Adjustable Light Barrier Alignment Through a Closed Faceplate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional built-in light barriers require skilled workers or multiple iterations to adjust the light beam orientation after installation, as access to the transmitter is typically restricted within an enclosed housing.

Innovation Solution

A light barrier design featuring a pivotable holder and adjustable angular orientation mechanism, allowing on-site beam alignment through accessible through holes and screw-driven adjustments, enabling easy orientation within a closed housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the light barrier is integrated in an enclosed housing, then the housing structure is compact and protected, but access to the light transmitter is restricted making orientation adjustment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing structure integrityVSAvoidlight beam orientation adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into a front part and a back part that can pivot relative to each other around a second axis, allowing the light transmitter orientation to be adjusted independently while maintaining the integrated housing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A second adjusting means (second screw and nut) is introduced as an intermediary mechanism, accessible through a second through hole in the faceplate, that enables orientation adjustment of the light transmitter without requiring disassembly of the housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the light transmitter is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the light beam orientation cannot be adjusted after installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlight beam orientation adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed with pivotable connections that allow dynamic adjustment of the light transmitter orientation around two different axes, transforming a static fixed structure into an adaptable system while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting means are pre-configured with through holes and reception areas that align in the undeflected state, allowing for easy preliminary alignment and subsequent fine-tuning of the light beam orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple iterations are used to adjust the light beam, then the correct orientation can be achieved, but installation time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight beam orientation accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual trial-and-error mechanical adjustment process is replaced with a screw-driven mechanical system that provides precise, controlled adjustment of the holder orientation, reducing the number of iterations needed to achieve correct beam alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation parameters of the light transmitter can be independently adjusted in two different directions by operating two separate adjusting means, enabling precise control of the light beam orientation without time-consuming iterative adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260016612A1Light barrier

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 AVANCON

AI summary

A light barrier, comprising a faceplate (1) with a window (10), a holder (2) that is pivotably connected to the faceplate (1) around a first axis (V), a light transmitter (3) that is arranged on the holder (2) and whose light beam can pass through the window (10), and a first adjusting means (4;40) with which the relative angular orientation between the faceplate (1) and the holder (2) is adjustable, wherein a first through hole (11) is provided in the faceplate (1), through which the first adjusting means (4;40) is accessible for adjusting.