3D Measurement Device Using Dual-Wavelength Interferometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-dimensional measurement devices using interferometers face limitations in measurement range and accuracy due to the wavelength of measurement light, and using two lights with close wavelengths complicates wavelength separation and decreases measurement efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional measurement device that splits incident light into two lights with near wavelengths, allowing them to enter different positions in the optical system without interference, enabling simultaneous imaging and improving measurement efficiency by eliminating the need for wavelength separation and maintaining accurate optical path differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If two different lights with small wavelength difference are used to expand measurement range, then measurement range is improved, but wavelength separation becomes difficult and measurement efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement rangeVSAvoidmeasurement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical system into two independent imaging paths, allowing simultaneous imaging of both wavelength lights without requiring wavelength separation. Each imaging unit captures interference fringe images of its corresponding wavelength light independently, eliminating the need for sequential imaging and wavelength separation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If two different lights with small wavelength difference are used to expand measurement range, then measurement range is improved, but optical path adjustment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement rangeVSAvoidoptical path adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is segmented into two independent imaging paths with separate imaging units. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently for its specific wavelength, simplifying optical path adjustments compared to a single system attempting to handle both wavelengths sequentially with separation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If conventional single wavelength measurement is used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but measurement range is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two wavelength measurement systems into a single interferometer by implementing two imaging units that simultaneously capture interference fringe images of two different wavelength lights. This merging allows the system to achieve both the measurement accuracy of single-wavelength interferometry and the expanded measurement range of multi-wavelength approaches, without requiring complex wavelength separation or sequential imaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 expands the measurement range, enhances measurement efficiency, and maintains high accuracy by allowing two lights with near wavelengths to be used without interference, reducing the complexity of optical path adjustments and improving imaging time.

Implementation Method 1

a polarizing beam splitter configured to transmit a first polarized light (P-polarized light) and reflect a second polarized light (S-polarized light)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

a quarter wave plate arranged to transform the first polarized light into a first circularly polarized light and transform the second polarized light into a second circularly polarized light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation:

Implementation Method 3

to combine the measurement light and the reference light to a combined light and emit the combined light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3306264B1Three-dimensional measurement device
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 CKD CORP
  • EP3306264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3306264B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a three-dimensional measurement device that uses two different lights of different wavelengths to expand the measurement range and improve the measurement efficiency. The three-dimensional measurement device 1 includes a polarizing beam splitter 20 configured to split a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other, to radiate one of the two polarized lights as a measurement light to a work W and the other as a reference light to a reference surface 23, and to recombine the two polarized lights to a combined light and emit the combined light; a first projection optical system 2A configured to cause a first light having a first wavelength to enter a first surface 20a of the polarizing beam splitter 20; a second projection optical system 2B configured to cause a second light having a second wavelength to enter a second surface 20b of the polarizing beam splitter 20; a first imaging system 4A configured to take an image of the first light emitted from the second surface 20b of the polarizing beam splitter 20; and a second imaging system 4B configured to take an image of the second light emitted from the first surface 20a of the polarizing beam splitter 20.