Electro-Optical Distance Measuring Device with Inner Optical Path Self-Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical distance measuring devices face errors due to changes in light quantity and environmental conditions, requiring electrical adjustments and high-performance components, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical distance measuring method and device that eliminates the need for electrical adjustments by using an inner optical path to acquire and update correction information based on inner light, allowing for accurate distance measurement across a wide temperature range without considering component deterioration over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical adjustment is performed on the photodetection circuit for each machine in the manufacturing process, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires correction information by measuring the phase difference between inner light and outer light signals, eliminating the need for manual electrical adjustment of the photodetection circuit. The device self-calibrates by detecting the phase offset and applying correction values stored in memory, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adjustment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
An inner light signal is introduced as an intermediary reference signal to measure the phase characteristics of the photodetection circuit. By comparing the phase of the inner light with the outer light, the system can determine correction values without requiring direct electrical adjustment of the photodetection circuit, thus maintaining precision while reducing complexity
2Measurement precision
If high-performance components with stable temperature characteristics are used, then measurement precision is maintained over wide temperature range, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on expensive components with inherently stable temperature characteristics, the system changes the approach by dynamically acquiring correction information at different temperatures and storing these correction values. The system selects appropriate correction values based on current temperature conditions, thereby maintaining measurement precision across wide temperature ranges using standard components
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements to acquire correction information under various temperature conditions during the setup phase. These correction values are stored in advance and automatically selected during operation, eliminating the need for expensive temperature-stable components while maintaining precision across different environmental conditions
3Measurement precision
If electrical adjustment and correction information storage are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires and stores correction information without requiring manual electrical adjustment procedures. The self-calibration process eliminates time-consuming manual operations while maintaining measurement precision, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency without sacrificing accuracy
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 method provides stable and accurate distance measurements by dynamically correcting for environmental and temporal changes, reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need for complex adjustments, enabling use in various conditions without high-cost components.
Implementation Method 1
receiving the light from the light source as an inner light via an inner optical path by the photodetection unit
Implementation Method 2
projecting a light from a light source toward an object to be measured
Implementation Method 3
receiving a reflection light from the object to be measured
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides an electro-optical distance measurement, wherein a light from a light source (6) is projected toward an object to be measured (2), a reflection light reflected by the object to be measured is received at a photodetection unit (8), the light from the light source is received by the photodetection unit as an inner light via an inner optical path (11), and a distance to the object to be measured is measured according to the result of photodetection of the reflection light and the inner light of the photodetection unit, and wherein a correction information is acquired based on the inner light, the acquired correction information is stored, a correction value is obtained from the correction information based on the reflection light and the inner light, and a distance is calculated from the correction value and the result of photodetection of the reflection light and the inner light.