Laser Measuring System With Offset Reflective Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser measuring systems face challenges in distinguishing between direct and reflected laser pulses when the transmitter and receiver are close, and they do not provide orientation information, limiting their accuracy in positional measurement.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a laser receiver with two offset reflective surfaces and a photo detection unit to detect initial and double-reflected laser pulses, allowing for the determination of azimuth angle and additional orientation angles using phase differences and sensors, enabling full 3D position and orientation calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional laser measuring system uses a single reflective surface, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot distinguish between direct and reflected laser pulses when the transmitter and receiver are close
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface is segmented into multiple reflective surfaces (first reflective surface and second reflective surface) positioned at different locations. Each surface reflects laser pulses at different times, creating distinct reflected pulse signals that can be differentiated from direct pulses and from each other, enabling accurate distance measurement even when transmitter and receiver are close
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple reflective surfaces act as intermediaries that delay and separate the reflected laser pulses in time. The first reflective surface reflects the laser pulse first, followed by the second reflective surface, creating a time-separated sequence of reflected pulses that allows the receiver to distinguish between direct and reflected pulses
2Loss of information
If a conventional laser measuring system uses a single reflective surface, then the device complexity is low, but orientation information cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The single reflective surface is divided into multiple reflective surfaces arranged in specific spatial configurations. This segmentation enables the system to capture orientation information by analyzing the relative timing and intensity of reflections from different surfaces, providing azimuth and elevation angles without requiring additional sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surfaces are positioned in three-dimensional space with specific geometric relationships. By analyzing the temporal and intensity characteristics of reflections from surfaces at different positions and orientations, the system extracts orientation information (azimuth and elevation angles) from the spatial arrangement of reflections
3Length of stationary object
If the laser transmitter and receiver are positioned close together, then the measurement range is reduced, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between direct and reflected laser pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic modulation of the laser pulse with distinct frequencies or patterns. The modulated signal allows the receiver to identify direct pulses versus reflected pulses through frequency analysis, even when the time separation between direct and reflected pulses is minimal due to close transmitter-receiver positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The laser pulse is pre-modulated with identification signals before transmission. This preliminary encoding allows the receiver to distinguish between direct and reflected pulses through signal characterization, enabling accurate measurement even when the physical distance between transmitter and receiver is small
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of positional and orientation measurements by clearly distinguishing between direct and reflected pulses and providing full 3D positioning and orientation information, improving precision in construction and agricultural tasks.
Implementation Method 1
An initial laser pulse from a laser transmitter is received and reflected by a first reflective surface of the laser receiver to produce a first reflected laser pulse and by a second reflective surface of the laser receiver to produce a second reflected laser pulse
Implementation Method 2
A first double reflected laser pulse and a second double reflected pulse are detected at a photo detection unit of the laser receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A laser measuring system comprising a laser transmitter and a laser receiver is provided. The laser transmitter includes one or more laser sources for projecting an initial laser pulse and a reflective surface. The laser receiver includes a first reflective surface for reflecting the initial laser pulse to provide a first reflected laser pulse, and a second reflective surface for reflecting the initial laser pulse to provide a second reflected laser pulse. The laser receiver further includes a photo detection unit for receiving 1) a first double reflected laser pulse produced by the first reflected laser pulse reflecting off the reflective surface of the laser transmitter, and 2) a second double reflected laser pulse produced by the second reflected laser pulse reflecting off the reflective surface of the laser transmitter. The laser receiver determines an orientation angle associated with the laser receiver based on the first and second double reflected laser pulse.