Optical Sensor Centrifugal and Thermal Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors used for object detection in surveillance areas face reduced detection sensitivity and measurement accuracy due to changes in optical functional elements caused by centrifugal forces and temperature changes, which affect the beam path of transmitted and received light beams.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a centrifugal force compensating element that adjusts the position or shape of optical functional elements, such as a scissor-like element, to maintain precise alignment and functionality, and a temperature compensation element with a temperature-dependent coefficient of linear expansion to counteract focal length changes, ensuring consistent beam path integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the transmitter/receiver unit is brought close to the window to reduce size and eliminate internal reflections, then the housing size is reduced and internal reflection losses are minimized, but the optical functional elements become more sensitive to centrifugal forces and temperature changes, affecting beam path stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using optical functional elements with temperature-dependent coefficients of linear expansion that change their dimensions in response to temperature variations. This allows the optical system to automatically compensate for thermal expansion effects, maintaining beam path stability despite temperature changes and centrifugal forces during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of centrifugal forces and temperature changes into a beneficial automatic compensation mechanism. By selecting optical materials with specific thermal expansion properties, the system uses the physical changes caused by these environmental factors to self-correct beam path deviations, turning potential sources of error into a stabilization mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If optical functional elements are precisely designed and positioned to ensure high detection sensitivity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to changes caused by centrifugal forces and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes through the use of optical materials whose dimensional parameters change predictably with temperature. This allows the system to maintain precise optical alignment by compensating for thermal expansion effects, ensuring that detection sensitivity remains high even as environmental conditions vary during operation.
3Reliability
If compensation elements are added to counteract centrifugal force effects, then beam path stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a compensation system that automatically counteracts centrifugal force effects without external control or adjustment mechanisms. The optical functional elements themselves serve the dual purpose of their primary function and automatic compensation, eliminating the need for separate active control systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful centrifugal forces into a beneficial compensation mechanism. By using materials with appropriate mechanical and thermal properties, the system uses the physical deformation caused by centrifugal forces to automatically adjust and maintain optimal optical alignment, transforming a source of error into a stabilization mechanism.
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 effectively compensates for changes caused by centrifugal forces and temperature fluctuations, maintaining high detection sensitivity and measurement accuracy by adjusting optical elements, thereby preventing impairments to the optical sensor's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a compensation element (15), in particular a centrifugal force compensating element, which undergoes a defined change in length when centrifugal forces occur
Implementation Method 2
a temperature compensation element with a temperature-dependent coefficient of linear expansion to counteract focal length changes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The sensor (1) has a transmission/reception unit (6) transmitting light beam (7) and receiving light beam (9), an emitting transmitter and a receiving receiver. Position movement of a compensating element compensates a first optical functional element, where the compensating element is a temperature equalizing element and a centrifugal force compensating element. An optic element is provided with a lens and a deflecting mirror. The compensating element is connected with a second optical functional element. The transmission/reception unit is provided with a rotary measuring head (2).