Rotatable Pyroelectric Sensor for Adjustable Detection Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack an efficient method to adjust the detection range of pyroelectric sensors for human presence without altering their sensitivity, which can lead to inaccurate detection and potential disturbances in operation.
Innovation Solution
A pyroelectric sensor is rotatably mounted on the image forming apparatus, allowing for adjustable detection range by rotating the sensor's optical axis in the vertical direction, enabling precise detection of human presence within a specific range without affecting sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pyroelectric sensor is fixed in position, then the detection range is stable, but the detection range cannot be adjusted to different requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pyroelectric sensor is mounted on a rotatable support structure that allows the sensor to be dynamically adjusted to different angles. The support includes a rotationally movable portion that can be positioned at various angles relative to the housing, enabling the detection range to be adapted to different operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Measurement precision
If the pyroelectric sensor sensitivity is increased to improve detection accuracy, then more distant persons can be detected, but false detection increases and disturbs operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the sensor's sensitivity uniformly, the invention adjusts the detection range locally by changing the physical orientation of the sensor. By rotating the sensor to point in specific directions, the system achieves accurate detection of persons in desired zones while ignoring other areas, thereby preventing false detections without altering sensitivity settings.
3Area of stationary object
If the pyroelectric sensor detection range is expanded to cover larger area, then more persons can be detected, but detection precision for specific areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention solves the area-precision tradeoff by adding a rotational dimension to the sensor mounting. Instead of expanding the sensor's field of view in a single plane (which would reduce precision), the sensor can be rotated to different angular positions, allowing precise detection in multiple different directional zones while maintaining high precision in each specific direction.
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 solution allows for reliable human detection with adjustable detection ranges, preventing unintended detection range adjustments and ensuring accurate detection without disturbing the apparatus's operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pyroelectric sensor that detects presence of a person based on light received from a periphery of the image forming apparatus main body
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an image forming apparatus whose detection range of a person by using a pyroelectric sensor is adjustable without adjusting sensitivity of the pyroelectric sensor, an image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; and a pyroelectric sensor that detects presence of a person based on light received from the periphery of the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the pyroelectric sensor is rotatably mounted to the image forming apparatus main body.