Guide Light Irradiation Device Using Segmented Irradiators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fan-shaped guide lights extending in the up-down direction, created by expanding the irradiation range using a cylindrical lens, result in a shortened guide light reach distance due to diffusion, making it difficult for survey operators to recognize the light from a distance, especially in areas with level differences.

Innovation Solution

A guide light irradiation device with multiple irradiators positioned in the left-right direction, where each irradiator emits light differing in pattern between the left and right, and their optical axes form a predetermined angle in the vertical direction, ensuring their synthetic light is recognized from a greater distance and extends the irradiation range in the up-down direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a cylindrical lens is used to expand the guide light irradiation range in the up-down direction, then the guide light irradiation range is extended, but the guide light reach distance is shortened due to diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide light irradiation rangeVSAvoidguide light reach distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single guide light source into multiple separate irradiators (at least two), each emitting guide light in a specific direction. By segmenting the light source and arranging multiple irradiators with their optical axes at predetermined angles, the system achieves both extended reach distance (through concentrated beams from individual irradiators) and expanded irradiation range (through the combined angular distribution of multiple irradiators).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-direction expansion approach to a multi-dimensional arrangement by positioning multiple irradiators at different angular orientations. The optical axes of the irradiators form predetermined angles with each other, creating a three-dimensional light distribution pattern that simultaneously achieves long reach distance in each direction and broad overall coverage area.

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

2Area of stationary object

If multiple irradiators are arranged to extend guide light in the up-down direction, then the irradiation range is expanded, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide light irradiation rangeVSAvoidirradiator arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each irradiator is designed as a universal module that can emit guide light in multiple directions simultaneously. The optical members within each irradiator are configured to direct light along optical axes at predetermined angles, allowing a single irradiator to serve multiple directional functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components and simplifies the overall system architecture.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple light emission functions into an integrated irradiator assembly where optical members are arranged to create multiple optical axes from a single light source position. By merging the functions of multiple separate light sources into coordinated irradiators with predetermined angular relationships, the system reduces structural complexity while maintaining the ability to expand irradiation range in the up-down direction.

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

The solution extends the guide light reach distance and range, allowing it to be easily recognized by survey operators even in locations with significant level differences, enhancing visibility and usability.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of irradiators includes an optical member configured to form lights emitted from the pair of light sources as light differing in pattern between the left and the right

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical formation and pattern differentiation: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a projector lens as the irradiation unit configured to transmit the guide light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Lens

Implementation Method 3

the guide light irradiation device is configured so that synthetic light of guide lights respectively irradiated from the plurality of irradiators is irradiated as synthetic guide light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight synthesis and superposition: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3715784B1Guide light irradiation device
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP3715784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715784B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3715784B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

[Object] The present invention relates to a guide light irradiation device that irradiates guide light to guide a survey operator. [Solution Means] A guide light irradiation device to irradiate guide light to indicate a direction to a survey operator, includes a plurality of irradiators configured to each irradiate guide light differing in pattern between the left and the right of an irradiation direction as a center, the plurality of irradiators are juxtaposed in a left-right direction, and irradiation units of the plurality of irradiators are disposed so that the irradiation units match in the horizontal direction, and optical axes of the plurality of irradiators make a predetermined angle with each other in the vertical direction. Synthetic light of the respective guide lights has brightness obtained by summing brightnesses of the light sources of the respective irradiators, and has a fan shape extending in the vertical direction. A distance at which the light is visually recognized is long, and the guide light is easily found even at a location with level differences.