Scanning Object Detection with Intensity Switching for Warehouse Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems for transport vehicles in logistics warehouses face challenges in accurately detecting foreign objects while avoiding erroneous detection of safety fences or facilities, and maintaining a suitable detection range.
Innovation Solution
The proposed object detection system includes a transport vehicle equipped with an object detection device featuring a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a scanning optical system, and a mode switching circuit that allows operation in two modes: one where the system operates regardless of reflected light intensity, and another where it only operates when the intensity is above a threshold, effectively filtering out noise from safety fences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the monitoring region is expanded to detect people or objects near the route, then detection coverage is improved, but safety fences or facilities are erroneously detected as foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of reflected light intensity threshold to distinguish between different types of objects. By setting a threshold value, the system accepts reflected light above this threshold (from safety fences and facilities) and rejects light below the threshold (from foreign objects), thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive detection and avoiding erroneous detection.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the monitoring region is narrowed to avoid detecting safety fences, then erroneous detection is reduced, but detection range for foreign objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the spatial monitoring region, the patent changes the parameter of reflected light intensity to differentiate between safe objects (safety fences with high reflectivity) and foreign objects (low reflectivity). This allows the monitoring region to remain comprehensive while avoiding erroneous detection through parameter-based filtering.
3Reliability
If the detection system operates in all conditions, then detection reliability is improved, but false alarms increase due to reflected light from walls and facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parameter threshold (reflected light intensity) that filters out false alarms. By comparing the intensity of reflected light against this threshold, the system reliably distinguishes between legitimate foreign objects and reflective structures like walls and safety fences, thereby maintaining detection reliability while reducing false alarms.
4Measurement precision
If the detection threshold is lowered to detect all objects, then detection sensitivity is improved, but noise from reflected light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the detection parameter (reflected light intensity threshold) to achieve the right balance. By setting an appropriate threshold value, the system maintains high detection sensitivity for foreign objects while filtering out noise from reflected light off walls and facilities, effectively resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and noise reduction.
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
This solution enables the object detection system to appropriately detect foreign objects while minimizing erroneous detection of safety fences or facilities, and maintains a suitable detection range, thereby enhancing safety and preventing collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting element; a light receiving element; a scanning optical system configured to scan a space by measurement light emitted from the light emitting element and guide reflected light from an object for the measurement light to the light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection device includes: a scanning optical system configured to scan a space by measurement light and guide reflected light from an object; a distance calculation circuit configured to calculate a distance and a direction to the object based on physical relationship between the measurement light and the reflected light; an object determination circuit configured to determine whether the distance and the direction to the object are within a predetermined monitoring region; a signal output circuit configured to output an object detection signal upon determination that the object is within the monitoring region; and a mode switching circuit configured to switch to either a first mode in which it is determined whether the object is within the monitoring region regardless of an intensity of the reflected light and a second mode in which such determination is performed only when the intensity is at or above a predetermined threshold.