Swingable Heat Ray Sensor for Inclined Surface Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat ray sensors require adjustment when the wall or surface on which a human body moves becomes inclined, necessitating the sensor to be attached at an incline to maintain detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A heat ray sensor design featuring two optical units with pyroelectric elements and optical systems, housed in a casing that allows for swinging about an orthogonal axis, enabling easy adjustment of detection areas without altering the sensor's orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the heat ray sensor is attached at an incline to accommodate inclined walls or surfaces, then the detection area can be adjusted to match the inclination, but the installation complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection area adjustmentVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical units swingable about an axis orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first and second optical units. This allows the detection area to be dynamically adjusted to match inclined surfaces without requiring the entire sensor to be reoriented or reinstalled at an incline. The swingable mechanism enables easy adaptation to different installation conditions while maintaining proper detection orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the heat ray sensor is attached at an incline to accommodate inclined walls or surfaces, then the detection area can be adjusted to match the inclination, but the sensor orientation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection area adjustmentVSAvoidsensor orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the sensor body from the optical units. The optical units (first and second optical units with pyroelectric elements) are made swingable relative to the main sensor body through a swingable support structure. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the detection area orientation without affecting the overall sensor installation orientation, simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining adaptability to inclined surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional heat ray sensors are used with fixed detection areas, then the sensor structure remains simple, but the sensors cannot accommodate inclined surfaces or walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinclined surface accommodationVSAvoidsensor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by providing a swingable support structure that allows the optical units to rotate about an axis orthogonal to their arrangement direction. This dynamic capability enables the detection area to be oriented correctly on inclined surfaces without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple sensor units fixed at different angles. The swingable mechanism provides a simple yet effective solution for adapting to various installation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design allows for straightforward adjustment of detection areas to accommodate inclined surfaces, ensuring accurate detection of human movement without the need for reorienting the sensor.

Implementation Method 1

a first pyroelectric element (120) for outputting the first signal; a second pyroelectric element (220) for outputting the second signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyroelectric effect: Pyroelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

variations in heat rays (infrared rays) radiated from the interior of the detection area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3486622B1Heat ray sensor
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 ATSUMI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3486622B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3486622B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3486622B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

A heat ray sensor (1) includes a first optical unit (100), a second optical unit (200), and a casing (300). The first optical unit (100) outputs a first signal in accordance with a variation in heat rays radiated from a first detection area. The second optical unit (200) is arranged side by side with the first optical unit (100) and outputs a second signal in accordance with a variation in heat rays radiated from a second detection area. The casing (300) houses the first optical unit (100) and the second optical unit (200). Further, the casing (300) integrally supports the first optical unit (100) and the second optical unit (200) swingably about an axis (A) orthogonal to the direction of the arrangement of the first optical unit (100) and the second optical unit (200).