Rigid Frame Pathway Measurement System for Pedestrian Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for measuring pathway roughness and safety are cumbersome, pose safety risks, and lack guidelines for pedestrian accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities, as they are difficult to use on pedestrian surfaces and do not account for vibrations and comfort experienced by wheelchair users.
Innovation Solution
A portable pathway measurement system with a rigid frame and mobility system, equipped with sensors that can measure surface characteristics like roughness and tripping hazards, allowing for operation at pedestrian speeds and incorporating sensors like accelerometers and GPS for accurate data collection without suspension elements, enabling efficient characterization of pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inertial based systems are used to determine roadway roughness, then measurement capability is provided, but the systems are large, require fast movement, and pose safety risks to pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inertial measurement systems with optical sensing systems (laser range finders, cameras) that measure surface characteristics without requiring fast movement or posing safety risks. The optical systems capture images and laser range data that are processed to determine roughness metrics, eliminating the need for mechanical inertial sensors that require rapid motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to be mounted on various platforms including wheelchairs, scooters, and handheld devices, making it universally applicable for pedestrian and personal mobility device users. This multi-platform capability allows the same system to serve multiple functions across different user groups without requiring specialized inertial systems for each application.
2Measurement precision
If inertial based systems are used to determine roadway roughness, then measurement capability is provided, but the systems require complex algorithms and fast movement rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex inertial measurement systems with optical sensing systems that capture surface data through imaging and laser ranging. The data processing algorithms analyze optical patterns and geometric features from images and range data, which is computationally simpler than processing inertial sensor data that requires compensation for suspension motion and fast movement dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures multiple images and laser range measurements at different positions along the pathway before processing. This preliminary data collection at stationary or slow-moving positions allows for comprehensive surface characterization without requiring fast movement, and the data can be processed offline to determine roughness metrics.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are isolated from suspension systems, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the system requires rigid frame construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into independent components: a rigid frame structure that provides stable mounting, isolated sensor platforms that minimize vibration transmission, and flexible data processing systems. The rigid frame is designed specifically to isolate sensors from suspension movements rather than to provide overall structural strength, allowing the frame to be rigid only where needed for sensor mounting while remaining lightweight elsewhere.
Data Source
AI summary
A pathway measurement system hereof includes a rigid frame and a mobility system attached to the frame. The mobility system includes at least one movable element which is adapted to contact a surface of a pathway via which the frame may be moved relative to the pathway. The pathway measurement system further includes at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one characteristic of a pathway. The pathway measurement system has a first mode of operation in which the mobility system moves the frame along the pathway to move the at least one sensor relative to the pathway. The at least one sensor is connected to the pathway system such that a distance between the at least one sensor and an axis of rotation of one of the moveable elements remains constant in the first mode of operation. In general, the at least one sensor is isolated from any compliance or suspension system.