Flared Bell Sonar Assembly for Long-Range Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sonar systems, particularly small-scale ones, are limited in their range, unable to detect objects closer than 200 millimeters or further than 2.5 meters, making them inadequate for environments with dense furniture or widely spaced objects, which hampers the functionality of robotic devices like automatic vacuum cleaners.
Innovation Solution
A long-range sonar assembly comprising a printed circuit board, transmit and receive potentiometers, and a transducer housed in a flared bell, which concentrates sonar pulses into a narrow beam, allowing for detection of objects between 1000 mm and 9500 mm, enhancing the range of sonar systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If existing small-scale sonar systems are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection range is limited to 200mm-2.5m
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sonar system by introducing a flared bell structure that modifies the acoustic wave propagation. This structural parameter change enables the system to achieve long-range detection capability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the flared bell is an integrated component rather than a separate complex subsystem.
2Measurement precision
If existing sonar systems are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the beam focus is too wide for short-range operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flared bell structure with curved surfaces that naturally focus acoustic waves. The spherical/curved geometry of the flared bell provides inherent beam focusing capability without requiring complex electronic beamforming or additional optical components, thus achieving improved measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the detection range is extended to 1000mm-9500mm, then the sonar can detect objects in diverse environments, but the transmit frequency control and receive sensitivity adjustment become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic control capabilities through the local controller that can adjust transmit frequency and receive sensitivity in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the sonar system to adapt to different environmental conditions and detection ranges, making the system versatile across various environments while managing the complexity of frequency and sensitivity control through automated regulation.
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 long-range sonar assembly effectively detects objects over a broader range, improving the navigation and operational capabilities of robotic devices in various environments by extending the detection range beyond traditional sonar systems.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, via a transducer, one or more pulses at the transmit frequency
Implementation Method 2
the one or more pulses are transmitted in a narrow beam
Implementation Method 3
receiving, via the first transducer, the one or more pulses as echo pulses having reflected off an object
Data Source
AI summary
A long-range sonar assembly for detecting objects approximately 2.5-9.5 meters from a robotic device. The assembly includes a printed circuit board including a local controller operably connected to a processing device and configured to receive instructions from the processing device, a transmit potentiometer operably connected to the local controller and configured to produce a first transmit frequency, and a receive potentiometer operably connected to the local controller and configured to produce a first receive sensitivity; a transducer operably connected to the receive potentiometer; and a flared bell configured to house the transducer and the printed circuit board, the flared bell comprising at least a first enclosure for receiving a sub-assembly comprising the printed circuit board and the transducer.