Limited-Area Reflection Optical Sensor with Curved Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional limited-area reflection type optical sensors have a narrow detection range, which limits their effectiveness in detecting objects at varying distances, and when installed in close proximity, they can interfere with each other, leading to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A simple-configuration limited-area reflection type optical sensor is designed with an emitted light lens and a reflected light lens having different curvatures to enhance light flux density, allowing for a wider detection range in both far-and-near directions, and the lenses can be integrated or exchanged to adjust the detection area, reducing component count and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple reflection type optical sensors are provided in parallel to widen the detection range, then the detection range is widened, but the device size is enlarged and adjacent sensors interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the detection space into multiple distinct detection areas (first detection area and second detection area) using a single optical sensor unit. By segmenting the detection function rather than using multiple physical sensors, the patent achieves wide detection coverage without increasing device size or causing sensor interference.
Solution Approach 2:
A single reflection type optical sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously - detecting objects in both the first detection area and the second detection area. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If the detection range is widened by providing multiple sensors, then more surfaces can be detected, but adjacent sensors interfere with each other to generate malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The detection space is segmented into distinct areas with different optical path configurations. The first detection area uses a direct optical path while the second detection area uses a reflected optical path, ensuring that detection in one area does not interfere with detection in the other area, thus eliminating sensor interference issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflection surface is introduced as an intermediary element to create the second detection area. This reflection surface redirects light to enable detection in the second area without requiring additional sensors, thereby avoiding interference between multiple sensors while maintaining reliable detection.
3Device complexity
If a conventional limited-area reflection type optical sensor is used, then the configuration is simple, but the detection range is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends detection from a single area to multiple dimensions by creating both a first detection area and a second detection area. This dimensional expansion of the detection space is achieved through optical path design rather than adding physical sensor arrays, maintaining configuration simplicity while widening the detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflection surface serves as an intermediary to extend the detection range without complicating the sensor configuration. By using this reflection surface, the system achieves multi-area detection capability while keeping the optical sensor unit itself simple and unchanged.
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 optical sensor accurately detects objects across a broader range, reducing interference and improving position accuracy, while maintaining a simple configuration that can be easily adapted for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
an emitted light lens and a reflected light lens having different curvatures are provided in an optical path of emitted light and reflected light
Implementation Method 2
the emitted light lens and the reflected light lens having different curvatures are provided in an optical path of emitted light and reflected light
Implementation Method 3
a light emitting element 101 and a light receiving element 102. In the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102, an angle between the optical axes are set such that the object sensing limited area S is irradiated with the light emitted from the light emitting element 101
Implementation Method 4
the light received by the light receiving element 102 is reflected light from the object M
Implementation Method 5
the light received by the light receiving element 102 is reflected light from the object M, and a determination as to whether the object exists is made based on a light receiving level at the light receiving element 102
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a limited-area reflection type optical sensor (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1 E) having an emitted light lens (12A, 12B) and a reflected light lens (22). An opposite-light-receiver-side portion opposite to a light receiver side constitutes a first curvature surface (12ba) having a first curvature while a light-receiver-side portion on the light receiver side with respect to the opposite-light-receiver-side portion constitutes a second curvature surface (12bb) having a second curvature smaller than the first curvature in the emitted light lens (12A, 12B) provided in an optical path of the emitted light. An opposite-light-emitter-side portion opposite to a light emitter side constitutes a fourth curvature surface (22ba) having a fourth curvature while a light-emitter-side portion on the light emitter side with respect to the opposite-light-emitter-side portion constitutes a fifth curvature surface (22bb) having a fifth curvature smaller than the fourth curvature in the reflected light lens (22) provided in an optical path of the reflected light.