Vehicle Positioning by Correlating Concrete Reinforcement Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position detection systems for vehicles on concrete floors with reinforcement are inefficient and require significant material expenditure, lacking a reliable method to determine vehicle position and alignment with minimal equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a reference run to record measuring points from the reinforcement in the concrete floor, correlating these points to determine a vehicle's position through a correlation method, and using polarized light to correct alignment, with sensors and evaluation means to detect and evaluate signals from the reinforcement for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing position detection systems are used, then vehicle position can be determined, but material expenditure and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete floor's existing reinforcement serves as the positioning reference, making the environment itself the measurement tool. The system uses naturally present structural elements rather than requiring separate positioning infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement in the concrete floor serves dual purposes: structural strengthening of the floor and providing a unique signal pattern for position detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning markers or infrastructure, reducing both material expenditure and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If existing position detection systems are used, then vehicle position can be determined, but material expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete floor's existing reinforcement serves as the positioning reference, making the environment itself the measurement tool. The system uses naturally present structural elements rather than requiring separate positioning infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of installing physical positioning markers or infrastructure, the system creates a digital signal profile from the reinforcement pattern. This virtual copy of the physical reinforcement structure enables position detection without additional material expenditure.
3Quantity of substance
If reinforcement signals are used for positioning, then material expenditure is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a reference run before actual positioning to capture the reinforcement signal pattern and create a reference profile. This preliminary action stores the characteristic signal characteristics, enabling the system to distinguish between signal variations due to position changes and those due to noise during subsequent measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares current reinforcement signals with the stored reference profile, using correlation analysis to determine position. This feedback mechanism filters out random noise by referencing the known signal pattern, maintaining measurement precision without requiring additional materials.
4Reliability
If correlation method is used to assign profile sections, then position determination becomes reliable, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of analyzing the entire reference profile for every position determination, the system compares only the current profile section with the corresponding section of the reference profile. This partial action reduces processing time while maintaining reliability by focusing computational effort only on the relevant portion of the signal.
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 reliable and cost-effective determination of vehicle position and alignment, allowing for autonomous control and safe navigation by leveraging the reinforcement in the concrete floor, reducing material expenditure and improving signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
the depth, density and/or thickness of the reinforcement in the concrete floor are determined using radar measurement
Implementation Method 2
the depth, density and/or thickness of the reinforcement in the concrete floor are determined using radar measurement and/or an inductive sensor
Implementation Method 3
the polarization of the light is rotated by a first angle
Implementation Method 4
a liquid crystal, the latter being controlled such that the polarization of the light is rotated
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for capturing the position of a vehicle along a route, wherein the route is arranged on concrete floor, when the concrete floor has a reinforcement, including the method steps, following one another in time, of: the vehicle carrying out a reference journey along the route in a first method step, the vehicle recording measurement points along the route, each measurement point of a position on the route assigning a signal of the reinforcement, a reference profile of the route being determined from the measurement points ascertained during the reference journey in a second method step, the vehicle driving along the route and recording further measurement points in a third method step, a profile section being determined from the further measurement points in a fourth method step, the profile section being uniquely assigned to a section of the reference profile in a fifth method step, in particular by means of the correlation method, the vehicle being assigned a unique position on the route by means of the profile section assigned to the reference profile in a sixth method step.