Modular Optical Measuring Unit for Flexible Vehicle Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring devices face challenges in installation due to their integral design, which restricts their placement on vehicles with limited space, and are costly to replace when components fail.

Innovation Solution

A modular design where a light emitting-receiving unit, comprising a light emitter, receiver, and storage for correction data, is detachably connected to a control device that processes signals and calculates coordinates, allowing for independent replacement and integration of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the light emitter, light receiver, and controller are integrally formed, then the measurement function is complete, but the installation location is restricted and replacement cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement function completenessVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is divided into a light emitting-receiving unit (containing light emitter, light receiver, and storage) and a control device. This segmentation allows the light emitting-receiving unit to be detached and installed in various locations on vehicles while the control device processes signals centrally, thereby improving installation flexibility without compromising measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light emitting-receiving unit is extracted as a separate, replaceable module from the control device. This extraction enables the unit to be independently installed, removed, and replaced without affecting the control system, thus resolving the contradiction between functional completeness and installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the light emitter, light receiver, and controller are integrally formed, then the measurement function is complete, but the replacement cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement function completenessVSAvoidreplacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the device into a replaceable light emitting-receiving unit and a control device, only the faulty unit needs to be replaced rather than the entire system. This reduces replacement costs while maintaining complete measurement functionality through the integrated components of the unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light emitting-receiving unit is extracted as an independent replaceable module. When malfunction occurs, only this extracted unit needs replacement, not the entire measuring device, thereby reducing replacement costs while preserving measurement completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the light emitter, light receiver, and controller are integrally formed, then the measurement function is complete, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement function completenessVSAvoidintegration level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integral design is replaced with a segmented architecture where the light emitting-receiving unit and control device are separate. This reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent design, manufacturing, and maintenance of each module while maintaining complete measurement functionality through their coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design reduces installation constraints and lowers maintenance costs by enabling easy replacement of faulty components and allows for multiple units to be connected to a single control device, enhancing flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitter that emits light according to a control signal, a light receiver that receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and reflection: Light

Implementation Method 2

a light receiver that receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter and outputs a light reception signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260016579A1Measuring device, control device, and program

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 KOITO MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A measuring device includes a light emitting-receiving unit and a control device. The light emitting-receiving unit includes a light emitter that emits light according to a control signal, a light receiver that receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter and outputs a light reception signal, and a storage that stores correction data. The control device is connected to the light emitting-receiving unit in a replaceable manner, and outputs the control signal to the light emitting-receiving unit and measures coordinates of a reflection point at which the reflected light is generated based on the light reception signal acquired from the light emitting-receiving unit. The control device according to the present disclosure reads the correction data from the storage of the light emitting-receiving unit when the light emitting-receiving unit is connected to the control device, and measures the coordinates based on the correction data.