Motor Vehicle Shape Detection Using Swing Laser Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for acquiring the shape of motor vehicles for car-washing apparatuses are inefficient in recognizing and identifying the entire shape, especially with glass surfaces, and are not easily adaptable to existing installations, nor do they function well under varying ambient light and weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising top and side sensor means with distance detection laser sensors that can swing 190°, a central operating control unit, and software for data handling and processing, which filters out false positives using a spline-based mathematical filter to accurately reconstruct the motor vehicle's shape and determine washing paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing systems use stationary scanning devices above the vehicle, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to already installed car-washing apparatuses and cannot accurately detect glass surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable sensor means that can swing through 190° and move along guides relative to the vehicle, transforming the stationary scanning device into a dynamic system. This allows the sensors to be positioned optimally for detecting different vehicle surfaces including glass, while adapting to various car-washing apparatus configurations without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the sensing function into separate top sensor means and side sensor means, each with independent movement capabilities. The top sensors move along longitudinal guides while side sensors swing on transverse guides, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific detection task and enabling adaptation to existing apparatus structures
2Productivity
If light-section procedures are used to scan vehicle surfaces, then the scanning process is quick, but the system fails to accurately recognize glass surfaces and entire vehicle shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental detection parameter from optical reflection-based light-section scanning to time-of-flight laser distance measurement. This parameter change enables accurate detection of glass surfaces by measuring the time for laser pulses to travel to and from the surface, overcoming the limitation of light-section methods that rely on surface reflection properties
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces laser distance measurement as an intermediary method between the sensor and vehicle surface. Instead of directly scanning surface geometry with light sections, the laser measures distance to intermediate points on the surface, including glass, and this distance data is then used to reconstruct the complete vehicle shape
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor positions are used to capture complete vehicle shape, then the detection coverage is comprehensive, but the data handling and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data from multiple sensor positions and angles into a unified three-dimensional representation of the vehicle. The control unit integrates distance measurements from top and side sensors, combining them into a single comprehensive shape model that simplifies subsequent processing and washing path determination
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or three-dimensional representation of the vehicle shape from physical measurements. This virtual model serves as a simplified intermediary that captures all geometric information without requiring continuous processing of raw sensor data from multiple positions, reducing computational complexity
4Device complexity
If the sensor means swing angle is limited, then the system structure is simpler, but the complete vehicle shape data cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds angular dimension to the sensor positioning by enabling 190° swinging movement in addition to linear movement along guides. This dimensional expansion allows the side sensors to sweep across the entire vehicle width and capture data from all surfaces, achieving complete shape detection while keeping the mechanical mechanism relatively simple through guided arc motion
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 quick and accurate acquisition of motor vehicle shapes, including glass surfaces, under any light or weather conditions, optimizing data handling and processing for effective washing path determination.
Implementation Method 1
the distance of a given point of the motor vehicle, namely the point which caused the reflection of said laser beam, from the sensor means which emitted the laser beam is determined by calculating the time elapsing between the emission time of the laser beam and the reception time of the reflected pulse
Implementation Method 2
said detection means comprise distance detection laser sensor means, wherein the laser beams emitted by each laser sensor means are impinged onto the surface of the motor vehicle and reflected by said surface
Implementation Method 3
the laser beams emitted by each laser sensor means are impinged onto the surface of the motor vehicle and reflected by said surface
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
System for obtaining the external shape of motor vehicles which can be applied to car-washing apparatuses already installed or to be installed, said system being able to reproduce the external shape of said motor vehicles and comprising means for detecting the outer shape of the motor vehicle, a central operating control unit, and software means for handling and processing data loaded on said central unit.