Optoelectronic Sensor Wavelength Separation Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optoelectronic sensors face limitations in improving functionality and performance, particularly in separating and processing light signals based on wavelength and polarization direction effectively.

Innovation Solution

The optoelectronic sensor incorporates a deflection with a front and rear reflection surface, where the front reflection surface has a filter layer that selectively reflects or transmits light signals based on wavelength and/or polarization direction, allowing for separation of reception light signals by using them differently on each surface, and can include additional optical elements like lenses and prisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional deflection element with front and rear reflection surfaces is used, then the installation space is reduced, but the ability to separate and process light signals by wavelength and polarization direction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidlight signal separation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by coating only specific regions of the front reflection surface with filter layers having different spectral characteristics. Different areas of the same surface have different optical properties, enabling wavelength-selective reflection/transmission in different spatial zones while maintaining the compact deflection element structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection element is segmented functionally through multiple filter layers with different spectral properties arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows different wavelength ranges to be directed to different reflection surfaces or regions, enabling sophisticated light signal separation within a single compact component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple optical elements are added to improve light signal processing, then the detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple optical functions into a single deflection element by integrating multiple filter layers with different spectral characteristics directly onto the reflection surfaces. This combination eliminates the need for separate optical components while achieving sophisticated wavelength and polarization separation, thereby improving detection precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: beam deflection, wavelength separation, polarization separation, and signal routing. By making the deflection element universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the overall number of components needed while enhancing detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances the ability to distinguish and process light signals according to their wavelength and polarization direction, enabling improved detection and evaluation of surface properties and object characteristics, reducing installation space, and allowing for more efficient use of optical elements.

Implementation Method 1

a filter layer which reflects or transmits received light signals depending on their wavelength and/or polarization direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength-dependent reflection and transmission: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a filter layer which reflects or transmits received light signals depending on their wavelength and/or polarization direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization-dependent reflection and transmission: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a deflection element with a front and a rear reflection surface, wherein the deflection element is designed such that a part of the received light signals is reflected at the front reflection surface and another part of the received light signals is reflected at the rear reflection surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4411425B1Optoelectronic sensor
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 SICK AG
  • EP4411425B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4411425B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4411425B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor comprising a light entrance aperture and at least one light receiver for detecting received light signals and converting the received light signals into electrical received signals, wherein a received light path extends between the light entrance aperture and the at least one light receiver, the received light path having a deflecting element with a front and a rear reflective surface, the deflecting element being configured such that a portion of the received light signals are reflected at the front reflective surface and another portion of the received light signals are reflected at the rear reflective surface. The front reflective surface has at least a partial filter layer which reflects or transmits received light signals depending on their wavelength and/or polarization direction.The optoelectronic sensor comprises a first and a second light receiver, wherein the light receivers and the deflecting element are designed and arranged such that received light signals reflected at the front reflective surface are detected by the first light receiver and received light signals reflected at the rear reflective surface are detected by the second light receiver, wherein received light signals reflected at the rear reflective surface are transmitted twice by the front reflective surface, once on the way to and once on the way back from the rear reflective surface. The front and rear reflective surfaces are inclined relative to each other.