3D Sensor Adaptive Power Control for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors for monitoring areas do not adequately ensure eye-safety and prevent hazardous radiation exposure to people, particularly with the increasing power of light sources like infrared LEDs, as they fail to dynamically adjust radiation power based on detected objects.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system that measures and adjusts the instantaneous and/or average power per unit area of electromagnetic radiation to prevent hazardous exposure, using adaptation means to maintain power within safe limits, especially by reducing power when detecting objects, and employing 3-D sensors for distance measurement and power control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radiation power of the transmitting unit is increased to improve detection capability, then the detection range and reliability are improved, but the hazard potential for people and eye-safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation power of the transmitting unit is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit modifies the radiation power based on detection results, switching between a first radiation power for initial monitoring and a second, lower radiation power when objects are detected, thereby adapting the system to different operational conditions to maintain both detection capability and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors detection results and uses this information to adjust the radiation power of the transmitting unit. When an object is detected, the system feedbacks a signal to reduce power; when no object is detected, the system feedbacks to maintain or increase power, creating a closed-loop control system that balances detection performance with safety
Solution Approach 3:
The system changes the radiation power parameter dynamically based on operational conditions. By switching between different power levels (first radiation power and second radiation power) according to whether objects are detected, the system optimizes the trade-off between detection reliability and hazard potential for people
2Reliability
If the radiation power is continuously high to ensure detection reliability, then the detection capability is improved, but the eye-safety and health safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting unit operates with periodic variation in radiation power rather than continuous high power. The system alternates between higher power levels when no objects are detected and lower power levels when objects are detected, creating a periodic action pattern that maintains detection reliability while minimizing cumulative radiation exposure and ensuring eye-safety
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for monitoring a monitored area, having a transmitting unit which emits radiation, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting objects in the monitored area. According to the invention, the sensor comprises means, using which the instantaneous and/or average power per unit area applied to a detected object of energy incident on the object, such as electromagnetic radiation of the transmitting unit, can be determined. In addition, adaptation means are provided in order to not let the instantaneous and/or average power per unit area of energy incident on the object, such as electromagnetic radiation of the transmitting unit, exceed a predetermined value during the detection of an object in the monitored area, the sensor being configured to first measure whether objects are located in a predetermined proximal area to the transmitter unit using a comparatively low power which can create no or no noticeable hazard potential for people.