Active Surveillance Head with Fixed Reception Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active monitoring heads face challenges with high inertia of transmission and reception blocks, leading to reduced refresh rates and positional inaccuracies, which affect detection precision and safety in vehicle-mounted systems.
Innovation Solution
The active monitoring head employs a fixed reception block with a narrow elevation illumination beam, allowing for high detection frequency and improved angular precision, along with adjustable scanning speed and multiple detectors to cover large sectors with enhanced angular resolution and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the reception block is made mobile to enable scanning in elevation and bearing, then the coverage area increases, but the measurement precision of angular position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning function into two independent parts: a fixed reception block that maintains precise angular measurement, and a separate illumination beam scanning system that provides coverage. The illumination beam is scanned using a rotating mirror or prism while the reception block remains stationary, eliminating the conflict between mobility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scanning mechanism (rotating mirror or prism) that redirects the illumination beam without moving the reception block. This intermediary allows the illumination to scan the environment while the reception block remains fixed, preserving angular position measurement precision while achieving comprehensive coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If the transmission block and reception block are made mobile for scanning, then the refresh rate of the environment sector is reduced, but the coverage area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the scanning function from the reception function. The illumination block scans the environment rapidly using lightweight optical elements (mirrors or prisms), while the reception block remains fixed and ready to detect return beams immediately. This segmentation allows the illumination to sweep through the sector quickly without the inertia penalty of moving the entire reception assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning of the reception block with an optical scanning system using rotating mirrors or prisms. This substitution reduces the moving mass significantly, allowing for faster scanning speeds and higher refresh rates while maintaining the same coverage area.
3Area of stationary object
If the reception block is made mobile to follow the illumination scanning, then the coverage area increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scanning function from the reception block and places it in a separate illumination system. The reception block is simplified to only perform its core function of detecting return beams, while the scanning is handled by independent optical elements (mirrors or prisms) in the illumination path. This separation reduces the complexity of the reception block and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables rapid and accurate detection of pointed optics with high detection frequency and large angular coverage, improving countermeasure performance and safety by minimizing positional errors and maintaining a low-volume, quasi-static system.
Implementation Method 1
The block (11) for emitting an illumination beam (63) capable of scanning a sector of the environment in a first direction comprises a source (22) of illumination and a rotating mirror (5) or rotating prism capable of reflecting a beam coming from the source (22)
Implementation Method 2
An active watch head has the function of detecting scattering/reflecting objects and/or particular points in an environment
Implementation Method 3
detecting scattering/reflecting objects and/or particular points in an environment, with a high backscattering/retroreflection coefficient
Implementation Method 4
The source (22) of illumination is a laser type source
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The head (1) has an illuminated pulsed beam emitting block (11) for scanning a sector of an environment along place of the environment. The block has an optical emitting path and a dispenser formatting an illuminated pulsed beam (63) to an illuminated band. A detected pulsed beam receiving block (12) is situated near the emitting block. The receiving block has an optical detecting path, where the optical emitting path and the optical detecting path are distinct with each other. The detecting path has an elements fixed with respect to a housing (10). An independent claim is also included for a method for active surveilliance of an environment.