Infrared Security Sensor Adaptive Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared security sensor devices face challenges in adjusting the optical axis and controlling light receiving sensitivity due to large changes in sensitivity allowance across varying axis-to-axis distances and environmental conditions, leading to difficulties in maintaining accurate detection signal levels and causing unnecessary annoyance during optical axis adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a light projecting power control unit with both manual and automatic adjusting sectors to stepwise control light projecting power, allowing for clear confirmation of level changes during optical axis adjustments and automatic compensation for environmental changes, such as those caused by coverings or weather, to maintain optimal detection signal levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light receiving sensitivity is controlled by automatically adjusting the light projecting power in multiple steps, then the light receiving sensitivity can be maintained under varying environmental conditions, but the optical axis adjustment becomes difficult and annoying due to large changes in sensitivity allowance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight receiving sensitivity controlVSAvoidoptical axis adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the light projecting power is automatically adjusted in multiple steps based on detected light levels. The system transitions from static fixed power to dynamic adaptive power control, allowing the light projecting unit to automatically increase or decrease power in discrete steps to maintain optimal reception levels under varying environmental conditions such as different axis-to-axis distances and lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where the light receiving unit continuously monitors the received light level and sends feedback signals to the light projecting power control unit. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the light projecting power to maintain the received light level within an optimal range, thereby adapting to environmental changes without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the light projecting power is increased to compensate for environmental changes, then the detection signal level can be maintained, but the electricity consumption increases and durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection signal level stabilityVSAvoidelectricity consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the light projecting power based on actual environmental conditions rather than operating at maximum power continuously. The light projecting power control unit modifies the power output in multiple steps according to the detected light levels, ensuring the minimum necessary power is used to maintain reliable detection signal levels, thereby reducing overall electricity consumption while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the light projecting unit by adjusting the light projecting power in discrete steps. Instead of maintaining a fixed high power level, the system varies the power parameter adaptively based on environmental conditions, achieving the same detection reliability with lower average power consumption and reduced thermal stress on components, thus improving durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of light projecting power steps is used during optical axis adjustment, then the level changes can be clearly confirmed, but the adjustment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelevel change confirmationVSAvoidadjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the system for optical axis adjustment by pre-configuring multiple discrete power steps and establishing a manual adjustment mode. Before actual adjustment begins, the system is set up with predetermined power levels that will be used during the adjustment process, allowing the operator to systematically work through each step and clearly observe level changes without dealing with continuous variable adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the light projecting power into discrete steps rather than allowing continuous adjustment. This segmentation creates distinct, manageable adjustment levels that are easier to control and observe during optical axis alignment. Each power step represents a discrete increment or decrement, making it simpler for operators to make precise adjustments and clearly confirm level changes at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables smooth and easy optical axis adjustment by clearly displaying level changes and automatically adjusting light projecting power, reducing the complexity and annoyance associated with conventional methods, ensuring effective detection and warning functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a light projecting element a and a light receiving element b... a light projector 1A for projecting infrared rays of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving element b... a light receiver 2A for receiving the projected infrared rays of light and then outputting a detection signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9046624B2Infrared security sensor
Publication Date: 2015.06.02 OPTEX CO LTD
  • US9046624B2 patent drawing
  • US9046624B2 patent drawing
  • US9046624B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An infrared security sensor device includes a light projector 1A, 1B having a projecting light power control unit 5 for controlling the light receiving sensitivity of a light receiver 2A, 2B by switching a light projecting power thereof to one of a plurality of steps in dependence on the level of a detection signal and a status determining unit 7 for determining an optical axis adjusting time and an alert time. The light projector 1A, 1B is further provided with an adjustment selecting sector 6 capable of selecting one of the manual and automatic adjusting sectors 10 and 11 such that during the optical axis adjustment the light projecting power can be manually adjusted by the manual adjusting sector 10.