Safety Laser Scanner Internal Reference Target Condensation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety laser scanners face challenges in reliably detecting moisture condensation within their internal components, which can affect their functionality and service life, and existing methods either require additional sensors or do not account for moisture levels effectively.
Innovation Solution
The safety laser scanner employs an internal reference target to monitor the intensity distribution of the reference signal, allowing for the detection of condensation by analyzing changes in the shape of the intensity distribution, which indicates moisture levels, and uses this information to generate a warning signal for maintenance and operational optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sensors are used to detect moisture condensation, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference target serves dual purposes: it reflects light for distance measurement calibration and simultaneously provides information about internal humidity conditions through its intensity distribution pattern. The system uses the reference target's own optical properties to detect moisture condensation, eliminating the need for separate humidity sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference target is designed to perform multiple functions: (1) serving as an optical reference for distance measurement accuracy, (2) acting as a humidity indicator through intensity distribution analysis, and (3) enabling self-diagnosis of the laser scanner's optical components. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while improving detection reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the reference target is used only for distance measurement verification, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but humidity monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis transitions from using only the reference signal's amplitude (one dimension) to analyzing both the amplitude and the intensity distribution pattern across the angular scan range (adding spatial dimensionality). This dimensional expansion enables extraction of humidity information while preserving distance measurement capability through the same reference target.
Solution Approach 2:
The intensity distribution pattern of the reference target acts as an intermediary that carries information about internal humidity conditions. By analyzing how the reference target's light reflection pattern changes with humidity, the system indirectly measures moisture levels without direct contact with the humid environment.
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 the detection of moisture condensation within the scanner, improving maintainability, predicting maintenance needs, and ensuring proper operation by providing qualitative and quantitative humidity data, thus enhancing the reliability and availability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitter (12) for emitting a light beam (16) into the monitoring area (20)
Implementation Method 2
The light is reflected from objects within the monitoring area and analyzed by the laser scanner
Implementation Method 3
a light receiver (26) for generating a received signal (22) from the light beam (16) reflected by the objects
Implementation Method 4
a rotatable deflection unit (18) for periodically deflecting the light beam (16) in order to scan the monitoring area (20) during movement
Implementation Method 5
an internal reference target (40) that reflects the emitted light beam (16) back to the light receiver (26) within the safety laser scanner (10) to generate a reference signal
Implementation Method 6
a control and evaluation unit (36) designed to detect objects based on the received signal (22) and to check the functionality of the safety laser scanner (10) based on the reference signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a safety laser scanner with a light transmitter for emitting a light beam into the monitoring area, a light receiver for generating a received signal from the light beam reflected by the objects, a rotatable deflection unit for periodically deflecting the light beam in order to scan the monitoring area during movement, an internal reference target that reflects the emitted light beam back to the light receiver within the safety laser scanner in order to generate a reference signal, and a control and evaluation unit designed to detect objects based on the received signal and to check the functionality of the safety laser scanner based on the reference signal.To enable extended use of the reference target measurement for improved monitoring of the laser scanner's functions, it is proposed that the control and evaluation unit be designed to detect an intensity distribution of the reference signal as the light beam sweeps over the reference target and to issue a warning signal if the shape of the intensity distribution of the reference signal deviates from a predefined reference shape of the intensity distribution beyond a predetermined tolerance.