Optoelectronic Sensor Moving Test Reflector Windscreen Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser scanners in safety technology face challenges in reliably detecting impairments to the windscreen transmission, particularly due to contamination and small shading objects, which require dense and complex optical test channels, increasing manufacturing costs and vulnerability to extraneous light interference.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor system with a moving test light reflector that forms a test channel with the deflection unit, allowing for spatially resolved transmission measurement over a larger area, reducing the number of test channels needed and enhancing robustness against interference, while eliminating the need for mechanical shading and channel separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of independent optical test channels are distributed over the entire angular range of the front pane, then the detection capability for small dirt or tampering objects is improved, but the manufacturing costs and space required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection unit is made to serve dual functions: its primary function for scanning the monitoring area and its secondary function as a test light reflector for windscreen transmission monitoring. By attaching the test light reflector to the deflection unit, the system uses the existing scanning mechanism to perform transmission testing, eliminating the need for separate dedicated test channels and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Device complexity
If test channels are positioned close to the outer contour of the laser scanner, then the manufacturing costs and space required are reduced, but the vulnerability to interference from extraneous light and nearby reflectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test light path is configured to pass through the interior of the laser scanner housing rather than along the outer contour. By routing the test light through the internal space and using the deflection unit's reflective properties, the system achieves windscreen monitoring without positioning test channels in the vulnerable external region, thereby reducing exposure to extraneous light interference while maintaining compact design.
3Measurement precision
If optical components are shaded with screens to define test areas, then the test areas are properly defined, but the system becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection unit itself serves as the test light reflector, utilizing its existing optical properties to define and direct the test light path. The system uses the deflection unit's rotational movement and reflective surface to automatically scan and define test areas across the windscreen without requiring additional mechanical shading components or complex optical masks, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining precise test area definition.
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 reliable detection of transmission impairments with fewer test channels, reducing system complexity and cost, and improving robustness against extraneous light and reflectors, ensuring detection capability and freedom in windscreen monitoring positions.
Implementation Method 1
A test light emitter (42) and a test light receiver (44) arranged under the base (40) form a test channel (46) through the front pane (38) to a test light reflector (48) attached to the deflection unit (18)
Implementation Method 2
a test channel (46) through the front pane (38) to a test light reflector (48) attached to the deflection unit (18)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An optoelectronic sensor (10) for detecting objects in a monitoring area (20) is specified, comprising: a front glass (38), a light emitter (12) for emitting a light beam (16), a movable deflection unit (18) for periodically scanning the monitoring area (20) with the light beam (16), a light receiver (26) for generating a received signal from the light beam (22) emitted by the objects, at least one test light emitter (42), at least one test light receiver (44) and at least one test light reflector (48) which form a test light path (46a-b) through the front glass (38), and an evaluation unit (32) which is configured to obtain information about the objects in the monitoring area (20) from the received signal and to detect impaired light transmission of the front glass (38) from a test light signal.The test light receiver (44) generates the test light from the test light transmitter (42) emitted by the test light reflector (48). The test light reflector (48) is arranged to move together with the deflection unit (18).