360° Optoelectronic Sensor Using Static Mirror and Star Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optoelectronic sensors with 360° reception optics face limitations such as mechanical instability, high costs, and limited viewing angles due to the use of rotating mirrors and complex adjustments, which restrict their ability to provide reliable 360° monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective 360° optoelectronic sensor design utilizing a time-of-flight image sensor with 360° optics that deflects light without moving parts, allowing for synchronous evaluation in all spatial directions and using a convex conical recess for total internal reflection, along with a star diaphragm to suppress aberrations, enabling a wide field of view and accurate imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a rotating mirror is used to achieve 360° scanning coverage, then the field of view is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating mirror system with a static optical system consisting of a 360° mirror element and an image sensor. The rotating mechanical scanning is substituted by a stationary optical arrangement that uses total internal reflection at the 360° mirror element to redirect light from all directions around the sensor, achieving 360° coverage without any moving parts.
2Area of stationary object
If a laser scanner with rotating mirror is used, then 360° monitoring capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to mechanical structure and adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical scanning system is replaced by a static optical arrangement where a 360° mirror element redirects light from all directions to a single image sensor. This eliminates the need for mechanical rotation, complex adjustment mechanisms, and multiple moving components, significantly simplifying the device structure while maintaining 360° monitoring capability.
3Area of stationary object
If super wide-angle optics with multiple reflectors are used to achieve 360° coverage, then the field of view is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ambiguities and aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex multi-reflector optical system with a simpler 360° mirror element combined with an image sensor. The 360° mirror element creates a one-to-one correspondence between object directions and image sensor pixels, eliminating the ambiguities that arise from multiple reflections. This provides unambiguous spatial assignment while maintaining 360° coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If a rotating mirror system is used for scanning, then 360° monitoring is achieved, but response time increases due to serial sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the serial scanning mechanism with a parallel imaging system. The 360° mirror element simultaneously redirects light from all directions around the sensor to corresponding pixels on the image sensor, enabling simultaneous capture of the entire 360° field of view. This eliminates the time required for mechanical scanning and provides instant 360° monitoring.
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 provides a mechanically stable, cost-effective sensor with high response times and accurate 360° monitoring capabilities, allowing for the detection of object approach and precise imaging of surveillance areas with reduced imaging errors.
Implementation Method 1
360° receiving optics (24) having a conical recess (50) at a lower end with respect to a second main axis (38b), wherein the received light (22) is deflected at an inner surface (52) of the conical recess (50) onto an image sensor (26)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7c
AI summary
The sensor (10) has a light transmitter (14) for emitting transmission light (16) into a monitoring area (12). A 360 degree-receiving optics (24) in the form of a rotating body comprises a peripheral convex light entry surface concentric and parallel to a main axis, so that the area forms a plane perpendicular to the main axis or a peripheral angle range. The optics comprises a conical recess at an upper end lying opposite to a convex light exit surface with respect to the main axis. The optics comprises a star aperture, which divides the monitoring area into sectors. The light transmitter comprises light sources e.g. LEDs and vertical cavity surface emitting laser. An independent claim is also included for a method for monitoring a monitoring area.