Wide Angle Photobeam Obstacle Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photobeam systems for movable barriers have a narrow transmission angle, making installation precise and sensitive to alignment, leading to difficulties in installation and potential interference from nearby objects.
Innovation Solution
A wide angle photobeam system with an emitter configured to emit signals at least 7 degrees, using a processing device to compare signal characteristics to stored baseline data within a defined time window, ignoring untimely reflections and allowing for less precise installation and reduced impact from nearby objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a narrow angle transmission is used in photobeam systems, then the possibility of receiver receiving reflected signals is reduced, but precise placement of photobeam components is required and installation becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission angle parameter from narrow (approximately two degrees) to wide (at least seven degrees). This parameter change allows the system to maintain detection accuracy while significantly improving installation ease, as the wider angle reduces sensitivity to precise component placement and alignment.
2Reliability
If a narrow angle transmission is used in photobeam systems, then reflected signals from nearby objects are minimized, but the system becomes sensitive to slight contact and alignment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission angle from narrow to wide (at least seven degrees), which reduces the system's sensitivity to alignment changes and contact disturbances. The wider angle creates a more stable detection pattern that is less affected by minor positional variations.
3Measurement precision
If a narrow angle transmission is used in photobeam systems, then signal precision is improved, but installation time and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission angle parameter to at least seven degrees, which maintains sufficient signal precision for accurate obstacle detection while dramatically reducing installation time and difficulty. The wider angle reduces the need for precise alignment during installation.
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 system effectively detects obstacles with reduced interference from nearby objects, simplifying installation and enhancing reliability by using a wide angle signal and baseline comparison, thus minimizing the effects of slight movements or nearby reflections.
Implementation Method 1
an emitter configured to emit a signal and a receiver configured to receive at least a portion of the signal
Implementation Method 2
determining whether at least a portion of the signal was received within a time window
Data Source
AI summary
An obstacle detection system includes an emitter that emits a wide angle signal, and a receiver that receives at least a portion of the wide angle signal. The obstacle detection system also includes a memory for storing a time window and a baseline signal characteristic, and a processing device that compares attributes of the received signal to information stored in the memory. The processing device determines whether at least a portion of the emitted signal was received at the receiver within the time window. The processing device also determines whether a signal characteristic of the received signal corresponds to the baseline signal characteristic.