Polyhedral sensor arrangement and method for operating a polyhedral sensor arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ambient light sensors lack directional sensitivity, which is essential for applications like solar tracking, navigation, and automotive control, as they typically use diffuser domes that attenuate light signals and remove directional information.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement comprising multiple light sensors aligned along the faces of a polyhedron-like volume, allowing for directional light sensing without the need for a diffuser dome, by generating signals dependent on the orientation of the polyhedron's faces, thereby determining the direction or position of a light source within a defined region of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a diffuser dome is used in ambient light sensors, then the sensor can measure light in a directionally invariant manner, but the directional information from ambient light signals is removed and the response is attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple discrete light-sensitive surfaces (first, second, third, and fourth surfaces) arranged in a polyhedral configuration. Each surface independently measures light intensity, and the combination of these segmented measurements provides directional information without requiring a diffuser dome, thus resolving the contradiction between directionally invariant measurement and preservation of directional information.
2Ease of operation
If a diffuser dome is used in ambient light sensors, then the sensor can measure light in a directionally invariant manner, but the sensitivity is reduced due to attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensor into multiple exposed light-sensitive surfaces arranged polyhedrally, each surface directly receives light without attenuation from a diffuser dome. The segmented architecture maintains high sensitivity while achieving directionally invariant measurement through computational processing of the multiple surface readings.
3Loss of information
If multiple light sensors are arranged along faces of a polyhedron-like volume, then directional light sensing is achieved without a diffuser dome, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional polyhedral configuration. By distributing light-sensitive surfaces across multiple faces of a polyhedron, the sensor achieves omnidirectional light detection capability and preserves directional information while the modular polyhedral structure provides a systematic framework that manages the inherent complexity.
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 true omnidirectional sensing, improving sensitivity and accuracy in detecting light direction and intensity, suitable for various applications including solar tracking and navigation, without the attenuation caused by diffuser domes.
Implementation Method 1
The individual light sensors generate first, second, and third sensor signals as a response to incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor arrangement comprises at least a first, a second, and a third light sensor. A three-dimensional framework comprises at least a first, a second, and a third connection means which are connected to the at least first, second, and third light sensor, respectively. The first, the second, and the third connection means are configured to align the at least first, second, and third light sensor along a first, second, and third face of a polyhedron-like volume, respectively, such that the sensor arrangement encloses the polyhedron-like volume. The invention also relates to a method for operating the sensor arrangement.