Photosensor Unit with Segmented Condensing Lens for Detection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photosensor units with a single light emitting element face reduced detection accuracy outdoors due to limited irradiation light, and using multiple elements complicates the optical system and structure.
Innovation Solution
A photosensor unit with multiple light emitting elements disposed around a light receiving element, separated by a partition, and a condensing lens to concentrate detection light onto the reflected light path, enhancing detection accuracy and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light emitting element is used, then the structure remains simple, but the amount of irradiation light to the detection region is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting function is segmented into multiple light emitting elements (first, second, third light emitting elements) arranged around the light receiving element. This segmentation increases the total irradiation light amount while maintaining a compact, simplified overall structure through radial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light emitting elements are merged into a single integrated arrangement around the light receiving element, with their light paths converging through the condensing lens to the detection region. This merging achieves cumulative light intensity while preserving structural simplicity.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light emitting elements are used, then the amount of detection light increases, but the optical system becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The condensing lens merges the light paths from multiple light emitting elements into a single focal detection region. This combining approach consolidates multiple optical paths into one unified system, increasing detection light without proportionally increasing optical system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitting elements are arranged asymmetrically around the light receiving element at different radial positions, allowing each element to contribute light to the detection region through the condensing lens without requiring identical optical paths, thus simplifying the overall optical design.
3Illumination intensity
If light emitting elements are arranged around the light receiving element, then detection light amount increases, but separating passage spaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting elements are positioned asymmetrically at different radial distances from the light receiving element, creating naturally separated light paths. This asymmetric arrangement allows distinct passage spaces for each light path without requiring complex partitioning structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage spaces are separated in the radial dimension rather than requiring planar partitioning. By arranging light emitting elements at different radial positions around the light receiving element, the patent creates vertical/depth separation of light paths, simplifying the separation structure.
4Measurement precision
If a condensing lens is used to focus light from multiple elements, then detection accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensing lens is segmented into multiple light-emitting convex lens portions, each corresponding to a specific light emitting element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each lens portion while maintaining overall detection accuracy, and simplifies manufacturing by enabling modular production and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Each convex lens portion of the condensing lens has locally optimized optical properties tailored to its specific light emitting element's position and characteristics. This local quality approach maintains high detection accuracy for each light path while allowing simplified manufacturing of individual lens portions that can be assembled into the complete system.
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
Increases detection light to the detection region with improved accuracy and reduced complexity, allowing for even irradiation and reduced variations in detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the unit case 3 is provided with a condensing lens 5 configured to condense irradiation light from each of the light-emitting elements 1 at a single focal point on an optical path of the reflected light
Implementation Method 2
reflected light of detection light emitted from the light emitting element 1 to an outside of the unit case 3 is received with the light receiving element 2, the reflected light being reflected from the outside of the unit case 3
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensor unit with a structure which is simple and also does not cause decrease in detection accuracy. Provided is a photosensor unit including a light emitting element 1 and a light receiving element 2 housed in a unit case 3, and configured such that reflected light of detection light emitted from the light emitting element 1 to the outside of the unit case 3 is received with the light receiving element 2, the reflected light being reflected from the outside of the unit case 3. A plurality of the light emitting elements 1 are disposed around the light receiving element 2, and a passage space for the reflected light inside the unit case 3 is separated from a passage space for the detection light inside the unit case 3 by an appropriate partition 4.