Adaptive Illumination System with Movable Lens Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems, particularly in machine vision applications, face challenges in achieving a wide field of view (FOV) for barcode reading at short distances while providing sufficient illumination for targets at farther distances, often requiring complex and costly optics that compromise reliability.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive illumination system comprising a collimating lens and multiple lens arrays, where the position of a movable lens array is adjustable via a motor, allowing the illumination full field angle to be changed from 24 to 46 degrees, enabling both wide and narrow FOVs depending on the object's distance, thus optimizing illumination for various imaging tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide FOV illumination system is used for reading barcodes at short distances, then the field of view is improved, but the illumination intensity at farther distances becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable multiple lens array that can be dynamically repositioned along the optical axis using a voice coil motor. By adjusting the position of the movable lens array relative to the fixed lens array, the system dynamically changes the illumination full field angle between 16-24 degrees (wide FOV for close targets) and 42-46 degrees (narrow FOV for distant targets), thereby adapting illumination characteristics to different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameters by physically moving the movable multiple lens array to different positions along the optical axis. This positional parameter change alters the optical path and effectively modifies the illumination full field angle and intensity distribution, enabling the same hardware to provide different illumination characteristics for close and distant targets
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom optics are used to achieve variable illumination FOV, then the illumination adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single illumination system perform multiple functions by enabling it to provide both wide FOV illumination (16-24 degrees) for close targets and narrow FOV illumination (42-46 degrees) for distant targets. The movable multiple lens array serves as a universal component that, when repositioned, allows the same optical assembly to adapt to different illumination requirements without needing separate optical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex custom optics with a simpler mechanical adjustment system. Instead of designing multiple specialized optical assemblies, the system uses a voice coil motor to mechanically reposition the movable multiple lens array, achieving variable FOV through a straightforward actuation mechanism rather than complex optical design
3Volume of moving object
If a compact internal illumination source is used, then the device size is reduced, but the illumination requirements for various FOVs become difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The compact illumination system achieves adaptability through dynamic repositioning of the movable multiple lens array. The voice coil motor enables rapid adjustment of the lens array position, allowing the compact device to switch between wide and narrow FOV illumination modes as needed, meeting diverse illumination requirements despite the constrained internal space
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
This solution allows for efficient reading of barcodes across a range of distances with reduced system size and cost, enhancing the reliability of machine vision systems by dynamically adjusting the illumination FOV according to the object's distance.
Implementation Method 1
a motor physically coupled to the movable multiple lens array and configured to adjust the position of the movable multiple lens array, and in an embodiment, the motor may be a voice coil motor
Implementation Method 2
a collimating lens disposed along the optical axis and configured to receive the light from the illumination source and further configured to collimate the light
Implementation Method 3
a fixed multiple lens array disposed along the optical axis and configured to receive the light from the collimating lens; and a movable multiple lens array disposed along the optical axis and configured to receive the light from the fixed lens array, wherein the position of the movable multiple lens array is adjustable and the position of the movable lens array may be adjusted to change the illumination full field angle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for illuminating at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV). An illumination system includes an illumination source configured to provide illumination to illuminate a target of the object. A collimating lens is configured to collimate the illumination and to provide the illumination to a fixed multiple lens array (MLA). The fixed multiple lens array provides the illumination to a movable MLA. The movable MLA is configured to provide the illumination to the target to illuminate the target. The position of the movable MLA may be adjusted to alter the illumination full field angle.