CHAPTER 2. USBOARD-USS5
2.1. INTRODUCTION
Tip:
The Graphical User Interface for the USBoard-USS5 can be found at
(page 28).
2.1 Introduction
See also our
(page 41).
2.1.1 Intended Use
The USBoard-USS5 was designed for use in mobile robots and similar machines like wheeled drones or AGVs. It is
meant for obstacle detection and collision avoidance.
The USBoard-USS5 can also be used in stationary machines or equipment to provide distance measurement data.
The USBoard-USS5 was developed to provide exclusively non-safe data and information.
2.1.2 Improper Use
The USBoard-USS5 is explicitely
not a safety device
and must not be used as such. It must never be used to safeguard
dangerous areas or as single system for collision avoidance.
It is not recommended to use the USBoard-USS5 in applications with very high requirements on measurement accu-
racy, on reliability of the measurements or on data output speed. This for example includes motion control applications
like parking.
2.1.3 Qualified Personnel
The USBoard-USS5 must only be installed, connected and brought into service by
(page 48).
2.2 Operating Principle
2.2.1 Basic Principle
An ultrasonic sensor creates a sound pulse that is reflected by obstacles and then returns to the sensor. By measuring
the time between emitting and receiving the ultrasonic pulse, the USBoard-USS5 is able to calculate the distance
between the sensor and the closest obstacle.
In default mode the sensors are operated cyclically one after. In
(page 11) the sensors operate in
groups of four. Only one of these sensors emits the pulse but all sensors can receive the echo. If the geometric
positions of the sensors are know it is possible to triangulate the position of the detected obstacle.
A CAN and a USB communication interface can be used to acquire distance data measured by the sensors as well as
the data from the analogue inputs. On request the USB port can be replaced by a RS-232 interface.
For each sensor a warning and an alarm distance can be defined by software. This allows using the board for collision
protection. As soon as the distance measured by a sensor falls below the according warning distance, an LED on the
board lights up and a relay is switched. A second LED and another relay indicate that an obstacle was detected within
the alarm distance of one or more sensors. Warning and alarm distances are defined in the parameter set via the GUI.
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