Compact Goniometric Spectrophotometer Toroidal Mirror Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional goniometric spectrophotometers are bulky and heavy due to the need for a mechanism to rotationally move the light receiver, making them difficult to compactify and handle for applications like color control of automobile bodies.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight goniometric spectrophotometer design featuring a toroidal mirror and a rotating optics system, where the toroidal mirror reflects light fluxes to a focus point circle and a plane mirror selectively directs these fluxes to a spectral analyzer, allowing for flexible and rapid adjustment of receiving angles without moving the entire light receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism to rotationally move the light receiver is used to achieve goniometric measurement, then receiving angle flexibility is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the optical path into multiple segments: a fixed light receiver, a rotatable plane mirror, and a toroidal mirror. Instead of moving the entire light receiver assembly, only the plane mirror needs to rotate to change receiving angles, significantly reducing the weight of the moving component while maintaining goniometric measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A plane mirror is introduced as an intermediary element between the sample and the fixed light receiver. By rotating this intermediate mirror, the system can redirect light from different angles to the fixed receiver, achieving angle variability without moving the receiver itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism to rotationally move the light receiver is used to achieve goniometric measurement, then receiving angle flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the functions of light collection (fixed light receiver) and angle selection (rotatable plane mirror). This segmentation simplifies the overall mechanism by making only a small, simple mirror rotatable rather than moving the entire complex light receiver assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical movement of a heavy light receiver with a simpler optical redirection mechanism using a rotatable plane mirror. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the same functional goal of variable angle measurement.
3Measurement precision
If the entire light receiver is moved to adjust receiving angles, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic, rotatable plane mirror to quickly redirect light at different angles to the fixed light receiver. This dynamic optical switching is much faster than physically moving the entire light receiver assembly, reducing measurement time while maintaining measurement accuracy through precise angular control of the mirror.
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 design enables a portable, compact goniometric spectrophotometer that can easily set receiving angles, reducing measurement time and operational load, while maintaining precise spectral intensity measurements for special effect paints like pearlescent paints.
Implementation Method 1
a toroidal mirror which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a center axis effectively contacting with a surface of a sample; a light receiver having an incident aperture on the center axis... wherein the toroidal mirror reflects a light flux emitted from the surface of the sample illuminated by the one or more illuminators in emitting directions perpendicular to the center axis and directs each of the light fluxes to the center axis
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a goniometric reflection property of a sample has: one or more illuminators; a toroidal mirror which is rotationally symmetrical around a center axis effectively contacting with a surface of the sample; a light receiver having an incident aperture on the center axis; a rotating optics which rotates around a rotation axis which effectively coincides with the center axis; and a controller for controlling operations of the illuminators, the light receiver, and the rotating optics, wherein the toroidal mirror reflects light fluxes emitted from the surface of the sample illuminated by the one or more illuminators in emitting directions perpendicular to the center axis and directs each of the light fluxes to the center axis, and wherein the rotating optics specifies one of the light fluxes reflected by the toroidal mirror and directs the specified light flux to the incident aperture of the light receiver.