Optoelectronic Safety Sensor With Adaptive Trigger Sensitivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optoelectronic safety sensors face challenges in achieving a balance between detection safety and robustness due to fixed trigger thresholds, leading to potential false negatives or unnecessary safety reactions, especially in dynamic industrial environments where the sensitivity of detection is not adequately adjusted based on the presence of previously or simultaneously detected objects.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic safety sensor with a control and evaluation unit that adapts the sensitivity of the detection criterion based on previously and simultaneously detected objects, using a preparatory field to anticipate potential intrusions and adjust the trigger threshold dynamically, thereby enhancing detection reliability and machine availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed trigger threshold is used to ensure detection safety, then all critical situations are detected, but unnecessary safety reactions occur increasing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the trigger threshold adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the sensitivity of the detection criterion based on the presence and characteristics of detected objects. When objects are detected in the monitoring area, the system automatically increases sensitivity by lowering the trigger threshold, ensuring critical situations are not missed. When no objects are present, the system reduces sensitivity to avoid unnecessary reactions, thereby maintaining machine runtime without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the trigger threshold parameter based on detection conditions. The control unit changes the sensitivity parameter dynamically according to the number and type of objects detected in the monitoring area. This allows the system to optimize the balance between detection safety and machine availability by adjusting the threshold parameter in response to real-time environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If a fixed trigger threshold is used to ensure robustness, then false positives are reduced, but critical intrusions may be missed decreasing detection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the detection criterion sensitivity based on the detection context. When objects are detected in the monitoring area, the control unit increases the sensitivity of the evaluation, making the system more responsive to potential intrusions. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the system maintains high detection reliability when objects are present while avoiding excessive sensitivity when the area is clear.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the sensitivity parameter of the detection criterion based on the presence of objects in the monitoring area. By modifying this parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between robustness (avoiding false positives) and detection reliability (detecting critical intrusions). The parameter adjustment is directly linked to the detection context, improving measurement precision when needed.
3Reliability
If sensitivity is increased to detect all critical situations, then detection safety improves, but unnecessary safety reactions occur reducing machine availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensitivity of the detection criterion variable rather than constant. The control unit adjusts the sensitivity level dynamically based on whether objects are detected in the monitoring area. When objects are present, sensitivity is increased to ensure critical situations are detected. When no objects are detected, sensitivity is reduced to prevent unnecessary safety reactions, thereby maintaining machine availability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements parameter changes by adjusting the sensitivity parameter of the detection criterion based on detection conditions. The control unit modifies this parameter to optimize the balance between detection safety and machine availability. By changing the sensitivity parameter dynamically, the system avoids unnecessary safety reactions that would reduce productivity while maintaining high detection safety when objects are present.
4Productivity
If sensitivity is reduced to avoid false alarms, then machine availability improves, but critical dangers may not be detected decreasing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the detection criterion sensitivity adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts sensitivity based on the presence of objects in the monitoring area. When objects are detected, the system increases sensitivity to ensure critical dangers are not missed, maintaining safety. When no objects are present, the system reduces sensitivity to avoid false alarms, thereby improving machine availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements parameter changes by adjusting the sensitivity parameter of the detection criterion based on the detection context. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that the system maintains high safety standards when objects are present while avoiding false alarms that would reduce machine availability. The parameter change is directly linked to the presence or absence of objects in the monitoring area.
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 adaptive sensitivity approach improves the balance between detection reliability and robustness, ensuring timely and accurate safety responses by increasing sensitivity in potentially dangerous situations while maintaining robustness in non-critical conditions, thus enhancing overall safety and availability.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiver for optical detection of object data
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic safety sensor (10) for safeguarding a machine (34), the sensor (10) comprising a light receiver (24) for optical detection of object data and a control and evaluation unit (26) configured to use the object data to decide whether a safety-critical object (36) is detected in a vicinity of the machine (34) and in this case to trigger a safety-related reaction, and wherein the control and evaluation unit (26) is further configured to adapt the sensitivity of a criterion for deciding whether a safety-critical object (36) is detected as a function of at least one of previously detected objects and simultaneously detected objects.