Object Capturing Device Using Polarization Filter for AGV Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object capturing devices in manufacturing facilities, such as those used in semiconductor manufacturing, face challenges in accurately distinguishing between reflected light from objects and reflective surfaces, leading to erroneous determinations and potential collisions between automated guided vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an object capturing device equipped with a light emission unit, a light receiving unit, and a light scanning unit that utilizes linearly polarized measurement light and a polarization filter to differentiate between measurement light and reflected light from objects, ensuring accurate identification by maintaining polarization direction consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser range finder is used to measure inter-vehicular distance, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when the proceeding cart travels a curve
Solution Approach 1:
A recursive reflecting member is introduced as an intermediary on the proceeding carrying cart to reflect measurement light back to the light receiving unit. This mediator ensures that even when the cart is on a curve or at a distance, reflected light can be reliably captured, solving both the reliability and precision problems simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses polarization state changes (analogous to color changes in optical properties) to distinguish between reflected light from the recursive reflecting member and other light sources. By analyzing the polarization characteristics of received light, the system can accurately identify valid reflection signals even in complex environments with curves and other reflective surfaces
2Productivity
If inter-vehicular distances are shortened to increase conveying efficiency, then productivity is improved, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures inter-vehicular distances using the light emission and receiving units, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This enables dynamic speed adjustment and safe operation even at short inter-vehicular distances, allowing high productivity while maintaining collision avoidance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The recursive reflecting member acts as a reliable intermediary that ensures accurate distance measurement even at short ranges, enabling the system to safely operate with reduced inter-vehicular distances for improved productivity
3Area of stationary object
If reflected light from manufacturing devices is detected, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes polarization state changes as an optical signature to distinguish between reflected light from the target object and reflected light from manufacturing devices. By filtering based on polarization characteristics, the system maintains wide measurement coverage while eliminating erroneous detections
Solution Approach 2:
The recursive reflecting member serves as a dedicated intermediary that creates a distinct optical signal through controlled reflection. This mediator's reflected light has unique polarization characteristics that differentiate it from ambient reflections, ensuring accurate object identification across the full measurement area
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 solution effectively prevents misidentification of reflective surfaces as objects, enhancing the accuracy of inter-vehicular distance calculations and collision avoidance systems in manufacturing facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light emission unit configured to emit measurement light toward a measurement target space
Implementation Method 2
a polarization filter configured to allow only light vibrating in a first direction in the measurement light to transmit
Implementation Method 3
reflected light from an object present in the measurement target space with respect to the measurement light
Data Source
AI summary
An object capturing device configured to capture an object present in a measurement target space includes a light emission unit, a light receiving unit, a light scanning unit configured to cause measurement light emitted at a predetermined wavelength from the light emission unit to head toward a measurement target space to perform scanning, and to guide reflected light from an object present in the measurement target space with respect to the measurement light to the light receiving unit, and a polarization filter disposed in the light scanning unit, the polarization filter including a polarizer configured to allow only light vibrating in a first direction in the measurement light to transmit, and an analyzer configured to allow only light vibrating in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the reflected light to transmit.