Optoelectronic Sensor Alignment Monitoring via Reference Value Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic sensor arrangements using the triangulation principle fail to account for displacements between optical transmitters and receivers due to component tolerances, mounting errors, vibrations, or temperature changes, leading to decreased resolution and unmonitored areas in the surveillance field.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus that store reference position-proportional reception values for each optical transmitter/receiver pair, allowing for the detection and comparison of current relative positions with stored values to identify displacements, ensuring precise alignment and maintaining optimal scanning light grid resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical transmitters and receivers are positioned according to component tolerances and mounting specifications, then the optoelectronic sensor arrangement can be manufactured and assembled, but displacements occur leading to decreased resolution and unmonitored areas in the surveillance field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing reference reception values during a calibration phase before actual operation. The system performs initial measurements at defined distances and saves these reference values, which are then used to detect and correct displacements during operation. This preliminary calibration ensures that even if components shift later, the system can identify and compensate for these changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing current reception values with stored reference values. The evaluation unit calculates deviations between expected and actual light ray positions, and this feedback information is used to detect displacements of optical components. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains surveillance reliability despite manufacturing tolerances and environmental changes.
2Device complexity
If the optoelectronic sensor arrangement operates without monitoring component positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but displacements between optical transmitters and receivers cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the optical system itself to monitor its own alignment. The same optical transmitters and receivers that perform surveillance also generate the reference values and enable self-diagnosis. The system uses its own operational data (reception values) to detect displacements, eliminating the need for separate monitoring hardware and keeping the device complexity low while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If reference values are stored for every defined distance, then displacement detection accuracy is improved, but the loss of time for calibration and data storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by storing reference values at select defined distances rather than continuously across all possible distances. The system determines maximal admissible distances and stores reference values at critical measurement points within this range. This approach provides sufficient displacement detection accuracy for the intended application while minimizing calibration time and data storage requirements.
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 enables continuous monitoring and adjustment of the optoelectronic sensor arrangement, ensuring reliable and secure surveillance by maintaining the optimal relative positions between optical components, thus preventing resolution degradation and ensuring reliable detection of objects within the monitored area.
Implementation Method 1
each optical transmitter and its corresponding optical receiver have a relative position that allows a light ray emitted by the optical transmitter to be detected by the corresponding optical receiver after being reflected by a boundary surface
Implementation Method 2
Position-proportional reception values can be detected in the optical receivers, which means that the point of incidence on the laterally-resolving receiving element changes when there is a change in distance between the sensor arrangement and the boundary surface from which the light ray is reflected
Data Source
AI summary
Monitoring the functioning and/or adjustment of an optoelectronic sensor arrangement (10) exhibiting at least two optical transmitters (S1, S2, S3), to each of which a laterally-resolving optical receiver is assigned, such that each of the optical transmitters (S1, S2, S3) and the corresponding optical receivers (E1, E2, E3) are so positioned relative to each other that a light ray (L1a, L2a, L3a) emitted from the optical transmitter (S1, S2, S3) can be detected by the corresponding optical receiver (E1, E2, E3) after being reflected by a boundary surface (F), which process involves the following steps:a) detecting the current position-proportional reception values for each optical transmitter (S1, S2, S3) and corresponding optical receiver (E1, E2, E3),b) determining the current relative positions for the reception values of any two adjacent optical transmitters (S1, S2, S3), p0 c) comparing the current relative positions for the reception values with stored reference values.