High-frequency position/path sensor for detecting the approach of an object and method for detecting the approach of an object

• US 20070103336A1
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Balluff Verwaltungsges mbH
• Original Assignee: Balluff Verwaltungsges mbH
• Inventors: Fericean, Sorin, Jagiella, Manfred
• Granted Patent: US 7,515,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/48 using multiple beams at emission or reception
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/945 Proximity switches H03K17/96 takes precedence

Abstract

A high-frequency position/path sensor for detecting the approach of an object, with a detection range in a near field, which comprises a high-frequency transmitter and a high-frequency receiver, is proposed. The high-frequency transmitter and the high-frequency receiver are arranged and configured such that a main transmitting direction and a main receiving direction lie at an angle to each other.

Claims

1. High-frequency position/path sensor for detecting the approach of an object, with a detection range in a near field, comprising:

a high-frequency transmitter; and

a high-frequency receiver;

the high-frequency transmitter and the high-frequency receiver being arranged and configured such that a main transmitting direction and a main receiving direction lie at an angle (β

) to each other.

2. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main transmitting direction is determined by the energy flux density of the emitted high-frequency radiation.

3. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main receiving direction is determined by the energy flux density of the received high-frequency radiation.

4. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the high-frequency transmitter comprises one antenna or several antennas arranged on a first carrier.

5. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 4, wherein the main transmitting direction lies perpendicular to a carrier plane of the first carrier.

6. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 4, wherein the main transmitting direction lies at an incline to a carrier plane of the first carrier.

7. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the high-frequency receiver comprises one antenna or several antennas arranged on a second carrier.

8. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 7, wherein the main receiving direction is perpendicular to a carrier plane of the second carrier.

9. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 7, wherein the main receiving direction lies at an incline to a carrier plane.

10. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 9, wherein a carrier plane of the high-frequency receiver and a carrier plane of the high-frequency transmitter lie on the same plane.

11. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 4, wherein the carrier of the high-frequency transmitter and the carrier of the high-frequency receiver are arranged at an angle (α

) to each other.

12. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 11, wherein the angle (α

) is greater than 90° and

less than 180°

.

13. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 4, wherein a holding device is provided for holding the first carrier and the second carrier in a defined position.

14. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 13, wherein the holding device is designed such that the relative position of the first carrier and of the second carrier is settable in a fixable manner.

15. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a transmitter-receiver combination is provided, which is positionable as a unit.

16. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a transmitter-receiver unit with deactivated reception is provided as high-frequency transmitter.

17. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a transmitter-receiver unit with deactivated transmitter is provided as high-frequency receiver.

18. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein an evaluating device is provided for carrying out a triangulation evaluation and an energy evaluation.

19. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a continuous emission of high-frequency radiation is provided.

20. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a high-frequency emission takes place in an authorized ISM band.

21. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a coding device is provided for coding a transmitter signal.

22. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a synchronizing device is provided for synchronizing the high-frequency transmitter and the high-frequency receiver.

23. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a frequency mixer is provided for convoluting a high-frequency receiver signal with a signal of a specified frequency.

24. High-frequency position/path sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a demodulator is provided.

25. Method for detecting the approach of an object, wherein high-frequency radiation is emitted in a main radiating direction and detected in a main receiving direction, the main radiating direction and the main receiving direction lying at an angle to each other.

26. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the angle is less than 90°

.

27. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the transmitting frequency is selected in a range around 24 GHz.

28. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein a center axis between the main transmitting direction and the main receiving direction is aligned in parallel with a direction of movement of the object.

29. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the angle between the main transmitting direction and the main receiving direction is adapted to the object and/or its form of movement.

30. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein high-frequency radiation is emitted continuously.

31. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein a combined triangulation evaluation and energy evaluation of the received radiation is carried out.

32. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the emitted high-frequency radiation is coded.

33. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein a high-frequency transmitter and a high-frequency receiver are synchronized.

34. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein a received signal is convoluted with a signal of a defined frequency.

35. Method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the frequency of the emitted high-frequency radiation is varied.