Collision Avoidance System for Movable Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
In factory and large building environments, human reaction time is limited to process warnings from moving objects, especially with noise reduction devices and limited line-of-sight, posing a challenge for collision avoidance with hazardous equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensors on movable objects transmitting location signals, a controller determining direction of travel, and generating alerts at potential intersection regions, using GPS, RFID, and projection technology for dynamic warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human workers rely on their own reaction time to avoid collisions with moving objects, then no additional safety system is needed, but collision avoidance is insufficient due to limited human reaction time and noise reduction devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting potential collision scenarios before they occur and issuing advance warnings to workers. The controller continuously monitors the positions of moving objects and predicts potential collision paths, allowing workers to take evasive action before the actual collision risk materializes, thereby compensating for limited human reaction time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary safety system that acts as a mediator between moving objects and workers. This intermediary system includes sensors for detection, a controller for analysis, and warning devices for communication, serving as a bridge that enhances human capabilities and provides additional protection beyond what individual workers can achieve alone.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If workers wear noise reduction devices to protect hearing, then hearing safety is improved, but the ability to hear warning signals from moving objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/acoustic warning signal transmission method with an electronic communication system. Instead of relying on acoustic warnings that workers must hear, the system uses electronic warning devices such as visual displays or transmitted signals that can be received regardless of noise reduction device usage, thereby substituting the acoustic field with an electronic information transmission field.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning system acts as an intermediary that translates collision risks into communication forms that workers can receive even when wearing noise reduction devices. The controller processes sensor data and generates appropriate warning signals through multiple channels, ensuring information delivery independent of the worker's auditory status.
3Measurement precision
If the system monitors all moving objects continuously, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the monitoring task into separate functional modules: sensor units for individual object detection, a central controller for data integration and analysis, and warning devices for output. This modular segmentation allows continuous monitoring of multiple objects while managing system complexity through distributed functionality and specialized sub-systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for collision avoidance include a plurality of sensors respectively disposed on a plurality of movable objects, wherein each sensor is configured to transmit signals indicating the location of the movable object. The system further includes a receiver configured to receive the transmitted signals and a controller in communication with the receiver. The controller is configured to monitor the received signals from the plurality of sensors indicating the locations of the movable objects to determine a direction of travel of each movable object based on locations of the movable objects over time. The controller is further configured to determine an intersection region of the direction of travel of at least two movable objects and generate an output signal to provide an alert at the intersection region of the at least two movable objects, when at least one movable object is within a predetermined proximity of the intersection region.