Optoelectronic Sensor Focus Adjustment via Positioning Curve

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional triangulation sensors face challenges in adjusting the work distance and focus size efficiently, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for long light receivers to maintain a large work distance range.

Innovation Solution

The optoelectronic sensor design allows for the adjustment of the focus of the transmission arrangement such that the impression point of the reception light stain on the light receiver is independent of the selected focus, achieved by selecting a relative position of the light source and transmission optics along a positioning curve that minimizes the distance between the focus point line and the reception axis within a specified work distance area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the working distance range is increased, then the sensor can detect objects at various distances, but the light receiver must be made longer to maintain detection precision, increasing device complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking distance rangeVSAvoidlight receiver length
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light source position is made dynamically adjustable along a positioning curve, allowing the focal point to be shifted to different locations on the receiving axis. This dynamic repositioning enables the same compact light receiver to maintain detection precision across multiple working distances by adapting the optical geometry rather than extending the receiver length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameters of the light source relative to the transmitting optics, moving it along a specifically designed positioning curve. This parameter change adjusts the focal point location and maintains the received light spot position on the light receiver, enabling versatile working distance adjustment without increasing receiver length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the focal length is adjusted to change working distance, then the working distance can be varied, but the received light spot position shifts in the triangulation direction, requiring longer light receivers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking distance adjustmentVSAvoidreceived light spot position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is positioned on a specifically designed positioning curve that dynamically adjusts its location as the focal length changes. This dynamic positioning compensates for the focal length adjustment, ensuring the received light spot remains stable on the light receiver despite changes in working distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning curve acts as an intermediary geometric relationship between the light source position and the focal point position. By constraining the light source to move along this curve, the system mediates the relationship between focal length adjustment and received light spot position, decoupling these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional triangulation sensors are used with fixed light source position, then the structure is simple, but the working distance range is limited and cannot be adjusted efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor structureVSAvoidworking distance range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light source position is made adjustable along a positioning curve, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamically adaptable one. This single degree of freedom adjustment enables versatile working distance range extension while maintaining relatively simple sensor structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables a compact light receiver to be used, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs, while maintaining a large work distance range without shifting the reception light spot in the triangulation direction, thus ensuring precise object detection.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitting optics which is configured to focus the transmitted signals generated by the at least one light source at a focal point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a receiving optics for shaping received light signals which are generated by an object by remission of incident transmitted light signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 3

a spatially resolving light receiver for receiving the shaped received light signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4343382B1Optoelectronic sensor
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SICK AG
  • EP4343382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343382B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4343382B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor for detecting objects according to the triangulation principle, comprising a transmitting arrangement for emitting light signals along a transmitting axis, wherein the transmitting arrangement comprises at least one light source and a transmitting optics which is configured to focus the transmitted signals generated by the at least one light source at a focal point, and a receiving arrangement having a receiving axis, comprising a receiving optics for shaping received light signals generated by an object by reflecting incident transmitted light signals, and a spatially resolving light receiver for receiving the shaped received light signals.According to the invention, it is provided that a relative position of an exit point of the transmitted light signals from the at least one light source with respect to the transmitting optics can be selected such that the focus distance, which corresponds to the distance of a focus point from the transmitting optics, can be adjusted to a desired value, wherein the different relative positions are located on a positioning curve which is selected such that the respective focus points assigned to the positioning curve for different focus distances lie on a focus point line which has a distance from the receiving axis (E, E', E1, E2) that is minimized at least within a predetermined working distance range.