Light-Plane Obstacle Detection for Floating Hazards in AGVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-guiding devices, such as automatic vehicles and robots, face challenges in detecting floating obstacles and preventing collisions or falls, as conventional sensors like ultrasonic and infrared sensors may not effectively determine the spatial relationship and distance to obstacles, especially when obstacles are at varying heights.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a light emitter and light sensor, where a linear or circular indicator light is projected onto the path, allowing the light sensor to capture images and analyze features like length, position, and slope to determine the spatial relationship and distance to obstacles, enabling the self-guiding device to avoid collisions or falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic or infrared sensors are used to detect obstacles, then the device can detect the presence of nearby objects, but the sensors cannot effectively determine the spatial relationship and distance to obstacles at varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional point-based or single-plane sensing to a two-dimensional light plane projection method. By projecting a light plane onto the ground and analyzing its interaction with obstacles, the system gains height dimension information, enabling detection of obstacles at varying heights and accurate spatial relationship determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light plane as an intermediary between the sensor and the obstacle. The light plane serves as a measurable medium that interacts with obstacles at different heights, allowing the sensor to infer spatial relationships and distances that would otherwise be inaccessible to conventional sensors.
2Measurement precision
If a light emitter projects an indicator light onto the path, then the system can determine spatial relationship and distance to obstacles, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter and sensor system serves multiple functions: it projects the indicator light, detects the light plane interaction with obstacles, determines spatial relationships, and calculates distances. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own emitted light as the detection medium. The light emitter projects the indicator light, and the same light (after interacting with obstacles) is detected by the sensor, eliminating the need for external light sources or separate detection systems.
3Measurement precision
If the light sensor captures images and analyzes features to determine distance, then accurate obstacle detection is achieved, but the processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary features from the captured images for distance calculation, rather than performing comprehensive image analysis. By focusing on specific light plane characteristics and their interaction with obstacles, the system achieves accurate detection with reduced computational overhead and faster processing.
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 prevents collisions and falls by accurately determining the distance and moving trend of obstacles, allowing the self-guiding device to take timely avoidance measures, enhancing safety and navigation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitter emits a linear light as an indicator light that is a vertical linear light being projected onto a path the self-guiding machine travels toward
Implementation Method 2
the indicator light is projected to the floating obstacle, the vertical linear light is segmented into a first segment projected to the ground and a second segment projected to the floating obstacle
Implementation Method 3
utilizes an infrared ray or ultrasonic waves to detect the presence of a floor under the device by measuring the reflected or scattered infrared ray or waves from the surface of the floor
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is related to a system for obstacle detection adapted to a self-guiding machine. The system includes a controller for driving the system, a light emitter, and a light sensor. The light emitter and the light sensor are set apart at a distance. When the light emitter emits an indicator light being a vertical linear light projected onto a path the self-guiding machine travels toward, the light sensor senses the indicator light. The vertical linear light is segmented into a first segment projected to a ground and a second segment projected to a floating obstacle when the self-guiding machine approaches the floating obstacle with a height from the ground and the indicator light is projected to the floating obstacle, in which the second segment of the light sensed by the light sensor is determined as the floating obstacle in front of the self-guiding machine.