Protective Field Sensor Evaluation Without Coordinate Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors with complex optical structures require significant computational effort to evaluate measured values and generate object detection signals, especially when the beam axis does not coincide with the deflection unit's axis of rotation, and are prone to systematic errors due to incorrect installation, necessitating continuous coordinate system conversions and error corrections.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design that converts protective field data from a user coordinate system to a measurement coordinate system, allowing direct comparison of measured values with protective field boundaries for efficient object detection and incorporating a redundant evaluation unit for fail-safe operation, with measurement errors corrected using calibration tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous coordinate system conversions are performed to evaluate measured values in the user coordinate system, then object detection accuracy is maintained, but computational effort and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective field is pre-calculated and stored in the measurement coordinate system before measurement takes place. This eliminates the need for continuous coordinate transformations during operation, as the evaluation unit can directly compare measured values with the pre-defined protective field boundaries in the same coordinate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of converting measured values from the measurement coordinate system to the user coordinate system for evaluation, the protective field is defined directly in the measurement coordinate system. This inverts the traditional approach and eliminates the transformation step entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If complex optical structures are used to achieve precise beam deflection, then measurement precision is improved, but systematic errors due to installation inaccuracies increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam deflection precisionVSAvoidsystematic error susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates calibration procedures that measure actual systematic deviations from the ideal optical geometry and store correction values. These correction values are applied during evaluation to compensate for installation inaccuracies, effectively using feedback to eliminate systematic errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensor components are used to monitor the protective field, then detection coverage is improved, but the quantity of measured values and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective field coverageVSAvoiddata processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple measured values from different sensor components are processed and evaluated together in a unified coordinate system. The protective field definition and evaluation logic handle multiple sensors simultaneously, combining their data streams into a single coherent safety assessment rather than processing each sensor separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the evaluation process by eliminating the need for continuous coordinate transformations, reduces computational effort, and ensures accurate object detection with minimal delay, while the fail-safe structure ensures reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one distance sensor with a transmitter emitting transmitted beams and a receiver receiving received beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

a deflection unit is provided, by means of which the transmitted beams are periodically deflected within a scanning area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a receiver receiving received beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

the distance sensor with a transmitter emitting transmitted beams and a receiver receiving received beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3798668B1Sensor
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 LEUZE ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3798668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3798668B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sensor 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 specified in a user coordinate system. In the evaluation unit (8) or in an input unit, the protective field (9) is converted from the user coordinate system into the at least one measurement coordinate system. For the detection of objects (7) within the protective field (9), the evaluation unit (8) compares the measured values ​​of the sensor components with the protective field data of the protective field (9) in the at least one measurement coordinate system.