Optoelectronic Sensor Solid-State Deflection Reference Target
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state scanners lack reliable self-monitoring and eye protection mechanisms due to the absence of mechanically moving parts, which are essential for ensuring proper function and safety in laser scanning systems.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor with a deflection unit that uses an active or passive reference target to monitor the deflection of the transmission light beam, allowing for the detection of malfunctions and ensuring eye protection by switching off the light transmitter if necessary, and enabling compact and cost-effective construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating mirror or mechanical deflection unit is used for scanning, then reliable self-monitoring and eye protection mechanisms are achieved, but the construction size increases and shock sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating mirror system with a solid-state deflection unit that uses electro-optic or acousto-optic effects to deflect laser beams. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining the scanning function, thereby reducing construction size and shock sensitivity while preserving self-monitoring capabilities through electronic control and reference targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference target as an intermediary element that reflects laser beams back to the sensor. This reference target enables self-monitoring of the deflection unit's operation and safety functions without requiring mechanical movement, allowing the system to detect malfunctions and ensure eye protection through optical reference rather than mechanical positioning.
2Reliability
If a rotating mirror or mechanical deflection unit is used for scanning, then self-monitoring is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by using solid-state deflection units that employ electro-optic modulators or acousto-optic devices. These solid-state components have no wear-prone mechanical interfaces, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining self-monitoring through electronic reference systems that detect beam deflection and system status without mechanical contact.
3Device complexity
If solid state scanners are used to avoid mechanical movement, then construction size is reduced, but reliable self-monitoring and eye protection mechanisms are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference target as a key intermediary element that enables self-monitoring in solid-state scanners. The reference target reflects laser beams at known angles back to the sensor, allowing the system to verify deflection unit operation, detect malfunctions, and ensure safety functions. This optical reference mechanism provides reliability without requiring mechanical movement or increasing construction size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the sensor continuously monitors the reference target reflections and compares them against expected values. This feedback loop detects deviations indicating malfunctions or unsafe conditions, enabling real-time self-monitoring and automatic safety responses in solid-state scanners without mechanical components.
4Device complexity
If solid state scanners are used to avoid mechanical movement, then shock sensitivity is reduced, but eye protection mechanisms are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference target as an intermediary safety mechanism that enables eye protection monitoring. The reference target is positioned at specific angles where the laser beam should reflect back to the sensor under normal operation. If the beam is blocked, diverted, or the sensor is misaligned, the reference signal changes, triggering safety mechanisms to shut down the laser, thereby protecting eyes without requiring mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback-based eye protection through continuous monitoring of reference target reflections. The system compares received reference signals against expected patterns and automatically activates safety shutdowns when deviations are detected, such as blocked paths or improper alignment. This electronic feedback mechanism provides robust eye protection in solid-state scanners without mechanical components.
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 solution provides fast and flexible scanning capabilities, enhanced reliability, and improved safety by allowing for real-time monitoring of the light beam's movement, preventing damage and ensuring eye protection, while simplifying integration into complex systems.
Implementation Method 1
Other possibilities not mentioned exclusively are, for instance, optical phased arrays, acousto-optic modulators or electro-optic modulators. These beam deflections have the common feature that they at most generate a movement at a micromechanical level
Implementation Method 2
acousto-optic modulators or electro-optic modulators. These beam deflections have the common feature that they at most generate a movement at a micromechanical level
Implementation Method 3
acousto-optic modulators or electro-optic modulators. These beam deflections have the common feature that they at most generate a movement at a micromechanical level
Implementation Method 4
The reference target is configured as a light deflection means or as a reflector
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor for detecting objects in a monitored zone that has a light transmitter; a deflection unit for deflecting the transmission light beam without mechanical moving parts or at most with micromechanical moving parts to scan the monitored zone; a light receiver; and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to determine information on the objects by means of the reception signal received by the light receiver. The sensor has at least one reference target that receives at least a portion of the deflected transmission light beam at at least one deflection angle of the deflection unit or returns it to the light receiver in order to generate a reference signal; and the control and evaluation unit is configured to check the operability of the deflection unit by means of the reference signal.