Solar battery-driven object detection system

• US 9,576,456 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2014
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optex Company Limited (OPTEX GROUP Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Optex Company Limited (OPTEX GROUP Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Makino, Hiroshi, Hayashide, Koji, Kurata, Mataichi, Ikeda, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Terrell, Emily C
• Application Number:
  US14/222,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20140285342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 340/556, 340/539.3, 340/636.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2491 Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A reception unit 2 of a detection unit 3 includes a transmitter 30 that transmits a reception (detection) level of an infrared beam to a transmission unit 1, and a demand signal output unit 26 that transmits to the transmission unit 1 a demand signal M, demanding to control the intensity of the infrared beam to be transmitted so that the reception level matches a predetermined value. The transmission unit 1 includes an infrared ray (detection beam) intensity control unit 15 that controls, upon receipt of the demand signal M, the intensity of the infrared beam to be transmitted so that the reception level matches the predetermined value. A power source unit 31 is a solar battery unit including a solar panel and a charging medium that stores power from the solar panel.

Claims

1. A solar battery-driven object detection system, the system comprising:

a detection unit having a transmission unit that transmits a detection beam to a detection region and a reception unit that constantly receives the detection beam transmitted from the transmission unit and detects an object when the object intercepts the detection beam in the detection region; and

a power source unit that supplies power to the detection unit,

wherein the reception unit includes a transmitter that transmits a reception level of the detection beam to the transmission unit, and a demand signal output unit that transmits to the transmission unit a demand signal for controlling intensity of the detection beam corresponding to an environment to be transmitted so that the reception level matches a predetermined value capable of maintaining a detection capability for the environment,

the transmission unit includes a detection beam intensity control unit that controls, upon receipt of the demand signal in an adverse environment, so as to increase the intensity of the detection beam to be transmitted so that the reception level matches the predetermined value, but to attenuate the intensity of the detection beam upon receipt of no demand signal, and

the power source unit is a solar battery unit including a solar panel and a charging medium that stores power from the solar panel.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a manual intensity operation unit that allows the intensity of the detection beam to be transmitted to be manually controlled and set for the demand signal output unit.

3. A security sensor comprising the solar battery-driven object detection system according to claim 1, and configured to output an alarm upon detecting an object.