Confocal Measuring Apparatus Multi-Core Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
In confocal measuring apparatuses, it is challenging to accurately confirm the measurement position, especially when the measurement range is small or the periphery of the measurement position is hidden by the sensor head, due to limitations in visualizing the measurement position and heat generation affecting optical accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A confocal measuring apparatus with a light guide part having multiple cores to propagate reflected light for both displacement and peripheral image measurement, allowing the generation of peripheral images without being influenced by the relative position between the sensor head and measurement surface, using a spectroscope for wavelength separation and image pickup elements for intensity distribution analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an image pickup device is added to detect peripheral images in confocal measuring apparatus, then the user can visually confirm the measurement position, but the sensor head size increases and heat generation causes chromatic aberration affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light guide part into multiple independent cores (first core and second core), where each core handles different measurement functions. The first core is dedicated to displacement measurement while the second core handles peripheral image capture, allowing both functions to operate independently without interfering with each other's precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the peripheral image measurement function from the main displacement measurement path by using a separate second core in the light guide part. This extracted function is processed independently through the peripheral image measurement part, preventing heat generation from affecting the primary measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the measurement range is a minute region or the periphery is hidden in shadow of sensor head, then accurate measurement is needed, but visual checking of measurement position becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide part with multiple cores as an intermediary between the measurement point and the detection systems. The first core transmits light for precise displacement measurement while the second core transmits light for peripheral imaging, allowing both functions to coexist without the sensor head blocking the view
3Loss of information
If image pickup device is added to provide peripheral image, then measurement position can be confirmed, but heat generation from the device affects chromatic aberration and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide part is segmented into multiple independent cores, with the second core dedicated to peripheral image measurement. This segmentation allows the image pickup device to operate in a thermally isolated manner, capturing necessary visual information while minimizing heat transfer to the chromatic aberration unit
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 accurate confirmation of the measurement position and peripheral image generation, even in shadowed areas, reducing measurement errors and heat-related optical aberrations, thus providing a convenient and accurate confocal measuring solution.
Implementation Method 1
a spectroscope configured to separate the reflected light propagated by the first core into each of wavelength components
Implementation Method 2
a light guide part in which a plurality of cores including a first core and a second core is built and configured to propagate the reflected light incident to the optical system by the plurality of cores
Data Source
AI summary
A confocal measuring apparatus (1) includes a light source (10), an optical system (30) configured to receive reflected light from a measurement surface, a light guide part (20) into which a plurality of cores including a first core (26) and a second core (28) is built and configured to propagate the reflected light by the plurality of cores, a displacement amount measurement part (40) including a spectroscope (42) configured to separate the reflected light propagated by the first core into each wavelength components and a detector (44) having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged to correspond to a spectral direction by the spectroscope, and a peripheral image measurement part (60) configured to form an image of the reflected light propagated by the second core on the plurality of image pickup elements and to generate a peripheral image with respect to a measurement position of the measurement surface.