Coaxial Optical Apparatus with Reflective Region for Compact Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance-measuring apparatuses face challenges in downsizing and flexibility due to the direct incidence of illumination light onto optical fibers, limiting their arrangement and accuracy in varying environmental conditions like humidity and temperature.
Innovation Solution
The optical apparatus incorporates a first light guiding unit with a reflective region and a second light guiding unit that guides illumination light without going through the object, allowing for a coaxial system that reduces the number of components and downsizes the apparatus, while the second light guiding unit uses an optical fiber to route the light path without interfering with other members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If illumination light is directly incident on the optical fiber without going through another member, then the structure is simple, but the degree of freedom in arrangement of the incident surface is limited and downsizing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary component between the illumination light source and the optical fiber. The beam splitter divides the illumination light into multiple paths, allowing one path to reach the target object while another path guides light to the optical fiber without direct incidence. This mediator enables flexible arrangement of the optical fiber incident surface while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination light path is segmented into multiple separate paths using the beam splitter. One segment directs light to the target object for reflection, while another segment guides light directly to the optical fiber. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path's arrangement, increasing design freedom and enabling compact integration.
2Volume of moving object
If a coaxial system is implemented with multiple light guiding units, then the number of components is reduced and downsizing is achieved, but the light path arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guiding functions are merged into a single coaxial structure. The first light guiding unit handles both illumination light transmission to the deflection unit and reflected light transmission to the light receiving unit. The second light guiding unit handles the reference light path. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining organized light path management through the coaxial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The first light guiding unit serves multiple functions: guiding illumination light to the first deflection unit, guiding reflected light from the first deflection unit to the light receiving unit, and providing a coaxial structure that integrates multiple optical paths. This multi-functionality reduces component count and enables compact design while the beam splitter manages the complexity of light path separation.
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 configuration enables more compact and flexible distance measurement systems with improved accuracy and reliability, capable of correcting distance measurements and detecting abnormalities in the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first light guiding unit configured to guide the illumination light from the light source unit to the first deflection unit and guide the reflected light from the first deflection unit to a light receiving unit, and wherein the first light guiding unit includes a first passing region through which the illumination light from the light source unit passes and a reflective region in which the reflected light from the first deflection unit is reflected
Implementation Method 2
the second light guiding unit is configured to guide, to the light receiving unit, light reflected in the reflective region without going through the object among the illumination light from the first deflection unit
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes a first deflection unit configured to deflect illumination light from a light source unit to scan an object and deflect reflected light from the object, a first light guiding unit configured to guide the illumination light from the light source unit to the first deflection unit and guide the reflected light from the first deflection unit to a light receiving unit, and a second light guiding unit configured to guide the illumination light from the light source unit to the light receiving unit, wherein the first light guiding unit includes a first passing region and a reflective region, and wherein the second light guiding unit is configured to guide, to the light receiving unit, light reflected in the reflective region without going through the object among the illumination light from the first deflection unit.