Lidar Protection Cover Assembly for Mobile Collision Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile devices with Lidar devices positioned at the top are prone to collisions with external objects during movement, leading to potential damage and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mobile device design featuring a protection cover movably connected to the main body and protruding element, equipped with a detecting device to sense external forces and displacements, and a position restoring assembly to return the protection cover to its initial position, thereby reducing collision risks and maintaining operational readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Lidar device is disposed at the top of the main body in a protruding element, then the Lidar device can perform localization and mapping effectively, but the Lidar device is easy to collide with external objects during movement, causing damages
Solution Approach 1:
A protection cover is disposed at the outer side of the protruding element to cover and protect the Lidar device before collision occurs. The protection cover is movably connected to allow it to move when subjected to external force, acting as a cushioning barrier that prevents direct impact on the Lidar device while maintaining its functional exposure during normal operation.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the protection cover is made movable to detect external forces, then collision detection capability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover itself serves dual functions: it protects the Lidar device and simultaneously acts as the detection element. When an external object collides with the protection cover, the cover moves, and this movement is detected by a detecting device (such as a displacement sensor or force sensor) connected to the control unit. The system uses the protection cover's own movement as the detection signal, eliminating the need for separate complex detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function and detection function are merged into a single integrated system. The protection cover is not just a passive protective shell but an active component that participates in collision detection. The movability of the protection cover enables it to both absorb impact and generate detectable movement signals, combining protection and detection into one unified mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If the protection cover is designed to move during collision, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but the structural stability of the protruding element is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the protection cover that moves during collision, the detecting device that measures the movement, and the control unit that processes the detection signal. The protection cover is movably connected to the protruding element, allowing controlled movement while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the moving part (cover) to provide detection accuracy while the fixed parts maintain structural stability.
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 effectively protects the Lidar device from collisions, reduces the likelihood of damage, and enhances the device's intelligence by enabling proactive responses to collisions, ensuring continued operation and data integrity.
Implementation Method 1
After the protection cover experiences a displacement of the protection cover caused by the external force and after the external force is released, the position restoring assembly is configured to restore the protection cover to a position where the protection cover is free from the external force
Implementation Method 2
The detecting device is configured to detect an external force exerted on the protection cover or a displacement of the protection cover caused by the external force
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous mobile device is provided. The autonomous mobile device includes a main body, a protruding element disposed at a top portion of the main body, and a protection cover disposed at an outer side of the protruding element to cover the protruding element, the protection cover being movably connected with the main body or the protruding element. The autonomous mobile device also includes a detecting device configured to detect an external force exerted on the protection cover or a displacement of the protection cover caused by the external force, and to transmit information of the external force or the displacement to a processor. The autonomous mobile device also includes a position restoring assembly, the processor, and an extension-retraction groove disposed on the main body at a circumference of a lower portion of the protruding element. The protection cover is inserted into the extension-retraction groove.