Light Barrier Drift Compensation via Correction Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light barrier arrangements face challenges in providing reliable and fail-safe object detection due to interference from extraneous light and drift effects in signal dynamics, which affect the accuracy of object detection signals.
Innovation Solution
A light barrier arrangement with a centralized correction unit that generates individual correction values for receivers to compensate for drift effects and DC voltage components, stabilizing receiver operations without introducing signal impairments, and includes a control unit for self-testing and parameter adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regulators are equipped in receivers to eliminate DC components, then interference from ambient light is reduced, but the received signals are influenced and distorted by the control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A correction unit is introduced as an intermediary component that processes the received signals separately from the main control mechanism. This correction unit calculates correction values based on the encoded information in the light beams and applies these corrections to compensate for DC components and drift effects, thereby eliminating interference without distorting the original signal characteristics
2Reliability
If control processes are implemented to compensate for drift effects, then component drift is corrected, but the signal dynamics are influenced and distorted
Solution Approach 1:
Encoding information is预先 imprinted onto the transmitter's light beams before they traverse the monitoring area. This preliminary action allows the receivers to obtain reference information about the original signal characteristics, enabling the correction unit to calculate accurate correction values that compensate for drift effects without introducing additional signal distortion
3Area of stationary object
If multiple transmitters and receivers are used to cover the monitoring area, then detection coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The correction unit is designed as a universal component that can process signals from multiple receivers and handle drift compensation for the entire light barrier arrangement. By encoding information in the light beams themselves, the same correction mechanism can be applied across all transmitter-receiver pairs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring area coverage
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
Ensures reliable object detection by compensating for drift and interference, maintaining signal integrity, and reducing the need for additional components, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the light barrier system.
Implementation Method 1
multiple light-emitting transmitters (6, 8) and multiple light-receiving receivers (16, 18). Advantageously, the transmitters are positioned at one edge of the monitored area and the receivers at the opposite edge, such that each transmitter is assigned a receiver in such a way that, when the monitored area is clear, the light beams emitted by a transmitter are directed only to its assigned receiver
Implementation Method 2
multiple light-emitting transmitters and multiple light-receiving receivers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a light barrier arrangement for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising multiple light beam emitting transmitters (11, 12, 13) and light beam receiving receivers (51, 52, 53). When the monitoring area of transmitters (11, 12, 13) is unobstructed, emitting light beams are directed unhindered to the corresponding receivers (51, 52, 53). An object entering the monitoring area at least partially interrupts the light beams of at least one transmitter. A control and evaluation unit (2) generates an object detection signal based on received signals from the receivers (51, 52, 53). Furthermore, a correction unit is provided, which generates correction values individually for each receiver and/or the components sent to it to compensate for drift effects.