Safety Edge Transmitter Intermittent Pulse Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Safety barriers with transmitters and receivers face issues with stray electromagnetic radiation causing incorrect signal interruptions due to reflections from surrounding surfaces, leading to unnecessary shutdowns, and require adjustable transmit power to optimize performance under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A safety barrier with a transmitter that intermittently emits electromagnetic radiation, using a charge storage means to adjust intensity, and a feedback path to monitor and adjust power levels, ensuring only the minimum necessary power is used to prevent false signal interpretations, employing a microprocessor to manage charge storage and pulse width modulation for efficient power regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitter emits electromagnetic radiation at high intensity continuously, then the receiver can reliably detect the signal, but stray radiation causes false indications due to reflections from surrounding surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter emits electromagnetic radiation in periodic pulses rather than continuously. The microprocessor controls the transmitter to send out radiation in timed intervals, allowing the system to distinguish between direct signals and reflected stray radiation by timing the receiver's detection windows to match the pulse transmission schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the intensity of electromagnetic radiation emission based on feedback from the receiver. The microprocessor monitors signal quality and reflection levels, then modifies pulse intensity in real-time to maintain reliable detection while minimizing harmful reflections under varying environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If the transmitter power is increased to ensure signal reception, then detection reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter operates in periodic pulse mode rather than continuous emission, consuming energy only during active transmission intervals. The microprocessor manages charge storage and discharge timing to provide high-power pulses only when needed for signal transmission, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver provides feedback to the microprocessor about signal reception quality. Based on this feedback, the microprocessor adjusts the transmitter power level and pulse timing, increasing power only when necessary to maintain reliable detection, thereby optimizing energy consumption according to actual environmental conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transmitter power is dynamically adjusted, then performance is optimized under varying conditions, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback loop connects the receiver to the microprocessor, enabling automatic adjustment of transmitter power based on received signal quality. This feedback mechanism provides adaptability to varying conditions without requiring complex manual control systems, as the system self-regulates based on real-time performance data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of transmission parameters through the microprocessor, which automatically monitors receiver feedback and modifies transmitter power and timing accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external complex control systems while maintaining optimal performance across varying environmental conditions.
4Reliability
If the transmitter uses high power to overcome signal loss, then signal reception is maintained, but stray radiation reflections cause incorrect signal interpretations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed transmission with synchronized detection windows. The receiver is configured to detect signals only during specific time windows that correspond to direct signal arrival, rejecting signals that arrive at different times due to reflection paths. This temporal discrimination maintains signal reception reliability while preventing incorrect interpretations from reflected radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism enables the microprocessor to monitor both signal presence and signal quality characteristics. By analyzing feedback information about signal strength and timing, the system can distinguish between direct signals and reflected interference, maintaining accurate signal interpretation even when operating at power levels that could generate harmful reflections.
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 precise control of transmit power, reducing false signal interruptions and optimizing performance under varying conditions without the need for costly high-frequency processors, ensuring reliable operation while minimizing unnecessary power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a charge storage means, actuation means arranged to cause the source to intermittently emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the intensity of emission of electromagnetic radiation is determined by the amount of charge stored in the charge storage means
Implementation Method 2
transmitters and receivers of the above mentioned type are arranged at the respective ends of the hollow profile such that the light path extends through the hollow part of the profile
Implementation Method 3
stray electromagnetic radiation from the transmitter may be reflected on surfaces surrounding the light path, such as the interior surfaces of the above mentioned hollow elastic profiles that may surround the light path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A transmitter for use in a safety edge. The transmitter arranged to operate in an intermittent fashion wherein in a period in which no energy is transmitted a charge storage means is charged to a level determining the amount of energy transmitted during the transmission.