Vision-Based Guidance Kit Calibration for Angular Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent rotational displacement and angular offset between guidance kits on projectiles due to issues like threading inconsistencies lead to misaligned guidance operations, complicating assembly and affecting the accuracy of guided projectiles.
Innovation Solution
An automated calibration assembly using an orientation marker and imaging device to measure angular displacement, with a processor executing a calibration program to align the guidance directions of the guidance kits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated calibration assembly is used, then calibration time is reduced and precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An orientation marker is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second guidance kits. The marker includes geometric shapes that provide visual references for the imaging device to detect and measure angular displacement. This intermediary enables automated calibration without requiring direct complex interactions between the guidance kits themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with an automated optical measurement system. An imaging device captures images of the orientation marker, and a processor automatically calculates angular displacement and generates calibration data, substituting human operators and manual tools with automated vision-based technology.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual alignment is used, then assembly process is simple, but calibration accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting the orientation marker's position and calculating the angular displacement between guidance kits. The processor autonomously generates calibration data without requiring human intervention, enabling the system to self-correct alignment errors while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If automated calibration is implemented, then operational precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration assembly performs calibration operations before the guided projectile is deployed. The orientation marker is pre-positioned on the first guidance kit, and the imaging device captures images to determine angular displacement. This preliminary calibration ensures accurate alignment is established before operational use, improving reliability without adding complexity to the operational system.
Data Source
AI summary
A calibration assembly for a guided vehicle. The calibration assembly includes an orientation marker that operably engages with a first guidance apparatus of the guided vehicle. The calibration assembly also includes an imaging assembly that operably engages with and is in electrical communication with a second guidance apparatus of the guided vehicle. When the imaging assembly captures the orientation marker at a translated position for at least one cycle, the imaging assembly calibrates a rotational displacement between a first guidance direction of the first guidance apparatus and a second guidance direction of the second guidance apparatus based on an angular displacement of the orientation marker measured between a zeroed position denoting the first guidance direction and the translated position.