Deployable Scanning Wands for Consistent Vehicle Underside Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for scanning vehicles, especially the underside, at checkpoints are inconsistent and rely heavily on manual expertise, making it difficult to achieve a repeatable and thorough assessment, particularly at temporary checkpoints where access is restricted and recesses can conceal hazardous materials.
Innovation Solution
A mobile security robot equipped with deployable scanning wands connected to a drive mechanism, allowing controlled movement and deployment from a storage position to a scanning position, featuring a cluster of sensors including time-of-flight and RGB-D cameras for comprehensive scanning of vehicle undersides, enabling consistent and detailed assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual scanning methods are used at temporary checkpoints, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but consistency and repeatability of scans deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is self-positioning and self-executing, with the mobile robot autonomously navigating to vehicles and deploying scanning wands without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically conducting scans, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining consistent, repeatable results through programmed control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical scanning operations are replaced with an automated mobile robotic system. The robot substitutes human operators by using programmed navigation, automated wand deployment, and electronic sensor arrays to perform scanning functions that were previously executed manually, thereby ensuring consistency while maintaining adaptability.
2Length of moving object
If handheld scanners with long reach are used to scan vehicle undersides, then accessibility to hard-to-reach areas is improved, but scan consistency and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning wands are designed with deployable mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of position and orientation. The wands can be extended to reach difficult areas under vehicles and positioned at optimal angles for scanning, while the mobile robot's controlled movement ensures consistent scanning paths and repeatability across multiple vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable scanning wands act as intermediaries between the mobile robot base and the vehicle surfaces to be scanned. These wands extend the robot's reach into hard-to-access areas while maintaining a stable, controlled scanning platform that ensures consistency, bridging the gap between the robot's body and the target scanning surfaces.
3Reliability
If automated scanning structures are used for vehicle scans, then scan consistency is improved, but adaptability to temporary checkpoints and restricted access areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot is designed as a universal scanning platform capable of operating in multiple environments including permanent checkpoints and temporary restricted-access locations. It can scan various vehicle types and configurations by deploying multiple wands with different sensor clusters, making it adaptable to diverse scanning scenarios while maintaining consistent, automated scanning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is segmented into multiple independent deployable wands, each equipped with specific sensor clusters for different scanning needs. This modular architecture allows the robot to adapt to various checkpoint configurations and access restrictions by selectively deploying appropriate wands, while each wand maintains consistent scanning performance through automated control.
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
The mobile robot provides a consistent and repeatable scanning capability, effectively detecting hazardous materials and obstructions by moving along the vehicle's periphery with multiple scanning wands, enhancing security assessments and reducing reliance on manual expertise.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor cluster includes time-of-flight and RGB-D cameras
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot with one or more deployable scanning wands that advantageously mounts each scanning wand for movement from a storage position in or adjacent to a wall of the mobile base unit to a deployed position extending outwardly from the robot adjacent ground level. Preferably, the robot includes two or more deployable scanning wands and a holonomic drive function is provided in the mobile base unit. This drive allows controlled linear and rotational movement of the robot to provide an effective scan area. Sensors can be provided in the sides of the mobile base for assistance in control of the drive and/or further scanning of a vehicle, trailer or object of interest.