Protective Field Sensor Coordinate Correction for Accurate Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors for protective field monitoring face high computational effort due to the need for continuous conversion of measured values from measurement to user coordinate systems, exacerbated by systematic errors from incorrect installation, which complicates object detection in complex optical structures.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design with a redundant evaluation unit and correction tables to transform measured values into user coordinate systems, simplifying the detection process by specifying protective fields in user-friendly coordinates and correcting measurement errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measured values are continuously converted from measurement coordinate system to user coordinate system, then object detection accuracy is improved, but computational effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values in correction tables before actual measurement. The coordinate transformation parameters and error correction data are prepared in advance based on the known geometric relationships and systematic errors of the sensor components, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations during object detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a pre-computed correction table that stores transformation parameters and error correction data. Instead of performing complex coordinate transformations and error corrections for each measurement, the system copies and applies pre-calculated correction values from the table, significantly reducing computational effort while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If correction tables are implemented to correct systematic errors, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a software-based correction table approach. Instead of requiring precise physical installation and mechanical alignment of sensor components, the system uses pre-calculated correction values stored in tables to compensate for installation errors, simplifying the physical device while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If protective field is specified in user coordinate system, then ease of operation is improved, but continuous coordinate conversion is required increasing computational effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of specifying protective fieldVSAvoidcomputational effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the protective field to be specified once in the user-friendly coordinate system during configuration, and pre-calculates the corresponding correction parameters and transformation data. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for continuous coordinate conversions during operation, as the system uses pre-computed values for real-time object detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach reduces computational effort and enhances accuracy by allowing straightforward conversion and correction of measured values, improving the reliability of object detection within protective fields.

Implementation Method 1

at least one distance sensor with a transmitter (3) emitting transmitted beams (2) and a receiver (5) receiving received beams (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

a deflection unit (6) with which the transmitted beams (2) are periodically deflected within a scanning area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3822656B1Sensor
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 LEUZE ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3822656B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3822656B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sensor (1) for detecting objects (7) within a protective field (9), comprising sensor components for object detection and an evaluation unit (8) for evaluating the measured values ​​of the sensor components. The measured values ​​of the sensor components are available in at least one measurement coordinate system. The protective field (9) can be defined in a user coordinate system. For object detection (7), the measured values ​​of the sensor components within the protective field (9) are continuously converted into the user coordinate system in the evaluation unit (8). In the evaluation unit (8), a comparison of the measured values ​​of the sensor components with the protective field data of the protective field (9) in the user coordinate system is performed. During the transformation of the measured values, measurement errors are corrected, which are stored in a correction table that is included in the transformation of the measured values.