Laser Scanning Device Tilt Axis Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser scanning devices for vehicles, such as helicopters, face challenges in providing optimal scanning figures and stability during narrow trajectory bends, as increasing the azimuth angle to improve scanning can lead to gyroscopic forces and imbalance.

Innovation Solution

A laser scanning device with a reflecting mirror that performs swash and azimuth rotations, utilizing triphase brushless motors and a third rotation axis for tilt adjustments, allowing for enhanced scanning coverage without increasing swash angle, thereby maintaining stability and improving obstacle detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the azimuth angle is increased to improve the scanning figure coverage, then the scanning area is improved, but the gyroscopic forces increase causing vibrations and imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning areaVSAvoiddevice balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third rotation axis (tilt axis) that is orthogonal to both the swash axis and the azimuth axis. This adds a new dimension to the scanning mechanism, allowing the laser beam to be deflected in three dimensions. By utilizing this third dimension, the scanning coverage is improved without requiring an increase in the azimuth angle, thereby avoiding the gyroscopic forces and balance problems associated with larger azimuth angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If the swash angle is increased to improve scanning coverage during narrow bends, then the scanning figure quality is improved, but the gyroscopic forces and vibrations worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning coverageVSAvoidgyroscopic forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third rotation axis (tilt axis) that is orthogonal to both the swash axis and the azimuth axis. This adds a new dimension to the scanning mechanism, allowing the laser beam to be deflected in three dimensions. By utilizing this third dimension, the scanning coverage is improved without requiring an increase in the azimuth angle, thereby avoiding the gyroscopic forces and balance problems associated with larger azimuth angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If triphase brushless motors are used to reduce mechanical friction, then the device reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidmotor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanically commutated motors with triphase brushless motors for driving the three rotation axes. Brushless motors eliminate mechanical brushes and commutators, thereby reducing mechanical friction, wear, and maintenance requirements. Although brushless motors have increased electrical control complexity, they significantly improve reliability by eliminating mechanical contact points that are prone to failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides a larger scanning area with increased obstacle detection and reduced error, maintaining stability and reducing the need for counterbalancing weights, while using triphase brushless motors to minimize mechanical friction and maintain performance.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing triphase brushless motors to minimize mechanical friction and maintain performance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

a reflecting mirror (101) mounted on a support (102)... allows the reflecting mirror (101) a first rotation about a first rotation axis A1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a source of laser radiation (103) arranged to allow the laser radiation to impinge on the reflecting mirror (101)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP2175303B1Laser scanning device
Publication Date: 2014.12.03 SELEX ES
  • EP2175303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2175303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2175303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A laser scanning device (100) is described, comprising - a reflecting mirror (101); - a support base (102) to which the reflecting mirror (101) results to be operatively associated, said support base being representative of a horizontal reference plane (PRIF); - first moving means of the reflecting mirror (100) to generate a first rotating movement of the reflecting mirror (101) about a first rotation axis (A1) passing through the centre of said reflecting mirror (101), said first rotation axis (A1) being inclined of a predetermined first angle relative to the reference plane (PRIF), - second moving means of the reflecting mirror (101) to generate a second rotating movement of the reflecting mirror (101) about a second rotation axis (A2) that is perpendicular relative to the reference horizontal plane (PRIF), said second rotating movement allowing the movement of the reflecting mirror (101) from a first reference scanning position towards at least one second scanning position located at a predetermined angular distance relative to the first reference position. The laser scanning device (100) results to be characterized in that it further comprises third moving means of the reflecting mirror (101) to generate a third rotating movement of the reflecting mirror (101) about a third rotation axis (A3) so as to vary the first inclination angle of the first rotation axis (A1) relative to the horizontal reference plane (PRIF).