Adjustable Angle Origin in Laser Scanner Evaluation Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser scanners in safety technology face challenges due to factory-fixed angle references, which are often not suitable for applications, requiring complex and costly coordinate transformations and limiting the flexibility of measurement data handling.

Innovation Solution

The angle origin of the laser scanner is made adjustable, allowing users to define the angular reference explicitly or implicitly through optical markers, eliminating the need for factory-set references and enabling flexible assembly and evaluation without coordinate transformations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a factory-fixed angle reference is used in laser scanners, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability to different applications is reduced and complex coordinate transformations are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic angle reference system where the reference angle can be adjusted and redefined during operation. The evaluation unit allows the angle origin to be shifted to different angular positions within the angular range, enabling the laser scanner to adapt to different application requirements without physical reconfiguration or complex coordinate transformations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a factory-fixed angle reference is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the complexity of data handling and coordinate transformations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of the angle reference from a fixed factory-set value to an adjustable parameter that can be modified by the evaluation unit. This allows the angle origin to be dynamically repositioned, simplifying data handling and eliminating the need for complex coordinate transformations while maintaining low device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the angle origin is made adjustable, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes measurement data from the laser scanner and simultaneously manages the angle reference adjustment. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high adaptability without adding separate dedicated components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This simplifies the handling and assembly of laser scanners, reduces computational requirements, and allows for flexible definition of the angle origin, enhancing the usability and reliability of measurement data without the need for special tools or interfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a light transmitter (12) for emitting a transmitted light beam (16) and a deflection unit (18) for periodically deflecting the transmitted light beam (16) in order to scan a monitoring area (20) with the transmitted light beam (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

the distance of an object from the laser scanner is often also determined from the travel time of light using the speed of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2937715B1Optoelectronic sensor and method for detecting measurement information from a surveillance area
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 SICK AG
  • EP2937715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2937715B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2937715B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An optoelectronic sensor (10) for acquiring measurement information from a monitoring area (20) is described, wherein the sensor (10) comprises a light receiver (26) and an evaluation unit (32) for generating angle-resolved measurement information with respect to an angular origin (40, 44) from a received signal of the light receiver (26). The evaluation unit (32) is configured to shift the angular origin (40, 44) to an angular position (44) specified by a user.