Unmanned Vehicle Camera and Stop Switch Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional unmanned operation vehicles with cameras are limited in their ability to capture peripheral images effectively, and the placement of stop switches is not optimized, affecting operability and external detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle is designed to position both the camera unit and the stop switch actuating member at suitable locations on the housing, allowing for improved operability and detection accuracy, with the stop switch actuating member configured to displace vertically and be actuated above the camera unit, and optionally integrated with the camera unit or lid portion, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing maintainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the camera is positioned only at the lower side of the edge portion of the housing, then the structure is simple, but the external detection accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal detection accuracyVSAvoidcamera arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing upper surface is divided into multiple regions: a first region for the camera unit and a second region for the stop switch actuating member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The camera unit is specifically positioned in the first region of the housing upper surface, which is determined to be the suitable position for capturing peripheral images. This local optimization ensures high external detection accuracy without requiring complex multi-point camera arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the stop switch actuating member is positioned away from the camera unit, then the camera has better imaging range, but the operability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidimaging range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The housing upper surface is segmented into distinct functional regions: the first region for the camera unit and the second region for the stop switch actuating member. This spatial segmentation ensures that the actuating member is positioned at a suitable location for user operation while the camera maintains its imaging capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The problem is resolved by utilizing the horizontal dimension of the housing upper surface rather than vertical stacking. The camera and actuating member are arranged side-by-side in different regions, allowing both components to access their optimal positions without interfering with each other's functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the stop switch actuating member is arranged separately from the camera unit, then each component can be optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing upper surface is divided into functional regions that accommodate different components. The camera unit is placed in the first region and the stop switch actuating member in the second region, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity through clear spatial organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3430880B1Unmanned traveling work vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3430880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3430880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3430880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An unmanned operation vehicle (10) includes a housing (11), left and right rear wheels (13) provided in the housing (11), and an operation unit (14) provided under the housing (11). The housing (11) includes a camera unit (31), a stop switch (51) configured to stop driving of the rear wheels (13) and the operation unit (14) when actuated, and a stop switch actuating member (41) configured to actuate the stop switch (51). The camera unit (31) is arranged substantially at a center of an upper surface of the housing (11) in a plan view, and the stop switch actuating member (41) is arranged immediately above an upper surface of the camera unit (31).