Light Grid Cross Beam Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light grids face limitations in resolution due to the minimal detectable object (MDO) size, which is constrained by the grid spacing, and existing methods like cross beam technology do not uniformly improve resolution across the monitored area, requiring additional components that increase costs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of additional light transmitters and receivers in intermediate spaces between the grid elements, forming crossed monitoring beams that reduce unmonitored areas and enhance resolution without significantly increasing component count, allowing for a finer grid with fewer additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the beam spacing or grid is reduced to detect smaller objects, then the resolution is improved, but the costs increase significantly due to requiring more light transmitters and light receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cross beams that traverse diagonally across the monitoring area, adding a diagonal dimension to the traditionally orthogonal grid pattern. This dimensional transformation allows the system to detect objects in previously unmonitored gaps between vertical and horizontal beams without adding proportional numbers of components to every grid intersection
Solution Approach 2:
Each light transmitter and light receiver pair serves multiple functions: they create both direct vertical/horizontal monitoring beams and contribute to multiple cross beams that intersect at different points in the monitoring area. This multi-functionality allows a single component to participate in multiple beam formations, reducing the total component count needed for high resolution
2Measurement precision
If the cross beam technique is used to detect objects between direct beams, then additional surveillance is achieved, but the resolution does not increase uniformly across the monitored area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements position-dependent beam spacing where cross beams are denser in regions requiring higher detection precision and sparser in regions where direct beams already provide sufficient coverage. This local optimization ensures uniform resolution characteristics across the entire monitoring area without wasting components in already-well-monitored zones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges direct beams and cross beams into a unified monitoring network where both beam types work together to provide comprehensive coverage. The evaluation unit integrates signals from both direct and cross beams, combining their detection capabilities to achieve uniform resolution across the entire monitoring area rather than treating them as separate systems
3Measurement precision
If light transmitters and light receivers are placed closer together to reduce grid spacing, then smaller objects can be detected, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing cross beams that traverse diagonally across the monitoring area, the patent effectively increases the spatial sampling density without proportionally increasing component count. The cross beams create additional detection paths that intersect in the gaps between traditional orthogonal beams, enabling detection of smaller objects without requiring a uniformly denser grid throughout the entire area
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 approach achieves a substantial improvement in resolution, effectively refining the grid with fewer components, ensuring smaller MDO detection even in unfavorable positions, and reducing manufacturing costs by using fewer additional components.
Implementation Method 1
light transmitters and light receivers form a light barrier that detects whether the light or monitoring beam spanned between the light transmitter and the light receiver is interrupted by an object
Implementation Method 2
light receivers detect light within received light lobes
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A light grid (10) is specified with a plurality of first light emitters (14) arranged uniformly at a grid spacing and a plurality of first light receivers (26) arranged uniformly at the grid spacing opposite each other, which form direct monitoring beams (18a) between each other, wherein the first light emitters (14) and first light receivers (26) also have an opening angle at which crossed monitoring beams (18b) are also formed with neighboring first light emitters (14) and first light receivers (26).In this arrangement, at least one additional light emitter (36) is arranged in an intermediate space (40) between two first light emitters (14) and/or at least one additional light receiver (38) is arranged in an intermediate space (40) between two first light receivers (26), wherein additional light emitters (36) and/or light receivers (38) are arranged only in a part of the intermediate spaces (40).