Light-Shielding Cover for Mobile Measuring Apparatus Shadow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile measuring apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting measurement targets due to shadows caused by the measuring device, its frame, and harness, especially under light sources like the sun, tunnel illumination, and street lights, leading to irregular shadows and potential erroneous detection of road surface conditions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light-shielding cover between the vehicle and the measuring device to block light from reaching the road surface, thereby simplifying the shadow shape and reducing boundaries between shadow and non-shadow areas in captured images, ensuring accurate measurement of road surface conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a measuring device is mounted on a mobile object to capture external environment, then measurement capability is provided, but complex shadows are generated on the measurement target

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidshadow complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light-shielding cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the mobile object and the measuring device. This cover blocks light from reaching the measurement target through the harness and frame, thereby preventing complex shadow formation while maintaining the measuring device's functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-shielding cover is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently attached to the mobile object. This segmentation allows the shadow-control function to be added without modifying the core measuring device structure, maintaining adaptability while solving the shadow problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If light-shielding cover is added to block light from reaching measurement target, then shadow complexity is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshadow complexityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-shielding cover serves as a simple intermediary barrier that requires minimal structural complexity. It is designed as a basic light-blocking component that can be easily integrated without adding complex mechanisms or control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-shielding cover is designed as a simple, potentially disposable component rather than a complex permanent structure. This approach reduces overall device complexity by using a straightforward light-blocking element that can be easily replaced or adjusted if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 light-shielding cover effectively prevents complex shadow formation, reducing erroneous determinations of road surface damage and allowing for successful measurement of road surface properties like unevenness, rutting depth, and crack ratio, enhancing the accuracy of maintenance control indices.

Implementation Method 1

a light-shielding cover 740 (light-shielding means) disposed between the vehicle 700 and the measuring device body 100, which blocks the light L1 from passing through a gap G

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3620577B1Mobile measuring apparatus incorporating a measuring device
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3620577B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3620577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3620577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A measuring device (710) mountable on a mobile object includes a light shield (740) configured to simplify a shape of a shadow of the measuring device (710) generated on a measurement target of the measuring device (710).