Imaging Micrometer Head Reading for Tight-Space Precision Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reading micrometer head displacements can be difficult, especially when the scales are not easily visible, and novice users may struggle to accurately interpret the markings.
Innovation Solution
A micrometer head displacement system incorporating a camera and processors to acquire images of the micrometer head, determine coarse and fine measurements through image processing, and calculate the total displacement by summing these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a micrometer head is placed in a tight space, then the measurement capability is maintained, but the scales become not easily visible and reading becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the micrometer head scales and displays it on a screen, creating a visual copy of the scales that can be viewed easily even when the physical micrometer is in a tight space. This allows the measurement information to be accessed without requiring direct visual access to the physical scales.
2Ease of operation
If novice users attempt to read the scales, then the micrometer can be used, but accurate interpretation of scale marks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The camera captures a high-resolution image of the scales and displays it enlarged on a screen, making the scale marks clearly visible and easier to interpret. This visual amplification helps novice users accurately read the scales without the difficulty of viewing small physical markings directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera and display screen act as an intermediary between the user and the micrometer scales, translating the physical scale markings into a more easily interpretable visual format that reduces reading errors for users of all skill levels.
3Device complexity
If traditional manual reading methods are used, then no additional components are needed, but determination of micrometer head displacement becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical reading process with an automated optical system. A camera captures the scale positions, and image processing algorithms automatically determine the micrometer head displacement by analyzing the relative positions of fiducial lines and scale marks, eliminating manual reading errors and speeding up the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement by automatically capturing images of the scales and computing the displacement without requiring user intervention for reading or calculation. The micrometer head displacement system determines its own measurement results through automated image analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A micrometer head displacement system includes a micrometer head and an imaging portion. The micrometer head includes a coarse scale and a fine scale. The system is configured to: acquire at least one image of the micrometer head from the imaging portion; determine a coarse measurement based at least in part on the at least one image wherein the coarse measurement corresponds to a coarse relative position between the coarse scale and a coarse fiducial line; determine a fine measurement based at least in part on the at least one image and based on calculating an interpolated position of the a fiducial line wherein the fine measurement corresponds to a fine relative position between the fine scale and the fine fiducial line; and determine a micrometer head displacement based at least in part on summing the coarse measurement with the fine measurement.