Biodegradable Ground Control Target with Convex Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground control targets made of thin PVC sheeting are prone to wind damage, leading to inaccuracies in aerial surveys, and their environmental impact is significant due to long decomposition times, while painted targets lack crispness and visibility in certain terrains.
Innovation Solution
Biodegradable and compostable ground control targets with a three-dimensional convex shape and raised/depressed portions for rigidity and visibility, along with a biodegradable securing stake, allowing for secure placement with minimal environmental harm and easy removal or painting on surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thin PVC sheeting is used for ground control targets, then the targets are flexible and easy to place, but they are prone to wind damage and require multiple heavy nails for securing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin flexible plastic sheet similar to PVC but improves it by adding a three-dimensional convex structure with raised and depressed portions that provide rigidity while maintaining flexibility for easy placement. This resolves the contradiction by keeping the ease of placement advantage while adding wind resistance through structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a three-dimensional convex shape with raised and depressed portions on the target surface. This curvature provides structural rigidity to resist wind damage while maintaining the thin flexible nature for easy placement, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple heavy nails are used to secure the target, then the target is more stable against wind, but the placement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the target securing function into two parts: the three-dimensional convex structure provides inherent stability against wind, while only one or two lightweight stakes are needed for ground attachment. This segmentation reduces the number of fasteners from four or more heavy nails to minimal lightweight alternatives, reducing placement time while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin flexible plastic sheet with three-dimensional convex structure provides its own structural stability, reducing dependence on multiple heavy nails. This allows securing with minimal lightweight stakes, directly reducing placement time while maintaining wind stability.
3Ease of operation
If thin PVC sheeting is used, then the target is easy to place, but the center point puffs up due to wind and plant material
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional convex structure with raised and depressed portions creates a rigid framework that prevents the center point from puffing up due to wind and plant material. The curved structure maintains its shape and provides a stable, accurate center point for measurement, resolving the contradiction between ease of placement and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin flexible plastic sheet with three-dimensional convex structure maintains the center point stability while remaining easy to place. The structural design prevents deformation that would cause the center to puff up, ensuring measurement precision is maintained.
4Loss of time
If plastic sheet targets are left in place after surveying, then retrieval time is saved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses biodegradable plastic material that decomposes rapidly (within months to a year) after use, eliminating the need for retrieval while minimizing environmental pollution. This disposable approach resolves the contradiction by saving retrieval time while the material's biodegradability prevents long-term environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional non-biodegradable plastic to biodegradable plastic with controlled decomposition rate. This parameter change allows the target to be left in place after surveying without causing long-term environmental pollution, resolving the contradiction between time savings and environmental impact.
5Object-generated harmful factors
If painted targets are used instead of physical targets, then retrieval and pollution problems are avoided, but the edges are not as crisp and visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin flexible plastic sheet that provides crisp edges and high visibility similar to physical targets, while the biodegradable material eliminates pollution problems. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the visual quality of physical targets while eliminating the environmental harm of non-biodegradable materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable plastic target provides the visual clarity and crisp edges of physical targets during use, then decomposes without pollution. This disposable biodegradable approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision during the survey period while eliminating long-term environmental harm.
Data Source
AI summary
A generally rigid ground control target preferably fabricated from a biodegradable or compostable material and optionally include a biodegradable securing stake is described. In one variation of the ground control target scored or perforated sections are provided including a center portion thereof that are selectively removable to convert the target into a stencil for use in applying painted targets directly on a ground surface.