Optoelectronic Sensor Beam Splitting for Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic sensors for three-dimensional surveillance areas face challenges in efficiently scanning multiple areas with high spatial resolution, leading to increased measurement time and higher costs due to the need for multiple light transmitters and receivers, as well as inefficiencies in light distribution and detection.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor design utilizing a single light transmitter with a beam splitting device, such as a diffractive optical element, to create multiple spatially separated partial transmitted light beams, which are focused within a propagation plane parallel to the axis of rotation, allowing for efficient light distribution and reduced material and assembly costs by using a single light source and shared receiving optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a faceted mirror wheel is used to scan multiple areas, then spatial resolution is improved, but measurement time increases proportionally with the number of scanning areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single transmitted light beam into multiple partial beams using a beam splitting device, creating parallel scanning paths for different spatial areas. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple areas, resolving the contradiction between spatial resolution and measurement time by enabling parallel rather than sequential scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from sequential temporal scanning to parallel spatial scanning by introducing multiple light beams propagating in different directions simultaneously. This dimensional change from time-based to space-based parallelism eliminates the direct proportionality between number of scanning areas and measurement time while maintaining high spatial resolution.
2Illumination intensity
If each scanning area is assigned its own light transmitter, then light intensity in each area is maintained, but material cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light transmitter functions into a single light transmitter by introducing a beam splitting device. This single transmitter generates one beam that is then divided into multiple partial beams, each illuminating different scanning areas. This combining approach maintains adequate light intensity in each area while dramatically reducing material cost and assembly complexity compared to using multiple independent transmitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitting device serves as an intermediary component between the single light transmitter and the multiple scanning areas. It takes the single transmitted light beam and divides it into multiple partial beams, enabling one transmitter to serve multiple areas effectively. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing a cost-effective path from single to multi-area illumination.
3Area of stationary object
If a single transmitted light beam is continuously widened, then all scanning areas can be illuminated, but light intensity in each area decreases and light is wasted in intermediate areas
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously widening a single beam, the patent segments the beam into discrete partial beams using a beam splitting device. Each partial beam is directed to a specific scanning area, concentrating light intensity where needed while avoiding waste in intermediate areas. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between coverage area and light intensity by providing targeted illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would be wasted light in intermediate areas into useful illumination by using a beam splitting device to redirect light precisely to scanning areas. The beam splitting device transforms the potential harm of light dispersion into the benefit of precise light distribution, maintaining high intensity in each area while achieving comprehensive coverage.
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 design enhances light density in scanning areas, reduces measurement time, and minimizes parallax errors, enabling efficient detection of objects and their distances with improved spatial resolution while maintaining sensitivity and reducing overall costs.
Implementation Method 1
the beam splitting device comprises a diffractive optical element, in particular a grating
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitting device for splitting the transmitted light beam into a plurality of spatially separated partial transmitted light beams
Implementation Method 3
a beam splitting device for splitting the transmitted light beam into a plurality of spatially separated partial transmitted light beams
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor for detecting objects in a three-dimensional monitoring area, which has several scanning areas, comprising a light transmitter unit for emitting a transmitted light beam into the monitoring area, a spatially resolving light receiver unit with several receiving areas for generating received signals from a transmitted light beam remitted or reflected in the monitoring area, wherein each receiving area is assigned a respective scanning area such that only a transmitted light beam remitted or reflected within the assigned scanning area is received by the associated receiving area, a scanning device rotating about a rotational axis, which is designed to periodically change the propagation direction of the transmitted light beam and a synchronously corresponding change in the detection direction of the light receiver unit, and an evaluation unit.which is designed to detect objects based on the received signals, wherein the light transmission unit comprises a light transmitter for generating the transmitted light beam and a beam splitting device for dividing the transmitted light beam into several spatially separated transmitted light beams.