Vehicle Stowage Foreign Object Detection via Sensor Baseline Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively detect foreign objects within vehicles or vehicle components during operation, production, or maintenance, particularly in inaccessible regions, leading to potential safety hazards and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-based system that includes various sensors such as weight, pressure, torque, angle, and optical sensors integrated into stowage compartments like overhead bins, seatback pockets, and cargo holds, which capture data and compare it to baseline conditions to detect foreign objects, and an imaging system using cameras to visually identify objects within these compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to check stowage compartments for foreign objects, then personnel can visually confirm the presence or absence of objects, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated sensor systems including weight sensors, optical sensors, and imaging systems. These electronic detection systems continuously monitor stowage compartments without requiring personnel presence, eliminating time loss while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through automated foreign object identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of stowage compartments through integrated sensors that automatically detect and report foreign objects. The compartments essentially inspect themselves without external intervention, with sensors detecting weight changes, optical property changes, or image variations to identify foreign objects autonomously.
2Reliability
If sensor systems are integrated into stowage compartments to detect foreign objects automatically, then detection accuracy and real-time monitoring improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional sensor systems that perform multiple detection tasks using integrated sensor arrays. A single sensor system monitors weight, optical properties, and spatial occupation simultaneously, allowing the system to detect various types of foreign objects (personal belongings, tools, maintenance materials) with one unified detection mechanism rather than separate specialized sensors for each object type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple sensor types (weight sensors, optical sensors, imaging systems) into an integrated detection network within stowage compartments. By merging these sensing capabilities into a unified system with centralized processing, the patent achieves reliable multi-parameter monitoring while managing complexity through system integration rather than separate independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensor coverage is provided in all stowage compartments including inaccessible regions, then foreign object detection completeness improves, but manufacturing and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into multiple stowage compartment zones (overhead bins, seatback pockets, cargo holds, maintenance regions) with dedicated sensor systems for each segment. This segmentation allows independent installation and calibration of sensors in each compartment, making the overall system easier to manufacture and install while ensuring comprehensive coverage across all areas including inaccessible regions through distributed sensor placement.
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 reduces the likelihood of passengers or personnel leaving belongings behind and minimizes the burden of manual inspections by accurately identifying foreign objects, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by providing real-time notifications and audits.
Implementation Method 1
A weight sensor of the sensor subsystem may include a strain gauge, load cell, or other suitable weight sensor
Implementation Method 2
An optical sensor of the sensor subsystem may include a photoelectric sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, or other suitable optical sensor
Implementation Method 3
image data for a region of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft) or a vehicle component captured via one or more cameras
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to stowage compartments or other regions of a vehicle are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.