U.S. patent application number 09/863292 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for light-projecting/receiving unit and omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K. Invention is credited to Hirayanagi, Michito, Kawai, Takaaki, Nakase, Shigeki, Tozuka, Hiromichi.
Application Number | 20010035946 09/863292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18261960 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010035946 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakase, Shigeki ; et
al. |
November 1, 2001 |
Light-projecting/receiving unit and omnidirectional distance
detecting apparatus
Abstract
A driving system region which is a region where a light
projector, a light receiver, and a signal processing circuit are
installed together is disposed on one side of an optical system
region comprising a light-projecting region and a light-receiving
region, so that wires such as their mutual signal lines are kept
from passing through the optical system region, whereby an
omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus capable of complete
360-degree omnidirectional distance detection can be obtained. The
influence of electric noise caused by the driving system of rotary
mechanism and the like upon light-receiving signals and the like is
suppressed, whereby the accuracy in distance detection can be
improved.
Inventors: |
Nakase, Shigeki;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; Kawai, Takaaki;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; Tozuka, Hiromichi;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; Hirayanagi, Michito;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS
1800 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5869
US
|
Assignee: |
HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K
|
Family ID: |
18261960 |
Appl. No.: |
09/863292 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09863292 |
May 24, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/JP99/06520 |
Nov 22, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
356/4.01 ;
356/141.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 15/002 20130101;
G01S 7/4817 20130101; G01S 7/4811 20130101; G01S 7/4813 20130101;
G01S 17/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/4.01 ;
356/141.1 |
International
Class: |
G01C 003/08; G01C
001/00; G01B 011/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 1998 |
JP |
P1998-333072 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A light-projecting/receiving unit for emitting light outside
from within a transparent tube by way of a light exit position on
said transparent tube, and causing a reflected part of said light
from the outside to enter said transmission tube by way of a light
entrance position on said transparent tube, said
light-projecting/receiving unit comprising: a light source and a
photodetector which are disposed so as to correspond to said light
exit and light entrance positions, respectively, such that said
light exit and light entrance positions are positions different
from each other on said transparent tube; a light-shielding barrier
provided in said transparent tube so as to separate said light exit
and light entrance positions from each other; and a scanning
optical system, disposed on a path of the light emitted from said
light source and on a path of the light incident on said
photodetector, for moving said light exit and light entrance
positions, wherein both of said light source and said photodetector
being disposed on one face side of said light-shielding barrier,
said scanning optical system being disposed on the other face side
of said light-shielding barrier, the light emitted from said light
source being guided to said scanning optical system by way of an
opening portion provided in said light-shielding barrier, the light
from said scanning optical system being guided to said
photodetector.
2. A light-projecting/receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein
said scanning optical system comprises first and second reflecting
surfaces for reflecting the light from said light source to said
light exit position and the light from said light entrance position
to said photodetector, respectively, said first and second
reflecting surfaces being disposed on a center axis of said
transparent tube and rotating about said center axis.
3. An omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus, comprising a
light projector and a light receiver within a housing, for emitting
irradiation light from said light projector to a predetermined
detecting direction outside said housing byway of projecting light
optical path changing means and causing reflected light from an
object in said detecting direction to be made incident on said
light receiver by way of receiving light optical path changing
means, so as to detect whether said object exists or not and a
distance to said object; said apparatus comprising: a rotary
mechanism having a rotating part installed so as to be rotatable
about a predetermined axis within said housing as an axis of
rotation and a rotary driving part for driving said rotating part,
said projecting light optical path changing means and receiving
light optical path changing means being secured and installed on
said axis of rotation; angle detection means for detecting an angle
of rotation of said rotating part; and a signal processing circuit
for detecting the distance to said object according to a signal
from said light projector and said light receiver and an angle to
said object according to a signal from said angle detection means;
a region within said housing being divided along the direction of
said axis of rotation into an optical system region and a driving
system region within which said light projector, said light
receiver, and said signal processing circuit are disposed, a side
wall of said optical system region being constituted by a
transparent tube transparent to light; said optical system region
being further divided along the direction of said axis of rotation
into a light-projecting region, including said projecting light
optical path changing means therein, for emitting said irradiation
light into said detecting direction; and a light-receiving region
adjacent said driving system region, including said receiving light
optical path changing means therein, for receiving said reflected
light from said detecting direction; said light-projecting region
and said light-receiving region being optically separated from each
other by light-shielding means, installed so as to be fixed with
respect to said transparent tube, for blocking stray light
deviating from an optical path; said light receiver having
irradiation light guiding means, disposed on said axis of rotation
so as to oppose said receiving light optical path changing means
and installed within said light-projecting region, for guiding said
irradiation light from said light projector to said projecting
light optical path changing means.
4. An omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus, comprising a
light projector and a light receiver within a housing, for emitting
irradiation light from said light projector to a predetermined
detecting direction outside said housing by way of projecting light
optical path changing means and causing reflected light from an
object in said detecting direction to be made incident on said
light receiver by way of receiving light optical path changing
means, so as to detect whether said object exists or not and a
distance to said object; said apparatus comprising: a rotary
mechanism having a rotating part installed so as to be rotatable
about a predetermined axis within said housing as an axis of
rotation and a rotary driving part for driving the rotating part,
said projecting light optical path changing means and receiving
light optical path changing means being secured and installed on
said axis of rotation; angle detection means for detecting an angle
of rotation of said rotating part; and a signal processing circuit
for detecting the distance to said object according to a signal
from said light projector and said light receiver and an angle to
said object according to a signal from said angle detection means;
a region within said housing being divided along the direction of
said axis of rotation into an optical system region and a driving
system region within which said light projector, said light
receiver, and said signal processing circuit are disposed, a side
wall of said optical system region being constituted by a
transparent tube transparent to light; said optical system region
being further divided along the direction of said axis of rotation
into a light-projecting region adjacent said driving system region,
including said projecting light optical path changing means
therein, for emitting said irradiation light into said detecting
direction; and a light-receiving region, including said receiving
light optical path changing means therein, for receiving said
reflected light from said detecting direction; said
light-projecting region and said light-receiving region being
optically separated from each other by light-shielding means,
installed so as to be fixed with respect to said transparent tube,
for blocking stray light deviating from an optical path; said light
projector being disposed on said axis of rotation so as to oppose
said projecting light optical path changing means; said
omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus having reflected light
guiding means, installed within said light-receiving region, for
guiding said reflected light from said receiving light optical path
changing means to said light receiver.
5. An omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus according to
claim 3, wherein said angle detection means comprises: an angle
detection disk, secured to an outer periphery of said rotating
part, having an angle detection slit group constituted by a
plurality of slits disposed at equally spaced intervals on a
predetermined circle centered at said axis of rotation; a
photoelectric unit for photoelectrically detecting passage through
said slits; a clock circuit for generating an electric signal in a
high-speed pulse form having a predetermined frequency; and angle
calculating means for calculating the angle to the object by using
the detection of slits obtained by said photoelectric unit and the
number of pulses of electric signal caused by said clock
circuit.
6. An omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus according to
claim 4, wherein said angle detection means comprises: an angle
detection disk, secured to an outer periphery of said rotating
part, having an angle detection slit group constituted by a
plurality of slits disposed at equally spaced intervals on a
predetermined circle centered at said axis of rotation; a
photoelectric unit for photoelectrically detecting passage through
said slits; a clock circuit for generating an electric signal in a
high-speed pulse form having a predetermined frequency; and angle
calculating means for calculating the angle to the object by using
the detection of slits obtained by said photoelectric unit and the
number of pulses of electric signal caused by said clock circuit.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of application
serial no. PCT/JP99/06520 filed on Nov. 22, 1999, now pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a
light-projecting/receiving unit equipped with a scanning system;
and, in particular, to an omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus, equipped with such a light-projecting/receiving unit,
capable of detecting over 360 degrees therearound whether an object
exists or not, the distance to the object, and the angle to the
object.
[0004] 2. Related Background Art
[0005] A distance detecting apparatus having a light projector
using a laser, light-emitting diode, or the like for generating
irradiation light to be emitted outside and a light receiver using
a photodiode for detecting reflected light from an object and
detects whether the object exists in a detecting direction or not
and the distance to the object from the time difference between the
light projection and light reception or the like has conventionally
been known as a distance sensor system mounted in an automatic
guided vehicle, for example.
[0006] The detecting direction in such an apparatus is the
direction in which the irradiation light is projected outside and
the reflected light from the outside is received. The detecting
direction can be selected if the optical path of the irradiation
light emitted from the light projector and the optical path of the
reflected light made incident on the light receiver are changed to
a predetermined direction by reflecting means such as a reflecting
mirror which is optical path changing means. Here, the optical path
changing means may be configured so as to be secured to and
installed in a rotary mechanism which is rotatable by a
predetermined rotary shaft, such that the detecting direction can
be changed continuously, and the sidewall of surroundings of the
optical path changing means being rotated may be configured
optically open to the outside, such that the detecting direction
can be rotated and changed substantially over 360 degrees
therearound. As a consequence, an omnidirectional type distance
detecting apparatus which can detect the distance to the object in
all directions can be attained.
[0007] In an omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus such as
the one mentioned above, the position of detected object can be
specified if not only the distance to the object based on the light
projection and reception but also the angle (direction) to the
object is detected. Namely, while whether an object exists or not
is detected according to whether reflected light is received from
the object or not, if the reflected light is received, so that the
object exists, then the distance to the object is detected
according to the time difference between light projection and light
reception or the like, and the angle to the object is detected by
angle detection means, such as transmission type optical encoder,
installed with respect to the rotary mechanism such that the angle
of rotation in the detecting direction can be measured. Examples of
such apparatus include those disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. HEI 7-191142 and No. HEI 10-10233.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In the above-mentioned conventional omnidirectional distance
detecting apparatus, while the optical path changing means is fixed
onto a rotary shaft, the light projector and light receiver are
disposed opposite each other on the rotary shaft so as to face
their respective predetermined reflecting surfaces of the optical
path changing means. Namely, the light projector is disposed at one
end part of the rotary shaft, so as to emit irradiation light along
the rotary shaft, and the optical path thereof is changed by
optical path changing means, such as light projection mirror, to a
detecting direction which is perpendicular to the rotary shaft, so
that the light is emitted outside. On the other hand, the light
receiver is disposed at the other end part of the rotary shaft,
such that the optical path of the reflected light from the object
incident in the detecting direction is changed by optical path
changing means, such as light-receiving mirror, to a direction
extending along the rotary shaft, whereby the light is incident on
the light receiver.
[0009] Thus configured apparatus has been problematic in that,
since the light projector and light receiver are installed at
substantially both ends of the rotary shaft, i.e., both ends of the
apparatus, a wire such as signal line becomes longer and limits the
degree of freedom in designing the rotary mechanism and the like.
Also, since this line is required to pass through a region where
the projection of irradiation light to the outside and the
reception of reflected light from the outside are carried out,
complete 360-degree omnidirectional distance detection has been
impossible. Further, such a longwire enhances the influence of
electric noise from the rotary driving system of rotary mechanism
and the like, thereby causing the accuracy of distance detection to
deteriorate.
[0010] In view of the problems mentioned above, it is an object of
the present invention to provide an omnidirectional distance
detecting apparatus which enables distance detection over 360
degrees with a high accuracy.
[0011] For achieving such an object, the present invention provides
an omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus, comprising a light
projector and a light receiver within a housing, for emitting
irradiation light from the light projector to a predetermined
detecting direction outside the housing by way of projecting light
optical path changing means and causing reflected light from an
object in the detecting direction to be made incident on the light
receiver by way of receiving light optical path changing means, so
as to detect whether the object exists or not and a distance to the
object; the apparatus comprising a rotary mechanism having a
rotating part installed so as to be rotatable about a predetermined
axis within the housing as an axis of rotation and a rotary driving
part for driving the rotating part, the projecting light optical
path changing means and receiving light optical path changing means
being secured and installed on the axis of rotation; angle
detection means for detecting an angle of rotation of the rotating
part; and a signal processing circuit for detecting the distance to
the object according to a signal from the light projector and light
receiver and an angle to the object according to a signal from the
angle detection means; a region within the housing being divided
along the direction of axis of rotation into an optical system
region and a driving system region within which the light
projector, light receiver, and signal processing circuit are
disposed, a side wall of the optical system region being
constituted by a transparent tube transparent to light; the optical
system region being further divided along the direction of axis of
rotation into a light-projecting region, including the projecting
light optical path changing means therein, for emitting the
irradiation light into the detecting direction; and a
light-receiving region adjacent the driving system region,
including the receiving light optical path changing means therein,
for receiving the reflected light from the detecting direction; the
light-projecting region and light-receiving region being optically
separated from each other by light-shielding means, installed so as
to be fixed with respect to the transparent tube, for blocking
stray light deviating from an optical path; the light receiver
having irradiation light guiding means, disposed on the axis of
rotation so as to oppose the receiving light optical path changing
means and installed within the light-projecting region, for guiding
the irradiation light from the light projector to the projecting
light optical path changing means.
[0012] The present invention also provides an omnidirectional
distance detecting apparatus, comprising a light projector and a
light receiver within a housing, for emitting irradiation light
from the light projector to a predetermined detecting direction
outside the housing by way of projecting light optical path
changing means and causing reflected light from an object in the
detecting direction to be made incident on the light receiver by
way of receiving light optical path changing means, so as to detect
whether the object exists or not and a distance to the object; the
apparatus comprising a rotary mechanism having a rotating part
installed so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis within
the housing as an axis of rotation and a rotary driving part for
driving the rotating part, the projecting light optical path
changing means and receiving light optical path changing means
being secured and installed on the axis of rotation; angle
detection means for detecting an angle of rotation of the rotating
part; and a signal processing circuit for detecting the distance to
the object according to a signal from the light projector and light
receiver and an angle to the object according to a signal from the
angle detection means; a region within the housing being divided
along the direction of axis of rotation into an optical system
region and a driving system region within which the light
projector, light receiver, and signal processing circuit are
disposed, a side wall of the optical system region being
constituted by a transparent tube transparent to light; the optical
system region being further divided along the direction of axis of
rotation into a light-projecting region adjacent the driving system
region, including the projecting light optical path changing means
therein, for emitting the irradiation light into the detecting
direction; and a light-receiving region, including the receiving
light optical path changing means therein, for receiving the
reflected light from the detecting direction; the light-projecting
region and light-receiving region being optically separated from
each other by light-shielding means, installed so as to be fixed
with respect to the transparent tube, for blocking stray light
deviating from an optical path; the light projector being disposed
on the axis of rotation so as to oppose the projecting light
optical path changing means; the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus having reflected light guiding means, installed within
the light-receiving region, for guiding the reflected light from
the receiving light optical path changing means to the light
receiver.
[0013] In the configurations mentioned above, both the light
projector and light receiver are installed in the driving system
region located on the same side of the projecting light optical
path changing means and receiving light optical path changing
means, which are optical path changing means, with respect to the
direction along the axis of rotation of the rotary mechanism. As a
consequence, wires such as signal lines within the optical system
region including the light-projecting region and light-receiving
region can be eliminated, so as to enable complete 360-degree
omnidirectional distance detection, and the degree of freedom in
design and the like are secured so as to enhance the functionality
of apparatus, whereas the wiring to the signal processing circuit
can be shortened, so as to reduce the influence of electric noise
on light-receiving signals and the like, thereby restraining the
accuracy in distance detection from deteriorating.
[0014] In such an apparatus configuration, it is necessary that at
least one of light projector and light receiver be disposed at a
position deviating from the axis of rotation of the rotary
mechanism. In this case, it is necessary to provide irradiation
light guiding means for guiding the irradiation light from the
light projector or reflected light guiding means for guiding the
reflected light to the light receiver.
[0015] Namely, while the light projector is disposed at a position
deviating from the axis of rotation in the case where the light
receiver is disposed on the axis of rotation, light can be
projected and received in a configuration comprising irradiation
light guiding means, such as reflecting prism, for guiding the
irradiation light from the light projector to the projecting light
optical path changing means as mentioned above.
[0016] In the case where the light receiver is disposed at a
position deviating from the axis of rotation while the light
projector is disposed on the axis of rotation, light can be
projected and received in a configuration comprising reflected
light guiding means, such as reflecting prism, for guiding the
reflected light from the receiving light optical path changing
means to the light receiver.
[0017] The angle detection means may comprise an angle detection
disk, secured to an outer periphery of the rotating part, having an
angle detection slit group constituted by a plurality of slits
disposed at equally spaced intervals on a predetermined circle
centered at the axis of rotation; a photoelectric unit for
photoelectrically detecting passage through the slits; a clock
circuit for generating an electric signal in a high-speed pulse
form having a predetermined frequency; and angle calculating means
for calculating the angle to the object by using the detection of
slits obtained by the photoelectric unit and the number of pulses
of electric signal caused by the clock circuit.
[0018] Though the angle to the object can be detected by a
transmission type optical encoder having a disk and a photoelectric
unit in an apparatus such as the one mentioned above, the angular
resolution is determined by the slit arrangement interval in the
angle detection slit group, whereby the angle cannot be detected
with a high resolution in this case. If angle detection by means of
an electric signal with a high-speed pulse is employed together
therewith, by contrast, then angle can be detected with a high
resolution without changing the slit arrangement interval.
[0019] Though both the light projector and light receiver are
installed in the driving system region located on the same side of
the projecting light optical path changing means and receiving
light optical path changing means, which are optical path changing
means, with respect to the direction along the axis of rotation of
the rotary mechanism, whereby wires such as signal lines within the
optical system region including the light-projecting region and
light-receiving region are eliminated, so as to enable complete
360-degree omnidirectional distance detection in the
above-mentioned apparatus, an optical axis structure in which the
light exit position and light entrance position coincide with each
other may be considered in the light souce and photodetector
employed in the omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus.
[0020] If a drop of water or the like attaches onto the light exit
position of the transparent tube in such a case, however, then
diffuse reflection may also occur at the time when light is
incident thereon, thereby enhancing the error in detection. For
suppressing such an error in detection, the present invention
provides a light-projecting/receiving unit for emitting light
outside from within a transparent tube by way of a light exit
position on the transparent tube, and causing a reflected part of
the light from the outside to enter the transmission tube byway of
a light entrance position on the transparent tube; wherein the
light-projecting/receiving unit comprises a light source and a
photodetector which are disposed so as to correspond to the light
exit and light entrance positions, respectively, such that the
light exit and light entrance positions are positions different
from each other on the transparent tube; a light-shielding barrier
provided in the transparent tube so as to separate the light exit
and light entrance positions from each other; and a scanning
optical system, disposed on a path of the light emitted from the
light source and on a path of the light incident on the
photodetector, for moving the light exit and light entrance
positions.
[0021] Here, the transparent tube is a tube transparent to the
light emitted from the light source and the light incident on the
photodetector, and refers to a tube transparent in the visible
range when these kinds of light are visible light, though it may be
opaque in the visible range as long as it is transparent in the
infrared range if these kinds of light are infrared rays, for
example.
[0022] While the light exit and entrance positions are scanned with
the scanning optical system in this unit, even when a drop of water
or the like is attached to the transparent tube, its diffuse
reflection can be suppressed, and the light-shielding barrier
suppresses the diffuse reflection occurring at one of the
positions, whereby optical scanning can be carried out with a high
accuracy.
[0023] Preferably, the scanning optical system comprises first and
second reflecting surfaces for reflecting the light from the light
source to the light exit position and the light from the light
entrance position to the photodetector, respectively, whereas the
first and second reflecting surfaces are disposed on the center
axis of the transparent tube and rotate about the center axis.
Since the center axis becomes the center of rotation, this scanning
optical system can carry out scanning without deflecting the
optical path between each of light source and photodetector and its
corresponding reflecting surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0024] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
first embodiment of the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the
optical system of the omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus
shown in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining a method of
detecting the angle to an object by the omnidirectional distance
detecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
second embodiment of the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus; and
[0028] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
third embodiment of the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT
[0029] In the following, preferred embodiments of the
omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus in accordance with the
present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the
drawings. In the explanation of drawings, constituents identical to
each other will be referred to with numerals or letters identical
to each other, without repeating their overlapping
descriptions.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
first embodiment of the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view schematically showing the constituents and optical
paths of the optical system in this embodiment. Here, FIG. 2 shows
a rotary cylinder 41 and a light-shielding plate 42, which will be
explained later, in a partly broken state.
[0031] The housing 1 in this embodiment is constituted by a driving
system cover 11, a partition plate 12, a transparent
cylinder13,andanopticalsyst- emcover14. The inner region of the
housing 1 is divided by the partition plate 12 into a driving
system region R1 on the lower side having the driving system cover
11 as a side wall; and an optical system region R2 on the upper
side, optically open to the outside, having the transparent
cylinder 13 as a side wall.
[0032] A rotating part 40 driven to rotate about the vertical
direction, as its axis of rotation, is installed at and connected
to the center portion of the partition plate 12 so as to be
rotatable with respect to the partition plate 12. A rotary support
portion 40a, connected to the partition plate 12, constituting the
lower portion of the rotating part 40, is provided with a
disk-shaped rotary ring 45 at a predetermined location of its outer
periphery positioned within the driving system region R1. On the
other hand, by way of a rotary driving shaft 44, a rotary ring 46
is attached to a rotary driving part 43, having a motor for driving
the rotating part 40, installed at a predetermined position
deviating from the axis of rotation within the driving system
region R1. As the rotary rings 45 and 46 are connected to each
other by means of a rotary belt 47, a rotary mechanism is
constructed, whereby the rotating part 40 is driven to rotate and
controlled by the rotary driving part 43. Here, the inside of the
rotary support portion 40a is formed with a cylindrical
light-guiding path 40b having a predetermined inside diameter.
[0033] The upper side of the rotating part 40 positioned within the
optical system region R2 is constituted by the rotary cylinder 41.
Within the rotary cylinder 41, an optical path changing prism 4,
which is optical path changing means, is installed so as to be
fixed with respect to the rotary cylinder 41. The optical path
changing prism 4 has a shape which is obtained when the upper and
lower end faces of a quadrangular prism disposed with its center
axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the rotating part 40
are cut off at an angle of 45 degrees.
[0034] In these two cut faces, the upper and lower cut faces
constitute a projecting light reflecting surface 4a, which is
projecting light optical path changing means, and a receiving light
reflecting surface 4b, which is receiving light optical path
changing means, respectively, thereby determining the main optical
path system for projecting and receiving light in this embodiment.
Namely, the optical system region R2 is partitioned by a horizontal
plane sandwiched between the projecting light reflecting surface 4a
and receiving light reflecting surface 4b of the optical path
changing prism 4, as the boundary surface, into a light-projecting
region R2a on the upper side and a light-receiving region R2b on
the lower side.
[0035] The light-projecting region R2a includes the projecting
light reflecting surface 4a, whereby the irradiation light to the
object is made incident on the projecting light reflecting surface
4a byway of a projecting light entrance optical path La1 vertically
extending thereto from thereabove along the axis of rotation of the
rotating part 40 and, with its optical path changed thereby, is
guided to a projection light exit optical path La2. On the other
hand, the light-receiving region R2b includes the receiving light
reflecting surface 4b, whereby the reflected light from the object
is made incident on the receiving light reflecting surface 4b by
way of a receiving light entrance optical path Lb2 and, with its
optical path changed thereby, is guided to a receiving light exit
optical path Lb1 vertically extending downward therefrom along the
axis of rotation.
[0036] Here, the projecting light exit optical path La2 and the
receiving light entrance optical path Lb2 are horizontal and
parallel to each other, whereby the reflected light from the object
due to the irradiation light from the projecting light exit optical
path La2 can be taken from the receiving light entrance optical
path Lb2.
[0037] The upper and lower ends of the rotary cylinder 41 are an
upper end opening portion 41a through which the projecting light
entrance optical path La1 passes and a lower end opening portion
41b through which the receiving light exit optical path Lb1 passes,
respectively, whereas a predetermined region of the rotary cylinder
41 including its intersections with the projecting light exit
optical path La2 and receiving light entrance optical path Lb2 is
formed with a side face opening portion 41c. Installed at the upper
end opening portion 41a, lower end opening portion 41b, and side
face opening portion 41c are light-transmitting windows (not
depicted) each formed by a transparent member transmitting light
therethrough. These portions may also be placed in an open state
without installing light-transmitting windows.
[0038] The side wall of the optical system region R2, constituted
by the light-projecting region R2a and light-receiving region R2b,
through which the projecting light exit optical path La2 and the
receiving light entrance optical path Lb2 pass, is the transparent
cylinder 13 transmitting light therethrough. Here, since each
optical path rotates over 360 degrees, the sidewall is made
optically open by the transparent cylinder 13 in all directions of
360 degrees, unlike the side face opening portion 41c formed in a
part of the region of the rotary cylinder 41 rotating together with
the optical paths. In this embodiment, the center axis of the
transparent cylinder 13 coincides with the axis of rotation of the
rotating part 40.
[0039] Also employable as the optical path changing prism 4 are
other shapes, such as one obtained when the upper and lower end
faces of a cylindrical form disposed with its center axis
coinciding with the axis of rotation are cut off at an angle of 45
degrees, for example. Reflecting mirrors and the like, formed
separately from each other, may also be used as the projecting
light optical path changing means and receiving light optical path
changing means, respectively.
[0040] Installed at the boundary surface between the
light-projecting region R2a and the light-receiving region R2b is
the disk-shaped light-shielding plate 42 having a center opening
portion 42a through which the rotary cylinder 41 penetrates. The
light-shielding plate 42 is secured, at a plurality of positions
(among which one is depicted in FIG. 1) in the outer peripheral
part thereof by a light-shielding plate securing part 42c, to the
transparent cylinder 13. As a consequence, stray light, which is
scattered/reflected part of irradiation light due to dirt, droplets
of water, and the like attached to the inner wall of the housing 11
and transparent cylinder 13, can be prevented from entering the
light-receiving region R2b, whereby the accuracy in distance
detection can be restrained from decreasing.
[0041] The projection of irradiation light and reception of
reflected light in this apparatus are carried out by a light
projector 2, which is preferably a semiconductor laser, and a light
receiver 3, which is preferably a semiconductor photodetector. Each
of the light projector 2 and light receiver 3 is installed within
the driving system region R1. In such a configuration, since both
of the light projector 2 and light receiver 3 are disposed lower
than the optical system region R2 and, in particular, are disposed
(on the same side) lower than the boundary surface between the
light-projecting region R2a and the light-receiving region R2b
where the light-shielding plate 42 is installed, at least one of
the light projector 2 and light receiver 3 is required to be
disposed at a position deviating from the axis of rotation of the
rotating part 40.
[0042] In this embodiment, the light-receiving region R2b is
adjacent the driving system region R1, whereas the light projector
2 is installed, at a predetermined position deviating from the axis
of rotation, with its light exit axis extending vertically upward
therefrom. A light-guiding part 23 is installed at the location of
partition plate 12 opposite the light projector 2. The
light-shielding plate 42 is provided with an opening portion 42b at
the location opposite the light projector 2, whereby the
irradiation light emitted vertically upward from the light
projector 2 passes through the light-guiding part 23,
light-receiving region R2b, and opening portion 42b, so as to enter
the light-projecting region R2a. For preventing the scattered light
from each location on the light-projecting region R2a and the like
from entering the light-receiving region R2b side by way of the
opening portion 42b, a scattering light restriction ring 24 thicker
than the light-shielding plate 42 is installed at the opening
portion 42b.
[0043] As mentioned above, the irradiation light emitted vertically
upward from the light projector 2 located at a position deviating
from the axis of rotation is reflected by prisms 21 and 22, which
are irradiation light guiding means secured to the lower face side
of the optical system cover 14 forming the upper end of the
light-projecting region R2a, and its optical path is changed to the
projecting light entrance optical path La1 directed vertically
downward along the axis of rotation, so as to be made incident on
the projecting light reflecting surface 4a.
[0044] On the other hand, the light receiver 3 is installed on the
axis of rotation, whereby the reflected light whose optical path is
changed to the receiving light exit optical path Lb1 by means of
the receiving light reflecting surface 4b is made incident on the
light receiver 3 by way of a light-receiving lens 31. Also, for
projecting the irradiation light, a light-projecting lens may be
installed within the light-guiding part 23, for example.
[0045] The light projection and light reception of the light
projector 2 and light receiver 3 are driven and controlled by a
light projection control circuit 20 and a light reception control
circuit 30, respectively. The light projector 2 and light receiver
3 are further connected to a signal processing circuit 5 (though no
connecting wires are depicted). As a consequence, driving signals
of the light projector 2 and light-receiving signals of the light
receiver 3 are fed into the signal processing circuit 5, whereby
the signal processing circuit 5 calculates and determines whether
an object exists or not in the detecting direction according to
whether light is received or not, and the distance to the object
according to the time difference between the light projection and
light reception or the like.
[0046] In the conventional omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus, the light projector and light receiver are disposed
opposite each other on the rotary shaft on the light-projecting
region side and light-receiving region side with respect to the
optical path changing means, respectively. This case has been
problematic in that, since the light projector and light receiver
are installed at substantially both ends of the rotary shaft, i.e.,
both ends of the apparatus, a wire such as signal line becomes
longer, thereby limiting the rotary driving, and the long wiring
causes electric noise from the rotary driving system or the like to
be more influential.
[0047] In the apparatus in accordance with the present invention,
by contrast, the driving system region R1 is disposed on one of the
light-projecting region R2a side or light-receiving region R2b side
(on the light-receiving region R2b side in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1), so that the light projector 2, the light receiver 3, and
the signal processing circuit 5 inputting therein the signals from
the light projector 2 and light receiver 3 are installed within the
driving system region R1, separately from the optical system region
R2 constituted by the light-projecting region R2a and
light-receiving region R2b. As a consequence, their mutual wiring
is made shorter, so as to secure the degree of freedom in designing
the apparatus, and no wires are disposed within the optical system
region R2, whereby complete 360-degree omnidirectional distance
detection becomes possible. Further, shortening the wiring as such
can realize an omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus in
which the influence of electric noise on the light-receiving signal
or the like is suppressed, so as to improve the accuracy in
distance detection. Also, disposing the light projector 2 and light
receiver 3 in the same region as such can make the apparatus
smaller.
[0048] Further, in the case where the driving system region R1 in
which the light projector 2, light receiver 3, rotary driving part
43, and the like are installed is positioned in the lower part of
the apparatus as shown in this embodiment, the weight of the part
of apparatus supported by the transparent cylinder 13, which is the
sidewall of the optical system region R2, is reduced, whereby a
sufficient strength can be obtained even when the transparent
cylinder 13 is made thinner. As a consequence, at the time when the
irradiation light is emitted through the projecting light exit
optical path La2 and the reflected light is made incident through
the receiving light entrance optical path Lb2, the reduction of the
quantity of transmitted light and the distortion of images can be
suppressed, whereby distance detection can be carried out at a
higher accuracy.
[0049] In this apparatus, the light-shielding plate 42 is secured
with respect to the transparent cylinder 13, which is the side wall
of the housing 1. The case where the light-shielding means for
separating the light-projecting region and light-receiving region
from each other is secured with respect to the rotating part
attains a structure in which the light-shielding means is also
rotated, whereby the load of rotary driving increases. In a
structure in which the light-shielding plate 42 is secured with
respect to the housing 1, by contrast, the functionality of rotary
driving can be made higher. Such a fixed arrangement of the
light-shielding plate 42 can be attained when the light projector
2, light receiver 3, prisms 21, 22, and the like are disposed
fixedly. At the same time, their fixed arrangement can facilitate
optical axis adjustment and the like in the apparatus.
[0050] Also, since the light-projecting region R2a and the
light-receiving region R2b are adjacent each other by way of the
light-shielding plate 42 alone, the light-receiving efficiency is
restrained from decreasing due to deviations from an expected
light-receiving angle even in short-distance measurement.
[0051] The angle detection means and its detection of the angle to
an object in this apparatus will now be explained. An encoder disk
51 is attached to the rotary support portion 40a at a location
positioned within the optical system region R2, whereas a
photoelectric unit 52 is installed at a predetermined position on
the outer periphery of the encoder disk 51 as being secured to the
partition plate 12 so as to hold a part of the outer periphery of
encoder disk 51. The encoder disk 51, the photoelectric unit 52,
and an encoder control circuit 53 for controlling them constitute a
transmission type optical encoder for angle detection.
[0052] The encoder disk 51 is formed with an angle detection slit
group composed of a plurality of slits disposed at predetermined
angular intervals on a predetermined circle centered at the axis of
rotation of the rotating part 40 and located within a region
passing the inside of the photoelectric unit 52 upon rotation.
Similarly, a reference angle detection slit is formed on a circle,
concentric with and different from the circle provided with the
above-mentioned angle detection slit group, within a region passing
the inside of the photoelectric unit 52 upon rotation. The
reference angle detection slit is provided for determining an
angular position which becomes a base point for the angle detection
by the angle detection slit group, and is constituted by either a
single slit or a plurality of slits such as two slits at intervals
of 180 degrees or four slits at intervals of 90 degrees depending
on various conditions such as the rotating speed of the rotating
part 40.
[0053] In the photoelectric unit 52, a light source is disposed on
one side of the encoder disk 51, whereas a photodetector is
disposed on the other side, so that the light from the light source
transmitted through the individual slits of the angle detection
slit group and reference angle detection slit can be detected by
the photodetector, whereby angular information can be obtained. For
carrying out such angle detection based on light, a light-shielding
case 54 is installed so as to surround a region including the
photoelectric unit 52.
[0054] The signal from the transmission type optical encoder is fed
into the signal processing circuit 5, where the angle to the object
is calculated. The photoelectric unit 52 and the like are installed
adjacent the driving system region R1 in this case as well, whereby
all the wiring of their signal lines and the like is effected
within the driving system region R1. Consequently, as with the
signal lines concerning distance detection, the signal lines
concerning angle detection can be made shorter, so as to reduce the
deterioration of resolution caused by the influence of electric
noise. Though not depicted, a wiring path for wiring signal lines
from the transmission type optical encoder is disposed at a
predetermined location within the region of partition plate 12
covered with the light-shielding case 54.
[0055] In the case where a transmission type optical encoder such
as the one mentioned above is used, the resolution of angle
detection is determined by the slit arrangement interval in the
angle detection slit group. Though it is necessary for the slit
arrangement interval to be made smaller in order to carry out angle
detection at a higher resolution, there is a maximum limit on the
density at which the slits are disposed; and the apparatus itself
becomes greater if the diameter of encoder disk 51 is made larger.
Hence, the inventors have employed an angle detection method which
enhances the angular resolution by using the angle detection by the
transmission type optical encoder and the detection by an electric
clock together (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI
5-60575).
[0056] FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the above-mentioned
angle detection method, illustrating the optical signal
corresponding to the angle detection slit group and the electric
signal based on a predetermined frequency used for angle detection
together therewith. In this embodiment, the signal processing
circuit 5 includes a clock circuit for generating an electric
signal in a high-speed pulse form having a predetermined frequency,
and angle calculating means for calculating the angle to the object
by using this electric signal as well. The frequency of the
electric signal generated by the clock circuit is set such that its
signal pulse interval becomes smaller than the signal pulse
interval of optical signal determined by the slit arrangement
interval in the angle detection slit group and the rotation speed
of rotating part 40. Also, for example, the signal pulse S.sub.n in
the optical signal indicates the signal pulse caused by the n-th
slit from the reference angle detected by the reference angle
detection slit, and corresponds to an angle n.theta..sub.0 when the
slit arrangement interval in the angle detection slit group is
.theta..sub.0.
[0057] Assuming that the rotating part 40 rotates at a constant
speed, the number of electric signal pulses between two signal
pulses S corresponding to respective adjacent slits is constant.
This number is determined as N.sub.0 between the signal pulses
S.sub.n and S.sub.n+1, for example, upon measurement. Here, the
angular interval per electric signal pulse is
.theta..sub.0/N.sub.0, which enables measurement at a high
resolution with its angular resolution being set to the angular
interval .theta..sub.0/N.sub.0. Namely, assuming that, by way of
example, the reflected light from an object is received at a timing
T, while the number of electric signal pulses from the signal pulse
S.sub.n+1 at that time is N.sub.1, the angle to the detected object
is determined as (n+1+N.sub.1/N.sub.0).theta..sub.0.
[0058] In particular, employing such an angle detecting method
using electric signal pulses as well enables measurement with an
angular resolution higher than the value corresponding to the slit
arrangement interval as mentioned above. Also, if the frequency of
electric signal pulse is changed, then the resolution of angle
detection can be altered without changing the slit arrangement
interval.
[0059] Without being restricted to the above-mentioned embodiment,
the omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus in accordance with
the present invention can be modified in various manners.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
second embodiment of the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In this
embodiment, the transparent cylinder acting as the side wall of the
optical system region R2 is constituted by two transparent
cylinders, i.e., a transparent cylinder 13a which is the side wall
of the light-projecting region R2a and a transparent cylinder 13b
which is the side wall of the light-receiving region R2b, whereas
the light-shielding plate 42 is installed between the transparent
cylinders 13a and 13b. Such a configuration can also yield effects
similar to those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the
light-shielding plate 42 is made thicker than that in the first
embodiment, whereby no scattering light restriction ring is
installed in the opening portion 42b.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
third embodiment of the omnidirectional distance detecting
apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In this
embodiment, the light projector 2 and light-guiding part 23 are
installed as being inclined with respect to the vertical axis at a
predetermined angle, whereby the irradiation light is guided while
a single prism 21 secured to the optical system cover 14 is used as
irradiation light guiding means. In this case, optical axis
adjustment is simplified due to the fact that the prism 21 is
single.
[0062] Though the light receiver is disposed on the axis of
rotation of rotary mechanism in all of the above-mentioned first to
third embodiments, the optical system region may be divided such
that the light-projecting region, to the contrary, is placed
adjacent the driving system region, whereas the light projector is
disposed on the axis of rotation so as to face the projecting light
optical path changing means. Here, the light receiver is disposed
at a position deviating from the axis of rotation, whereas
reflected light guiding means comprising a single reflecting prism,
a plurality of reflecting prisms, or the like for guiding reflected
light from the receiving light optical path changing means toward
the light receiver is provided, so as to project and receive light.
In this case, since the reflected light has a spot diameter greater
than that of irradiation light, the optical axis adjustment in the
light guiding means is relatively easy. Also, the opening portion
on the light-shielding plate for passing the reflected light
therethrough is required to be made larger than that in the case
with irradiation light, in order to fully take reflected light
therein.
[0063] As explained in detail in the foregoing, the above-mentioned
omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus yields effects as
follows. Namely, since it is configured such that a driving region,
which is a region where a light projector, a light receiver, and a
signal processing circuit are installed together, is provided on
one side of an optical system region comprising a light-projecting
region and a light-receiving region, wires such as signal lines
therebetween are kept from passing through the optical system
region, whereby an omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus
capable of complete 360-degree omnidirectional distance detection
can be attained. Here, the cylinder 13 may be a polygonal tube.
[0064] Also, since the wiring distance is shortened thereby, the
influence of electric noise caused by the driving system of rotary
mechanism and the like upon light-receiving signals and the like is
suppressed, whereby the accuracy in distance detection can be
improved.
[0065] Here, though both the light projector and light receiver are
installed in the driving system region located on the same side of
the projecting light optical path changing means and receiving
light optical path changing means, which are optical path changing
means, with respect to the direction along the axis of rotation of
rotary mechanism in the apparatus, so as to eliminate wires such as
signal lines in the optical system region including the
light-projecting region and light-receiving region, thereby
enabling complete 360-degree omnidirectional distance detection,
the light source and photodetector used in an omnidirectional
distance detecting apparatus may employ an optical axis structure
in which the light exit and entrance positions coincide with each
other.
[0066] If a drop of water or the like attaches to the transparent
cylinder at the light exit position thereof in such a case,
however, then diffuse reflection also occurs at the time of
incidence of light, thereby enhancing the error in detection. The
above-mentioned omnidirectional distance detecting apparatus is
equipped with a light-projecting unit, which suppresses such a
detection error. Namely, the light-projecting/receiving unit for
emitting light La2 outside from within a transparent tube 13 (13a,
13b) by way of a light exit position on the transparent tube 13 and
causing a reflected part Lb2 of the light from the outside to enter
the transmission tube 13 by way of a light entrance position on the
transparent tube 13 comprises a light source 2 and a photodetector
3 which are disposed so as to correspond to the light exit and
light entrance positions, respectively, such that the light exit
and light entrance positions are positions different from each
other on the transparent tube; a light-shielding barrier 42
provided in the transparent tube so as to separate the light exit
and light entrance positions from each other; and a scanning
optical system 4, disposed on the path La of the light emitted from
the light source 2 and on the path Lb2 of the light incident on the
photodetector 3, for moving the light exit and light entrance
positions.
[0067] Here, the transparent tube 13 is a tube transparent to the
light emitted from the light source 2 and the light incident on the
photodetector 3, and refers to a tube transparent in the visible
range when these kinds of light are visible light, though it may be
opaque in the visible range as long as it is transparent in the
infrared range if these kinds of light are infrared rays, for
example.
[0068] While the light exit and entrance positions are scanned with
the scanning optical system 4 in this unit, even when a drop of
water or the like is attached to the transparent tube 13, the
resulting diffuse reflection can be suppressed, and the
light-shielding barrier 42 suppresses the diffuse reflection
occurring at one of the positions, whereby optical scanning can be
carried out with a high accuracy.
[0069] The scanning optical system 4 comprises first and second
reflecting surfaces 4a, 4b for reflecting the light from the light
source 2 to the light exit position and the light from the light
entrance position to the photodetector 3, respectively, whereas the
first and second reflecting surfaces 4a, 4b are disposed on the
center axis of the transparent tube 13 and rotate about the center
axis. Since the center axis becomes the center of rotation, this
scanning optical system 4 can carry out scanning without deflecting
the optical path between each device 2, 3 and its corresponding
reflecting surface 4a, 4b.
[0070] Industrial Applicability
[0071] The present invention can be utilized in
light-projecting/receiving units and omnidirectional distance
detecting apparatus.
* * * * *