Longitudinal Optical Sensor Detector for Position Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position detectors face issues with parallax errors due to the displacement of illumination sources, position detectors, and image cameras from a common optical axis, and suffer from shadowing problems, which affect accuracy and design compactness.
Innovation Solution
A detector system comprising a longitudinal optical sensor that generates a signal dependent on the beam cross-section of the light beam, an illumination source, and an evaluation device to determine the longitudinal position of an object without parallax and shadowing, using a stack of optical sensors that can be partially immersed in a liquid to reduce reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the illumination source, position detector, and image camera are arranged on a common optical axis, then parallax errors are eliminated, but the device complexity and design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination source and position detector into a single integrated detector unit where the illumination source is arranged in front of the position detector. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment of illumination source and detector while maintaining a common optical axis, thus reducing device complexity without compromising measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector is designed to perform multiple functions: illumination, position detection, and image capture, all through a unified optical path. The detector can determine both the position and image of an object using the same optical axis, eliminating the need for separate alignment systems for different functions.
2Device complexity
If the illumination source is displaced from the optical axis to simplify design, then device complexity is reduced, but parallax errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the illumination source directly with the position detector on the optical axis, the patent achieves both design simplicity and measurement accuracy. The illumination source is not displaced but integrated, eliminating parallax errors while maintaining a straightforward optical design.
3Volume of moving object
If the position detector is placed close to the illumination source, then device compactness is improved, but shadowing problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the shadowing issue by changing the spatial arrangement from a lateral displacement approach to a depth-based arrangement. The illumination source is placed in front of the position detector along the optical axis, creating a layered structure that eliminates shadowing while maintaining compactness through vertical stacking rather than lateral spreading.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for illumination and detection, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illumination source and position detector into a single integrated unit that maintains both functions. This combining approach preserves functional versatility while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure.
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
The solution enables accurate determination of an object's position without parallax errors and shadowing, improving the design compactness and reducing computational requirements for alignment corrections.
Implementation Method 1
the longitudinal optical sensor is designed to generate at least one longitudinal sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region by at least one light beam traveling from the object to the detector
Implementation Method 2
at least one illumination source adapted to illuminate the object with illumination light through the longitudinal optical sensor
Implementation Method 3
using a stack of optical sensors that can be partially immersed in a liquid to reduce reflections
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A detector (118) for determining a position of at least one object (112) is disclosed, the detector (118) comprising: - at Ieast one longitudinal optical sensor (120), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) has at Ieast one sensor region (124), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) is at Ieast partially transparent, wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) is designed to generate at Ieast one longitudinal sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (124) by at Ieast one light beam (126) traveling from the object (112) to the detector (118), wherein the longitudinal sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination, is dependent on a beam cross-section of the light beam (126) in the sensor region (124); - at Ieast one illumination source (114) adapted to illuminate the object (112) with illumination light (115) through the longitudinal optical sensor (120); and - at Ieast one evaluation device (136), wherein the evaluation device (136) is designed to generate at least one item of information on a longitudinal position of the object (112) by evaluating the longitudinal sensor signal.