Monitor Diode Laser Angle Detection for Press Brakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the angle between two planar workpiece surfaces in press brakes are either labor-intensive or require complex constructions, especially when using optical detection methods that necessitate separate receiving devices and semi-transparent mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A device where the laser transmitter incorporates a monitor diode that serves as both the emitter and receiver for the reflected laser beam, eliminating the need for a separate receiving device and using a rotating aligning rotor with a flat reflection surface to simplify the construction and enable high-resolution angle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate receiving device and semi-transparent mirror are used to detect the reflected laser beam, then angle measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and construction effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the laser transmitter and receiver into a single integrated device. The laser beam is emitted through a semi-transparent mirror, reflects off the workpiece surface, and returns to the same device where a photodiode detects the reflected beam. This merging eliminates the need for separate transmitting and receiving devices, reducing construction effort while maintaining angle measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a laser transmitter and a receiver for the reflected beam. The semi-transparent mirror enables the device to both emit and detect light through the same aperture, making the device universal and reducing the overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If optical detection methods with separate receiving devices are used, then angle measurement is possible, but the device requires more components and space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser transmitter and receiver into one integrated unit. The same device that emits the laser beam also detects the reflected beam, eliminating the need for separate receiving devices and reducing the total number of components in the system.
3Measurement precision
If a semi-transparent mirror is used to deflect the reflected laser beam to a separate receiving device, then angle detection works, but the construction requires special modifications to press brake punches
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the transmitter and receiver into a single integrated device, the patent eliminates the need for complex beam deflection paths and special modifications to press brake punches. The reflected beam is detected at the same location where it was emitted, simplifying installation and integration into existing press brake equipment.
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 solution allows for high-resolution angle detection with a simple and compact design, reducing construction effort and enabling precise angle measurement between workpiece surfaces without the need for additional components, particularly suitable for cramped spaces in press brakes.
Implementation Method 1
the laser beam reflected in the emission direction on the workpiece surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a monitor diode (16) which forms the receiver for the reflected laser beam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A description is given of an apparatus for determining the angle (α) between two planar workpiece surfaces (1, 2) comprising a laser transmitter (10) for a laser beam (9), comprising a continuously rotating directional rotor (3), which is arranged between the two workpiece surfaces (1, 2), is axially parallel to the vertex axis (5) of the angle (α) and has an emission direction for the laser beam (9) that is perpendicular to the rotor axis (4), comprising a receiving device (11) having a receiver for the laser beam (9) reflected at the workpiece surfaces (1, 2) in the emission direction, and comprising an evaluation circuit (18) connected to the receiving device (11). In order to provide advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the laser transmitter (10) comprises a monitor diode (16) and that the monitor diode (16) forms the receiver for the reflected laser beam (9).