Optical Divider Sensor for Unique Area Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active object detection sensors face challenges in uniquely identifying detection areas when the number of transmitter or receiver elements is reduced, leading to increased costs and device size, while existing solutions like using prisms result in non-unique identification of division areas.
Innovation Solution
An active object detection sensor employs optical dividers with multiple optical deflection surfaces to vary the angle of detection rays, allowing each transmitter-receiver combination to be uniquely assigned to a division area, even with fewer elements, ensuring unique identification of detection areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of phototransmitter elements and photodetector elements is increased to extend the detection area and maintain constant intervals between division areas, then the detection area is extended and intervals are maintained constant, but cost increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical dividers segment the detection area into multiple division areas by dividing the light paths. Each optical divider creates multiple optical paths from a single transmitter element or to a single receiver element, enabling the formation of multiple division areas without increasing the number of transmitter and receiver elements. This segmentation allows the detection area to be extended while maintaining constant intervals between division areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical dividers are introduced as intermediary components between the transmitter elements and receiver elements. These optical dividers manipulate the light paths by creating multiple reflections and refractions, thereby extending the detection area and creating unique transmitter-receiver combinations for each division area without requiring additional transmitter or receiver elements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the number of phototransmitter elements and photodetector elements is increased to maintain constant intervals between division areas, then intervals between division areas are maintained constant, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical dividers segment the light paths into multiple distinct paths, each corresponding to a specific division area. By controlling the optical paths through the dividers, constant intervals between division areas are maintained while using a reduced number of transmitter and receiver elements, thereby avoiding the cost increase associated with adding more elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical dividers change the optical parameters (path length, angle of incidence, reflection points) to create unique transmitter-receiver combinations for each division area. This parameter manipulation allows for maintaining constant intervals between division areas without increasing the number of elements, thus reducing cost while preserving interval stability.
3Device complexity
If prisms are used to extend the detection area while reducing the number of elements, then the number of elements is reduced, but the detection area cannot be uniquely identified
Solution Approach 1:
The optical dividers are designed with asymmetric configurations where the arrangement of reflective surfaces and the angles of incidence are specifically tailored for each division area. This asymmetry ensures that each transmitter-receiver combination corresponds to a unique division area, enabling precise identification of the detection area while using a reduced number of elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each optical divider is designed with local variations in its optical path configuration, where specific reflective surfaces and angles are optimized for particular division areas. This local quality differentiation ensures that each division area has a unique optical signature, allowing for accurate identification of the detection area without increasing the number of elements.
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 configuration enables the sensor to uniquely identify detection areas with reduced transmitter or receiver elements, extending the detection area while maintaining accurate object detection without increasing costs or device size.
Implementation Method 1
an optical divider 7, 8 having a plurality of optical dividing pieces 7S, 8S each having a plurality of optical deflection surfaces 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b on which an angle of a detection ray is varied to a plurality of angles or directions
Implementation Method 2
with lens bodies 25, 26 provided for between the phototransmitter elements 23 and the photodetector elements 24
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An optical divider (7), (8) is disposed, in front of at least one of the transmitter and receiver elements (3), (4), therebetween, and at least one of a transmission and reception side, and has a plurality of optical dividing pieces (7S), (8S) each having an optical deflection surface (7a), (7b), (8a), (8b) on which an angle of a detection ray is varied to a plurality of angles for dividing the detection ray toward a plurality of division areas. The optical deflection surface (7a), (7b), (8a), (8b) on at least one of the transmission and reception side is set to have a given angle, to assign at least one of the detection ray from the transmitter elements (3) and toward the receiver elements (4), to a given division area, such that a combination of the transmitter and receiver elements (3), (4) forming one of the division areas is different from a combination of the transmitter and receiver elements (3), (4) forming another one of the division areas.