Dynamic light curtain muting system and method
US9910186B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16P3/144
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light curtain system is configured to perform dynamic partial muting of the light curtain's beams to accommodate products of different heights. When a product enters the light curtain's protective field during muting mode, the system identifies the highest interrupted light beam, which is indicative of the product's height. The system then sets the muting height for the light curtain based on this highest interrupted beam. Beams higher than the set muting height are un-muted, while beams up to the set muting height remain muted. Both regions are actively monitored during the partial muting mode to confirm the expected non-interrupted, respectively interrupted conditions. When the product clears the light curtain, the muting height is reset, and a new muting height is set in a similar fashion when the next part enters the light curtain's protective field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.