Sensor with cover device, and cover device for same
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023728289
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-03
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-09
AI Technical Summary
Conventional sensor cover caps for infrared sensors are difficult to process and adjust manually, making it challenging to dynamically adjust the detection area and sensitivity, and are often cumbersome to handle.
A sensor with a covering device featuring prefabricated cover elements that can be easily attached and detached from the sensor housing using complementary connection structures, allowing for adjustable sensitivity and detection area without the need for manual cutting, and enabling modular attachment for specific angular ranges.
This solution simplifies the handling and adjustment of sensor sensitivity and detection areas, reducing manual processing time and preventing contamination, while allowing for easy replacement and reconfiguration of the cover elements, enhancing the manageability and effectiveness of the sensor system.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
Sensor with cover and cover for this
[0001] The invention relates to a sensor with angle-selective sensitivity. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cover device for a sensor of the aforementioned type.
[0002] Sensors, particularly infrared sensors, are known from the prior art for detecting the movement of objects within their assigned sensor ranges or detection zones. To individually restrict a detection zone, for example, to exclude movements on a neighboring property or on a street, cover templates are used. These templates are cut into the appropriate shape with scissors and then attached to the sensor. These cover templates, usually made of tough plastic, are generally difficult to adjust manually to achieve the desired detection zone and are therefore cumbersome.
[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a sensor with an improved cover device that enables, on the one hand, a dynamic adjustment of a sensor area and a sensitivity of the sensor, and on the other hand, is easy to handle.
[0004] This problem is solved by a sensor according to claim 1 and a covering device according to claim 17.
[0005] In particular, this problem is solved by a sensor with angle-selective sensitivity, an opaque sensor housing, an optical sensor device arranged in the sensor housing for optically detecting the movement of an object within a surrounding sensor area, a sensor window that shields the optical sensor device together with the sensor housing from the surrounding sensor area and that transmits infrared radiation from the sensor area to the optical sensor device, and a cover device that covers a radial angular range of the sensor window in order to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor within that radial angular range. The cover device has at least one prefabricated cover element that covers a fixed angular range of the sensor window and is attached to the sensor housing. It is detachably attached. It is provided that the sensor housing and the at least one prefabricated cover element can be detachably connected to each other by means of complementary connection structures.
[0006] Furthermore, this task is solved by a covering device for a sensor according to the aforementioned and subsequently described type, with at least one prefabricated covering element arranged on the sensor, which is designed to cover the sensor window.
[0007] By using the pre-fabricated cover element to adjust the sensor's sensitivity and the sensor's detection range, manual cutting, as required with conventional cover caps or clips, is eliminated. The pre-fabricated cover element is simply and easily attached to the sensor without any further preparation. This improves handling and saves time. The complementary connection structures allow for easy attachment and removal of the pre-fabricated cover element from the sensor housing. This also enables easy replacement of the cover element, for example, when the sensor is already mounted in its location.
[0008] In particular, the sensor housing can have locking lugs, and at least one prefabricated cover element can have correspondingly designed locking grooves. In this context, the cover element can engage the locking lugs of the sensor housing in the corresponding locking grooves, thus creating a detachable (locking) connection. This allows for easy, manual attachment and quick removal of the cover element. The arrangement of the locking grooves on the cover element and the locking lugs on the sensor housing can also prevent contamination of the groove inside the sensor housing. Such contamination occurs, for example, when the two connection structures are reversed, i.e., when the cover element has a lug that engages in a corresponding groove located in the sensor housing. In such a case, a contaminated groove inside the sensor housing would make attaching / removing the cover element difficult.Furthermore, such a groove could not be easily cleaned. The sensor would first have to be removed so that the housing could be taken off to clean the dirt.
[0009] In one embodiment, a locking projection can be arranged at an upper end in a vertical direction of the sensor housing and / or at a lower end of the sensor housing.
[0010] Furthermore, a locking groove can be arranged at one end (in a longitudinal direction) and / or at one end (lower end) of at least one prefabricated cover element. This allows a detachable (locking or clip) connection between the cover element and the sensor housing. Additional cover elements can then be easily attached to the sensor housing using this (locking or clip) connection to cover a specific angular range of the sensor window.
[0011] The sensor window can have the shape of a section of a spherical surface.
[0012] In addition, at least one prefabricated cover element can also have the shape of a spherical surface cutout with an azimuthal angle range and a polar angle range, so that it can shield a certain section of the sensor window.
[0013] The sensitivity within the radial angular range can be reduced by means of at least one prefabricated cover element. For example, the sensitivity range can be varied by the thickness of the at least one prefabricated cover element.
[0014] In this case, at least one prefabricated cover element can be opaque, at least in the infrared range, so that the optical sensor device can be shielded from infrared rays in the section of the sensor window covered by the cover element.
[0015] Furthermore, at least one prefabricated cover element can be semi-transparent in the infrared range. This means that infrared radiation is not completely blocked and can enter the optical sensor device through the cover element.
[0016] In particular, the transmittance in the infrared range can be less than 90%, or less than 80%, or less than 70%, or less than 60%, or less than 50%, or less than 40%, or less than 30%, or less than 20%, and greater than 1%, or greater than 5%, or greater than 10%.
[0017] The at least one prefabricated cover element can have a further connection structure in the area of a first end of the cover element (in the transverse direction) and a second connection structure, complementary to the first, in the area of a second end of the cover element (in the transverse direction), so that the at least one prefabricated cover element can be detachably connected to other similar cover elements via each of the connection structures. Using the complementary connection structures, further cover elements can thus be easily attached to the sensor, which can then be connected to each other to achieve the desired sensitivity for detecting infrared light.
[0018] In this process, at least one prefabricated cover element can be modularly and detachably connected to other identical cover elements.
[0019] The at least one prefabricated cover element can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polycarbonate (PC). HDPE, for example, exhibits some infrared transmittance and can be used when semi-transparent transmission of the cover element is required. In contrast, PC has no infrared transmittance and is preferably used when the cover element needs to be opaque in the infrared wavelength range.
[0020] The sensor can be a motion sensor or a presence sensor.
[0021] Furthermore, the optical sensor device can be an infrared sensor.
[0022] At least one cover element can be moved along an azimuthal circumference of the sensor window. This allows for dynamic adjustment of the sensor area or the sensor's detection range. The cover element can be moved as needed to adjust the sensor area accordingly. This arrangement also allows for easy readjustment of the cover element.
[0023] The above problem is further solved by a cover device for a sensor as described above, wherein the cover device has at least one prefabricated cover element arranged on the sensor, which covers the sensor window.
[0024] Further embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
[0025] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment, which is further explained by the accompanying drawings.
[0026] This schematically illustrates:
[0027] Fig. 1A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor according to the present invention;
[0028] Fig. 1B is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. Sensors;
[0029] Fig. 1C shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. Sensors;
[0030] Fig. 2A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. Sensors;
[0031] Fig. 2B is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the sensor according to the invention shown in Fig. 2A;
[0032] Fig. 3A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. Sensors.
[0033] Fig. 3B shows a schematic view of the connection structures of the components shown in Fig. 3A. embodiment of the sensor according to the invention
[0034] Fig. 4A shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of the sensor according to the invention.
[0035] Fig. 4B shows a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the sensor according to the invention in its assembled state as shown in Fig. 4A;
[0036] Fig. 5A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor according to the present invention;
[0037] Fig. 5B shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the sensor according to the invention;
[0038] Fig. 6A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cover element according to the present invention;
[0039] Fig. 6B shows a schematic sectional view of several cover elements according to the present invention in the connected state;
[0040] Fig. 7A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor according to the present invention;
[0041] Fig. 7B is a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of the sensor according to the invention shown in Fig. 1A;
[0042] Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the sensor according to the invention.
[0043] In the following, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent components.
[0044] Figures 1A to 1C each show a simplified schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor 10 with angle-selective sensitivity according to the present invention. The sensor 10 comprises a sensor housing 12 opaque to infrared light, an optical sensor device arranged in the sensor housing 12 (not shown in Figures 1A to 1C), a sensor window 14, and a cover device 16 with at least one prefabricated cover element 18. The wavelength range for infrared light is between 780 nm and 1 mm.
[0045] The optical sensor device detects the movement of an object, in particular- For example, a person is detected within a sensor area SB or detection range surrounding sensor 10. The sensor area SB is simplified and illustrated by an arrow in Figs. 1A to 1C.
[0046] The optical sensor device is shielded from the sensor area SB by the sensor window 14 together with the sensor housing 12. Furthermore, the sensor window 14 allows infrared radiation from the sensor area SB to pass into the sensor device, so that corresponding movement can be detected.
[0047] As can be seen in Figs. 1A to 1C, a radial angular range of the sensor window 14 is covered by the cover device 16. The cover device 16 allows the sensitivity of the sensor 10 to be adjusted within the radial angular range, i.e., within the section of the sensor window 14 covered by the cover device 16.
[0048] The cover device 16 comprises at least one cover element 18, which covers a fixed angular range of the sensor window 14 and is detachably connected to the sensor housing 12. In the example shown in Fig. 1A, two cover elements 18 are illustrated. However, the number of cover elements 18 is variable. For example, four cover elements 18 are shown in Fig. 1B and five cover elements 18 in Fig. 1C. The cover elements 18 are detachably connected to the sensor housing 12 by means of complementary connection structures AS1, AS2. This enables efficient attachment of the cover elements 18 to the sensor 10 and / or to the sensor housing 12.
[0049] Furthermore, the use of prefabricated cover elements 18 eliminates the need for manual pre-processing, such as cutting with scissors, to individually adjust or adapt the sensor area SB. This simplifies handling.
[0050] The sensor housing 12 can have locking projections AS1 and the at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can have locking grooves AS2 designed to complement these projections. The cover element 18 is attached to the sensor housing 12 outside the sensor 10, with the locking groove AS2 of the cover element 18 engaging the locking projection AS1 of the sensor housing 12. can receive, or the detent projection AS1 can engage or hook into the detent groove AS2. This is shown, for example, in simplified form in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. Fig. 2B illustrates a sectional view of the embodiment of sensor 10 shown in Fig. 2A.
[0051] As can be seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, the cover element 18 functions as a cover clip, which is detachably attached to the sensor housing 12 by means of the snap-fit connection. In particular, this design of the connection structures AS1, AS2 prevents contamination inside the sensor housing 12, such as in the snap-fit groove AS2. Further embodiments of such a connection with several cover elements 18 are shown in Figs. 3A and 3B as well as in Figs. 5A and 5B.
[0052] Furthermore, a locking projection AS1 can be arranged at an upper end and / or at a lower end of the sensor housing 12 in a vertical direction HR.
[0053] A locking groove AS2 can also be arranged at the upper end and / or at the lower end of at least one prefabricated cover element 18 in a longitudinal direction LR. The directions of these arrangements are simplified and illustrated by arrows in Figs. 1A to 2B.
[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the sensor 10 shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, a cover device 16 is illustrated, comprising three prefabricated cover elements 18 and a connecting element 20, to which the cover elements 18 are attached and detachably connected to the sensor housing 12 by means of the locking projections AS1. This is indicated in Fig. 4A by a corresponding arrow and will be described in detail later. The connecting element 20 can be designed as an annular cutout which has a locking groove AS2 or a recess for receiving the locking projection AS1.
[0056] As can be seen from Figs. 1A to 5B and Figs. 7A to 7B, the sensor window 14 can have the shape of a spherical surface section. However, this is not a limitation and any shape of the sensor window 14 is possible.
[0057] In this context, at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can also have a shape corresponding to the sensor window 14 of a spherical surface cutout with The sensor window must have an azimuthal angular range and a polar angular range such that it has the same surface curvature as the sensor window 14. This allows for optimal coverage of the section at the sensor window 14. The azimuthal angular range can be 5°–180°, 5°–165°, 5°–150°, 5°–135°, 5°–120°, 5°–105°, 5°–90°, 5°–75°, 5°–60°, 5°–45°, 5°–30°, or 5°–15°, in particular equal to 180°, 165°, 150°, 135°, 120°, 105°, 90°, 75°, 60°, 45°, 30°, or 15°. Likewise, the polar angle range can comprise a range of 5°-180°, 5°-165°, 5°-150°, 5°-135°, 5°-120°, 5°-105°, 5°-90°, 5°-75°, 5°-60°, 5°-45°, 5°-30°, or 5°-15°, in particular equal to 180°, 165°, 150°, 135°, 120°, 105°, 90°, 75°, 60°, 45°, 30°, or 15°.
[0058] Furthermore, the sensitivity of the sensor 10 can be reduced within the radial angular range by means of the prefabricated cover element 18. Depending on the material properties, thickness and / or shape of the prefabricated cover element 18, the sensitivity in the section shielded by the cover element 18 can be adjusted differently.
[0059] In one embodiment, the at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can be opaque, at least in the infrared range. In this case, no infrared light is transmitted through the covered section of the sensor window 14, meaning that movement of an object within this section is not detected by the optical sensor device.
[0060] In a further embodiment, the at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can be semi-transparent, at least in the infrared range. In this case, a certain proportion of infrared light can pass through the prefabricated cover element 18 and reach the optical sensor device.
[0061] The transmittance in the infrared range can be less than 90%, or less than 80%, or less than 70%, or less than 60%, or less than 50%, or less than 40%, or less than 30%, or less than 20%, and greater than 1%, or greater than 5%, or greater than 10%.
[0062] As already described with regard to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can be connected to a connecting element 20 and attached together with it to the sensor housing 12. In this context, Figs. 7A and 7B show a further embodiment. The connecting element 20 is ring-shaped. Fig. 7B shows a schematic simplified exploded view of the embodiment of the sensor 10 according to the invention shown in Fig. 7A. In the example shown in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, the prefabricated cover elements 18, as connection structures AS2, have a projection with a recess at one end to be connected to the connecting element 20, into which a pluggable insert 22 of the connecting element 20 is received. This allows the prefabricated cover elements 18 to be detachably connected to the connecting element 20, and the latter is attached to the sensor housing 12 by means of the complementary connection structure AS1 of the sensor housing 12.
[0063] The connection types shown in Figs. 1A to 5B, as well as Figs. 7A and 7B, are only examples. Other connection types are possible.
[0064] The at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can have a further connection structure 18a in the region of a first end of the cover element 18 in the transverse direction QR of the cover element 18, and a second connection structure 18b, complementary to the further connection structure 18a, in the region of a second end of the cover element 18 in the transverse direction QR of the cover element 18, so that the at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can be detachably connected to further similar cover elements 18 via each of the connection structures 18a, 18b. This is illustrated in simplified form in Figs. 1A to 1C, 5A to 6B and 7B.
[0065] Figures 6A and 6B show a single cover element 18 with a projection 18a at a first end in the transverse direction QR and a corresponding groove 18b at a second end of the cover element 18 opposite the first end. This snap-fit connection allows further cover elements 18 to be easily attached to the cover element 18, as illustrated in section in Figure 6B. The groove 18b of another cover element 18 receives the projection 18a of the cover element 18 shown in Figure 6A, thus connecting the cover element 18 to this further element 18. Furthermore, the groove 18b of the cover element 18 can receive a projection 18a of another cover element 18. Thus, further cover elements 18 can be easily connected to one another.To put it another way, the cover elements 18 can each have two corresponding L-shaped hook parts 18a, 18b, which are arranged at their respective ends in the transverse direction QR. A Ha-. The part 18a of a cover element 18 can form a positive engagement with a hook part 18b of another cover element 18, as indicated in Fig. 6B.
[0066] In Figures 7A and 7B, the cover elements 18, similar to those in Figures 1A to 1C and 5A to 6B, can be connected, for example, by means of a so-called tongue and groove connection. The first connection structure 18a of a first cover element 18 illustrated in Figure 7B comprises at least one tenon at a first end, and the second connection structure 18b comprises at least one groove corresponding to the tenon at a second end. To connect the first cover element 18 to another cover element 18, the tenon of the first cover element 18 is brought into contact with the corresponding groove of the other cover element 18 such that the tenon can engage in the groove. This couples the first cover element 18 to the other cover element 18. This is simplified and illustrated by an arrow in Figure 7B.In addition, the first connection structure 18a of the first cover element 18 can have a recess that can accommodate a further pin of the second connection structure 18b of the second cover element 18. This interdigital structure of the cover elements 18 enables a positive fit towards the sensor window 14 through the interlocking of the pins, so that the connection structure 18a, 18b sits firmly against the sensor window 14. The cover elements 18 are manufactured with the corresponding connection structures 18a, 18b already present in the edge areas. This allows additional cover elements 18 to be easily and conveniently attached to the sensor 10 at a later date. Various configurations are possible, and the illustrated examples are not limiting.
[0067] In this context, the prefabricated cover element 18 can be modularly connected with other identical cover elements 18. This allows for the simple and convenient creation of a customized cover device 16, which can then be attached to the sensor window 14 or the sensor housing 12.
[0068] The at least one prefabricated cover element 18 can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polycarbonate (PC). Depending on the intended use, both materials are employed and serve to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor 10, i.e., in the section covered by the prefabricated cover element 18. For example, if no infrared radiation passes through to the sensor device, If the material is to be opaque, PC can be used, which is opaque to infrared radiation. If a certain degree of transparency is desired, HDPC can be used, which exhibits some infrared transparency.
[0069] Fig. 8 shows, for example, a simplified schematic view of the embodiment of the sensor 10 according to the invention shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. In this example, the sensor area SB is divided into two sub-areas, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 8. The right sub-area is covered by the cover device 16 or the prefabricated cover elements 18. If the cover elements 18 are made of HDPE, the transmittance of infrared radiation is reduced or attenuated in the right-hand area, meaning that movements are only detected at half the distance. When using PC, no infrared light is transmitted at all, meaning that no movement is detected. The left-hand area, however, is transparent in both cases.
[0070] Furthermore, the range of the sensor 10 can also be adjusted by changing the wall thickness of the prefabricated cover element 18. The range of the sensor 10 can increase as the wall thickness decreases.
[0071] Sensor 10 can be a motion sensor or a presence sensor. For example, these sensors are used in building automation to control lighting and trigger alarms.
[0072] Furthermore, the optical sensor device can be an infrared sensor that can determine, for example, whether a person is in the sensor area SB or detection area based on the infrared radiation.
[0073] At least one cover element 18 can be movable along an azimuthal circumferential direction of the sensor window 14. This is indicated by the respective arrows in Figs. 1A, 1C, and 7A. This allows the sensor area SB, or the detection range, to be adjusted as desired. Likewise, a movable arrangement of the prefabricated cover elements 18 enables easy readjustment or adaptation of the sensor area SB without having to remove the sensor 10.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Sensor (10) with angle-selective sensitivity, with an opaque sensor housing (12); an optical sensor device arranged in the sensor housing (12) for optically detecting a movement of an object within a surrounding sensor area (SB); a sensor window (14) that shields the optical sensor device together with the sensor housing (12) from the surrounding sensor area (SB) and which allows infrared radiation from the sensor area (SB) to pass through to the optical sensor device;and a covering device (16) that covers a radial angular range of the sensor window (14) in order to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor (10) within the radial angular range, wherein the covering device (16) has at least one prefabricated covering element (18) that covers a fixed angular range of the sensor window (14), characterized in that the sensor housing (12) and the at least one prefabricated covering element (18) are detachably connectable to each other by means of complementary connection structures (AS1, AS2).
2. Sensor (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor housing (12) has locking projections and the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) has locking grooves designed to complement these.
3. Sensor (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that a locking projection is arranged at an upper end in a vertical direction (HR) of the sensor housing (12) and / or at a lower end of the sensor housing (12).
4. Sensor (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a locking groove is arranged at an upper end and / or at a lower end of the cover element (18) in a longitudinal direction (LR).
5. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor window (14) has the shape of a spherical surface section.
6. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) has the shape of a spherical surface cutout with an azimuthal angular range and a polar angular range.
7. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) at least reduces the sensitivity within the radial angular range.
8. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) is opaque at least in the infrared range.
9. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) is semi-transparent at least in the infrared range.
10. Sensor (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmittance in the infrared range is less than 90%, or less than 80%, or less than 70%, or less than 60%, or less than 50%, or less than 40%, or less than 30%, or less than 20%, and greater than 1%, or greater than 5%, or greater than 10%.
11. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) has a further connection structure (18a) in the region of a first end of the cover element (18) in the transverse direction of the cover element (18) and a second connection structure (18b) designed to be complementary to the further connection structure in the region of a second end of the cover element (18) in the transverse direction of the cover element (18), so that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) can be detachably connected to further similar cover elements (18) via each of the connection structures (18a, 18b).
12. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) can be modularly and detachably connected to further uniform cover elements (18).
13. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) is made of hard polyethylene, HDPE, or of polycarbonate, PC.
14. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (10) is a motion sensor or a presence sensor.
15. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical sensor device is an infrared sensor.
16. Sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cover element (18) is movable along an azimuthal circumferential direction of the sensor window (14).
17. Cover device (16) for a sensor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the at least one prefabricated cover element (18) arranged on the sensor (10), which is configured to cover the sensor window (14).