Gonioradiometer Simultaneous Solid Angle Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gonioradiometers require lengthy measurement times to record solid angles, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in photometric or radiometric parameter measurements of optical radiation sources.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing type 1 gonioradiometers where the light source is moved while sensors remain stationary, employing a system of planes with intersecting angles to define emission directions, and using multiple sensors with a camera and measuring wall for indirect measurement, along with a lens to shorten the measurement distance and reduce light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional gonioradiometers are used to measure solid angles sequentially, then measurement precision is maintained, but measurement time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from sequential one-dimensional angular scanning to simultaneous two-dimensional solid angle measurement by using multiple sensors arranged in space. Each sensor measures a specific solid angle region, and the combination of multiple sensors enables parallel measurement of multiple directions simultaneously, fundamentally changing the measurement dimension from time-sequential to space-parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement space is divided into multiple discrete solid angle regions, each monitored by a dedicated sensor. This segmentation allows independent simultaneous measurement of different angular regions, eliminating the sequential scanning requirement and dramatically reducing total measurement time while maintaining precision through dedicated sensors for each region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple sensors are used to measure multiple solid angles simultaneously, then measurement time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors of the same type are used to perform identical measurement functions across different solid angle regions. This universal approach allows the system to maintain high measurement speed through parallel operation while managing complexity by using replicated, standardized sensor units rather than diverse specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs multiple copies of the same sensor type, each positioned to measure a specific solid angle region. This copying strategy reduces device complexity by using identical, well-understood sensor designs rather than developing or integrating multiple different sensor types, while still achieving simultaneous multi-directional measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the measurement distance is increased to reduce light distribution, then measurement precision improves, but measurement setup complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution controlVSAvoidmeasurement setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical solution of increasing measurement distance with an optical/mathematical approach using evaluation algorithms. Instead of physically moving sensors farther away to reduce light distribution effects, the system uses computational methods to process and evaluate the light distribution data, achieving the same precision benefit without the complexity of extended measurement setups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach significantly reduces measurement time by allowing simultaneous data collection from multiple sensors and combining images to cover larger solid angles, thereby shortening the overall measurement duration and cost.

Implementation Method 1

the light from the radiation source is reflected off a flat measuring wall with homogeneous reflection. The reflected light is captured by a camera.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The reflected light is imaged by a camera lens onto a CCD or CMOS sensor of the camera.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3167260B1Method for the direction-dependent measurement of at least one lighting or radiometric characteristic variable of an optical radiation source
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 LMT LICHTMESSTECHNIK GMBH BERLIN
  • EP3167260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3167260B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a gonioradiometer for the direction-dependent measurement of at least one lighting or radiometric characteristic variable of an optical radiation source (2), having the following: a device for moving a radiation source (2) about a first axis (31) and about a second axis (32) which is perpendicular to the first axis (31) during a measurement process; a homogenously reflective measuring wall (5) on which the light of the radiation source (2) is reflected; and a stationary and immovable camera (7) with an optical unit (8) and a two-dimensional sensor chip (100). The camera (7) is arranged so as to detect light reflected on the measuring wall (5), said reflected light being imaged from the optical unit (8) of the camera (7) onto the sensor chip (100) of the camera (7), and the sensor chip (100) records measurement values while the radiation source (2) is rotated during a measuring process, said measurement values specifying the lighting or radiometric characteristic variable substantially on a spherical surface around the radiation concentration point of the radiation source (2). The invention further relates to a method and a gonioradiometer for the direction-dependent measurement of at least one lighting or radiometric characteristic variable of an optical radiation source (2), wherein at least two rigidly installed sensors (1, 100) are used which simultaneously provide measurement values during a measurement.