Vehicle Sensor Damage Control via Dynamic Pivoting and Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-based sensor systems lack effective damage control mechanisms to protect sensors from damage during use, particularly when encountering rough terrain or impacts, which can lead to sensor malfunction or failure.
Innovation Solution
A damage control system for vehicle-based sensors that includes a combination of shock absorbers, lift actuators, spherical pivots, and deployment/stow mechanisms, allowing the sensor to pivot and adjust height automatically, and featuring a bump-release mechanism to minimize impact damage, ensuring continuous operation and data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is mounted rigidly on the vehicle, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to damage from rough terrain and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting system transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic system with multiple degrees of freedom. The sensor can pivot about vertical axes and roll about horizontal axes, allowing it to adapt its orientation dynamically in response to vehicle motion and terrain variations, thereby protecting it from impact damage while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into multiple independent rotational joints and mechanical components rather than a single rigid connection. This segmentation allows each component to independently absorb and respond to different types of forces and motions, improving overall system reliability while managing complexity through modular design
2Reliability
If the sensor is allowed to move freely to avoid damage, then the protection from impact is improved, but the measurement stability and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary counteracting forces through springs and dampers that oppose sensor motion before excessive movement occurs. These elements provide restoring forces that keep the sensor within an acceptable operational range, preventing both excessive freedom of movement and complete rigidity, thus maintaining measurement stability while providing impact protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the mounting structure by incorporating elements with specific stiffness and damping characteristics. The springs provide elastic restoration while dampers control the rate of motion, creating a tuned mechanical system that allows controlled movement for protection while maintaining stability for accurate measurements
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
The system effectively protects sensors from damage during operation by allowing for automatic height adjustment, independent movement, and controlled deployment/stowage, ensuring reliable landmine detection and subsurface visualization capabilities across varied terrains.
Implementation Method 1
a spherical pivot (38) coupling the rails (36) to the vehicle (12), wherein the sensor (14) is permitted to roll about the spherical pivot (38)
Implementation Method 2
at least one shock absorber (90) coupled between the sensor (14) and the vehicle (12)
Implementation Method 3
at least one lift actuator (40) configured to adjust a height of the sensor (14) relative to a ground
Data Source
AI summary
A damage control system for a vehicle-mounted sensor comprises at least one sensor frame. At least one sliding mechanism is coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to provide a path for the sensor frame to move forwards or backwards, or both. At least one height-adjustment mechanism is coupled to the sliding mechanism and configured to raise, lower, or both, the sensor frame.