3D Robot Laser Measurement with Diffused Scanning for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional measuring devices using laser beams on articulated robots pose safety risks due to high-intensity laser exposure when people are in the detection area, as the laser beam direction changes with the robot arm, potentially causing eye damage.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional measuring device with a diffuser and optical scanner in the laser emitter, which diffuses and scans the laser beam to reduce intensity and prevent continuous exposure, and a controller that adjusts the laser power and scanning based on human detection, ensuring safety and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the laser beam is continuously irradiated toward one point without scanning or diffusing, then the energy amount per unit area increases for effective measurement, but the risk of affecting persons on the optical path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam is divided into multiple scattered beams through the diffuser, so that the energy is distributed over a larger area rather than concentrated at one point. This reduces the energy amount per unit area while still covering the measurement region effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different laser emission modes (scanned/diffused vs. concentrated) based on whether a person is detected in the detection area. When a person is present, the laser operates in scanned/diffused mode to reduce energy concentration; when no person is present, it can use concentrated irradiation for more effective measurement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the laser beam direction changes according to the robot arm direction, then the measuring device can track the object, but the risk of affecting persons on the optical path increases
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser beam source and the object. This diffuser scatters the laser beam, creating a broader illumination pattern that reduces the intensity at any single point while maintaining the ability to track objects through robot arm movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the laser emission mode based on real-time detection of persons in the detection area. When a person is detected, the system switches to scanned or diffused emission mode to reduce the harmful effects while maintaining tracking capability. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to balance versatility with safety.
3Measurement precision
If the laser power is increased for better measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the safety risk to persons in the detection area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser emission controller dynamically adjusts the laser power and emission mode based on the presence of persons in the detection area. When no person is present, higher power can be used for better measurement precision. When a person is detected, the system reduces power or switches to scanned/diffused mode, maintaining an acceptable balance between measurement accuracy and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the laser emission parameters (power level, scanning frequency, diffusion degree) based on the detection status. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can optimize measurement precision when safe and reduce harmful effects when persons are present, effectively managing the trade-off between accuracy and safety.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of eye damage by diffusing and scanning the laser beam, ensuring safe operation when people are present and maintaining measurement accuracy when they are not, thereby enhancing both safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser configured to diffuse the laser beam emitted from the laser beam source
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional measuring device is a three-dimensional measuring device that performs three-dimensional measurement of an object using a laser beam. The three-dimensional measuring device includes a laser emitter disposed in a movable section of a robot and configured to irradiate a region including the object with the laser beam, a laser emission controller configured to control driving of the laser emitter, an image capturing device configured to image the object, on which the laser beam is irradiated, and acquire image data, and a point cloud generator configured to generate, based on the image data, three-dimensional point cloud of the region including the object. The laser emitter includes a laser beam source and a diffuser configured to diffuse the laser beam emitted from the laser beam source.