Optoelectronic Sensor Dual-Channel Detection Shiny Diffuse Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light scanners are limited in their ability to simultaneously detect shiny and diffusely reflecting objects, relying on specific material properties and requiring separate sensors for accurate recognition, which restricts their versatility and applicability, especially in space-constrained environments like printing machines.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor with a dual-channel design, featuring a collinear transmission and reception channel for direct reflections and a triangulation arrangement for diffuse reflections, allowing for simultaneous detection of both types of reflections using separate receivers and optics, with adjustable alignment and light guides to enhance material recognition and reduce installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-channel sensor design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect both shiny and diffusely reflecting objects simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into two separate receiving channels: a first receiving channel for detecting directly reflected light from shiny objects and a second receiving channel for detecting diffusely reflected light. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific detection purpose, enabling simultaneous detection of different object types without requiring a single complex channel to handle all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs multiple functions through its dual-channel design: it can detect both shiny and diffusely reflecting objects simultaneously, and can also perform distance measurements. The shared transmitting channel and evaluation unit provide universal functionality, while the separate receiving channels specialize in different detection modes, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate receiving channels are added for different detection modes, then the detection versatility is improved, but the mounting space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting channel is merged and shared between both detection modes. The same light emitter and transmitting optics serve both the first receiving channel (for shiny objects) and the second receiving channel (for diffuse objects), eliminating the need for separate transmitting components and reducing overall mounting space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The two receiving channels are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The first receiving channel is positioned to capture directly reflected light along a specific path, while the second receiving channel is positioned at an angle to capture diffusely reflected light. This spatial separation in different dimensions allows both channels to coexist in a compact configuration without excessive mounting space requirements.
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
Enables the detection of both shiny and diffusely reflecting objects with improved material recognition and increased versatility, suitable for various applications including printing materials, while maintaining a compact sensor size and improved light yield.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emitter (12, 14, 16), whose transmitting light path defines a transmitting channel (30) and whose transmitted light (18, 20, 24, 26, 30) falls on an object (36) to be detected
Implementation Method 2
at least one first light receiver (42), whose receiving light path defines a first receiving channel (38) and which receives the received light (38), reflected directly back from the object (36) into the transmitting channel (30), wherein the transmitting channel (30) and the first receiving channel (38) are collinear, so that autocollimation is present in this respect
Implementation Method 3
A second receiving channel with a second light receiver (44) is provided, which is separate from the transmitting channel (30), so that the transmitted light (18, 20, 24, 26, 30) and the received light (47), generated by diffuse reflection of the transmitted light from the object (36), form a triangulation arrangement
Implementation Method 4
A transmitting optic (32) is provided to focus the transmitted light onto a detection area
Implementation Method 5
a receiving optic (46) is provided for the second receiving channel to optimally couple the diffusely reflected light (47) into this reflection channel
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The application relates to an optoelectronic sensor of the type of a light sensor, comprising at least one light transmitter (12, 14, 16) whose transmitting light path (30) defines a transmitting channel, at least one first light receiver (42) whose receiving light path (38) defines a first receiving channel, wherein the transmitting channel and the first receiving channel are collinear, so that autocollimation is provided in this respect, and with an evaluation unit (39) for evaluating the received light (38). In order to provide a functionally extended sensor, it is proposed that a second receiving channel with a second light receiver (44) be provided, which is separate from the transmitting channel, so that the transmitted light (30) and the received light (47) detectable by the second receiving channel form a triangulation arrangement.