Light Section Sensor Inclination Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light section sensors struggle to maintain accurate output coordinates when used at different inclinations, as existing technologies do not effectively account for sensor tilt, limiting installation flexibility and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A light section sensor system that includes an illumination device, an electronic camera, a processing device for determining measurement coordinates, and a coordinate transformation device using a rotation matrix and inclination angle determination, allowing for compensation of sensor inclination and outputting consistent coordinates across different orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light section sensor is used at different inclinations, then installation flexibility is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to coordinate distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidcoordinate accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the coordinate system parameters through coordinate transformation. When the sensor inclination changes, the system transforms the measurement coordinates from the sensor's coordinate system to the object's coordinate system using transformation matrices, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across different installation angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation process between the sensor measurement and the final output. The coordinate transformation device acts as a mediator that converts coordinates from the sensor's inclined coordinate system to the object's reference coordinate system, eliminating the direct impact of inclination on measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If coordinate transformation is implemented to compensate for inclination, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with computational coordinate transformation. Instead of physically adjusting the sensor to maintain perpendicular alignment, the system uses mathematical transformation matrices to correct for inclination, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-correction through automatic coordinate transformation. The coordinate transformation device automatically compensates for inclination effects using the known sensor orientation parameters, eliminating the need for manual calibration or external intervention to maintain accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 the light section sensor to maintain accurate output coordinates regardless of inclination, providing flexibility in installation and operation, and allowing for real-time transformation of measurement coordinates into an output coordinate system, thus ensuring consistent data across varying orientations.

Implementation Method 1

an illumination device (101) for projecting a line of light (103) onto a measurement object (105)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

an electronic camera (107) for capturing the projected line of light (103) on the measurement object (105)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP2865988B1Shape measuring light sensor
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 BAUMER ELECTRIC AG
  • EP2865988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2865988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a light section sensor for outputting a digital output coordinate, comprising an illumination device for projecting a line of light onto a measurement object; an electronic camera for capturing the projected line of light on the measurement object; a processing device for determining at least one measurement coordinate in a measurement coordinate system based on the captured line of light; and a coordinate transformation device for transforming the measurement coordinate from the measurement coordinate system into the output coordinate in an output coordinate system by means of a coordinate transformation, wherein the latter includes an inclination angle determination device for determining the inclination angle of the light section sensor relative to a flat surface of the measurement object.