Optical Sensor Test Object Contamination Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical sensors face reliability issues due to contamination, especially in outdoor environments, which can lead to unforeseeable defective responses, affecting the long-term stability and accuracy of object detection.

Innovation Solution

The optical sensor incorporates a device to prevent or eliminate contamination of test objects, such as an ultrasonic generator for cleaning and a housing with air ram pressure to keep contaminants away, along with a front screen that can be moved or cleaned, ensuring the test object's reflectivity remains consistent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If test objects are provided in the monitored zone to monitor system operability, then detection reliability is improved, but contamination of test objects reduces long-term stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidlong-term stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The test object is extracted from the monitored zone and placed in a protected zone within the sensor housing. This separation allows the test object to maintain its detection function while being shielded from environmental contaminants such as moisture and precipitation, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A front screen is introduced as an intermediary element between the transmission device and the test object. This screen protects the test object from direct exposure to contaminants while still allowing light to pass through for detection purposes, thus maintaining both detection reliability and long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If test objects are placed in the monitored zone for continuous testing, then system operability is monitored reliably, but environmental contamination causes defective responses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operability monitoringVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The test object is extracted from the monitored zone and positioned in a protected zone within the sensor housing, separating it from environmental contaminants while maintaining its testing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A protected zone with controlled atmosphere is created within the sensor housing to shield the test object from harmful environmental factors such as moisture and precipitation, ensuring stable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor operates in outdoor environments, then versatility is improved, but moisture and contamination reduce detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor operation capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A protected zone with controlled atmosphere is created within the sensor housing to shield the test object from harmful environmental factors, enabling reliable outdoor operation while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

A front screen acts as a protective barrier that allows light transmission while blocking environmental contaminants, enabling the sensor to operate reliably in outdoor conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 ensures reliable and long-term stable measurement results by preventing contamination, maintaining detection accuracy even in contaminated environments, and reducing the impact of environmental factors like moisture and UV light.

Implementation Method 1

A particularly preferred embodiment provides an ultrasonic generator which applies ultrasound to the test object so that a cleaning effect arises.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

Provision can thus be made in a particularly preferred embodiment that the housing has a ram pressure applied which keeps contaminating foreign substances away from the test object by the flow e.g. of air.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRam pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8873058B2Optical sensor

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 SICK AG

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical sensor for monitoring a monitored zone having a detection device for observing a detection zone including the monitored zone, said detection device including a transmission device for transmitting transmission light into the detection zone and a receiver for receiving light reflected back or remitted back from the detection zone or transmitted through the detection zone and having at least one test object within the detection zone of the optical sensor. In accordance with the invention, the optical sensor has a device for avoiding and/or eliminating the contamination of the at least on test object.