Through-Beam Sensor Masking for Motion Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional position sensors cannot effectively control the moving and rotating ranges of mechanical apparatuses with large allowable movement ranges, as they only determine direct or staggered configurations and lack the functionality to ensure the ends remain within a predetermined range.
Innovation Solution
A platform through-beam sensor device with a transmitter module and a receiver module, where the transmitter module emits a light pattern and the receiver module senses this pattern, allowing for adjustable light masks to determine the light-emitting and receiving ranges, thereby controlling the movement and rotation of mechanical apparatuses by ensuring the light-receiving element falls within the light pattern range and the light-emitting element within the receiving range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional position sensor uses a straight beam to determine direct or staggered configuration, then the sensor structure is simple, but the sensor cannot control the moving range or rotating range when the allowable movement range is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light beam into multiple segments by introducing a light-emitting element array and a light-receiving element array. Instead of using a single straight beam, multiple light beams are emitted at different angles, creating a light field distribution that can detect positional deviations more precisely. This segmentation allows the sensor to control moving ranges effectively while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional straight beam detection to two-dimensional light field distribution detection. By arranging light-emitting and light-receiving elements in arrays and using lenses to create focused light spots, the system detects not only direct/staggered configurations but also angular deviations and positional offsets in multiple dimensions, enabling comprehensive movement range control.
2Measurement precision
If the light-emitting element and light-receiving element are arranged to face each other directly, then the sensor can detect direct configuration, but it cannot detect staggered configuration or determine if ends remain within allowable movement range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal sensor structure where the same light-emitting element array and light-receiving element array can detect multiple types of configurations (direct, staggered, angular deviations) and determine whether ends remain within allowable movement ranges. The lens system focuses light from multiple emitting elements onto corresponding receiving elements, creating a multi-functional detection capability without requiring separate sensor systems for each detection mode.
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
The sensor device effectively controls the moving and rotating ranges of mechanical apparatuses by preventing excessive movement, thereby preventing collisions and ensuring safe operation within predetermined limits.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter module has a light-emitting element. A direction of the light-emitting element emitting a light is a front of the transmitter module. The light passing through the transmitter mask forms a light pattern range. The receiver module has a light-receiving element. When the light-receiving element falls into the light pattern range and the light-emitting element falls into the receiving range, the light-receiving element receives the light emitted by the light-emitting element.
Data Source
AI summary
A platform through-beam sensor device includes a transmitter module and a receiver module. A light emitted by a light-emitting element of the transmitter module is shaped into a light pattern range by a transmitter mask. A range of the light received by a light-receiving element of the receiver module is changed to a receiving range by a receiver mask. When the present invention is used, the transmitter module and the receiver module are respectively installed on two ends of a mechanical apparatus that move relative to each other. After determining a safety range of the relative movement of the two ends, a state that the light-receiving element falls into the light pattern range and the light-emitting element falls into the receiving range is set to be within the safety range. Upon exceeding the safety range, a flying platform is controlled to stop, thereby improving the safety of the flying platform.