Optical Distance Sensor Reliability via Cross-Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety control systems face challenges in achieving high reliability for intrusion detection using general-purpose optical distance measurement modules, as they require dedicated components, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A determination device that utilizes a set of optical distance measurement sensors with overlapping observation areas to detect abnormalities by comparing signal deviations, outputting a signal indicating intrusion detection or abnormality, thereby ensuring safe operation even with general-purpose modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If general-purpose optical distance measurement modules are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but reliability is insufficient for safety control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the observation area into multiple regions and uses multiple optical distance measurement sensors to measure different segments. By comparing measurements from overlapping regions, the system achieves redundancy for reliability while using standard components, avoiding the need for a single complex dedicated sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple general-purpose optical distance measurement modules to work together as a unified safety control system. The modules share overlapping observation areas and their measurements are cross-validated, achieving high reliability through combination rather than through individual component sophistication.
2Reliability
If general-purpose optical distance measurement modules are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability is insufficient for safety control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple inexpensive, general-purpose optical distance measurement modules instead of one expensive, specialized safety sensor. The standard modules can be replaced more easily and cost-effectively, and their redundancy provides the necessary reliability for safety control applications.
3Measurement precision
If multiple optical distance measurement sensors with overlapping observation areas are used, then abnormality detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously compares distance measurements from multiple sensors observing overlapping areas. When measurements diverge beyond a threshold, the system detects potential sensor abnormalities and can trigger safety responses, using information feedback to monitor sensor health.
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 achieves high reliability in intrusion detection and prevents false alarms by accurately determining sensor malfunctions, reducing costs and simplifying the configuration, while maintaining safety control standards.
Implementation Method 1
an optical distance measurement module that emits light to the detected object with a light emitting element, reads the reflected light with a light receiving element, and performs distance calculation
Data Source
AI summary
A highly reliable determination device to determine the distance to an object even if general-purpose optical distance measurement modules or the like are used. The determination device determines that an abnormality has occurred in at least one of a plurality of optical distance measurement modules when the distances respectively indicated by the optical distance measurement modules deviate from each other by a predetermined length or more.