Pantograph Displacement Measurement Using Area Sensor Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pantograph displacement measuring devices using line sensor cameras can only measure positional deviations at a single point, requiring multiple cameras to accurately measure acceleration fluctuations, leading to increased device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A pantograph displacement measuring device utilizing a single area sensor camera and a line sensor camera, along with markers and image processing, to capture and analyze images, allowing for high-accuracy displacement measurement with a simple structure, including the use of ranging sensors and area sensor cameras to measure overhead-wire positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple line sensor cameras are used to measure positional deviations at multiple points, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using multiple line sensor cameras (one-dimensional measurement points) to using a single area sensor camera that captures two-dimensional images. This dimensional change allows simultaneous measurement of positional deviations at multiple points across the pantograph cross-section, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the pantograph cross-section by capturing images at multiple positions with the area sensor camera and synthesizing a comprehensive displacement profile. This copying approach allows accurate reconstruction of the entire pantograph shape without physically placing multiple cameras at each measurement point
2Device complexity
If a single area sensor camera is used to capture images at multiple positions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous image capture at multiple positions along the pantograph using the single area sensor camera. By continuously acquiring images at different cross-sectional positions and synthesizing them, the system maintains high measurement precision while using simplified single-camera hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the pantograph measurement task into multiple discrete image capture positions. The area sensor camera captures images at several cross-sectional positions, and the processing computer segments and analyzes each position's data to reconstruct the complete displacement profile, ensuring measurement precision through systematic segmentation
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 accurate measurement of pantograph displacement and detection of trolley-wire hard spots with high precision and reduced costs, using a single area sensor camera to cover multiple locations, enhancing the detection accuracy and convenience for both maintenance and commercial vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
images of a pantograph to which markers for measuring hard spots have been affixed, captured by a line sensor camera
Implementation Method 2
the use of ranging sensors and area sensor cameras to measure overhead-wire positional deviations
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] A configuration provided with: a plurality of markers 5 affixed, so as to be spaced apart in a vehicle width direction, to an end surface of a pantograph 1a; an area sensor camera 2 that is provided on a roof of a vehicle 1 and that captures an image of the plurality of markers 5; a line sensor camera 3 that is provided on the roof of the vehicle 1 and that captures an image of an overhead wire 7; and an operation processing unit 6A that determines a height-direction displacement of the pantograph 1a corresponding to a deviation position of the overhead wire 7 by extracting respective vertical lines in which the respective markers 5 appear from the image captured by the area sensor camera 2, respectively preparing marker images 9 formed by arranging each of the lines in rows, preparing reference templates 10 for single lines of the respective markers 5 based on the marker images 9, and using the respective reference templates 10 to perform pattern matching with an input image captured by the area sensor camera 2 while the vehicle 1 is traveling.