Alternating Optical Sensing for Surface Distance and Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial processes for laser processing of materials require separate devices for measuring temperature and distance, which are not compatible with the space constraints of processing tools, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A combined optical system that uses a single source to alternately emit and detect probe radiation for distance measurement and thermal radiation for temperature measurement, utilizing a common detection device and electronic processing to determine both parameters simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate devices are used for measuring temperature and distance, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature measurement and distance measurement functions into a single integrated optical system. The system uses a common optical path and detection device to perform both measurements, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and distance sensors. This merging reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement accuracy through alternating measurement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to perform multiple functions using the same hardware components. The single optical system can measure both temperature (via thermal radiation detection) and distance (via time-of-flight or triangulation), making the system universal and eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for measuring temperature and distance, then measurement reliability is maintained, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges temperature and distance measurement capabilities into a single compact optical system that occupies minimal space. By sharing optical components and detection devices, the system eliminates the space required for multiple separate sensors while maintaining measurement reliability through coordinated operation of the integrated components.
3Device complexity
If a single optical system is used for both temperature and distance measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic alternating measurement cycles where the optical system switches between temperature measurement mode and distance measurement mode. During each cycle, the system dedicates full measurement capacity to one function at a time, ensuring high precision for both measurements while using a single integrated system. The rapid alternation creates the effect of simultaneous measurement.
4Ease of manufacture
If integrated measurement system is implemented, then cost is reduced, but ease of manufacture may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates temperature and distance measurement functions into a single optical system, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merging reduces material costs, assembly costs, and calibration costs while the modular design of the integrated system maintains ease of manufacture through standardized optical components.
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 compact, accurate, and cost-effective simultaneous measurement of temperature and distance, improving the control of industrial processes like laser cutting and welding by integrating the measurements into a single system.
Implementation Method 1
determine a distance of a surface of the workpiece on the basis of the scattered optical probe radiation
Implementation Method 2
determine a local temperature of the surface of the workpiece on the basis of the optical radiation thermally emitted from the surface of the workpiece
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
A combined optical system is described for determining the temperature of the surface of an object or material and its distance with respect to a predetermined reference point associated with the system, which comprises an optical radiation source adapted to emit at least one optical probe radiation at a predetermined wavelength or in a predetermined wavelength range, a source control unit arranged to alternately control the switching of the source from an operative condition, in which it emits an optical probe radiation, to an inoperative condition, in which it does not emit the optical probe radiation, optical detectors adapted to acquire at least one scattered optical radiation and one thermally emitted optical radiation from the surface of the object or material, and a processing unit synchronized with the control unit and arranged to determine the distance of the surface of the object or of the material on the basis of the optical probe radiation scattered from the surface of the object or material and received by the detectors when the source is operative and to determine the local temperature of the surface of the object or material on the basis of the optical radiation thermally emitted from the surface of the object or material received by the detectors when the source is inoperative.