Light Grid Optical Synchronization for Reliable Beam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light grid synchronization methods are complex, costly, and prone to failure when multiple channels are occluded, leading to slow cycle times and high power consumption, especially in scenarios where object detection requires precise identification of interrupted beams.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a robust optical synchronization method where all channels transmit simultaneously using a simple synchronization signal, allowing for unique state detection even if all channels are occluded, with object detection signals having different time offsets and shared coding, enabling fast and accurate measurement without individual channel encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable synchronization is used to ensure reliable detection of beam path states, then detection reliability is improved, but installation and wiring costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical cable synchronization system with an optical synchronization system. The reception unit determines the active transmission element based on the temporal pattern of received light signals, eliminating the need for separate cable connections for synchronization while maintaining reliable detection of beam path states.
2Reliability
If a dedicated synchronization channel is used for optical synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but the system fails when an object is present in this channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes all transmission channels multi-functional: each channel can both transmit synchronization information and object detection information. The reception unit identifies the active transmission element through temporal analysis of signals from any channel, so no dedicated synchronization channel is needed and object occlusion in any channel does not prevent synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The light beams themselves carry the synchronization information embedded in their temporal transmission patterns. The system uses its own operational signals (the cyclic activation patterns of transmission elements) as the synchronization mechanism, eliminating the need for separate synchronization channels that could be occluded by objects.
3Measurement precision
If individual identification per beam is implemented, then channel identification accuracy is improved, but transmission time increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic cyclic activation of transmission elements with distinct temporal patterns. Each transmission element is activated in a repeating sequence, and the reception unit identifies which element is active by analyzing the temporal pattern of received signals. This periodic approach provides accurate channel identification without requiring complex individual coding, keeping cycle times short and power consumption low.
4Measurement precision
If complex coding is used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for synchronization from complex spatial or temporal coding patterns to simple activation timing sequences. By varying which transmission elements are activated in each cycle according to a predetermined pattern, the system achieves accurate synchronization and channel identification through temporal parameter changes rather than complex signal coding, maintaining fast cycle times.
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 allows for reliable and efficient synchronization and object detection with short cycle times, even when multiple channels are interrupted, ensuring accurate measurement results without the need for complex coding or high power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light transmitters (14) and a plurality of light receivers (18) are arranged opposite each other in a transmission unit (12) and in a reception unit (16), respectively, such that the light transmitters (14) form light beams (20) to the light receivers (18)
Implementation Method 2
Individual light pulses or light packets are sequentially transmitted by each transmission element, and during a certain time window only the corresponding reception element is activated
Data Source
AI summary
A light grid (10) with a transmission unit (12) comprising a plurality of individual light transmitters (14) and a transmitter control (24) for activating the individual light transmitters (14), and with a reception unit (16) comprising a plurality of individual light receivers (18) corresponding to the individual light transmitters (14) and comprising an evaluation unit (26) connected to the individual light receivers (18) is provided, wherein the evaluation unit (26) is configured to detect an interruption of a light beam (20) from an individual light transmitter (14) to a corresponding individual light receiver (18) and to be optically synchronized with the transmitter control (24) by means of the light beams (20). The transmitter control (24) is configured to transmit a synchronization signal on multiple individual light transmitters (14) in parallel.