Laser Sensing System Adaptive Range Control for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser sensing systems that transmit non-eye-safe signals often pose safety risks to individuals and objects outside their operating range, as existing methods to ensure safety, such as exclusion zones or personal protective equipment, may not be feasible or effective, especially in applications requiring long-range detection.
Innovation Solution
The system controls non-eye-safe laser emissions by disabling or modifying the beam based on range measurements to ensure eye-safety for objects outside its operating range, using adaptive controllers and range units to determine the presence of a hard target and adjust the operating range accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser power is increased to obtain sufficient return signal from the substance, then the sensing capability is improved, but the safety risk to persons outside the operating range worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of laser transmission by continuously monitoring range measurements and adjusting laser emission in real-time. The controller dynamically switches between enabled and disabled states based on whether a hard target is detected within the operating range, allowing the system to adapt laser power output to current operational conditions rather than maintaining a fixed high-power state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the laser system by switching between two distinct states: full power transmission when a hard target is present within operating range, and zero power transmission when no hard target is detected or the target is outside the operating range. This binary parameter change resolves the contradiction by ensuring high sensing capability only when safety conditions are met
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a safety exclusion zone is established to protect persons from laser exposure, then the safety is improved, but the operating flexibility and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static safety exclusion zone with a dynamic safety control mechanism that adjusts laser transmission based on real-time detection of hard targets. Instead of maintaining a fixed excluded zone, the system dynamically assesses whether persons are present within the operating range and adjusts laser emission accordingly, allowing operation to proceed when safe and restricting it only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control loop where range measurements continuously inform the controller about the presence of hard targets within the operating range. This feedback mechanism replaces the open-loop approach of fixed exclusion zones with a closed-loop system that automatically adjusts laser transmission based on actual safety conditions, improving both safety and operational flexibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If personal protective equipment is required for personnel within the safety exclusion zone, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing hazardous laser transmission before it can occur. The controller proactively disables laser emission when no hard target is detected within the operating range, eliminating the need for protective equipment. This preemptive safety measure addresses the hazard before personnel exposure can occur, making the system inherently safer and more accessible
4Length of stationary object
If the operating range is extended to detect long-range targets, then the detection capability is improved, but the safety risk to nearby persons worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic range control by continuously monitoring range measurements and adjusting laser transmission based on the detected target's distance. The system can safely operate at extended ranges when hard targets are detected at those distances, while automatically restricting transmission when only nearby objects are present. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to utilize its full extended range capability only when safety conditions permit
Data Source
AI summary
According to a present invention embodiment, safety is enhanced for a non-eye-safe limited-range laser sensing system. The laser sensing system typically has an operating range limited to a well-defined spatial interval. A range measurement is utilized to control emissions of the non-eye-safe laser. In particular, when the range to a target is outside the designed spatial interval defining the operating range of the laser sensing system, transmission of the non-eye-safe laser beam is disabled or rendered non-hazardous. In other words, the transmission of the non-eye-safe laser beam is disabled in response to no detection of a hard target within the operating range of the laser sensing system, or when an object is detected between the laser sensing system and the spatial interval that defines the operating range. The target distance may be tracked to change the location (and possibly, width) of the adaptive spatial interval defining the operating range.