Optoelectronic Distance Measuring Device External Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic distance measuring devices fail to accurately compensate for external influences such as temperature changes and mechanical displacements, leading to inaccurate distance measurements, as their calibration only accounts for device-internal changes.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates an external calibration measurement section that detects changes in the measurement section by using start and end signals from light barriers, allowing continuous monitoring and correction of distance measurements, enabling precise positioning even under temperature and mechanical influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If device-internal calibration is used to compensate for temperature-dependent phase shifts, then measurement accuracy for device-internal changes is improved, but external influences such as temperature changes affecting the measurement section cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
A calibration measurement section is introduced as an intermediary element between the device and the external environment. This section includes start and end signals that define a measurable path, allowing the device to detect changes in the measurement section itself (such as thermal expansion) and use this information to compensate for external influences on actual distance measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the calibration measurement section and feeds this information back to correct distance measurements. By comparing the measured length of the calibration section against a reference value, the system generates correction factors that are applied to compensate for environmental changes affecting both the calibration section and the measurement section.
2Device complexity
If calibration only compensates for device-internal changes, then device-internal optoelectronic calibration is simplified, but external influences falsify distance measurements without compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into a calibration measurement section and a measurement section. The calibration section is specifically designed to be traversable and measurable, containing start and end signals that define its boundaries. This segmentation allows independent calibration of the measurement system without affecting the overall device complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration measurement section serves itself as a reference standard. By measuring its own length and comparing it to the reference value, the system automatically detects changes in the measurement section and generates correction factors without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manual procedures.
3Measurement precision
If the calibration measurement section is made as large as possible, then correction values are improved, but the section may not be frequently traversed during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration measurement section is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides a reference for calibration, defines a measurable path for detecting thermal expansion, and can be integrated into the normal operation path of the measurement device. This multi-functionality allows the same section to be used both for calibration and for actual measurements, increasing calibration frequency without requiring separate calibration equipment.
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 continuous and accurate distance measurements by continuously recalibrating the device, allowing for precise positioning of shelves and other applications, even under varying conditions, by determining and correcting for changes in the measurement section.
Implementation Method 1
the light transmitter is designed to emit light pulses, from the transit time of which along the measurement section the control and evaluation unit determines a distance
Implementation Method 2
the light transmitter is designed to emit modulated light, so that the control and evaluation unit determines the distance from a phase difference between the emitted and received light
Implementation Method 3
received by a measurement receiver with a photodiode
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The arrangement has an optoelectronic distance measuring device (1) with a light transmitter (24), a light receiver (26), a control and evaluation unit (28) and a calibration device (30) that includes a calibration measuring section (6) that corresponds to part of a measuring section (4). A signal representing the beginning and the end of the calibration measuring sections is transmitted to the calibration device when the distance measuring device reaches the beginning and end of the calibration measuring sections that coincides with the beginning and end of a drive of the measuring device. An independent claim is also included for a method for calibrating an arrangement having an opto-electronic distance measuring device.