Monolithically constructed radiation detection device

• US 9,714,867 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2013
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Backes, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAHU, MEENAKSHI S
• Application Number:
  US14/647,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20150300883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 2503383, 2502031, 2502032, 2502033, 2502036
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/00 Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/10 using electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/785 using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/18 with coil systems moving upon intermittent or reversed energisation thereof by interaction with a fixed field system, e.g. permanent magnets

Abstract

There is provided a radiation detection means (10) which includes a carrier (12) with at least one pivotable portion (16), a receiving unit (18), a drive (24) and an evaluation and control unit. The receiving unit (18) is arranged on the pivotable portion (16) which together with the receiving unit (18) is pivotable about at least one axis relative to the carrier (12). The evaluation and control unit is connected with the drive (24) and the receiving unit (18) and the drive (24) is associated to the pivotable portion (16).

Claims

1. A radiation detection means (10), comprising a carrier (12) which includes at least one pivotable portion (16), a receiving unit (18), a drive (24) and an evaluation and control unit (40), wherein the radiation detection means (10) is configured to detect and track a radiation source, the evaluation and control unit (40) is configured to align the radiation detection means (10) relative to the radiation source such that the radiation intensity (I) is maximized, the receiving unit (18) is arranged on the pivotable portion (16) which together with the receiving unit (18) is pivotable about at least one axis (S) relative to the carrier (12), the evaluation and control unit (40) is connected to the drive (24) and the recieving unit (18), the drive (24) is associated with the pivotable portion (16), and the carrier (12) is constructed monolithically with the pivotable portion (16).

2. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (12) is a chip.

3. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein a collecting lens (20) is provided, which cooperates with the receiving unit (18).

4. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit (18) is of the single-channel type.

5. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drive (24) is of the electrodynamic type.

6. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one conductor path (28) is arranged on the pivotable portion (16) in a coil-shaped manner.

7. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a permanent magnet (26) associated with the pivotable portion (16).

8. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drive (24) is of the electrostatic type.

9. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit (18) is a photodiode.

10. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit (18) is a bolometer.

11. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable portion (16) is adjustable about two axes (S, K) which are perpendicular to each other.

12. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 11, wherein two drives (24, 34) are provided, which are of the electrodynamic and/or electrostatic type, wherein one drive (24, 34) is provided for pivoting the pivotable portion (16) about one axis (S, K) each.

13. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein two or more pivotable portions (16) are provided, which each include a receiving unit (18).

14. A safety and vehicle assistance system for a motor vehicle with at least one radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1.

15. The safety and vehicle assistance system according to claim 14, wherein the radiation detection means (10) detects the position of a body part of a vehicle occupant, in particular the position of a head.

16. The safety and vehicle assistance system according to claim 14, wherein the radiation detection means (10) detects the position of radiation sources of oncoming and/or preceding vehicles and/or living beings.

17. A method for controlling a radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, with the following steps:

a) detecting a radiation source with the receiving unit (18),

b) evaluating the radiation intensity (I) of the radiation source received by the receiving unit (18) by the evaluation and control unit (40),

c) evaluating the angular incidence of the radiation emitted by the radiation source by the evaluation and control unit (40),

d) aligning the radiation detection means (10) relative to the radiation source such that the radiation intensity (I) is maximized by energizing and controlling a drive (24, 34) with the evaluation and control unit (40) to pivot the pivotable portion (16) about at least one axis (S, K),

wherein steps a) to d) can be repeated iteratively any number of times to track the radiation source.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the evaluation and control unit (40) can be associated to a plurality of receiving units (18).

19. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 12, wherein the carrier (12) includes a frame-like element (14) that encloses a tilting region (30), and wherein the electrostatic type drive (34) includes a comb structure (36) formed on the frame-like element (14) and an opposite comb structure (38) formed on the tilting region (30), the comb structure (36) and opposite comb structure (38) engaging each other.

20. The radiation detection means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit (18) is configured to detect the radiation source, and the receiving unit (18), the pivotable portion (16), the drive (24) and the evaluation and control unit (40) are collectively configured to track the radiation source.