3D Measuring System Thermal Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D measuring systems require extensive warming up time, leading to prolonged calibration periods due to thermal expansion and heat absorption issues, which can be costly and affect mechanical stability when using low thermal expansion materials or thermally insulating components.
Innovation Solution
A 3D measuring system equipped with a heating device, including heating pads and a fan, along with temperature sensors and a closed-loop control system, to rapidly achieve thermal stability by controlled heat distribution and output, allowing for quicker calibration and measurement initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional heating is used without active thermal management, then the system eventually reaches thermal stability, but the warm-up time is several hours which is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is activated before the light source to pre-warm the chassis and mechanical components. This preliminary thermal conditioning reduces the overall warm-up time when the light source is subsequently activated, as the structural components are already close to their operating temperature and will experience minimal thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own light source as a heating element to warm up the chassis and mechanical parts. The ventilation system, normally used for cooling, is repurposed to distribute the heat generated by the light source throughout the system during the warm-up phase, eliminating the need for separate external heating equipment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If CRP or similar low thermal expansion materials are used for the chassis, then thermal expansion is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly and process reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the material composition of the chassis to achieve thermal stability, the system changes the thermal parameters by actively controlling and accelerating the warm-up process. The heating device brings the chassis to its operating temperature faster, minimizing the duration of thermal expansion and allowing conventional materials to maintain sufficient stability during the reduced warm-up period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal stability requirement from the chassis material and transfers it to the control system. Rather than requiring the chassis material itself to have low thermal expansion properties, the system uses active thermal management to compensate for expansion, allowing the use of cost-effective conventional materials while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Temperature
If thermally insulating materials are used to separate the light source from the chassis, then heat transfer is reduced, but the mechanical strength and stability of the system decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static thermal isolation approach to a dynamic thermal management approach. Instead of using fixed insulating materials that compromise mechanical strength, the system dynamically controls heat transfer through the ventilation system and heating device, adjusting thermal conditions based on the warm-up phase and operational requirements to maintain both thermal management and structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the 3D measuring system to become operational much sooner after startup, reducing calibration time and maintaining mechanical stability without the high costs associated with low thermal expansion materials.
Implementation Method 1
The 3D measuring system comprises a heating device for heating one or more components of the 3D measuring system
Implementation Method 2
This can be done using a ventilation system
Implementation Method 3
a large portion of the generated light is absorbed in the projector or lens of the projector, which contributes to the further heating of the 3D measuring system
Implementation Method 4
As soon as the chassis has warmed up, the material of which the 3D measuring system is composed expands
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D measuring system having a projector, a camera and a chassis that connects the projector and the camera, characterized by a heating device for heating one or more components of the 3D measuring system.