Dual-Emitter Optical Scanner Layout for 360° Area Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors for object detection have limitations in achieving large scan areas with compact designs, often requiring complex and expensive setups or limited scan ranges.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor incorporates two light emitters with opposing and transverse transmission directions relative to the rotating mirror's axis, allowing for larger scan areas with a simple and compact design, utilizing a control unit to manage both emitters and detectors for effective detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a rotary scanner with a planar mirror rotating at 45° is used, then the scan area can be large (180°, 270°, or 360°), but the device becomes complex, large, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning function into two independent light emitters positioned at opposite sides of the rotating mirror. Each light emitter covers a specific angular range, and together they achieve full 360° coverage. This segmentation allows each emitter to be simpler while collectively providing comprehensive scanning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single light emitter system to a dual emitter system arranged symmetrically around the rotation axis. By adding the spatial dimension of having emitters at opposite sides (dimensional expansion), the system achieves complete 360° coverage without requiring complex rotary mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining large scan area.
2Device complexity
If mirrors are positioned orthogonally to the transmitter-receiver unit, then the device becomes small, compact, inexpensive, but the scan range is limited to less than 90°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning task between two light emitters positioned at opposite sides of the rotating mirror. Each emitter independently covers a specific angular sector, and their combined coverage achieves full 360° scan range. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compactness while expanding scan range beyond the 90° limitation of single-emitter orthogonal designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating mirror serves multiple functions: it deflects beams from both light emitters, enables 360° scanning coverage, and maintains a compact form factor. By making the mirror system multi-functional, the patent achieves both device simplicity and extended scan range simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If a single light emitter is used with a rotating mirror, then the device is simple, but achieving large scan areas requires complex setups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function by introducing a second light emitter positioned at the opposite side of the rotating mirror from the first emitter. Each emitter is responsible for illuminating a specific half of the scanning area, allowing the system to achieve large scan coverage while keeping each individual emitter and its associated optics simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of two simple light emitter systems to achieve what would be complex with a single system. By combining the outputs of two symmetrically positioned emitters, the system achieves comprehensive 360° coverage without requiring complex optical paths or mechanisms for any single emitter.
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
Enables the monitoring of large spatial areas with minimal technical effort and a compact design, suitable for applications with limited installation space, such as automatic doors and autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating mirror through which the first beam of transmitted light is directed into the monitoring area
Implementation Method 2
a detector unit for detecting transmitted light reflected back from the monitoring area by an object to be detected as detection light
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising a first light transmitter for emitting a first transmitted light beam, a rotating mirror through which the first transmitted light beam is directed into the monitoring area, a detector unit for detecting transmitted light reflected from the monitoring area by an object to be detected as detection light, and a control unit for controlling the first light transmitter and the detector unit and for evaluating detection light detected by the detector unit.The optical sensor is characterized according to the invention in that a second light transmitter is provided for emitting a second transmitted light beam, that a transmission direction of the first transmitted light beam and a transmission direction of the second transmitted light beam are opposite to each other and are each oriented transversely to a rotation axis of the rotating mirror, and that the control unit is also equipped to control the second light transmitter.