Optical Obstruction Detection for Safety Gate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring route crossings often fail to effectively detect obstructions, leading to potential collisions, as they can be costly and may not adequately prevent vehicles from becoming trapped between safety gates, especially when both entry and exit gates are used.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing optical sensors, such as camera assemblies, to determine obstructions in defined areas and communicate actuation signals to safety devices, like exit gates, to delay their closure and allow vehicles to exit safely, thereby preventing collisions and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar is used to detect the presence of an automobile in a crossing, then detection capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive radar systems with optical sensors (cameras) to detect obstructions at crossings. The camera assembly captures images that are processed to identify vehicles, providing comparable detection capability at lower cost. This substitution of detection technology resolves the contradiction between detection precision and system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical imaging (visual copying) of the crossing area to detect obstructions rather than direct electromagnetic sensing. The camera creates a visual representation that can be analyzed to determine vehicle presence, offering a cost-effective alternative to radar while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If both entry gate and exit gate are used to prevent automobiles from entering the crossing, then safety is improved, but automobiles may become trapped between the gates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the crossing area with optical sensors and provides real-time feedback about vehicle presence. When a vehicle is detected between the entry and exit gates, the system feedback mechanism triggers appropriate gate actions to prevent trapping, maintaining safety while avoiding the harmful effect of vehicle entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of vehicles in the crossing area before closing gates. By detecting obstructions in advance and taking preliminary action to prevent gate closure that would trap vehicles, the system maintains safety while avoiding the creation of trapped vehicles between gates.
3Reliability
If the exit gate closes immediately to prevent unauthorized entry, then security is improved, but vehicles that are already in the crossing may be struck by the closing gate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting vehicles in the crossing area before the exit gate closes. When a vehicle is detected, the system preemptively prevents gate closure or controls the gate movement to avoid striking the vehicle, thus preventing the harmful effect while maintaining security through controlled gate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate control system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection data. Instead of fixed immediate closure, the exit gate timing and movement are dynamically controlled based on vehicle presence detection, allowing the system to maintain security while adapting to prevent collisions with vehicles in the crossing.
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
The system improves safety by accurately detecting obstructions and delaying the closure of safety devices, allowing vehicles to exit without being trapped or struck by closing gates, thus enhancing the overall safety at route crossings.
Implementation Method 1
receive obstruction information related to a defined area from at least one optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A control system may be provided that may include one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive obstruction information related to a defined area from at least one optical sensor, determine an obstruction is in the defined area based on the obstruction information in response to actuation of a first safety device that is configured to prevent the obstruction from entering the defined area, and communicate an actuation signal to a second safety device to control movement of the second safety device based on the obstruction determined to be in the defined area.