Laser Scanner Adaptive Light Pulse Intensity for Target Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laser scanners face challenges in reliably detecting cooperative targets due to limited dynamic range in light receivers, leading to saturation issues and difficulty in distinguishing cooperative targets from other objects, especially in applications where precise and early detection is critical for vehicle safety and productivity in factory plants.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring optoelectronic sensor, specifically a laser scanner, adjusts the intensity of light pulses based on the specific reflection capability of target objects, allowing for selective detection by varying the light pulse intensity to create a sufficient signal difference between target and non-target objects, without the need for polarization filters or complex receivers, using a control and evaluation unit to set and adapt the light pulse intensity for accurate distance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light receiver is designed to cover a large dynamic range, then detection accuracy for both strong and weak light pulses is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light pulse intensity adjustable and adaptable during operation. The control unit dynamically adjusts the intensity of transmitted light pulses based on detection needs, allowing the system to optimize signal strength for different target distances and reflection characteristics without requiring a receiver designed for extreme dynamic range coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light pulse intensity transmitted by the light transmitter. By varying the intensity parameter of the transmitted light based on distance and target reflection characteristics, the system ensures that reflected signals fall within the optimal detection range of the receiver, avoiding saturation while maintaining detection accuracy for cooperative targets.
2Reliability
If polarization filters are used to distinguish cooperative targets, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the polarization filter component from the system. Instead of using polarization filtering to distinguish cooperative targets, the invention relies on the inherent intensity modulation capability of the light transmitter and receiver, combined with adaptive intensity control, to achieve reliable target detection without additional optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the light transmitter's own intensity modulation capability and the receiver's detection capability to distinguish cooperative targets. The control unit analyzes the intensity characteristics of reflected light pulses and identifies cooperative targets based on their reflection properties, allowing the system to self-distinguish targets without external polarization components.
3Length of stationary object
If light pulse intensity is increased to detect distant targets, then detection range is extended, but saturation occurs for close targets with high reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing real-time adjustment of light pulse intensity based on distance information. The control unit dynamically modifies the transmitted pulse intensity according to the detected distance of targets, ensuring that the signal strength is optimized for each specific detection scenario and preventing both saturation and insufficient signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the receiver's detection of reflected light intensity and distance information to adjust the transmitter's light pulse intensity. The control unit continuously monitors detection results and adjusts the transmitted signal strength accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that prevents saturation for close targets while extending detection range for distant targets.
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 enables reliable and efficient recognition of target objects with a brief response time, maintaining detection accuracy across varying distances, and can be implemented inexpensively using existing sensors, enhancing the detection of retroreflectors and other reflective objects while avoiding unnecessary manufacturing efforts.
Implementation Method 1
a control and evaluation unit which is configured to determine the distance of an object from a time of flight of a light pulse
Implementation Method 2
the light pulses reflected or remitted by objects in the monitored zone being received to generate a received signal
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring optoelectronic sensor for detecting a target object in a monitored zone is provided that has a light transmitter for transmitting light pulses, a deflection unit for a periodic scanning of the monitored zone by the light pulses, a light receiver for generating a received signal from the light pulses reflected or remitted by objects in the monitored zone, and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to determine the distance of an object from a time of flight of a light pulse and to transmit light pulses of different intensity, For the detection of a target object having a specific reflection capability, the control and evaluation unit is here furthermore configured to transmit light pulses adapted to the reflection capability and to a range and to vary the light pulses in accordance with different ranges for the distinction between the target object and another object.