Optoelectronic Sensor Cascading with Optical Shielding Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic sensors face challenges in cascading light grids without experiencing optical crosstalk, which reduces measurement accuracy and complicates assembly, especially when multiple light transmitter and reception elements are active simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates optical modules with tube arrays that feature open and closed connection elements with matching wall structures, forming a connection tube that optically shields the interface, allowing precise alignment and assembly while maintaining the same geometry and optical properties as the existing tubes, thereby preventing crosstalk and facilitating cascading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If optical modules are cascaded to expand monitoring zones, then the monitored area increases, but optical crosstalk occurs at connection points reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces connection tubes as intermediary elements between optical modules. These connection tubes act as optical barriers that guide and contain light beams, preventing optical crosstalk between adjacent modules while enabling the cascading connection of multiple modules to expand the monitored zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical shielding function into distributed connection tubes at each module interface, rather than using a single continuous shield. This segmentation allows modular cascading while maintaining optical isolation at each connection point, enabling area expansion without compromising measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If tube arrays are used to limit irradiation angles and prevent optical crosstalk, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection tubes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical connection between modules, guide light beams to maintain proper irradiation angles, and prevent optical crosstalk. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving measurement accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the connection function and optical shielding function into a single integrated connection tube structure. By combining these functions, the design achieves precise angular control and crosstalk prevention without adding separate complex mechanisms, thus improving measurement accuracy while controlling device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment features are added to optical modules to ensure proper connection, then assembly precision improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-formed connection tubes and alignment features during the optical module manufacturing process. By preparing these precise alignment elements in advance as integral parts of the modules, the actual assembly process becomes simpler and more precise, as the alignment features guide the connection without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
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 enables simple and effective cascading of optoelectronic sensors with reduced optical interference, improving measurement accuracy and simplifying the assembly process, while reducing production costs by ensuring precise module alignment and matching optical properties.
Implementation Method 1
Each optical module has at least one tube array, with the tubes of the tube array forming the channels. The tubes of the tube array of the optical modules thus prevent optical crosstalk between the light transmitter elements and/or the light reception elements.
Implementation Method 2
the two connection elements of the connection form a connection tube which is like the tubes of the tube array. The wall connection elements optically shield the formed connection tube in the plugged-together state.
Data Source
AI summary
To allow a simple cascading without any optical crosstalk at the connection points, an optoelectronic sensor is provided having at least one electronic card which has light transmitter elements and/or light reception elements and having at least two optical modules which can be fastened to the electronic card, wherein each optical module comprises a tube array, which has a plurality of tubes, an open end and a closed end, wherein the open end of the optical module comprises an open first connection element of a connection to the tube array and comprises wall connection elements and wherein the closed end of the optical module comprises a closed second connection element of the connection which has an outer wall which is formed with shape matching to the wall connection elements of the open end of the optical module such that, on a plugging together of an open end of an optical module and of a closed end of a further optical module, the two connection elements of the connection form a connection tube which is like the tubes of the tube array.