# US 12,010,424 B2 · Optoelectronic sensor and method for focus adjustment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,010,424 B2 - Document ID: US12010424B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/202,113 - Filed: 2023-05-25 - Published: 2023-12-28 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-24 - Assignees: Sick AG - Applicants: Sick AG - Inventors: Thomas Pfrengle; Jakob Burger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12010424B2 ## CPC - G03B 3/04: adjusting position of image plane without moving lens - H04N 23/67: Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals - G01D 5/142: {using Hall-effect devices (measuring magnetic variables using Hall-effect or other galvanomagnetic devices G01R33/06)} - G03B 3/10: Power-operated focusing - G06K 7/1413: {1D bar codes} - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - G03B 2205/0084: using other types of actuators - H02K 37/00: Motors with rotor rotating step by step and without interrupter or commutator driven by the rotor, e.g. stepping motors - H02K 41/0354: {Lorentz force motors, e.g. voice coil motors} - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract An optoelectronic sensor comprising a light receiver, receiving optics in front of the light receiver, and a focus adjustment unit having an actuator and configured to move the light receiver, wherein the focus adjustment unit comprises a parallel guide having at least one flexible retaining element and moving the light receiver in a constant orientation on the optical axis of the receiving optics. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optoelectronic sensor comprising: a light receiver; receiving optics in front of the light receiver; and a focus adjustment unit having an actuator and configured to move the light receiver, wherein the focus adjustment unit comprises a parallel guide having at least one flexible retaining element and moving the light receiver in a constant orientation on an optical axis of the receiving optics, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element comprises a thermally-conductive layer, and wherein the at least one flexible retaining element further comprises two metal layers, the thermally-conductive layer being positioned therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a stepper motor or a moving coil. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor for determining the position of the actuator, the parallel guide, or the light receiver. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the light receiver is arranged on a printed circuit board comprising at least one flexible section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the printed circuit board comprises rolled copper at least in the flexible section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the parallel guide comprises a fixed first bearing and an opposite, movable second bearing, and wherein the flexible retaining element is mounted with a first side in the first bearing and with an opposite second side in the second bearing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sensor according to claim 6, wherein the light receiver is at least indirectly rigidly connected to the second bearing and flexibly or not at all connected to the first bearing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element is configured as a frame around the light receiver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element comprises at least one leaf spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the parallel guide comprises two flexible retaining elements, and wherein the light receiver is arranged between the two flexible retaining elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element comprises a thermally-conductive metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sensor according to claim 11, wherein the thermally-conductive metal comprises copper or a copper-beryllium alloy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element comprises at least one rigid region in which the material is thickened. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The sensor according to claim 13, wherein the material is thickened by means of at least one additional metal strip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the thermally-conductive layer comprises a graphite foil. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The sensor according to claim 1, comprising a control and evaluation unit configured to read out code information of a code recorded in image data acquired with the light receiver. ### Claim 17 A method for adjusting the focus of an optoelectronic sensor comprising a light receiver and receiving optics arranged in front of the light receiver, the method comprising: moving the light receiver by means of a focus adjustment unit using an actuator, wherein the focus adjustment unit moves the light receiver in constant orientation on an optical axis of the receiving optics by means of a parallel guide having at least one flexible retaining element, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element comprises a thermally-conductive layer, and wherein the at least one flexible retaining element further comprises two metal layers, the thermally-conductive layer being positioned therebetween. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the thermally-conductive layer comprises a graphite foil.