Optical Sensor Arrays With Adjustable Beam Spots and Receiver Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic and optical sensors used for level detection face challenges such as blind zones, sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, and interference from container contours, leading to inaccurate distance measurements.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor with a transmitting array and receiving array, adjustable via adjustment means to control the light spot and field of view, minimizing interference from adjacent areas and ensuring precise object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light beam width or receiver field of view is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but interfering reflections from adjacent areas cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability of the light spot size and receiver field of view through adjustment means (such as adjustable apertures or lens systems). This allows the optical parameters to be adapted to different measurement scenarios, enabling the system to exclude interfering contours while maintaining detection reliability without requiring a completely complex fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters (light spot diameter, field of view angle) as variable parameters that can be adjusted according to the specific application. By making these parameters adjustable rather than fixed, the system can optimize performance for different container geometries and interference conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.
2Area of stationary object
If the light spot is widened to cover larger areas, then the detection range is improved, but interfering reflections from adjacent contours increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the detection area to be selectively illuminated or received. Through adjustment means, the light spot can be focused on the specific measurement point while adjacent areas are excluded, or the receiver field of view can be adjusted to accept light only from the desired direction, thereby maintaining detection range while eliminating harmful reflections from nearby contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the light spot size and receiver field of view based on the specific measurement requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the detection area to be optimized for each application, expanding coverage when needed while excluding interfering areas, thus resolving the contradiction between detection range and interference rejection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the field of view of the receiving unit is widened to capture more reflected light, then the signal strength is improved, but interference reflections from adjacent areas are also captured
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by enabling the receiving unit to selectively receive light from specific spatial regions. Through adjustment means such as adjustable apertures or directed receivers, the field of view can be optimized to capture reflected light from the measurement point while excluding light from adjacent interfering contours, thus maintaining signal strength without incorporating harmful reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver field of view is made dynamically adjustable, allowing optimization of the balance between signal strength and interference rejection. The adjustment means enable the field of view to be expanded when strong signals are needed and contracted when interference is present, resolving the contradiction between signal strength and interference capture.
4Measurement precision
If the light spot size is reduced to improve spatial resolution, then adjacent areas are better excluded, but the detected signal becomes weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the light energy into a focused spot of optimal size. Through adjustment means, the light spot can be precisely sized to achieve the required spatial resolution for excluding adjacent areas while maintaining sufficient intensity for detection. The system optimizes the local light distribution to balance resolution and signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The light spot size is made dynamically adjustable, allowing optimization of the trade-off between spatial resolution and signal strength. The adjustment means enable the spot size to be reduced for high resolution measurements and increased for weak signal conditions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and signal strength.
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 solution provides reliable, interference-insensitive object detection by adapting the light spot and field of view to the object, reducing false reflections and enhancing measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
light beams from the optical sensor or ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor are reflected not only by the medium stored in the container, but also by interfering contours
Implementation Method 2
adjust either the light spot, ie the extent of the emitted light rays transverse to their propagation direction, and/or the field of view of the receiving unit
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasonic sensors are also sensitive to spontaneous temperature fluctuations, as this causes the speed of sound to change, leading to inaccurate distance measurements when performed using a pulse-time-of-flight method
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor (1) for detecting objects (5) in a detection area. The optical sensor comprises a transmitter unit (3) emitting light beams (2) and a receiver unit (4) receiving light beams (2). A control and evaluation unit (6) generates an output signal depending on the received signals from the receiver unit (4). The transmitter unit (3) is a transmitter array (10) having a number of transmitter elements (11), wherein the transmitter array (10) is assigned adjustment means by means of which the light distribution and size of the light spot of the emitted light beams (2) are specified. The receiver unit (4) is a receiver array (14) having a number of receiver elements (15), wherein the receiver array (14) is assigned adjustment means by means of which the field of view of the receiver array (14) is specified.