Optoelectronic Sensor Gear-Driven Deflection Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser scanners face challenges in efficiently scanning three-dimensional spaces without the need for complex mechanical arrangements, such as additional drives and deflection units, which increase costs and complexity, and limit the scanning range and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The optoelectronic sensor employs a gear mechanism to couple rotary and tilting movements of the deflection unit, allowing for a larger scanning area with a single actuator, reducing mechanical complexity and enhancing scanning flexibility by using a profile wheel or cam disk to generate varied tilting angles, enabling multi-level scanning without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional deflection units (oscillating mirrors) are used to expand scanning range, then the scanning area is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotational movement and tilting movement into a single deflection unit, merging two previously separate functions (rotation for azimuth scanning and tilting for elevation scanning) into one integrated component. This eliminates the need for additional oscillating mirrors and reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining expanded scanning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it rotates to scan in the azimuth direction and simultaneously tilts to scan in the elevation direction. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate deflection units, reducing device complexity while expanding scanning capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple deflection units are used to achieve 3D scanning, then scanning capability is improved, but manufacturing costs and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple deflection units into a single deflection unit that performs both rotation and tilting movements. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining full 3D scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single deflection unit is designed with universal functionality to handle both azimuth and elevation scanning, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized components. This multi-functional design simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces overall system cost.
3Device complexity
If conventional scanning methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but scanning range is limited to a single plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic tilting movement to the deflection unit, allowing it to adjust its scanning plane angle in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the system to scan multiple planes and expand its coverage area without requiring complex static mechanical arrangements or multiple fixed components.
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 approach allows for expanded monitoring ranges with reduced manufacturing costs, size, and mechanical vulnerability, while maintaining robust and low-maintenance operation, enabling efficient detection of objects in three-dimensional spaces with precise angle and distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
With phase-based methods, the light transmitter modulates the scanning beam and the phase between a reference and the received scanning beam is determined
Implementation Method 2
Such distance-measuring laser scanners work according to a light propagation time principle, in which the propagation time from the scanner into the scenery and back is measured and distance data are calculated using the speed of light
Implementation Method 3
a drive (28) which causes the deflection unit (18) to rotate with respect to an axis of rotation (30)
Implementation Method 4
the deflection unit (18) is tiltably mounted at a pivot point (34) as indicated by an arrow (36), which leads to an angular deviation of the scanning beam (16)
Implementation Method 5
The gear sets a profile wheel (44) in a rotary motion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a monitoring area of an optoelectronic sensor to be enlarged.SOLUTION: An optoelectronic sensor 10 for detecting objects within a monitoring region 20 in the number of scanning planes exceeding one scanning plane comprises: a light emitter 12 that emits a light beam 16; a drive section 28 that generates a rotational motion; a deflection unit 18 that is rotatable centering around a rotary shaft 30 by the drive section 28 for periodically changing the light beam 16; tilting units 42b and 44 that are coupled to the drive section 28 for tilting the deflection unit 18 together with the rotational motion; a light receiver 26 for generating a light reception signal from a diffused emission or reflected light beam 22 in the monitoring area; and an evaluation unit 52 that is adapted so as to detect objects on the basis of the light reception signal. Further, the tilting units 42b and 44 include a profile wheel 44, and the profile wheel is engaged with a guide element 48 of the deflection unit 18. The profile wheel 44 is coupled to the drive section 28 via a decelerator 42, and is rotated at a fixed deceleration ratio together with the rotational motion of the drive section 28.