Spherical IR Emitter for UAV Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles, such as quadcopters, are susceptible to damage and loss due to collisions, particularly with obstacles in their environment, and existing technologies lack effective collision avoidance systems, especially for recreational users who may not be skilled in operating these vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An infrared (IR) emitter that projects a spherical IR pattern, combined with cameras capable of detecting both IR and visible light, allows for robust object detection and collision avoidance by generating a map of objects and overriding user controls to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive visible object detection is used, then the system is simple, but detection reliability deteriorates in various lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared emitter as an intermediary active illumination source to enhance object detection. The IR emitter projects infrared light patterns onto objects, and IR-sensitive cameras detect these patterns, creating a reliable detection channel that works independently of visible lighting conditions. This intermediary IR illumination system resolves the contradiction by providing active illumination that ensures detection reliability without requiring complex visible light sensors or processing.
2Reliability
If active collision avoidance system is added, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using the infrared emitter and IR-sensitive cameras for both object detection and collision avoidance purposes. The same IR illumination and detection infrastructure supports multiple safety functions including obstacle detection, navigation, and collision prevention. This universal approach improves collision avoidance capability without proportionally increasing system complexity, as a single IR-based subsystem serves multiple protective functions.
3Reliability
If spherical IR pattern is projected, then object detection coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by projecting the spherical infrared pattern in pulsed or intermittent sequences rather than continuous emission. The IR emitter activates in periodic cycles, projecting patterns sequentially in different directions or rotating the pattern over time. This periodic projection achieves comprehensive spherical coverage for complete object detection while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous omnidirectional emission, as the emitter is active only during discrete time intervals.
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 IR emitter and camera system effectively detects objects in various lighting conditions, enabling the aerial vehicle to avoid collisions and ensuring safer operation, particularly in scenarios where passive visible object detection is unreliable.
Implementation Method 1
An infrared (IR) emitter that projects a spherical IR pattern
Implementation Method 2
The wide angle lenses may each receive diffracted radiation from a respective one of the diffractions screens and may emit a spherical IR pattern
Implementation Method 3
two diffraction screens to each produce diffracted radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared (IR) emitter projects a spherical IR pattern. The IR emitter may include one or more IR lasers to produce two IR laser beams, two beam expanders, two diffraction screens to each produce diffracted radiation, a top wide angle lens, and a bottom wide angle lens. The wide angle lenses may each receive diffracted radiation from a respective one of the diffractions screens and may emit a spherical IR pattern including a plurality of longitudinal lines, each longitudinal line including a first portion of the spherical IR pattern emitted from the top wide angle lens and a second portion of the spherical IR pattern from the bottom wide angle lens. The IR emitter may be part of an object detection system in an aerial vehicle.