Optoelectronic Sensor Self-Rotation Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Safety laser scanners used in applications like autonomous vehicle navigation face challenges in maintaining object resolution and reliability due to self-rotation and external movements, leading to potential system shutdowns even when object resolution has not deteriorated.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic sensor system that measures the angular speed of the scanning unit relative to the sensor, allowing for the determination and compensation of self-rotation, thereby maintaining angular resolution and preventing unnecessary system shutdowns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the scanning unit rotates at high speed to improve scanning coverage, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to angular resolution loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning coverageVSAvoidangular resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

An angular rate sensor provides real-time feedback on the rotational speed of the scanning unit. This feedback signal is fed to a correction unit that dynamically adjusts the association between measured values and angular positions, compensating for the angular resolution loss at high rotation speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of angular position association dynamically based on rotational speed. At different rotation speeds, the correction unit applies different correction algorithms to maintain measurement precision despite varying angular resolutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor undergoes self-rotation to improve adaptability in mobile applications, then versatility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to angular resolution impairment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile application capabilityVSAvoidangular resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The angular rate sensor continuously monitors the self-rotation of the entire sensor device and provides feedback signals to the correction unit. This enables real-time compensation for angular position errors caused by self-rotation during mobile operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The angular rate sensor acts as an intermediary that measures the self-rotation independently, allowing the correction unit to mediate between the raw measurement data and the actual angular positions by applying appropriate corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the angular encoder monitors rotational movement to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but false shutdowns increase due to indirect and inexact monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety monitoringVSAvoidangular resolution monitoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical angular encoder with an angular rate sensor that measures rotational speed directly. This substitution provides more accurate and direct monitoring of rotational movement, eliminating the indirect and inexact nature of encoder-based monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The angular rate sensor enables the system to self-monitor and self-correct its rotational state in real-time. The correction unit uses the sensor data to automatically adjust measurement associations, providing continuous safety monitoring without false shutdowns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system ensures a defined object resolution and robust operation by compensating for self-rotation, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary shutdowns and enhancing the availability of the system.

Implementation Method 1

The light is remitted at objects in the monitored zone and is evaluated in the laser scanner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a conclusion is drawn on the angular location of the object from the angular position of the scanning unit and additionally on the distance of the object from the laser scanner from the time of flight while using the speed of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20250035785A1Optoelectronic sensor and method of detecting objects in a monitored zone

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 SICK AG

AI summary

An optoelectronic sensor for the detection of objects in a monitored zone has a light transmitter for transmitting a transmitted light beam, a scanning unit rotatable about an axis of rotation for the periodic scanning of the monitored zone by the transmitted light beam, a light receiver for generating a received signal from light beams remitted by objects in the monitored zone, an angle measurement unit for determining the angular position of the scanning unit relative to the sensor, and an evaluation unit that is configured to generate measured values with reference to the received signal that indicate whether and in which direction an object has been detected. A device is configured to determine an angular speed of the scanning unit about the axis of rotation and a correction unit is configured to determine a self-rotation of the sensor with respect to the axis of rotation of the scanning unit.