Magnetic Marker Installation System Using Laser Distance Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic marker systems require high accuracy and numerous markers at short spacings for driving assists like lane departure warning, leading to increased installation costs.

Innovation Solution

A marker installation method and system that uses a surveying device to measure distances and identify position relations relative to a reference position, allowing for reduced accuracy in surveying and positioning, thereby lowering installation costs and time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic markers are laid at short spacing with high position accuracy, then driving assist functionality is achieved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving assist functionalityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from requiring high-precision absolute positioning to using relative distance measurements from a reference position. This allows markers to be installed at lower cost while maintaining the functionality by measuring distances from an easily identifiable reference point rather than requiring high-precision surveying of each marker position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reference position as an intermediary element that simplifies the installation process. Instead of directly positioning each marker with high precision, the system uses distance measurements from the reference position to determine marker locations, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If surveying and positioning operations are performed with high accuracy, then marker placement precision is improved, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarker placement precisionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surveying parameter from high-precision absolute positioning to relative distance measurement from a reference position. This reduces the time required for surveying and positioning operations while maintaining sufficient marker placement precision for driving assist functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary identification of a reference position before marker installation. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent marker placement by providing a fixed reference point for distance measurements, reducing the time needed for each marker positioning operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively reduces installation costs and time by allowing for less precise positioning of markers, shortening road closure periods and minimizing social costs, while maintaining efficient laying operations.

Implementation Method 1

the distance to the installation device is measured by using the surveying device set at the reference position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP3725947B1Marker installation method and marker installation system
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 AICHI STEEL CORP
  • EP3725947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3725947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3725947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An installation system (1) has a laser range finder (11) set at a reference position to measure a distance to a target, an installation cart (2) which performs operation for laying a magnetic marker in a road, and an arithmetic unit (15) which identifies a position relation of a laying position where the magnetic marker is laid with respect to the reference position. When operation for laying the magnetic marker in a road is performed, by taking the installation cart (2) during performing the operation of laying the magnetic marker in the road as a target, based on a distance to the installation cart (2) measured by the laser range finder (11), the position relation of the laying position with respect to the reference position is identified by the arithmetic unit (15).