Sensor Orientation Measurement by Reflected Light Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling the orientation of ultrasonic sensors on vehicles are time-consuming, prone to human error, and costly, with manual scanning and laser-based techniques facing interference issues and accuracy challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system using a photonic emitter and target with a rigid structure to emit and reflect a directional light beam, allowing direct measurement and automated validation of sensor orientation, minimizing interference and human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual scanning and computer processing are used to measure sensor orientation, then measurement can be performed, but the process takes several hours per vehicle and is prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scanning and computer processing with an optical measurement system using a photonic emitter (laser) and target. The system uses optical reflection principles to directly measure sensor orientation, eliminating the need for manual scanning and complex computational processing, thereby reducing measurement time from several hours to a rapid automated process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to be self-contained with the rigid structure maintaining fixed relative positions between the photonic emitter and target. The system automatically performs measurements and validations without requiring manual intervention for positioning or data processing, enabling automated control means to sanction sensor orientation conformity directly.
2Productivity
If direct laser depth reading is used, then measurement speed improves, but laser housings interfere with each other due to their size and thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the photonic emitter and target into a single integrated measurement system mounted on a rigid structure. This combination eliminates the need for multiple separate laser housings that would interfere with each other, while maintaining the speed benefits of direct laser reading. The rigid structure ensures fixed relative positioning, simplifying the overall device configuration.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple lasers are used for measurement, then coverage is improved, but interference between lasers increases due to their size and spacing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function into a photonic emitter and a target, where the target can be positioned to cover the required measurement area. This segmentation allows the measurement coverage to be extended through target positioning and orientation rather than using multiple lasers, thereby avoiding interference issues while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.
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 rapid, reliable, and cost-effective validation of sensor orientation with high precision, reducing the need for manual scanning and complex calculations.
Implementation Method 1
an emission of a directional light beam by the emitter incident on said surface of the sensor or vehicle radar results in at least a partial reflection of said incident light beam into a reflected beam to the receiving area
Data Source
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AI summary
This system (1) for measuring the orientation of a surface (1) to control the orientation of a sensor comprises a photonic emitter (4) capable of emitting a directional light beam (5) towards said vehicle sensor (3), a target (7) having a receiving area (12), a structure (9) forming a rigid link between the photonic emitter (4) and the target (7) and configured to maintain the photonic emitter (4) and the target (7) in a relative position such that an emission of a directional light beam (5) by the emitter (4) incident on a surface of the vehicle sensor (3) results in at least a partial reflection of said incident light beam (5) into a reflected beam (6) to the receiving area (12) when the sensor (3) has said surface oriented within a predefined range of permissible orientations,the target being configured to be sufficiently small so that said reflected beam (6) does not reach said receiving area (12) when said sensor surface (3) is not within said predefined permissible orientation range.