Robotic LiDAR Window Optics for Accurate Hazardous-Site Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic machines equipped with LiDAR navigation systems face reduced accuracy in explosive environments due to signal distortion caused by thick, curved protective windows, which can lead to inaccurate object detection and guidance, potentially compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating corrective optical lenses between the signal transmitting and receiving means and the window to correct signal distortion, improving the accuracy of signal processing and guidance, while maintaining protection against explosions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick, curved protective window is used to protect against explosions, then protection against explosions is improved, but signal detection accuracy deteriorates due to parallax distortion
Solution Approach 1:
A corrective optical lens is introduced as an intermediary element between the signal transmitting/receiving means and the protective window. This lens compensates for the parallax distortion caused by the thick, curved window, allowing the window to maintain its protective function while restoring signal detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the system by introducing a corrective lens with specific focal length and optical properties. This changes the path of the signals passing through the window, compensating for the distortion and improving measurement precision without compromising the window's protective function.
2Measurement precision
If a flat protective window is used, then signal detection accuracy is improved, but protection against explosions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective window system is segmented into two functional components: the thick, curved protective window that provides explosion protection, and the corrective optical lens that provides optical correction. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function while working together to achieve both protection and accuracy.
3Reliability
If the protective window thickness is increased for explosion protection, then protection against explosions is improved, but signal distortion increases reducing guidance accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The corrective optical lens acts as an intermediary that compensates for the increased signal distortion caused by thicker protective windows. By positioning the lens between the signal path and the window, it optically corrects the parallax error, allowing thicker windows to be used without proportionally increasing signal loss.
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 use of corrective lenses significantly enhances the accuracy of signal detection and guidance for robotic machines in explosive environments, ensuring safe and precise navigation by minimizing the impact of signal distortion through thick, curved windows.
Implementation Method 1
the effect of parallax causes distortion and alteration of the paths of the transmitted and received signals which, in turn, reduces the accuracy of the detected location
Data Source
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Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to the provision of a robotic machine apparatus, a movement navigation system for said robotic machine and a method of providing guidance for said robotic machine within an environment, and most typically, a confined and potentially hazardous environment. The movement navigation is provided to be operate within the environment and provide guidance remotely from personnel who are located outside of said environment. The apparatus includes means to emit at least one signal through a window of said machine and means to receive a reflected return signal from an object in or a surface of the said environment through said or another window so as to provide data to determine the location of the robotic machine and guide the movement of the machine within the environment. At least one optical lens is provided intermediate the signal transmitting means and window and/or signal receiving means and said window, or another window, in order to allow any distortion caused by the signals passing through said at least one window to be reduced or avoided and thereby allow more accurate guidance of the apparatus.