Light-Emitting Device With Visible Laser Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire and intrusion detection systems face challenges in accurately positioning light-emitting and receiving components due to large orientation tolerances, leading to reduced detection distances and increased installation times, especially when using invisible light rays.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a visible laser source for easy alignment, a switch to control the visible laser, and alignment mechanisms that adjust optical axes to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, allowing for parallel alignment of visible and invisible radiation sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invisible light rays are used for detection, then detection reliability is improved (intruders cannot see and bypass them), but alignment difficulty increases (making installation time-consuming)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visible laser source as an intermediary tool during installation. This visible laser emits light that can be seen by the installer, serving as a guide to align the invisible detection beam with the retro-reflector. Once alignment is achieved, the visible laser is switched off, and the system operates with only the invisible detection beam, maintaining both ease of installation and detection reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If orientation tolerances of light emitting components are large, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but detection distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of the light emitting components and retro-reflector positions. This enables the system to compensate for large orientation tolerances in manufactured components, ensuring proper alignment is achieved during installation regardless of manufacturing variations, thereby maintaining detection distance while accepting cost-effective components with larger tolerances.
3Device complexity
If a single housing comprises both emitter and sensor, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision worsens (difficult to position retro-reflector in emitted beam)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the single housing structure. These features include pre-positioned mounting elements, alignment marks, and adjustable brackets that guide the installer in positioning the retro-reflector correctly within the housing. This preliminary preparation of alignment infrastructure simplifies the overall device structure while enabling precise alignment during installation.
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
Facilitates quicker and more accurate installation of detection systems by making the alignment process easier and reducing electrical consumption during installation, while ensuring precise alignment of optical axes for effective detection.
Implementation Method 1
a source of visible laser radiation
Implementation Method 2
the light-emitting device is installed by lighting the source of visible laser radiation. Aiming the laser at a target
Implementation Method 3
the visible laser ray is all the more visible, since the operator's eyes see changes in luminosity better than constant light
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting device to detect passage or smoke in the emitted beam. The device includes a source of invisible radiation, a source of visible laser radiation, an alignment component to align the central axis of the visible radiation with an axis parallel to the central axis of the invisible radiation, and a switch to turn off the visible laser source. The device can further include a housing containing both sources of radiation. The switch is configured to be controlled by the closing of the housing and the source of visible laser radiation is turned off in response to the closure of the housing.