Photoelectric Sensor Refraction Block Near-Target Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photoelectric sensors face limitations in sensing targets close to the sensor due to the wide angle of reflected light, leading to reduced margin values and increased likelihood of inaccurate measurements from background targets, and the size of the receiver lens is limited by the sensor's housing, restricting its ability to detect targets at varying distances.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a refraction block with a block first and second surface to refract reflected light from the target to the photodetector, allowing for improved detection of targets at both near and far distances by redirecting light that would otherwise be undetected, and enhancing the sensor's margin value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the receiver lens size is increased to improve detection capability, then the sensing distance range is extended, but the sensor housing size must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a refraction block that redirects light at different angles, effectively adding an optical dimension to the light path. This allows the system to achieve extended sensing range without proportionally increasing the physical housing size, as light is redirected through angular manipulation rather than simply requiring a larger lens area.
Solution Approach 2:
The refraction block serves as an intermediary optical element between the receive lens and photodetector. It manipulates the light paths from targets at various distances, allowing the compact housing to accommodate the optical functions of a larger system by mediating the light redirection process.
2Volume of stationary object
If the sensor uses a diffuse configuration with combined light source and photodetector, then space requirements are reduced, but the ability to detect close targets is diminished due to wide angle reflected light
Solution Approach 1:
The refraction block acts as an intermediary that selectively manipulates light paths based on their angle of incidence. It redirects light from close targets that would otherwise miss the photodetector, while maintaining the compact diffuse sensor configuration. This intermediary element restores the ability to detect close targets without increasing housing size.
Solution Approach 2:
The refraction block provides localized optical manipulation at specific positions within the housing, creating different light path treatments for different angular ranges. This allows the system to maintain compact size while improving detection capability for specific target distances through localized optical correction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor detects targets at close distances, then the reflected light enters at wide angles, but this reduces the margin value and increases detection inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The refraction block introduces angular manipulation as an additional dimension to light path control. By redirecting wide-angle reflected light from close targets, it effectively transforms the optical geometry, allowing the system to maintain high margin values across an extended sensing distance range including close targets.
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 refraction block enables the photoelectric sensor to maintain high margin values across a wider range of sensing distances, reducing blind spots and improving the detection of small targets, while minimizing interference from background reflections.
Implementation Method 1
a refraction block having a block first surface and a block second surface, wherein the reflected light received from the receive lens is refracted by at least one of the block surfaces as it passes through the refraction block
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an exemplary photoelectric sensor having an emitting portion for emitting light toward a target and a receiving portion for receiving, through a receive lens, reflected light that is at least some of the emitted light that is reflected by the target. The sensor further includes a refraction block having a block first surface and a block second surface wherein the reflected light received from the receive lens is refracted by at least one of the block first surface and the block second surface as it passes through the refraction block. The sensor also includes a photodetector for receiving the reflected light refracted by the refraction block and provides a detection signal indicative of the reflected light received.