UAV Distance Detection with Rotating Gimbal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in effectively detecting distances and navigating through various environments due to the limited scope of their distance detection systems, which can lead to obstacles being undetected, especially when traveling at high speeds or in unpredictable terrains.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a distance detection system that includes a distance detector and a directional controller, allowing for the expansion of the detection scope by rotating the detector using a motorized gimbal system, enabling the vehicle to adjust its detection direction based on current travel instructions and mission objectives, thereby enhancing obstacle detection and path planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a distance detector with limited scope is used in a UAV, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection scope is insufficient leading to undetected obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the distance detector rotatable through a motorized gimbal system. The detector can dynamically change its orientation and scanning direction based on the UAV's travel instructions and mission objectives. This dynamic adjustment allows a single detector to cover a much larger effective detection scope without requiring multiple fixed detectors, thereby resolving the contradiction between limited detection scope and device complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If the distance detector scans all directions continuously, then the detection scope is maximized, but the productivity of the mission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining direction priorities before the distance detector begins scanning. The processor analyzes the mission objectives and current travel instructions to pre-calculate which directions require detection and establishes a prioritized scanning sequence. This allows the detector to focus its scanning efforts on high-priority directions first, ensuring critical detection needs are met while reducing unnecessary scanning in low-priority areas, thus maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the scanning pattern and direction priorities based on real-time mission requirements. Rather than continuous omnidirectional scanning, the detector adaptively changes its scanning behavior according to the prioritized directions determined by the processor, optimizing the balance between detection scope and mission productivity.
3Speed
If the UAV travels at high speed, then the productivity of the mission is improved, but the reliability of obstacle detection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of direction priorities based on the UAV's travel instructions and mission objectives before obstacle detection begins. This allows the processor to pre-identify critical detection directions and allocate scanning resources accordingly. When the UAV travels at high speed, the prioritized scanning ensures that the most critical areas are detected with sufficient attention, maintaining detection reliability despite the reduced time available for scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the distance detector to continuously monitor the environment and adjust scanning priorities. When obstacles or potential hazards are detected in high-priority directions, the system can trigger alerts or adjust the UAV's trajectory, ensuring safe operation even at high speeds. The feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain reliable detection throughout the mission.
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced distance detection system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is described here. The distance detection system includes a distance detector, which may have a limited scope of distance detection, and a directional controller, which allows extending the dimension or scope of the distance detector as the vehicle travels and performs missions. The directional controller can change the detection direction of the distance detector with a motorized gimbal or functionally similar system, and the change in the detection direction can be integrated with the status of and other instructions executed by the vehicle.