Optical Sensor Window Monitoring for Vertical Dirt Spot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window monitoring systems fail to accurately determine the vertical position of dirt spots, especially in the vertical direction, due to the resolution being given by the spacing of the emitters and receivers, and the resolution is not accurate, leading to unnecessary sensor stoppages.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor employs a meshed topology of light paths with different inclinations, using emitting and receiving positions to determine the vertical position of dirt spots by analyzing light intensity from multiple angles, allowing for improved resolution and accuracy in determining the position and extent of soiling on the window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a window monitoring system uses emitters and receivers positioned opposite each other to monitor transparency, then the system can detect soiling on the window, but the resolution is limited by the spacing of the emitters and receivers, making it impossible to accurately determine the vertical position of dirt spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional opposite positioning arrangement to a two-dimensional meshed topology where emitters and receivers are distributed across multiple positions. This dimensional expansion allows light paths to intersect the window surface at various angles, enabling accurate determination of vertical positions of dirt spots that cannot be achieved with simple opposite positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple discrete emitter and receiver positions arranged in a meshed topology. Instead of using single opposite pairs, the system divides the monitoring function across multiple segments (emitter-receiver pairs at different positions), each contributing to the overall ability to locate dirt spots with high precision in both lateral and vertical directions.
2Reliability
If the window monitoring system issues warnings based on detected soiling, then it ensures sensor reliability, but it causes unnecessary sensor stoppages when dirt spots do not impact the scanning light path
Solution Approach 1:
The system evaluates soiling impact locally by determining the specific position of dirt spots on the window and assessing whether they intersect with the scanning light path. Rather than treating all detected soiling equally, the system applies local quality assessment to distinguish between critical soiling that blocks the scanning beam and non-critical soiling that does not affect operation, thereby avoiding unnecessary stoppages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the meshed emitter-receiver arrangement to continuously monitor window transparency at multiple positions. This feedback enables real-time assessment of whether detected soiling actually impacts the scanning light path, allowing the system to maintain sensor operation when soiling is non-critical and only trigger warnings or stoppages when the scanning beam is truly blocked.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses a rotating emitter and receiver setup to monitor the window, then it can detect soiling, but it still fails to solve the problem of determining the vertical position of spots accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the dynamic rotating mechanism with a static meshed topology of emitters and receivers. The static arrangement achieves the same monitoring capability without the complexity of rotation, using multiple fixed positions to create intersecting light paths that enable accurate vertical position determination through geometric relationships rather than temporal scanning.
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 approach enhances the capability to precisely locate and assess the impact of soiling on the window, reducing shadowing effects and improving the reliability of the optical sensor by accurately determining the vertical position and extent of dirt spots, thus minimizing unnecessary sensor stoppages.
Implementation Method 1
The test-light emitter unit and the test-light receiver unit are arranged in such a way that the test-light penetrates the at least one external surface of the window
Implementation Method 2
The determination unit comprises a control unit that interacts with the test-light emitter unit and the test-light receiver unit in a way that the test-light transmitted along a plurality of light paths is analysed, especially in respect of the received intensity
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor (10) is disclosed. It may comprise a scanning unit (14), a transparent window (20) with a lateral extension (WE) and a height extension (HE) through which a scanning-light can pass, and a window monitoring unit (50) to monitor the transparency of the window (20). The transparent window (20) has at least one inclined window element (52, 56) that has an external element surface (54, 58). The window monitoring unit (50) includes a test-light emitter unit (30) that emits test-light at a plurality of separate emitting positions (EP.X) along the lateral extension (WE), a test-light receiver unit (40) that receives a test-light along a plurality of separate receiving positions (RP.Y) along the width extension (WE), and a determination unit (100) to determine the change of transparency of the window (20) in such way that the test light transmitted along a plurality of light paths (P.X.Y) is analyzed.