Optoelectronic Sensor Assembly Double Receiver ASIC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Triangulation light sensors face issues when detecting high-gloss objects with uneven surfaces, as the energy and light distribution of reflected light are heavily dependent on local optical properties, leading to incorrect switching and increased circuit complexity.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic sensor arrangement with a double receiver setup, where both receivers must deliver the same status for object detection, and an ASIC module design that includes synchronization and evaluation circuits for parallel operation, reducing circuit complexity and increasing robustness by compensating for shiny object surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single receiver is used in the triangulation sensor, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the detection reliability on shiny objects deteriorates due to faulty activation or deactivation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into two independent receiver channels (first light receiver with first evaluation unit, second light receiver with second evaluation unit), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to process signals from both receivers separately and combine results, improving reliability on shiny objects while keeping each individual receiver circuit relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation results from both receivers are merged through logical evaluation (AND operation) to generate the final object detection signal. This combining approach ensures that both receivers must agree on object presence, significantly improving detection reliability for highly reflective objects while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through integrated evaluation logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple receivers are used to improve detection robustness, then the detection accuracy improves, but the number of connecting lines between evaluation units increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of connecting lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary evaluation unit is introduced that receives signals from both light receivers and performs logical evaluation to generate the final object detection signal. This intermediary component consolidates the evaluation logic, reducing the need for direct complex interconnections between multiple evaluation units while maintaining high detection accuracy through combined receiver input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional sensor design is used, then the circuit design is simple, but the sensor fails to compensate for shiny object surfaces leading to faulty detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit design simplicityVSAvoiddetection accuracy on shiny objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the evaluation parameter by requiring coincidence of detection signals from both receivers (logical AND operation). This parameter change in the evaluation logic enables the system to compensate for shiny object surfaces that cause partial reflections, as both receivers must detect the object for a positive signal, filtering out false detections from surface reflections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 double receiver setup enhances detection accuracy and robustness by ensuring consistent object detection signals, reducing errors due to shiny surfaces and simplifying circuit design, thereby improving the reliability of triangulation light scanners.

Implementation Method 1

both the energy and the median of the light distribution of the light reflected, scattered, or remitted from the object surface to the receiving diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the energy and the median of the light distribution of the light reflected, scattered, or remitted from the object surface to the receiving diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3761068B1Optoelectronic sensor assembly
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 SICK AG
  • EP3761068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3761068B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3761068B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Optoelectronic sensor arrangement (1) with at least one light transmitter (2) for emitting light signals into a monitoring area (3), a control unit (4) for controlling the light transmitter (2), a first light receiver (5) for receiving the light signals emitted by the light transmitter (2), wherein the light receiver (5) is configured as a receiver array (6), a first main evaluation unit (7) for evaluating the received signals of the first light receiver (5), a second light receiver (8) for receiving the light signals emitted by the light transmitter (2), wherein the light receiver (8) is configured as a receiver array (6), a second secondary evaluation unit (9) for evaluating the received signals of the second light receiver (8), wherein at least one ASIC component (10) is provided, wherein the ASIC component (10) comprises at least the control unit (4),the first light receiver (5) and the first main evaluation unit (7) are arranged in a first ASIC component (10) and the second light receiver (8) and the second secondary evaluation unit (9) are arranged in a second ASIC component (12).