Stereo Camera Position Correction for Aircraft Wing Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereo distance measuring apparatuses using stereo cameras on aircraft face challenges in maintaining high measurement precision due to wing deformation during flight, which affects the relative positions and postures of the cameras, leading to lowered measurement accuracy and increased costs with the use of expensive position-posture meters.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a pair of optical cameras mounted on an elastic structure with laser distance measuring devices or strain gauges to calculate position-posture information based on wing displacement, correcting image positions and orientations to enhance measurement precision without requiring expensive position-posture meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If stereo cameras are mounted on elastic structure parts (wings) of an aircraft, then the cameras can be separated to achieve better measurement coverage, but the elastic deformation during flight causes position and posture changes that lower measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates position-posture information for each camera based on the displacement amount of the elastic structure part before using the camera images for measurement. This preliminary calculation of geometric parameters allows the system to compensate for elastic deformation effects when processing images, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the cameras being mounted on flexible structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for image processing by incorporating the calculated position-posture information into the image correction process. By adjusting the geometric parameters of the camera system based on real-time displacement data, the system maintains accurate stereo measurement despite elastic deformation of the aircraft structure.
2Measurement precision
If expensive position-posture meters are used to track camera positions, then measurement precision can be maintained, but the cost of the apparatus increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the displacement amount of the elastic structure part as an intermediary parameter to calculate the position-posture information of the cameras. Instead of directly measuring camera positions with expensive position-posture meters, the system uses the known displacement of the aircraft structure (wings) as a mediator to infer camera positions, significantly reducing equipment costs while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical position-posture measurement systems with a computational approach that uses elastic structure displacement data. By substituting direct mechanical measurement with calculated geometric parameters based on structure displacement, the system achieves the same measurement precision at lower cost.
3Weight of moving object
If the stereo camera system is mounted on elastic structure parts, then the apparatus can be lighter and more flexible, but the relative position and posture of cameras change during flight affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically calculates position-posture information for each camera based on the displacement amount of the elastic structure part during flight. The system continuously updates the geometric parameters of the camera system to account for changing positions and postures caused by elastic deformation, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the dynamic nature of the mounted structure.
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 approach effectively corrects image positions and orientations, enhancing measurement precision and reducing costs by calculating position-posture information using wing displacement, thereby improving the accuracy of distance measurements from the aircraft to targets.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical camera 141 and a second optical camera 141 provided in an elastic structure part of an aircraft and separated from each other
Implementation Method 2
laser distance measuring devices or strain gauges to calculate position-posture information
Implementation Method 3
laser distance measuring devices or strain gauges to calculate position-posture information
Data Source
AI summary
A stereo distance measuring apparatus includes a first optical camera and a second optical camera, a position-posture calculator, an image corrector, and a stereo distance measuring unit. The first and second optical cameras are provided in an elastic structure part of an aircraft and separated from each other. The first and second optical cameras constitute a stereo camera. The position-posture calculator calculates, on the basis of a displacement amount of the elastic structure part, first and second position-posture information regarding positions and postures of the first and second optical cameras, respectively. The image corrector generates first and second corrected images by correcting, on the basis of the first and second position-posture information, positions and orientations of images taken by the first and second optical cameras, respectively. The stereo distance measuring unit calculates a distance to a photographing target, on the basis of the first and second corrected images.