Optical Ground Support Positioning for Firefighting Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicles, such as firefighting vehicles, face challenges in positioning lateral ground supports in narrow spaces with obstacles and poor visibility, requiring high operational skills and often assistance from another person to avoid obstacles and ensure stable support.
Innovation Solution
An assistance system using optical means to project visual markings on the ground, indicating suitable positions for the supports, which can be projected using laser light sources and visible under poor conditions, allowing operators to adjust vehicle positioning without additional help.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the operator manually positions the vehicle to align ground supports with suitable ground areas, then the supports can be positioned in their operating positions, but this requires high operational skills and significant time, especially in narrow spaces with obstacles and poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning by projecting visual markings onto the ground that indicate the future operating positions of the ground supports. This allows the operator to see in advance where the supports will land, enabling proper vehicle positioning before the actual support deployment occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
Visual markings serve as an intermediary between the vehicle positioning system and the operator. These markings provide clear visual feedback about the relationship between the current vehicle position and the desired support positions, eliminating the need for the operator to mentally calculate or estimate positions.
2Ease of operation
If the operator estimates the operating position of ground supports without visual feedback, then the vehicle can be positioned, but the operator cannot verify if the supports will be properly positioned without help from another person
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by equipping the vehicle with optical means that automatically project visual markings showing the operating positions of ground supports. This eliminates the need for a second person to monitor and communicate positioning information, as the vehicle itself provides the necessary visual feedback to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical means project visual markings with distinct colors or patterns that are easily distinguishable under various lighting conditions. This enhances the operator's ability to see and interpret the positioning information without requiring assistance from another person.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is positioned in narrow spaces with obstacles, then the vehicle can access the rescue location, but it becomes difficult to find positions where ground supports can be deployed without obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The visual markings are projected in advance to show where ground supports will be deployed. This allows the operator to see potential obstacles in the path of the supports before deployment occurs, enabling the vehicle to be repositioned if necessary to avoid obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback about the relationship between the vehicle position, support deployment paths, and surrounding obstacles. This feedback loop allows the operator to make informed decisions about vehicle positioning to avoid obstacles while maintaining access to the rescue location.
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
Facilitates easier and safer positioning of ground supports in tight spaces and adverse conditions, reducing time and skill requirements for operators to position vehicles correctly.
Implementation Method 1
Each visual marking represents the expected operating position of one support. The optical means comprise light sources provided to project the visual markings to the ground. Preferably the light sources are laser light sources.
Data Source
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AI summary
Utility vehicle, in particular a firefighting vehicle (10), comprising an aerial apparatus like a turnable ladder (12) and/or an aerial rescue platform and lateral ground supports (16) that are movable between retracted positions and extracted operating positions in which the ends of the supports (16) rest on the ground, characterized by an assistance system for positioning the lateral ground supports (16), comprising optical means for projecting visual markings (22) on the ground areas on which the ends (20) of the supports (16) rest in their operating position, each visual marking (22) representing an expected operating position of one support.