Optoelectronic Sensor Aspherical Correction Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic sensors face challenges in accurately detecting objects close to the sensor due to limited change in light spot position on the receiver, leading to incomplete imaging or failure to detect close-range objects, and existing solutions either increase production costs or are temperature-sensitive.
Innovation Solution
The receiving lens in the optoelectronic sensor features a main lens made of a temperature-stable material, such as glass, combined with a polymer correction coating that refracts light more strongly towards the optical axis as objects approach, ensuring detection of close-range objects without the need for additional optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single spherical glass lens is used as the receiving lens, then the lens is temperature-stable and easy to manufacture, but close-range objects cannot be completely imaged on the light receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving lens combines a spherical glass lens with a polymer correction element to create a composite optical system. The glass lens provides temperature stability and ease of manufacture, while the polymer element adds the necessary aspheric correction to image close-range objects completely on the light receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving lens is divided into two functional segments: a spherical glass lens for basic focusing and temperature stability, and a separate polymer correction element for close-range imaging correction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.
2Manufacturing precision
If an aspheric polymer lens is used instead of a spherical glass lens, then close-range objects can be imaged completely, but the lens becomes temperature-sensitive with focal point shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite lens where a temperature-stable spherical glass lens is combined with a polymer correction element. This composite structure maintains the temperature stability of glass while adding the aspheric correction capabilities of polymer, resolving the contradiction between imaging completeness and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer correction element is positioned specifically to correct only the close-range imaging issues, while the main spherical glass lens handles the overall focusing and temperature stability. Each material is used in the location where it provides the most benefit.
3Manufacturing precision
If two separate optical components (main lens and correction element) are provided, then close-range objects can be detected, but production costs and adjustment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spherical glass lens and polymer correction element into a single integrated receiving lens assembly. This combination achieves close-range correction functionality while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing the number of separate components that need to be managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving lens is designed as a multi-functional unit where the spherical glass lens provides temperature stability and basic focusing, while the integrated polymer element provides close-range correction. This universal design eliminates the need for separate correction devices.
4Ease of manufacture
If a spherical glass lens is used, then production is simple and cost-effective, but light from close-range objects is not refracted sufficiently towards the light receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a spherical glass lens with a polymer correction element to create a receiving lens that maintains the ease of manufacture of glass lenses while adding the close-range light refraction capability of aspheric polymer optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer correction element introduces aspheric curvature to the receiving lens system, which provides the additional refraction needed for close-range objects without compromising the spherical geometry and manufacturing simplicity of the main glass lens.
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 configuration allows for precise and cost-effective detection of objects across a wide temperature range, ensuring that both close and far-range objects are accurately imaged on the receiver, improving the sensor's operational range and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the correction coating is designed in such a way that light that hits the receiving lens in this second area is broken more strongly in the direction of the optical axis of the light transmission system, the closer the reflecting object is in the detection zone located on the optoelectronic sensor
Implementation Method 2
The light reflected by the object, which is directed through the receiving lens onto the receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor comprising a light transmitter for emitting a light signal into a detection zone, a light receiver for receiving light from the detection zone that is reflected by an object to be detected in the detection zone, and a receiving lens arranged upstream of the light receiver, which includes a main lens. According to the invention, a correction coating is provided on a surface of the main lens, which is configured such that the main lens, together with the correction coating, forms an aspherical lens shape for correcting aberrations, at least in a first sub-region of the receiving lens, and in a second sub-region of the receiving lens is configured such that light striking the receiving lens in this region is refracted more strongly in the direction of the optical axis of the light transmitter system the closer the reflecting object is to the optoelectronic sensor.