Mobility Scooter Thermal Sensing for Crowded-Space Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collision avoidance systems for mobility scooters often fail to effectively navigate through crowded spaces due to interference from multiple objects, leading to user frustration and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A thermal sensor-based obstruction detection and avoidance system is integrated into the mobility scooter, which uses a controller to analyze thermal images and adjust the scooter's speed by generating control signals to avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional proximity switches are used for obstruction detection, then the system can detect objects and movement, but multiple objects in proximity cause too many interruptions that frustrate the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple proximity detection to thermal signature detection. By detecting the thermal characteristics (heat signatures) of objects rather than just their presence, the system can distinguish between actual obstacles and normal environmental objects like chair legs, thereby reducing false alarms while maintaining reliable collision avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical proximity switch system with a thermal sensing system. Instead of using contact-based or electromagnetic proximity switches that trigger on any nearby object, the system uses thermal sensors to detect heat signatures, allowing it to differentiate between relevant obstacles and irrelevant objects in the environment
2Reliability
If the scooter stops completely upon detecting any obstruction, then collision safety is improved, but the scooter becomes difficult to operate in crowded spaces like dining rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic response based on thermal signature analysis. Rather than a static stop-on-detection system, the scooter dynamically adjusts its response based on the thermal characteristics of detected objects. The system can differentiate between stationary objects (like furniture) and moving objects (like people), adjusting speed and stopping behavior accordingly to maintain both safety and maneuverability in crowded spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses thermal signature feedback to continuously adjust scooter operation. By monitoring the thermal characteristics of objects in the environment and analyzing their movement patterns, the system provides continuous feedback to the control system, enabling real-time adjustments to speed and stopping behavior that balance collision prevention with ease of operation
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 system effectively reduces the scooter's velocity to a safe speed or brings it to a complete stop when obstacles are detected within predetermined distance ranges, enhancing user safety and reducing the risk of collisions in crowded environments.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal sensor configured to sense an obstruction by capturing a thermal image
Data Source
AI summary
A mobility vehicle including a drive member and an obstruction detection and avoidance system. The object detection and avoidance system includes a thermal sensor configured to sense an obstruction and controller communicatively coupled to a thermal sensor. The controller includes a memory communicably coupled to one or more processors, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the processing circuit to detect an obstruction, determine a distance range from the obstruction and generate a control signal when the distance range is less than a predetermined value to adjust the output of the drive member.