Laser Scanner 360-Degree Scanning Spatial Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser scanners face challenges in scanning over 360° effectively and accurately detecting objects in angular positions where a reference measure is taken, with existing solutions often being bulky and prone to measurement errors due to different ageing and delays in measurement and test paths, and limitations in 360° monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A compact laser scanner design where the light source, photodetector, and motor are housed on the same half-plane as the sweep surface, allowing unimpeded 360° scanning, with a distinct reference light path using a co-rotating reference target to minimize interference and enhance measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light source, photodetector, and motor are housed within the housing on the same half-plane with respect to the sweep plane, then the scanner achieves unimpeded 360° scanning capability, but the device complexity increases due to the specific spatial arrangement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the half-plane spatial arrangement to enable 360° scanning capability. By positioning all critical components (light source, photodetector, motor) on the same half-plane relative to the sweep plane, the system achieves full circular scanning coverage without mechanical obstructions, effectively using spatial dimensioning to resolve the scanning limitation.
2Measurement precision
If a reference target is made different from but co-rotating with the scanning mirror, then measurement accuracy is enhanced by minimizing interference, but the device complexity increases due to additional rotating components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a reference target that co-rotates with the scanning mirror to create a reference measurement path. This copying approach allows the system to establish a known reference trajectory that mirrors the scanning mirror's motion, enabling accurate calibration and compensation of measurement errors while maintaining synchronized rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference target serves multiple functions: it provides a reference measurement path for calibration, enables error compensation, and maintains synchronous rotation with the scanning mirror. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple measurement accuracy issues simultaneously.
3Ease of repair
If the transparent cap of the scanning mirror is separated for easy maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional disassembly components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning mirror assembly into separable components, specifically the transparent cap that can be removed independently. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service the scanning mirror without disassembling the entire device, significantly improving maintainability while isolating the complexity to a modular interface.
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 reliable 360° scanning and accurate object detection with reduced measurement errors, improving the scanner's compactness and operational efficiency by separating the scanning mirror's transparent cap for easy maintenance and minimizing interference between measurement and reference light paths.
Implementation Method 1
a movable deflection unit for the periodic deflection of the light signal
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector element for generating an electrical signal from the light signal remitted by objects in the monitored zone
Implementation Method 3
the time of flight of pulses of light so reflected or scattered back by an object and the speed of light, the distance of the object may be determined
Data Source
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AI summary
A laser scanner (10) including a housing (12) having a window (14), a light source (34) for emitting a light beam (32), the window (14) being transparent to the wavelength(s) of the light beam (32), a scanning mirror (30) rotatable about an axis of rotation (X) for deflection of the light beam (32) toward a scanning area (SC) so that the light beam (32) periodically sweeps at least one sweep surface, and for deflection of return light from objects or persons in the scanning area (SC) into a light collection path, a motor (24) for rotating the scanning mirror (30), a photodetector element (42) for generating an electric signal, arranged in said light collection path, wherein the motor (24), the light source (34), and the photodetector element (42) are all housed within the housing (12) on a same side with respect to said at least one sweep surface.