Automated Mobile Vehicle ToF Sensing for Obstacle Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated mobile vehicles, such as UAVs and ground-based units, face challenges in avoiding collisions with other vehicles or objects without human intervention, requiring advanced sensing and navigation systems to ensure safe operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple rangefinders mounted on automated mobile vehicles that use time-of-flight laser signals to detect objects, combined with the ability to alter pitch, roll, and yaw, allowing for comprehensive object detection around the vehicle, along with communication systems for sharing position and navigation information with other vehicles and fixed position transmitters to determine absolute position and avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple rangefinders and sensing systems are added to automated mobile vehicles to improve collision avoidance, then safety and object detection capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rangefinders (laser-based distance determination elements) with attitude determination elements (inertial measurement units) into an integrated sensing system. This merging allows the vehicle to simultaneously measure distance to objects and its own orientation, reducing the need for separate sensor systems and managing complexity while maintaining high reliability for collision avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rangefinders are configured to perform multiple functions: determining distance to objects, detecting object orientation through angular measurements, and providing data for both navigation and collision avoidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated sensors for each function, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If laser-based rangefinders are used to determine distance and orientation to objects, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is segmented into distinct functional components: laser-based rangefinders for distance measurement, attitude determination elements for orientation, and a controller that processes data selectively. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary sensors for current operational needs, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high measurement precision when full sensing is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts measurement parameters such as laser pulse frequency and sampling rates based on vehicle speed, proximity to objects, and operational context. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains high measurement precision during critical moments while reducing energy consumption during steady-state operation or when objects are far away.
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
Enhances the ability of automated mobile vehicles to detect and avoid objects effectively, ensuring safe navigation and operation by providing comprehensive sensing and navigation capabilities, reducing the need for human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the duration of time between emission and receipt of the laser signal after it reflects off an object (referred to herein as 'time-of-flight' or 'ToF') is used to determine the distance between the object and the AMV
Implementation Method 2
laser based range finders that are fixedly mounted to the AMV and configured to emit a laser signal that projects out and reflects off an object that intersects the path of the laser signal
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.