Optical Sensor Control Sensors Reference Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors used in safety applications can generate false error messages due to contamination of the exit window, which may not be actual but rather caused by malfunctions in control sensors, leading to unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reference element into the beam path of control light beams for periodic reference measurements to monitor and correct control sensor malfunctions, ensuring accurate detection of exit window impairments and preventing false error messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If control sensors are used to monitor exit window contamination, then detection capability is improved, but false error messages increase due to sensor malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs reference measurements using control light beams that are reflected by reference elements back to control receivers. The measured values from these reference measurements are evaluated to detect deviations indicating sensor malfunctions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor control sensor performance continuously and distinguish between actual contamination and sensor failures.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference elements are introduced as intermediaries in the control sensor system. These elements reflect control light beams back to the control receivers, creating a known reference path that bypasses the exit window. By comparing measurements from this reference path against expected values, the system can identify when control sensors are malfunctioning without being affected by actual exit window contamination.
2Reliability
If reference measurements are performed to monitor control sensors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control light beams serve multiple functions: they monitor exit window contamination through the main optical path and perform reference measurements through the reference elements. The same control transmitters and control receivers are used for both contamination detection and sensor monitoring, eliminating the need for separate dedicated reference measurement hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own control light beams and control receivers to perform self-diagnosis through reference measurements. Rather than requiring external calibration equipment or separate monitoring systems, the optical sensor autonomously monitors its own control sensor performance using the existing optical components and reference elements integrated into the system.
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
Enhances the functional reliability of optical sensors by distinguishing between actual exit window contamination and sensor malfunctions, ensuring reliable object detection and safe operation in safety applications.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter emitting light beams
Implementation Method 2
a receiver receiving light beams, reflected back from an object
Implementation Method 3
These deflection devices can, in particular, consist of a rotary deflection unit by which both the transmitted and received light beams are deflected
Implementation Method 4
two reflective elements are assigned to the control sensor. Control light beams passing through the exit window are guided to the control receiver via a first reflective element, and control light beams reflected at the exit window are guided to the control receiver via a second reflective element
Implementation Method 5
Polarized control light beams are evaluated in the control receiver
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor (1) for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising a housing (2) in which sensor components are integrated. The sensor components include a transmitter (5) emitting light beams (4) and a receiver (7) receiving light beams (6), the housing (2) having an exit window (11) through which the transmitting light beams (4) and the receiving light beams (6) are guided. The transmitting light beams (4) are periodically guided within the monitoring area by means of deflection means. To monitor for obstructions of the exit window (11), an arrangement of control sensors (12) is provided, each with a control transmitter (13) emitting control beams (15) and a control receiver (14, 14') receiving control beams (15).In a temporal sequence, at least one reference element (17) is introduced into the beam path(s) of the control light beams (15) to perform reference measurements, which are used to monitor the control sensors (12). Alternatively or additionally, two reflection elements (31a, b) are assigned to the control sensor (12). Control light beams (15) passing through the exit window (11) are guided to the control receiver (14, 14') via a first reflection element (31a), and control light beams (15) reflected at the exit window (11) are guided to the control receiver (14, 14') via a second reflection element (31b). Polarized control light beams (15) are evaluated in the control receiver (14, 14').