Non-contact Chemical Sensor for Solid Non-solid Object Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle sensors face difficulties in distinguishing between solid and non-solid objects, such as gases and liquids, which can lead to unsafe navigation through environments like fog or rain without proper differentiation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-contact chemical sensor that transmits millimeter wave signals to differentiate between solid and non-solid compositions by analyzing signal reflections, allowing for real-time path adjustments to avoid solid objects and continue through non-solid ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors (LIDAR, camera, radar) are used to detect objects, then object detection is achieved, but the ability to differentiate between solid and non-solid objects (gases, liquids) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact chemical sensor as an intermediary device that uses millimeter wave signals to interact with detected objects. This sensor acts as a mediator between the existing sensor system and the object, providing chemical composition information that conventional sensors cannot obtain. The millimeter wave signal serves as the intermediary carrier that penetrates and interacts with both solid and non-solid objects to reveal their compositional differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-contact chemical sensor performs multiple functions: it detects objects like conventional sensors, identifies their composition through chemical signature analysis, and distinguishes between solid and non-solid states. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for separate detection and identification systems, resolving the information loss by integrating composition analysis into the primary detection process.
2Reliability
If the vehicle stops or changes path for all detected objects, then safety is improved, but navigation efficiency decreases due to inability to distinguish navigable non-solid objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different navigation responses based on the local quality (composition) of detected objects. Solid objects trigger stop or avoidance maneuvers, while non-solid objects (gases, liquids, fog) allow continued navigation. This localized differentiation based on chemical composition enables the vehicle to optimize its path by treating different object types differently, thereby maintaining safety while improving navigation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation response becomes dynamic and adaptive based on real-time composition analysis. Rather than a static stop-for-all-objects approach, the system dynamically adjusts vehicle control based on the identified composition, allowing flexible navigation that responds appropriately to each detected object's properties, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If a non-contact chemical sensor is added to differentiate object composition, then composition identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces or supplements mechanical/contact-based sensing with a non-contact electromagnetic field-based chemical sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact or complex mechanical sampling systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving accurate composition identification through millimeter wave spectral analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from purely physical/geometric (size, shape, position) to include chemical composition parameters. By utilizing the spectral characteristics of millimeter wave reflections, the system extracts compositional information without adding complex mechanical or chemical analysis equipment, thus improving measurement precision with minimal complexity increase.
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 vehicles to accurately differentiate between solid and non-solid objects, ensuring safe navigation by controlling actuators to stop or modify the vehicle's path based on the composition detected, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a chemical detection signal, from a non-contact chemical sensor, at the detected object, identifying a composition of the detected object based on reflections of the chemical detection signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus that identify a composition of an object using a non-contact chemical sensor provided. The method includes detecting an object based on information provided by a plurality of sensors, transmitting a chemical detection signal, from a non-contact chemical sensor, at the detected object, identifying a composition of the detected object based on an attenuation of the chemical detection signal, determining whether a path change is required based on the identified composition of the detected object, and controlling one or more actuators to stop a vehicle or adjust the path of the vehicle if the path change is required.