Adaptive Lens Tilt for Optoelectronic Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional scanning systems with moving optical components face mechanical complexity, high maintenance needs, and limited scanning patterns due to inertia, while focus adjustment in optical sensors often requires significant mechanical structure and space for precise adjustability.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic device with an adaptive lens that can be tilted into various orientations using control signals to realign and expand the monitoring area, replacing complex mechanics with a compact, low-maintenance design, and enabling variable focusing without additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If moving optical components (mirrors, sensors) are used for scanning, then the field of view can be captured gradually, but mechanical complexity and maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems (moving mirrors, rotating sensors) with a static sensor that uses electronically controlled lens tilting. The adaptive lens tilts in two directions to redirect light paths, achieving scanning functionality without any moving mechanical components in the optical path. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to capture a large field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamically adjustable lens tilting angles controlled by electronic signals to achieve scanning functionality. The adaptive lens can be tilted independently in two directions, allowing flexible scanning patterns without mechanical moving parts. This dynamic control provides the same field of view coverage as mechanical scanning but with simpler, maintenance-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If heavy moving masses are used for scanning, then reliable scanning movement can be achieved, but scanning patterns are limited due to inertia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning movement reliabilityVSAvoidscanning patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical scanning components entirely, replacing them with electronically controlled adaptive lenses that tilt to redirect light. This substitution removes inertia limitations, allowing the system to implement any scanning pattern instantaneously by simply changing the lens tilting angles through electronic control, thereby achieving both reliability and scanning pattern versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters (light path direction) by adjusting the lens tilting angles electronically. This allows instantaneous reconfiguration of scanning patterns without the mechanical inertia constraints that would limit speed and pattern changes in traditional systems. The scanning behavior is controlled by electrical parameters rather than mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If electromechanical focus adjustment is used, then precise focus positioning is achieved, but installation space and mechanical structure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus positioning precisionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electromechanical focus adjustment mechanisms with an adaptive lens system that achieves focus control through optical parameter changes. The adaptive lens can be tilted and its focal properties adjusted electronically without requiring large mechanical structures or significant installation space, while maintaining precise focus positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes in the adaptive lens (tilting angle and focal length adjustment) to achieve precise focus positioning. This electronic parameter control eliminates the need for large mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms, reducing installation space requirements while maintaining or improving focus precision through direct optical control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device simplifies scanning systems, allowing for cost-effective, compact, and low-maintenance generation of 2D and 3D measurements, dynamic focusing, and enhanced image capture without moving mechanical parts, enabling efficient object information acquisition.

Implementation Method 1

An optoelectronic device with an adaptive lens that can be tilted into various orientations using control signals to realign and expand the monitoring area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdaptive lens tilting:

Implementation Method 2

enabling variable focusing without additional components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVariable focusing:

Data Source

PatentEP2924477B1Optoelectronic device and method for recording object information
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SICK AG
  • EP2924477B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2924477B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5

AI summary

An optoelectronic device (10) for acquiring object information from a monitoring area (12) is described, comprising a light receiver (18), a receiving optic (16) associated with the light receiver (18) which has an adaptive lens (26) with variable tilt, and an evaluation unit (20) for generating the object information from a received signal of the light receiver (18). The evaluation unit (20) is configured to move the adaptive lens (26) into several different tilt positions and thereby obtain additional object information from an enlarged monitoring area (12).