Dynamic Vehicle Surface Measurement Using Displacement Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle measurement systems require vehicles to remain stationary for accurate data acquisition, limiting their ability to account for variations in speed, steering, and suspension movement, and struggle to identify specific features of moving vehicles effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle measurement system utilizing an array of displacement sensors and an optical imaging system to acquire and process data from moving vehicles, including a tire bulge detection algorithm and laser spot analysis, to identify vehicle features and parameters like velocity and wheel orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle remains stationary during measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to longer inspection time and inability to perform quick checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static measurement to dynamic measurement by capturing images of the moving vehicle at multiple positions along its path. The processor then reconstructs the vehicle features by combining these sequential images, enabling accurate measurements while the vehicle is in motion rather than requiring it to remain stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes a measurement path with multiple imaging positions before the vehicle arrives. By having sensors positioned at multiple locations in advance and capturing images continuously as the vehicle passes, the system prepares the measurement framework beforehand, allowing quick inspection without requiring the vehicle to stop.
2Measurement precision
If multiple displacement sensors are used to improve measurement precision, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple complex displacement sensors, the system uses multiple simpler imaging sensors (cameras) to capture images of the vehicle at different positions. The processor then computationally reconstructs the measurement data from these image copies, replacing complex sensor hardware with simpler imaging devices and computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical displacement sensors with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical sensors that directly measure displacement, the system uses cameras to capture images and processes these images computationally to derive measurement information, substituting mechanical measurement with optical capture and digital processing.
3Productivity
If the vehicle moves through the sensing region quickly to improve productivity, then measurement precision deteriorates due to speed variations and steering changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images at multiple positions along the vehicle's path and uses the processor to analyze the sequence of images, identifying features that remain consistent across multiple captures. This feedback mechanism allows the system to filter out noise from vehicle motion and extract accurate measurement data even when the vehicle is moving at variable speeds or making steering adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to accommodate dynamic vehicle motion by capturing images continuously as the vehicle moves through the sensing region. Rather than requiring the vehicle to maintain constant speed or straight-line motion, the system dynamically adjusts by collecting data at multiple positions and reconstructing measurements from the combined information.
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 the acquisition of additional vehicle measurements while moving, accounting for variations in speed and steering, and improves the accuracy of identifying specific features such as tire sidewall bulges and wheel dimensions, facilitating more precise vehicle inspections.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor unit includes a laser emitter configured to project a laser beam onto a surface of the vehicle passing through the sensing region
Implementation Method 2
an imaging sensor configured to observe a reflected light from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle measurement station utilizing an array of displacement sensors disposed on each opposite side of a sensing region of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire displacement measurement data and surface characteristic data, associated with the surfaces of a vehicle passing through the sensing region, from which vehicle components such as body panels, tire, and wheels can be identified, and from which vehicle parameters such as velocity, wheel assembly dimensions, and wheel assembly spatial orientations can be determined.