket (30) and the receiver bracket (31) are respectively rotated on the ends of the horizontal connecting frame (32), and the optical transmitter (1) and the optical receiver (2) are respectively mounted on the transmitter bracket (30) and the receiver bracket (31). A connecting seat (4) is provided below the bottom center of the bracket (3), and extension seats (5) are provided on both sides of the connecting seat (4). The two extension seats (5) are connected to the transmitter bracket (30) and the receiver bracket (31) respectively through the connecting rod (6). A first ranging component is provided below the horizontal connecting frame (32), and the first ranging component measures the distance between the horizontal connecting frame (32) and the connecting seat (4); A second ranging component is provided on both sides of the connecting seat (4), and the second ranging component measures the distance between the connecting seat (4) and the extension seat (5); The transmitter bracket (30), receiver bracket (31) and horizontal connecting frame (32) are rotatably connected by shaft A; The ends of the two connecting rods (6) are rotatably connected to the transmitter bracket (30) and the receiver bracket (31) respectively via shaft B; The connecting rod (6) and the extension seat (5) are rotatably connected by shaft C, and the center of shaft C and the center of shaft B are set along the length direction of the connecting rod (6); At least one vertically arranged passive telescopic rod (7) is also connected between the transmitter bracket (30), the receiver bracket (31) and the horizontal connecting frame (32). One end of the passive telescopic rod (7) slides horizontally along the length direction of the horizontal connecting frame (32), and the other end is rotatably connected to the side wall of the transmitter bracket (30) or the receiver bracket (31) through the shaft D. The center of the shaft D is located on the straight line between the center of the shaft A and the center of the shaft B. The passive telescopic rod (7) is equipped with a calibration distance measuring component to measure the projected distance between the center of axis D and the center of axis A in the vertical direction; A telescopic sleeve is connected between the connecting seat (4) and the horizontal connecting frame (32), and between the extension seat (5) and the connecting seat.

2. The array-type visibility detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first ranging component consists of a first transmitter and a first receiver; The second ranging component consists of a second transmitter and a second receiver.

3. An array-type visibility detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The center of axis A and the center of axis B on the transmitter bracket (30) are arranged along the length direction of the transmitter bracket (30); The center of axis A and the center of axis B on the receiver bracket (31) are arranged along the length direction of the receiver bracket (31).

4. An array-type visibility detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance measured by the first ranging component is the projected distance between the center of axis C and the center of axis A in the vertical direction.

5. An array-type visibility detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance measured by the second ranging component is the distance between axis C and the vertical center line of the connecting seat (4).

6. The method of using an array-type visibility detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Rotation adjustment of optical transmitter (1) and optical receiver (2): By adjusting the position of connecting seat (4) and extension seat (5) and adjusting the state of connecting rod (6), the angle of transmitter bracket (30) and receiver bracket (31) can be adjusted; Rotation angle measurement of optical transmitter (1) and optical receiver (2): The rotation angle of optical transmitter (1) and optical receiver (2) is calculated from the results of the measurements of the first ranging component and the second ranging component.

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