Triangulation Sensor Multi-Segmented Lens Spot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Triangulation light scanners face challenges in achieving high detection accuracy and sensitivity due to the limitations of light spot enlargement methods, which often result in energy losses and blurred images, especially when using small emission sources like laser diodes or point LEDs, and require a large number of receiver elements.
Innovation Solution
The use of multi-segmented receiving optics with lens segments having different optical axes in the triangulation direction allows for precise control of the light spot's aspect ratio and homogeneity, ensuring each image is sharply focused and enabling high detection sensitivity by simulating a larger light spot without excessive energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the light receiver is placed outside the focal plane to enlarge the light spot, then the light spot size increases, but the image becomes blurred and detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving optics is divided into multiple lens segments with different focal lengths, where each segment focuses light from different object distances to different positions on the light receiver. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both enlarged light spot size and sharp imaging by distributing the focusing function across multiple segments rather than relying on a single focal plane.
2Measurement precision
If the number of receiver elements is increased to improve measurement precision, then the detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the receiving optics by introducing lens segments with different focal lengths, which alters the light spot characteristics on the light receiver. This allows the system to achieve high measurement precision with fewer receiver elements by optimizing the optical imaging properties rather than simply increasing the number of elements.
3Measurement precision
If mechanically adjustable optical elements are used to set the boundary between near and far range, then the background suppression accuracy improves, but the device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a fixed optical design using multi-segmented lens elements. The different focal lengths of the lens segments are predetermined during manufacturing, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustment while maintaining accurate background suppression capability through the inherent optical properties of the segmented lens system.
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 accurate determination of the light spot's position independent of receiver element size, maintaining high detection sensitivity and precision while accommodating various geometries and space requirements, ensuring optimal imaging in the triangulation direction.
Implementation Method 1
the position of a light spot generated by the reflected light on the light receiver being obtained in a triangulation direction depending on the distance of the object
Implementation Method 2
a light emitter for emitting a light signal into a detection zone, a light receiver which has a plurality of receiver elements for receiving diffusely and/or specularly reflected light from the detection zone
Implementation Method 3
receiving optics which are arranged in the beam path in front of the light receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A light transmitter (12) transmits light signal (24) into detection zone (22). A light receiver (14) has several receiver elements to receive light (25,28,30) diffusely and/or specularly reflected from detection zone. A reception optics (18) between detection zone and light receiver has multisegmented lens element having several lens segments with optical axes spaced apart from one another in triangulation direction (46). The position of light spot produced on receiver in triangulation direction by reflected light results in dependence on distance of object (20).