Optical sensor identifying and/or locating object - uses matrix of discret light sources at known spacing and main radiation angle

摘要

The sensor use a coordinate system with a position sensitive detector that works on the triangulation principle and capable of evaluating the diffuse reflection from the object, e.g. robot arm. A number of light sources (1,2) is placed in series in the form of a matrix. Their distances to each other and main radiation angles w.r.t. the plane of the matrix are known. At least one position sensitive detector (4,4') is installed at the side of the matrix at a given angle between 90 and 180 deg. to the matrix plane to cover, with the transmitted beams of the light sources, an optically active space (12). An electrical evaluating unit (8) is assigned to the dectector(s). The light sources are sequentially controlled by electronics with a time multiplexer. ADVANTAGE - Reduces data required and evaluates without by-passes or external processing. Works in three dimensions. Compact, can actually be integrated with actuator, robot arm etc.