Optical Sensor with Pivoting Mirror for Expanded Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors require multiple units to achieve a large detection area, leading to increased costs and complexity due to extensive cabling and parameterization efforts, while existing solutions for expanding the field of view are either expensive or cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor with a matrix arrangement of receiving elements and a receiver-side deflection unit that synchronizes with the image sensor, allowing for a single sensor to maintain high functionality and resolution across an expanded field of view without the need for multiple sensors, using a pivoting mirror or movable optical components for deflection, and adjustable light beam emission directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple optical sensors are used to expand the detection area, then the detection area is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase due to extensive cabling and parameterization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable mirror that dynamically changes the field of view direction to scan a large detection area. Instead of using multiple static sensors, a single sensor systematically scans different areas by adjusting the mirror angle, thereby expanding the detection area while maintaining simple system architecture with minimal cabling and parameterization requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A single optical sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by combining it with a movable mirror mechanism. The same sensor can detect different areas at different times by changing the mirror orientation, making one sensor universal for covering a large detection area that would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple optical sensors are used to expand the detection area, then the detection area is increased, but the cost increases due to multiple sensors and associated infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic scanning approach with a movable mirror to allow one sensor to cover the area that would require multiple sensors. This reduces hardware costs significantly while maintaining the same effective detection area coverage through time-multiplexed scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically deploying multiple sensors simultaneously, the system creates temporal copies of the sensing function by sequentially directing the single sensor to different areas using the movable mirror, achieving the effect of multiple sensors with the cost of one.
3Area of stationary object
If the field of view is expanded using multiple sensors, then the detection area is increased, but the parameterization effort increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mirror dynamically adjusts the field of view to scan different areas sequentially. The system requires minimal parameterization because the scanning process is controlled by simple angular position commands rather than complex multi-sensor calibration and parameter configuration, greatly reducing operational complexity.
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 enables a single optical sensor to maintain consistent high-resolution object detection and image quality across various deflection positions, reducing the need for multiple sensors and simplifying parameterization, while ensuring optimal illumination and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the deflection of the light beams reflected back from objects in the direction of the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
the reception-side deflection unit is formed by a pivoting mirror. The deflection movement can be motorized
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor (1) with an image sensor (2) comprising a matrix-shaped arrangement of receiving elements (3), an illumination unit (5) emitting light beams, and an evaluation unit (4) for evaluating received signals present at the outputs of the receiving elements (3). A receiving-side deflection unit (7) is provided. Furthermore, synchronization means (8) are provided for synchronizing the receiving-side deflection unit (7) with the image sensor (2).