Optoelectronic Distance Sensor Alignment via Differential Focal Leverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic distance meters face challenges in simplifying the adjustment of optical transmission and reception paths, particularly in achieving precise angular alignment of these paths without the need for moving individual components relative to each other, which complicates production and reduces mechanical robustness.
Innovation Solution
The method involves moving the entire assembly with a radiation source and detector fixed relative to each other on a printed circuit board, using different focal lengths of transmission and reception optics to adjust the angular alignment through lateral shifts, allowing for independent adjustments of the transmission and reception directions, and maintaining pre-collimated transmission optics by pressing them into a tubular recess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual components (transmitter/receiver) are moved separately for adjustment, then angular alignment can be achieved, but device complexity increases and mechanical robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmitter and receiver into a fixed assembly where their relative positions cannot be changed. Adjustment is achieved by moving the entire assembly relative to the optics carrier, reducing the number of independently adjustable components and simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the assembly can be moved laterally during adjustment, and the transmission optics can be pressed axially into the optics carrier. After adjustment, the assembly is fixed in position, transforming a dynamic adjustment system into a static operational system.
2Manufacturing precision
If transmission optics are pre-collimated, then beam divergence is optimized, but adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission optics are designed with axial movability during the adjustment phase, allowing the optics to be pressed into the optics carrier to achieve pre-collimation. Once adjusted, the position is fixed, maintaining the optimized collimation while enabling the necessary adjustment flexibility during manufacturing.
3Manufacturing precision
If coaxial beam paths are used, then alignment accuracy is improved, but optical component complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmitter and receiver into a single fixed assembly, which simplifies the optical path configuration. By adjusting the entire assembly's position relative to the optics carrier, the system achieves accurate angular alignment without requiring complex coaxial optical components, thereby reducing overall optical system complexity while maintaining alignment precision.
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 approach simplifies the adjustment process, reduces the number of moving parts, enhances mechanical robustness, and allows for precise alignment of optical axes without the need for complex mechanical constructions, facilitating easier assembly and miniaturization of optoelectronic distance meters.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic radiation, usually in the form of pulses of visible or invisible light, is emitted in the direction of a target object
Implementation Method 2
This target reflects at least part of the emitted light back in the direction of the measuring device
Implementation Method 3
appropriate collimation optics or transmission optics must be provided, which must be adjusted accordingly with respect to the light source in order to achieve the desired beam divergence
Implementation Method 4
a receiving optics, for example a converging lens, is usually used, which focuses the light from the direction of the target object onto a photosensitive component
Implementation Method 5
this received light is converted into an electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to an alignment method and an associated construction concept for an optoelectronic distance-measuring device. The latter comprises an assembly having a radiation source for emitting an optical transmission radiation, a detector for receiving an optical reception radiation and a printed circuit board, which are arranged in a rigid local relationship with respect to one another, and also an optical unit carrier with a transmission optical unit and a reception optical unit. In this case, a transmission direction is defined by the radiation source and the transmission optical unit and a reception direction is defined by the detector and the reception optical unit. Furthermore, the transmission optical unit and the reception optical unit have different focal lengths. The alignment method produces a sought orientation of the transmission direction relative to that of the reception direction. According to the invention, alignment is effected by displacement of the entire assembly relative to the optical unit carrier, wherein the displacement, as a result of a leverage effect of the different focal lengths, brings about in each case displacement-governed changes in direction angle of transmission direction and reception direction, said changes having different magnitudes, as a result of which the orientation of the transmission direction relative to the reception direction is varied.