Tug-Mounted Object Detection for Aircraft Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack effective methods for detecting and avoiding collisions with objects in their surroundings, particularly when maneuvering mobile objects like aircraft, especially during towing, taxiing, or pushback operations, which can lead to potential collisions in indoor or outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system is temporarily or permanently mounted on a tug, such as an aircraft tug, to detect the surroundings of a mobile object using a surroundings detection sensor, determine its position relative to the mobile object based on a geometric model, and control the tug's movement to avoid collisions, using a position determination device and collision monitoring system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surroundings detection sensor is mounted on a tug for detecting objects during maneuvering operations, then collision detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting objects during towing, pushback, and taxiing operations, as well as determining position and orientation relative to the mobile object. This multi-functionality improves collision detection capability while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A coordinate transformation module acts as an intermediary between the sensor data and the collision detection logic. This intermediary component handles the complex geometric transformations and coordinate system conversions, isolating the complexity from the core detection functionality and making the overall system more manageable.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor system continuously determines position and orientation during maneuvering, then detection precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs position and orientation determination at discrete intervals during maneuvering operations rather than truly continuously. The control unit is configured to determine positions at specific time points or at specific event triggers (e.g., when the mobile object is in motion), reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for collision avoidance.
3Reliability
If the system compensates for movements and rotations of the mobile object in real-time, then reliability of collision avoidance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the sensor data about the mobile object's position and orientation to continuously adjust the tug's maneuvering. The control unit receives information about the mobile object's movements and rotations and automatically compensates by adjusting the tug's position and orientation, improving collision avoidance reliability through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical linkages and physical alignment mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of using mechanical systems to physically track and compensate for mobile object movements, the invention uses coordinate transformations and computational geometry to achieve the same effect electronically, reducing mechanical complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor system is temporarily mounted on the tug, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be installed on different types of tugs and configurations. The mounting apparatus can accommodate various mounting surfaces and positions, providing adaptability across different applications while maintaining ease of installation through standardized mounting interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising the steps of: providing a surroundings detection sensor on a tug, which is configured for manoeuvring a mobile object, continuously detecting a region of an outer surface of the mobile object with the surroundings detection sensor, continuously determining a position of a tug-bound system relative to the mobile object based on a predetermined geometric model of an outer surface of the mobile object and the detected region of the outer surface, wherein the steps of detecting and determining are performed when the mobile object is manoeuvred by the tug, and detecting objects in the surroundings of the mobile object with the surroundings detection sensor based on the step of continuously determining the position of the tug-bound system. Further a sensor system for detecting objects in the surroundings of the sensor system and for providing on a tug.