Laser Rangefinder Alignment Diagnosis via Shock Detection and Camera Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser rangefinder units face challenges in accurately maintaining alignment over time due to mechanical shocks, leading to incorrect distance measurements, and existing methods for diagnosing alignment changes are resource-intensive and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating shock detection means, such as accelerometers, to detect mechanical shocks and output data for assessing alignment changes, and using cameras to capture images of the vicinity to identify alignment discrepancies, allowing for automated suspension of operations and potential realignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monitoring of distance and angle changes of reference object is performed to diagnose alignment changes, then alignment change detection is enabled, but data processing time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing expected distance and angle values for the reference object based on its known position and dimensions. When measuring, the system only needs to compare current measurements against these pre-stored values, significantly reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining reliable alignment change detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the reference object's geometric model with pre-stored distance and angle parameters. Instead of continuously processing complex geometric data, the system compares actual measurements against this simplified reference model, reducing computational load while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of reference object position is performed, then alignment changes can be detected, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by focusing measurement and processing only on specific critical parameters (distance to reference object and angle of surface) rather than requiring comprehensive high-precision measurement of all geometric properties. This selective approach maintains reliable alignment detection while reducing overall measurement precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from measuring complex geometric parameters directly to measuring simpler parameters (distance and angle) that can be easily converted to alignment status. This parameter transformation allows reliable detection with lower measurement precision requirements.
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 method provides a reliable and efficient means to diagnose alignment changes, preventing incorrect measurements by automatically suspending operations and enabling prompt correction, thus ensuring accurate distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
providing shock detection means configured to detect a mechanical shock acting upon said laser rangefinder unit and to output shock data that enables an assessment of a mechanical shock load on said laser rangefinder unit
Implementation Method 2
using cameras to capture images of the vicinity to identify alignment discrepancies
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing a change of alignment of a laser rangefinder unit 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and to a laser rangefinder unit and system for carrying out said method. According to a first solution, shock detection means 9 configured to detect a mechanical shock acting upon a laser rangefinder unit 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and to output shock data that enables an assessment of a mechanical shock load on said laser rangefinder unit are provided. According to a second solution, a camera 31 is provided, the camera being configured and arranged to capture an image of a vicinity of a scanning region 20 of a detection surface 3 and to create first image data. The method comprises a step of verifying whether the first image data comprise a signal 35.1, 35.2 of a laser light beam 16 transmitted by the laser rangefinder unit that is incident on the detection surface 3 at predetermined reference location data 34.1, 34.2. According to a third solution, the detection surface 3 comprises a localized structure 21 at a predetermined position 22 of the scanning region 20, wherein the localized structure characteristically reflects the laser light beam 16 transmitted by the laser rangefinder unit. The method comprises a step of verifying whether a signal received by the laser rangefinder unit comprises a signal 23 from the localized structure at predetermined reference location data 24.