Lidar Window Breakage Detection via Strain Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar sensors pose a risk of harmful laser emissions if their window breaks, as existing safety measures are inadequate to detect and prevent such incidents.
Innovation Solution
A lidar sensor assembly with a strain gauge and conductive element on the window, connected to a controller that deactivates the light source upon detecting damage, ensuring the window's integrity and preventing harmful emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a window with filter is used to prevent harmful laser emissions, then safety is improved, but the risk of undetected breakage remains
Solution Approach 1:
A strain gauge is installed on the window to detect damage before it leads to harmful emissions. The strain gauge continuously monitors the window's structural integrity, and when damage is detected, the system proactively shuts down the laser light source to prevent harmful laser leakage, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining safety and preventing undetected breakage risks
Solution Approach 2:
The strain gauge provides real-time feedback on the window's condition to the controller. When the controller receives feedback indicating window damage, it automatically deactivates the light source. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that safety is maintained by detecting breakage and responding immediately, eliminating the risk of undetected harmful emissions
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a strain gauge with conductive element is added to detect window damage, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strain gauge's conductive element is integrated directly onto the window surface, merging the detection function with the window structure itself. This integration approach allows damage detection capability to be added without requiring separate, complex monitoring systems, thus improving detection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The window serves multiple functions: it acts as both the protective barrier/filter and the sensing element for damage detection. By making the window itself conductive and integrating the strain gauge, the system achieves multi-functionality where the window both protects against and detects damage, reducing overall system complexity while improving detection capability
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
Effectively detects window damage and automatically deactivates the light source, preventing harmful laser emissions and ensuring safety by continuously monitoring the window's condition.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a resistance of the conductive element as part of a strain gauge
Data Source
AI summary
A lidar sensor assembly includes a housing having a window. A light source is disposed within the housing and configured to generate light which is directed through the window. A detector array is disposed within the housing and configured to detect light generated by the light source and reflected off at least one object. A controller is in communication with the light source to control operation of the light source. A strain gauge is in communication with the controller and includes a conductive element disposed on the window. The controller is configured to deactivate the light source in response to the strain gauge indicating damage to said window.