Directional Precipitation Sensing With Multi-Receptacle Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weather measurement systems are limited in their ability to measure directional precipitation flow rates, which hinders the determination of liquid movement patterns and their impact on moving objects, such as vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A liquid collection system comprising multiple receptacles with sensors, each associated with respective openings covering different directions, which collect and measure liquid amounts to determine directional flow rates and vectors, enabling vehicles to adjust their velocity accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional weather measurement systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement precision of directional precipitation flow rate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid collection system is divided into multiple receptacles, each with openings facing different directions. Each receptacle independently collects liquid from a specific directional range, enabling the system to measure precipitation flow rates from multiple directions simultaneously. This segmentation allows precise determination of directional precipitation patterns while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect liquid amounts in different directions, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are integrated into the receptacle system, with each sensor serving dual purposes: detecting liquid amount in its specific receptacle and contributing to the overall directional flow rate calculation. The sensors work collectively to provide comprehensive precipitation measurement across all directions, eliminating the need for separate detection systems for each directional component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple sensors and receptacles into a unified liquid collection system with integrated processing. Rather than operating as separate independent units, the sensors and receptacles are merged into a coordinated system where data from all components are processed together to determine directional precipitation flow rates, reducing overall system complexity.
3Speed
If real-time directional precipitation data is collected, then the reaction time for vehicle navigation improves, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes the geometric relationships between receptacles, sensors, and directional ranges before operation. The processing system is pre-configured with the spatial configuration data, allowing it to rapidly calculate directional flow rates from sensor readings without requiring complex real-time geometric computations. This preliminary setup enables fast response times while keeping processing complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this technical solution can include determining, by one or more processors of a liquid collection system and based on respective amounts of liquid detected by a plurality of sensors and a velocity of a vehicle, a direction of movement of the liquid. The plurality of sensors can each be associated with respective ones of a plurality of receptacles. The plurality of sensors can be configured to detect respective amounts of liquid collected by respective openings of each of the plurality of receptacles associated with corresponding directions of movement of a liquid. The plurality of receptacles can be configured to collect at least a portion of the liquid via the respective openings.