Optical Aircraft Localisation Using Retroreflective Hanging Targets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localization systems for movable objects, such as aircraft, face challenges in accurately determining the position and orientation, especially when the objects are large and prone to movement due to external influences like temperature changes, requiring expensive and cumbersome fixturing to maintain precise positioning for surface treatments like painting.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing multiple scanners and rotatable, hanging targets with retroreflective sections to obtain and compare target data, ensuring accurate positioning and orientation by analyzing the data against known dimensions and models, allowing for non-contact robotic operations and accommodating movements in aircraft surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixturing is used to rigidly fixture the aircraft in a known position, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fixturing system with an optical measurement system. Instead of using physical fixtures to rigidly constrain the aircraft, the system uses laser scanners to non-contactingly measure the positions of retro-reflective targets attached to the aircraft, thereby determining its position and orientation without mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the aircraft's position and orientation information by measuring the locations of retro-reflective targets and using these measurements to reconstruct the aircraft's spatial configuration. This allows the system to work with a digital representation rather than requiring physical constraints.
2Measurement precision
If the aircraft is skilfully oriented to be back in the exact position for using a previously made three-dimensional scan, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a three-dimensional model of the aircraft's current position and orientation before robotic operations begin. The system scans the aircraft and establishes its spatial configuration in advance, allowing the robotic system to plan and execute operations based on this pre-established model without requiring repeated repositioning or re-orientation during the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by enabling the system to adapt to aircraft position changes in real-time. Instead of requiring the aircraft to remain statically fixed in a precise position, the system can detect changes in the aircraft's position and orientation through target measurements and adjust the robotic operations accordingly, making the process dynamic rather than static.
3Stability of the object's composition
If external tools such as jacks are used to keep the aircraft in the exact position, then positioning stability is improved, but device complexity and potential for damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical support tools like jacks with a non-contact optical measurement system. Instead of using physical devices that could potentially damage the aircraft while attempting to maintain its position, the system uses laser scanning to continuously monitor the aircraft's position and orientation without any physical contact, thereby eliminating the risk of damage from mechanical intervention.
4Reliability
If multiple scanners are used to scan the object and compare target data, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different scanners. The first scanner is dedicated to scanning the aircraft surface to capture geometric information, while the second scanner is specialized for scanning the retro-reflective targets to determine position and orientation. This division of labor among scanners with specialized functions improves measurement reliability while keeping the overall system manageable.
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
Enables precise and accurate mapping of the position and orientation of large movable objects like aircraft without physical contact, ensuring safe and efficient surface treatments by providing redundancy and real-time monitoring of changes, thus avoiding damage and maintaining aerodynamic integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Each target (32) has a retroflector (32a)
Implementation Method 2
One example of such a system is a Light Detection and Ranging ('LIDAR') system, which attempts to measure distance to a target by illuminating the target with pulsed laser light and measuring reflected pulses with a sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A method of determining the position and orientation of a moveable object includes a) connecting a plurality of targets to the object at known points on the object such that the targets will move with the object; b) scanning the surface of the object and at least some of the plurality of targets to obtain target data; c) comparing the scanned target data to at least one known dimension of one of the plurality of targets; and d) if scanned target data matches the at least one known dimension of one of the plurality of targets, mapping known object model data according to the target data to determine the position and orientation of the object.