Light Barrier Alignment via Integrated Pilot Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light barrier arrangements face challenges in precise and efficient alignment due to large distances between transmitter and receiver units, especially in safety-related applications where small opening angles are required, and the inability to visually align units emitting non-visible infrared light beams.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a transmitter arrangement within the transmitter and receiver units that emits visible pilot light beams, allowing for visual alignment and correction of misalignments, eliminating the need for additional alignment lasers and reducing installation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional alignment lasers are attached to the transmitter unit or receiver unit, then visual alignment becomes possible, but installation effort and adjustment effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alignment function with the existing transmitter or receiver unit by integrating a visible light emitter into the same housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment lasers and their associated mounting hardware, thereby reducing installation effort while maintaining visual alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter unit or receiver unit is designed to serve multiple functions: both the primary function of detecting objects via infrared light beams and the secondary function of providing visual alignment through visible light beams. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated alignment components.
2Area of stationary object
If the transmitter unit and receiver unit are arranged at large distances from one another, then the surveillance area can be covered, but alignment precision becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visible light beams as an intermediary to bridge the gap between the transmitter and receiver units. These visible beams serve as a mediator that makes the alignment process observable and adjustable even when the units are positioned at large distances apart, thereby maintaining alignment precision across extended surveillance areas.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If small opening angles are used for transmitters and receivers, then mutual interference is avoided, but alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes visible light (different wavelength/color range) for alignment purposes while the primary transmitters and receivers operate in the infrared range with small opening angles. The visible pilot beams provide a visual guide for alignment without causing mutual interference, as they operate in a different spectral range and can be spatially separated from the narrow infrared beams.
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 quick and precise alignment of light barrier arrangements without additional components, reducing installation effort and ensuring accurate beam direction alignment through defined pilot light spots, enhancing the reliability of object detection systems.
Implementation Method 1
A transmitter arrangement is integrated in the transmitter unit and/or in the receiver unit, which emits visible pilot light beams
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light barrier arrangement for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising a transmitting unit with at least one light beam emitting transmitter (3), a receiving unit with at least one light beam receiving receiver, and an evaluation unit in which an object detection signal is generated depending on the received signals from the receiver. A transmitter arrangement is integrated into the transmitting unit and/or the receiving unit, which emits visible pilot light beams in a predetermined direction relative to the beam axes of the transmitters or receivers, respectively, and which forms a means for aligning the transmitting unit relative to the receiving unit. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting a light barrier arrangement.