Modular Transmitter Control for Light Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light barrier arrangements require a high construction effort due to the need for individual control of each transmitter, which complicates flexible control and increases design complexity.
Innovation Solution
A modular transmitter control system where each control element controls a group of transmitters, allowing for flexible activation timing and reducing the number of components needed, with control elements arranged close to transmitters but at a distance from the groups, enabling individual or simultaneous activation of transmitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each transmitter is controlled by an individual control circuit, then individual transmitter control is achieved, but design effort and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control circuits are merged into a single control circuit that can control all transmitters. The control circuit contains multiple control elements (first control elements and second control elements) that work together to selectively activate individual transmitters or groups of transmitters, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining individual control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is segmented into multiple control elements, where first control elements control groups of transmitters and second control elements control individual transmitters within groups. This segmentation allows flexible control strategies while using a unified control architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control elements are used to control transmitters flexibly, then activation timing flexibility is improved, but construction effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit serves multiple functions: it can activate individual transmitters, groups of transmitters, or all transmitters simultaneously. The same control circuit and its control elements are used for different control scenarios, eliminating the need for separate control circuits for each function and thereby reducing construction effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture introduces a hierarchical dimension with two levels of control elements. First control elements provide group-level control and second control elements provide individual transmitter control within groups. This dimensional organization enables flexible activation patterns while using a compact control 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 simplifies the circuitry and allows for flexible timing of transmitter activations, reducing construction effort and enhancing the light barrier's operational flexibility while maintaining effective object detection in the surveillance area.
Implementation Method 1
an arrangement of transmitters emitting light beams (3) and a number of receivers (10) assigned to the transmitters (401-408)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a light barrier arrangement for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising an arrangement of light beam emitting transmitters (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408) and a number of receivers (10) associated with the transmitters (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408). The operation of the transmitters (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408) is controlled by a transmitter controller (7). The transmitter control (7) has a number of control elements (31, 32, 33, 34), each control element (31, 32, 33, 34) controlling a group of transmitters (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408). The transmitter control has a number of control elements (21, 22, 23, 24), each control element (21, 22, 23, 24) controlling only one transmitter (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408) of a group.A transmitter (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408) emits light beams (3) only when it is activated by the associated drive element (32, 32, 33, 34) and by the associated control element (21, 22, 23, 24).