Optoelectronic Sensor Edge Detection with Variable Light Spacing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic sensors face challenges in reliably detecting object edges, especially when objects have varying radii of curvature and are closely aligned, as they are heavily dependent on the radius of curvature for energetic weighing methods and fail with strongly rounded objects.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor with at least three light emitters and a selection mechanism for different light transmitter spacings, allowing for adaptable edge detection using energetic weighing or distance difference methods, and enabling dynamic adjustment based on expected object edge curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single fixed spacing between light transmitters is used, then the device structure is simple, but the sensor fails to reliably detect object edges when objects have varying radii of curvature or are strongly rounded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple light transmitter pairs with different spacings (first pair with spacing d1, second pair with spacing d2) that can be selectively activated. This dynamic configuration allows the sensor to adapt to varying object geometries including strongly rounded objects, maintaining reliable edge detection across different application scenarios without requiring a fixed complex structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate light transmitters with different spacings are used, then the sensor can detect transitions between consecutive objects, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optoelectronic sensor with multiple light transmitter pairs (first pair with spacing d1, second pair with spacing d2) that can be selectively activated based on the application scenario. This multi-functional design allows the same sensor to handle various object types including strongly rounded objects, objects with different radii of curvature, and closely aligned objects, thereby achieving universal adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If objects are conveyed in close proximity, then the productivity is high, but the transition detection between objects becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light transmission function into multiple pairs of light transmitters with different spacings. The first pair with spacing d1 and the second pair with spacing d2 can be selectively activated to detect object transitions. This segmentation allows the sensor to maintain high measurement precision for object transitions even when objects are conveyed in close proximity, thereby supporting high productivity without sacrificing detection accuracy.
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 reliable detection of object edges across different application scenarios by selecting the optimal light transmitter spacing and evaluation method, improving detection accuracy and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least three light emitters (15) for generating respective collimated or focused transmitted light beams (21)
Implementation Method 2
at least one light receiver (17) for receiving light emitted by the transmitted light beams (21) on one object generated light spots
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An optoelectronic sensor for detecting object edges comprises at least three light emitters arranged such that at least two different distances exist between each pair of light emitters. An evaluation unit is configured to perform a combined evaluation of an image of a light spot generated by the emitted light beams of a first light emitter, captured by a light receiver, and of an image of a light spot generated by the emitted light beams of another light emitter, both captured by a light receiver. The pair of light emitters used for the combined evaluation can be selected from at least two differently spaced pairs of light emitters, depending on a selection criterion.