Optical Sensor Positioning Device with Checksum Error Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for position measurement systems with optical sensors have complex structures and require high constructive effort to ensure fail-safe detection, which is a challenge for safety-relevant applications.

Innovation Solution

A device with a single-channel optical sensor and evaluation unit that encodes position information and checksums in each mark, allowing for error detection and generation of an error signal when checksums are not recognized, enabling troubleshooting without redundant structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a diversity-formed double-channel sensor system with redundantly constructed evaluation system is used to ensure fail-safe detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefail-safe detectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a checksum (a simplified copy/representation) of the position information to verify data integrity. Instead of implementing a full redundant dual-channel system, the invention creates a computational copy (checksum) that can validate the original position data, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining a single-channel simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a lightweight checksum mechanism rather than expensive redundant hardware. The checksum is a computationally inexpensive verification tool that provides fail-safe detection capability without requiring costly duplicate sensor channels and evaluation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If checksum verification is implemented in the evaluation unit, then error detection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based error detection mechanisms with a software/computational checksum verification process. The evaluation unit performs arithmetic operations on the position information to generate and verify checksums, substituting physical redundancy with mathematical validation that is easier to manufacture and implement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single-channel construction is used instead of redundant structures, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiderror detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a checksum as an intermediary element between the position information and the evaluation process. This checksum acts as a mediator that carries verification information, allowing the single-channel system to detect errors without requiring redundant sensor channels. The checksum bridges the gap between simple structure and reliable error detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides fail-safe detection of position information with minimal constructive effort, meeting safety requirements in safety-relevant applications by identifying errors in marks or the evaluation unit without specifying their origin, and maintaining a simple optical sensor structure.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter emitting transmitter light beams, a receiver for receiving reflected light rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3399336B1Positioning device
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 LEUZE ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3399336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3399336B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device comprising a position measurement system (2) formed by an arrangement of markers and an optical sensor (1) for detecting the markers of the position measurement system (2). The optical sensor (1) and the position measurement system (2) are arranged to be movable relative to each other. Position information and a checksum are encoded in each marker. The position information and the checksum are evaluated in an evaluation unit (7) of the optical sensor (1). Error checking is performed using the checksum.