Optoelectronic Sensor Scanning Module Tilt and Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-beam laser scanners lack flexibility in adapting scanning beam configurations to meet varying application requirements, often requiring extensive component adjustments or fixed, equidistant scanning planes, which limits their efficiency and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor with a movable scanning unit and multiple scanning modules that can be tilted and rotated to adjust scanning beam configurations, allowing for flexible arrangement of scanning planes without the need for individual adjustments, enabling quick adaptation to different requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate light transmitters and light receivers are provided for each scanning plane, then flexibility in adjusting individual scanning planes is improved, but device complexity and adjustment effort increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
A single light transmitter unit and light receiver unit are designed to serve multiple scanning planes simultaneously. The transmitter generates light beams that are directed along multiple paths, and the receiver detects reflected light from multiple planes, enabling one component to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light transmitters and light receivers are merged into unified transmitter units and receiver units. Instead of having separate components for each scanning plane, the patent combines them into integrated units that handle multiple planes through optical path management, reducing the total number of components and simplifying the system architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic line of light transmitters or light receivers is used, then space on semiconductor material is used optimally, but scanning planes are fixed at equidistant spacing and flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed configuration of scanning planes to a dynamic configuration. By incorporating movable mirrors or beam deflectors, the optical paths can be adjusted to change the spacing and arrangement of scanning planes, allowing the system to adapt between equidistant and non-equidistant configurations as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic line of light transmitters or receivers is segmented into multiple functional groups, each associated with specific scanning planes. This segmentation allows different portions of the transmitter/receiver line to be independently controlled or configured, enabling flexible scanning plane arrangements while still utilizing the compact semiconductor structure.
3Productivity
If multiple scanning beams are used to extend measuring range, then additional distance data is obtained, but the system requires extensive components and individual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple scanning beams are generated and managed by shared transmitter and receiver units rather than requiring separate components for each beam. The system combines multiple optical paths through common hardware resources, reducing the total component count while maintaining the capability to acquire distance data from multiple points simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter and receiver units are designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple scanning beams. A single transmitter can generate beams for multiple scanning planes, and a single receiver can detect reflected light from multiple planes, enabling the system to extend its measuring range without proportionally increasing the number of 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 a wide range of scanning beam configurations, enhancing flexibility and efficiency by enabling easy adaptation to changing requirements, reducing manufacturing costs, and allowing for customized configurations without the need for extensive component adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the light beam reflected by objects is received in order to electronically evaluate the received signal
Implementation Method 2
a scanning unit movable about an axis of rotation, a plurality of scanning modules for periodically scanning the monitoring region
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic sensor (10) for detecting objects in a monitoring region (20), the sensor (10) having a scanning unit (12, 58) movable about an axis of rotation (18), a plurality of scanning modules (22) for periodically scanning the monitoring region (20) and for generating corresponding received signals, and an evaluation unit (48) for obtaining information about the objects from the received signals, the scanning modules (22) comprising at least one light transmitter (24) for transmitting several light beams (28) separated from one another and at least one light receiver (36) for generating the received signals from the light beams (32) remitted by the objects, wherein at least one scanning module (22) is at least one of tilted by a tilt angle (β) relative to its main viewing direction and rotated by a rotation angle (γ).