Light Curtain Alignment Using Wide-Angle Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of light curtains, particularly those used in safety technology, is challenging due to the narrow beam and viewing angles of infrared light transmitters and receivers, which are sensitive to interference and require precise alignment to meet stringent safety standards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating alignment receivers with significantly larger viewing angles than standard receivers, allowing light beams from transmitters to hit both the assigned receiver and an alignment receiver, facilitating alignment without the need for additional alignment transmitters and enabling easy visualization of alignment quality through display elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmitters and receivers use narrow beam angles and viewing angles to reduce interference susceptibility, then reliability is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into two functional parts: a standard receiver with narrow viewing angle for reliable operation, and a separate alignment receiver with wide viewing angle for easy alignment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment receiver acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the alignment process. It receives light from transmitters over a wide angle range, providing visual feedback (e.g., LED indicators) that guides operators in achieving proper alignment without requiring the main receiver to have wide viewing angles.
2Ease of operation
If alignment receivers with larger viewing angles are added to facilitate alignment, then alignment ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment receiver is integrated into the same housing as the standard receiver, sharing common mounting structures and optical pathways where possible. This merging approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while still providing the alignment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment receiver serves multiple purposes: it aids in alignment during installation, provides visual feedback for alignment status, and can potentially be used for diagnostic functions. This multi-functionality justifies its inclusion despite the added complexity.
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
This solution simplifies the alignment process, ensures accurate alignment while avoiding interference, and meets safety standards by allowing for precise adjustment and visualization of alignment quality, ensuring reliable operation of the light curtain.
Implementation Method 1
light beams from a transmitter strike an associated receiver which forms a beam axis with this transmitter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a light curtain (1) for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising a series arrangement of transmitters (4) integrated in a transmitter housing (2a), each emitting light beams (3) with a beam angle (14), and a series arrangement of receivers (6) integrated in a receiver housing (2b), each receiving light beams (3) within a viewing angle (15). During operation of the light curtain (1) with a clear monitoring area, the light beams (3) of a transmitter (4) strike an associated receiver (6), which forms a beam axis with this transmitter (4). The light curtain also includes an evaluation unit (9) designed to generate an object detection signal based on the received signals from the receivers (6). At least one alignment receiver (10) is provided as an alignment means, the viewing angle (16) of which is larger than the viewing angles (15) of the receivers (6).The alignment receiver (10) receives light rays (3) from the transmitter (4) associated with this receiver (6). During an alignment process, the transmitter housing (2a) can be aligned relative to the receiver housing (2b) depending on the amount of light from the transmitter (4) incident on the alignment receiver (10).