Central Multi-Camera Housing Layout for Unmanned Work Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional unmanned operation vehicles with cameras have limited field of view, resulting in blind spots and insufficient peripheral imaging, which hinders obstacle detection and area monitoring efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Arranging multiple cameras at the center of the upper housing surface with overlapping imaging ranges and a rectangular outer periphery, reducing blind spots without altering camera angles or positions, and integrating cameras into a single unit for easier mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the camera is arranged at the edge portion of the housing to capture images of the operation area, then the operation area monitoring is improved, but the peripheral obstacle detection capability deteriorates due to limited field of view and blind spots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation area monitoring accuracyVSAvoidperipheral information loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple surface regions (front surface, rear surface, left side surface, right side surface), and cameras are strategically arranged on different surfaces to segment the monitoring tasks. Each camera captures images of specific regions, collectively providing comprehensive coverage without blind spots

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cameras are arranged in three-dimensional space on different surfaces of the housing rather than all on a single plane. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions allows each camera to capture images of different regions, eliminating blind spots while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If multiple cameras are arranged at different positions on the housing to eliminate blind spots, then the peripheral imaging coverage is improved, but the device complexity and mounting difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperipheral information coverageVSAvoidcamera arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each camera is positioned at a specific location on the housing surface optimized for capturing images of particular regions. The arrangement ensures that cameras on different surfaces (front, rear, left, right) have distinct imaging responsibilities, creating complementary fields of view that collectively cover all directions without requiring complex coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing surfaces serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the unmanned operation vehicle and simultaneously serve as mounting locations for cameras. The front surface mounts the first camera for front region imaging, the rear surface mounts the second camera for rear region imaging, and side surfaces mount additional cameras, making the housing structure multi-functional

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3430879B1Unmanned traveling work vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3430879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3430879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3430879B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An unmanned operation vehicle (10) includes a housing (11), left and right rear wheels (13) provided in the housing (11), and an operation unit (14) provided under the housing (11). The housing (11) includes a plurality of cameras (33) configured to capture an image of an outside of the unmanned operation vehicle (10). The plurality of cameras (33) are arranged substantially at a center of an upper surface of the housing (11) in a plan view. The housing (11) may include a single camera unit (31) including the plurality of cameras (33).