Grating Bumper Obstruction Detection via Laser Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing obstruction detection systems for unmanned carriers require multiple sensors and complex control circuits to detect obstructions and contact, leading to a cumbersome configuration.
Innovation Solution
A mobile body equipped with a grating-shaped bumper and a laser range finder that uses light reflection to detect obstructions and contact, where the same processing system performs both obstruction existence and contact detection by analyzing light reflection patterns, eliminating the need for separate sensors and circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors and complex control circuits are used to detect obstructions and contact, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser range finder is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both obstructions in the traveling direction and contact obstructions around the mobile body. The same sensor unit and processing system are used for both detection purposes, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the obstruction detection function and contact detection function into a single integrated system. The laser range finder unit serves as both the obstruction sensor and contact sensor, and the processing system handles both detection tasks, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving reliable detection capabilities
2Measurement precision
If separate sensors and control circuits are used for obstruction detection and contact detection, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser range finder is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both obstructions in the traveling direction and contact obstructions around the mobile body. The same sensor unit and processing system are used for both detection purposes, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system distinguishes between different types of obstructions by analyzing parameters from the same sensor output. By changing the interpretation parameters (distance thresholds, reflection patterns, detection angles), the system can precisely identify whether an detected object is a traveling obstruction or a contact obstruction using the same physical sensor
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
Simplifies the obstruction detection system by utilizing a common processing system for both obstruction existence and contact detection, reducing the complexity of control circuits and sensor requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an obstruction sensor configured to perform a detecting operation based on light that an irradiated object is irradiated with and light reflected from the irradiated object
Implementation Method 2
a bumper having elasticity and an obstruction sensor configured to perform a detecting operation based on light that an irradiated object is irradiated with and light reflected from the irradiated object
Data Source
AI summary
In an unmanned carrier (100) including a grating-shaped bumper (10) having elasticity and an LRF (15) having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, a common processing system performs first detection processing that detects existence of an obstruction based on light applied from the light-emitting unit to a surrounding irradiated object and reflected from the irradiated object and second detection processing that detects contact of the obstruction with the unmanned carrier (100) by determining, based on light applied from the light-emitting unit to the grating-shaped bumper (10) and reflected from the grating-shaped bumper (10), presence or absence of deformation of the grating-shaped bumper (10).