Collimated Light Pipe for Web Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for measuring properties of high-speed webs, such as paper, struggle to maintain consistent spectral characteristics and angles of illumination, which can lead to inaccurate measurements due to web instability and movement.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing light pipes with multiple LEDs and reflective optical devices to mix and control the spectral characteristics and geometry of collimated light, allowing for adjustable illumination angles and spectral control, ensuring precise and stable illumination of webs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional illumination systems are used for high-speed web measurement, then the system can operate at high speeds, but the spectral characteristics and illumination angles become inconsistent leading to measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple independent LED modules, each capable of producing light at specific spectral characteristics and angles. This segmentation allows individual control of each module's output, enabling consistent spectral and angular illumination even at high web speeds by adjusting individual segments independently to compensate for web movement and position variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the spectral characteristics and illumination angles by selectively activating different LED modules with specific wavelength and angle properties. This parameter adjustment capability allows the system to maintain consistent illumination conditions despite variations in web position and movement, thereby improving measurement precision while operating at high speeds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LEDs with different spectral characteristics are used, then spectral control is improved, but the complexity of controlling and mixing the light increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light pipe is introduced as an intermediary component that receives light from multiple LEDs with different spectral characteristics and physically mixes them through total internal reflection. This light pipe simplifies the control mechanism by providing a passive mixing function, eliminating the need for complex active mixing devices or sophisticated control systems while still achieving versatile spectral control through selective LED activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe performs the light mixing function passively through its geometric structure and total internal reflection properties, without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service mixing approach reduces the complexity of the control system while maintaining the ability to produce various spectral characteristics by simply adjusting which LEDs are activated.
3Manufacturing precision
If collimated light is produced through light pipe reflection, then illumination geometry is controlled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe is constructed as a thin-walled optical waveguide that utilizes total internal reflection to control light propagation and geometry. This thin-film structure provides precise control over illumination angles and collimation while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall device structure, avoiding the need for complex multi-component optical assemblies.
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
The system provides collimated illumination that is insensitive to web position, maintaining consistent intensity and allowing for accurate measurement of web properties by controlling spectral characteristics and angles, thereby enhancing measurement precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The light pipe includes multiple reflective optical devices configured to reflect the collimated light at different angles
Implementation Method 2
The light pipe includes multiple reflective optical devices configured to reflect the collimated light at different angles
Implementation Method 3
multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light pipe configured to mix light from the LEDs and produce collimated light. The light pipe includes multiple reflective optical devices configured to reflect the collimated light at different angles. The light pipe also includes multiple outlet optical devices configured to selectively control exit of the reflected collimated light from the light pipe. The reflected collimated light has one or more controllable spectral characteristics and/or one or more controllable geometries of illumination.