Optoelectronic Sensor Noise Threshold Pulse Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optoelectronic sensors face detection errors due to noise radiation from external sources like fluorescent lamps and flash lamps, which can lead to false detections and increased measurement time, especially when the noise signal intensity exceeds the receiver's threshold, causing the sensor to either fail in detection or lead to energy wastage by emitting pulses that result in no useful data.

Innovation Solution

The method involves synchronizing the emitter and receiver to assess noise levels before each pulse emission, comparing the noise signal with a threshold, and delaying or blocking pulse emission if the noise is above the threshold, ensuring that pulses are only emitted when the noise level is acceptable, thereby reducing false positives and negatives and conserving energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the emitter continuously emits pulses to improve detection speed, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases and overheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The emitter operates in periodic pulses rather than continuously, with active emission phases followed by idle phases. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain detection capability while reducing average energy consumption and preventing overheating, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the emitter increases pulse frequency to reduce measurement time, then productivity improves, but reliability deteriorates due to receiver overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the pulse frequency and timing based on thermal conditions and noise levels. The emitter incorporates thermal management that modulates the duty cycle, allowing higher frequencies when cooling and lower frequencies when thermal load is high, thus maintaining reliability while optimizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the receiver processes all incoming signals to improve detection coverage, then reliability improves, but measurement time increases due to noise filtering requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary noise characterization during idle phases before actual measurement. By pre-assessing the noise environment and establishing baseline thresholds, the receiver can quickly filter relevant signals during the measurement phase without extensive post-processing, thus maintaining high detection coverage while reducing measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the system emits pulses during high noise periods to maintain productivity, then productivity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal saturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors noise levels and uses this feedback to control pulse emission timing. When noise exceeds thresholds that would compromise measurement precision, the controller automatically delays or cancels pulse emission. This feedback mechanism maintains productivity by resuming operations as soon as conditions improve, while ensuring measurement accuracy is never compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 increases the reliability of object detection by ensuring that pulses are only emitted when noise levels are within a usable range, reducing false detections and energy wastage, while maintaining productivity by minimizing delays in measurement processes.

Implementation Method 1

an emitter (20) suitable for emitting a periodic electromagnetic radiation in the form of pulses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a receiver (30) suitable for receiving the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter (20) and converting it into an electric signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3356846B1Method to detect a signal and optoelectronic sensor
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 DATALOGIC IP TECH
  • EP3356846B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3356846B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3356846B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for receiving a pulsed signal emitted by an emitter (2,20) in an optoelectronic sensor (1), the sensor including at least an emitter (2,20) for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a receiver (3, 30) for receiving electromagnetic radiation and wherein the electromagnetic radiation received is converted into an electric signal, said method including the steps of: o arranging said emitter to emit a pulsed electromagnetic radiation; o before the emission of a pulse, receiving an electromagnetic radiation received through said receiver (3, 30) by generating a noise signal (s r,S1,S2); o comparing an amplitude of said received noise signal (s r,S1) with a first threshold (V threshold); and o emitting said pulse if the amplitude of said received noise signal is below said first threshold, and not emitting said pulse otherwise. The invention also relates to an optoelectronic sensor.