Passive Optical Docking Alignment Using Three Axis Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current docking solutions struggle to perform autonomous docking without external assistance, particularly in environments where active power sources are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a navigation system that identifies and aligns with a docking orientation device featuring three optically distinct axes surfaces, allowing for autonomous alignment and docking between two bodies without the need for expensive sensor technologies or power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive sensor technologies and active power sources are used, then docking precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex active sensors with simple, passive optical surfaces that reflect ambient light. The docking orientation device uses three optically distinct surfaces with different reflectivity properties that can be detected by standard navigation cameras, eliminating the need for costly specialized sensors while maintaining docking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking orientation device passively reflects ambient light to provide alignment information without requiring its own power source or active illumination. The three optically distinct surfaces self-generate the optical signal needed for navigation by utilizing environmental light, thereby eliminating complex power and active sensing requirements.
2Measurement precision
If active power sources are used for docking orientation, then alignment precision is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The docking orientation device utilizes ambient light to create its optical signature through three surfaces with distinct reflectivity properties. No active power source is required on the target device - it passively reflects environmental light to provide precise alignment information, thereby achieving high measurement precision without energy consumption at the target end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs three optically distinct surfaces with different reflectivity characteristics (analogous to color differences) that can be detected by the navigation system's camera. These optical differences provide unambiguous alignment information without requiring active illumination or power sources, solving the contradiction between precision and energy use.
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
Enables precise and autonomous alignment and docking of bodies, reducing computational complexity and eliminating the need for active power sources, thus enhancing the feasibility of docking operations in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
A navigation system of a first body identities a first-axis surface of three optically distinct axes surfaces of a docking orientation device
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomously aligning docking bodies is provided. A first-axis surface is identified as a target axis surface corresponding to a desired docking approach vector of a first body to a second body. The first body is maneuvered to align relative to a second-axis surface until a third-axis surface is less than a defined surface detection threshold level. The first body is continued to be maneuvered to align relative to the third-axis surface until the second-axis surface is less than the defined surface detection threshold level. Docking is completed between the first body and the second body in accordance with the desired docking approach vector based on alignment of the first body with the target axis surface.