Flat Prism Optical Device for Precision Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high production cost of optical scales limits their widespread adoption in precision applications, particularly in micrometer and nanometer-scale positioning systems, where cost reduction is essential without compromising precision.
Innovation Solution
An optical device comprising a prism with flat and intersecting light-transmitting surfaces, a beam splitter, and a detector, which uses a coherent light source to measure distances by refracting light beams to achieve interference patterns detectable by the detector, allowing for precise distance measurement while simplifying the prism's structure and manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lens with curved light-incident surface and curved light-transmitting surface is used, then the optical performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reverse principle by using flat surfaces instead of curved surfaces. The prism employs flat light-incident surfaces and flat light-transmitting surfaces, eliminating the need for complex curved surface machining while maintaining optical functionality through precise angular relationships between the flat surfaces.
2Measurement precision
If a complex prism structure is used, then the optical precision is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prism structure is segmented into distinct functional surfaces: light-incident surfaces for beam entry, light-transmitting surfaces for beam exit, and internal refracting surfaces. Each surface is optimized independently with flat geometry, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precision through the cumulative effect of multiple segmented surfaces working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric prism geometry where the light-incident surfaces and light-transmitting surfaces have different orientations and angles relative to each other. This asymmetric configuration enables precise optical path control without requiring symmetric complexity, reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining measurement precision.
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 optical device effectively reduces production costs by using a simple, easy-to-manufacture prism structure and transparent materials, while maintaining precision and ease of installation, thereby lowering the overall cost of the optical device.
Implementation Method 1
The first light-transmitting surfaces are configured to refract the light beam
Implementation Method 2
emit a coherent light to the first light-incident surface... refract the light beams to achieve interference patterns detectable by the detector
Implementation Method 3
The beam splitter further includes a partially mirror surface therein. The partially mirror surface at least partially faces to the light-passing surface and the second light-incident surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device for measuring a distance includes a prism, a beam splitter, a detector and a light source. The prism has a first light-incident surface and a plurality of first light-transmitting surfaces. The first light-incident surface is opposite to the first light-transmitting surfaces. The first light-transmitting surfaces intersect at a vertex. The beam splitter has a light-passing surface, a second light-incident surface and a second light-transmitting surface. The second light-incident surface faces the first light-transmitting surfaces. The light-passing surface is opposite to the second light-incident surface. The beam splitter includes a partially mirror surface facing the light-passing surface and the second light-incident surface. The light-passing surface faces a grating. The detector corresponds to the second light-transmitting surface. The light source emits a light beam to the first light-incident surface. An optical axis of the light beam passes through the vertex and the beam splitter.