Optical Position Detecting Device Variable Emission Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical position detecting devices consume excessive power due to fixed emitting spaces and detect objects within the entire emitting area, even when only a specific narrow space is of interest, leading to inefficient power usage and unwanted detection of objects outside the target area.
Innovation Solution
An optical position detecting device with multiple detection light source sections whose central optical axes are parallel, allowing the size of the emitting space to be adjusted by selectively turning on light-emitting elements, enabling variable emitting spaces to match the target object's location, thereby reducing power consumption and focusing detection on specific areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the emitting space of detection light is fixed and covers a wide range, then the detection area is sufficient to cover all possible target locations, but electric power is wastefully consumed when the target object is only present within a narrow range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the emitting space variable rather than fixed. The light source driving section sequentially turns on multiple detection light source sections, dynamically adjusting the emitting space size based on the detection needs. This allows the system to adapt between wide coverage mode (all light sources on) and narrow focused mode (subset of light sources on), resolving the contradiction between detection coverage and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the detection light sources into multiple independent sections that can be selectively activated. Instead of using a single fixed light source, the system segments the illumination into multiple controllable light source sections, allowing selective activation based on the target object's expected location, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the emitting space of detection light is fixed and covers the entire area, then all target objects within the area can be detected, but target objects outside the intended detection area may be mistakenly detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the emitting space by selectively activating different combinations of detection light source sections. This allows the detection area to be adapted to match the actual target location, preventing detection of objects outside the intended area while maintaining the ability to detect all possible targets when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between detection flexibility and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different regions of the detection space to have different illumination characteristics. By selectively turning on specific light source sections, the system creates localized emission patterns that match the target's expected position, improving detection accuracy by focusing illumination only on relevant areas rather than uniformly illuminating the entire space.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection light source sections are used to cover a wide range, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection light sources into multiple independent sections that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide detection coverage by activating multiple sections while managing complexity through modular architecture, where each section is identical and can be controlled independently, reducing overall system complexity despite the increased number of components.
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 allows for reduced power consumption by adjusting the emitting space to match the target object's location, ensuring efficient detection only within the necessary area, while maintaining detection precision and correcting for environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of detection light source sections which emit detection light with mutually different optical axes
Implementation Method 2
detection light reflected by the target object is transmitted through the translucent member and is detected by a photodetector
Implementation Method 3
a photodetector which receives the detection light reflected by a target object located in an emitting space of the detection light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical position detecting device includes a plurality of light source sections which emits detection light, a light detection section which receives the detection light reflected by a target object located in an emitting space of the detection light, a light source driving section which turns on some light source sections among the plurality of light source sections in a first period and turns on, in a second period, light source sections different from the light source sections turned on in the first period, and a position detecting section which detects the position of the target object on the basis of a light-receiving result of the light detection section in the first period and the second period. Each of the light source sections includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arrayed in a direction intersecting the direction of the optical axis of the detection light.