Light Grid Distance Measurement with Multiplexed Intensity and Gain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light grids for object detection, particularly in elevator doors, face challenges in achieving precise monitoring at low cost while maintaining safety and reducing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A light grid system with qualified transmitter and receiver elements that emit different intensities and apply varying amplifications, controlled by a device to determine distance values based on the sum of intensity combinations, allowing for dynamic tracking and analysis without compromising safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transmitter and receiver elements with different intensities and amplifications are used to determine distance values, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light grid system is segmented into multiple independent transmitter elements and receiver elements, each capable of operating with different intensities and amplifications. This segmentation allows the system to measure distance across multiple intensity levels simultaneously, improving precision while keeping each individual element relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
The control device activates transmitter elements and receiver elements in periodic sequences with different intensity combinations. By cycling through various intensity and amplification configurations, the system gathers multiple measurement data points over time, enhancing distance measurement precision without requiring all elements to operate at maximum complexity simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If qualified transmitter and receiver elements with variable intensities and amplifications are implemented, then object detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter elements and receiver elements are designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating at multiple intensity levels and amplification settings. This universal design allows a single set of components to perform multiple measurement functions across different distance ranges, eliminating the need for separate specialized components for each measurement scenario and thereby reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves improved detection accuracy by dynamically changing operational parameters (intensity and amplification) of existing components rather than requiring different physical components for different measurement conditions. This parameter-based approach allows cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining high detection accuracy across varying distances
3Measurement precision
If the control device controls multiple combinations of intensities and amplifications, then distance measurement resolution is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements periodic cycling through different intensity and amplification combinations rather than maintaining all combinations simultaneously. This temporal multiplexing allows the system to achieve high measurement resolution by gathering data from multiple configurations over time while minimizing energy consumption by activating only one combination at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by selectively activating only the necessary subset of intensity and amplification combinations required for the current measurement task. Rather than continuously operating all possible combinations, the control device activates only those combinations needed to achieve the desired measurement resolution, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
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 precise object detection with reduced complexity and cost, providing continuous and accurate distance measurements with optimized resolution across varying ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter strip with one or more transmitter elements which emit radiation with a specific intensity
Implementation Method 2
a receiver strip with one or more receiver elements which receive the radiation of an assigned transmitter element
Data Source
AI summary
A light grid for determining the distance between transmitter and receiver strips, includes a transmitter strip with one or more transmitter elements which emit radiation having a specific intensity, a receiver strip with one or more receiver elements which receive the radiation from an assigned transmitter element, and a control device for controlling the transmitter elements and/or the receiver elements and for evaluating the receiver elements. At least one of the transmitter elements and/or at least one of the receiver elements are configured as qualified transmitter and receiver elements. The control device is configured to control different combinations of intensities and amplification factors of the qualified transmitter and/or receiver elements and to ascertain a distance value as a function of the sum of the resulting intensity values of the controlled combinations.