Optical Enclosure Alignment for Autonomous Vehicle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of sensors on autonomous vehicles is laborious and inefficient, requiring lengthy processes to ensure accurate placement and calibration when replacing or moving sensors from one vehicle to another, affecting the reliability of data collection for navigation and driving decisions.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an enclosure with a light source and detector integrated into it, which aligns with a fixture on the vehicle by measuring luminance to determine optimal positioning, allowing the enclosure to be translated along the fixture for precise alignment, ensuring sensors remain calibrated during transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensor alignment methods are used, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but the process is laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment methods with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light that reflects off a reflective surface in the fixture, and a light detector measures the luminance of the reflected light. The system automatically determines alignment based on luminance measurements, eliminating the need for laborious manual adjustment while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system is self-calibrating through automated feedback. The light detector continuously measures luminance as the enclosure is positioned, and the system automatically identifies the optimal alignment position when maximum luminance is detected, without requiring external intervention or manual calibration procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are moved between vehicles, then resource utilization improves, but calibration integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment verification before final installation. The automated optical alignment system checks the enclosure's position relative to the fixture beforehand, ensuring that calibration requirements are met before the sensor is permanently mounted on the new vehicle. This preliminary verification step guarantees calibration integrity during transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from the light detector to monitor alignment status during the transfer process. The measured luminance provides real-time feedback about the enclosure's position, allowing operators to adjust and confirm proper alignment before completing the sensor transfer, thereby maintaining calibration integrity across vehicle transfers.
3Ease of operation
If manual alignment processes are used, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of a light source, reflective surface, and light detector. This intermediary automatically performs the alignment measurement function, replacing complex manual adjustment procedures. The system maintains operational simplicity by using basic optical components while eliminating the need for skilled manual alignment operations.
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 method streamlines the alignment process, allowing sensors to be moved between vehicles in a single act while maintaining calibration integrity, reducing labor and time, and ensuring reliable data collection for autonomous navigation.
Implementation Method 1
the light can reflect off from a reflective surface in the fixture, and the light detector can be integrated into the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
The light can be detected by a light detector. A luminance of the light detected by the light detector can be measured
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for enclosure alignment. A light can be emitted from a light source. The light source can be integrated into an enclosure to be aligned onto a fixture. A light detector can detect the light emitted by the light source. A luminance of the light detected by the light detector can be measured. Based on the luminance, an extent of an alignment of the enclosure with respect to the fixture can be determined. The enclosure can be translated along the fixture based on the extent of the alignment.