Infrared Thermometer Beam Splitter Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared thermometers face challenges in accurately aligning their detectors with energy zones due to interference from high-intensity visible light emitted by hot zones, which affects measurement accuracy and user safety.
Innovation Solution
The infrared thermometer employs a beam splitter to separate incident light into infrared and visible beams, using a red-dot sighting device with an optical module to generate a reflected reticle image that aligns the detector with the energy zone, and an optical attenuator to reduce visible light intensity, ensuring user safety and improved image distinction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser sighting device is used to align the infrared detector with the energy zone, then the alignment can be observed through a light spot on the surface, but the visible light emitted from high-temperature energy zones interferes with the observation of the light spot
Solution Approach 1:
The incident light beam is segmented into two separate beams: an infrared light beam for temperature measurement and a visible light beam for sighting. This is achieved through a beam splitter that divides the combined light into distinct pathways, allowing independent optimization of each function without interference from the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary component between the incident light and the detection/sighting systems. This mediator separates the infrared and visible portions of the spectrum, enabling the infrared detector to measure temperature while the sighting device provides visual alignment without the visible light from the energy zone interfering with the alignment observation.
2Ease of operation
If the infrared thermometer is brought close to the energy zone for sighting, then the energy zone can be located, but the alignment accuracy deteriorates due to inability to accurately align the infrared detector
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary that enables simultaneous sighting and measurement functions. By separating the light paths, the user can visually locate and align with the energy zone using the visible light beam while the infrared detector independently measures the temperature, achieving both ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a dimensional separation in the optical path by splitting the light into different spatial pathways. The visible light beam provides one dimension of information (visual alignment) while the infrared light beam provides another dimension (temperature measurement), allowing the user to align from a comfortable distance without sacrificing accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the visible light beam from high-temperature energy zones is transmitted to the sight window, then the energy zone can be sighted, but the user's eyes are exposed to high-intensity light causing safety concerns and reduced image distinction
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter serves as a protective intermediary that separates the high-intensity visible light from the user's eyes while still allowing optical observation. By directing the visible light beam through a separate pathway, the system enables sighting of the energy zone without exposing the user to harmful levels of intense light.
Solution Approach 2:
The light beam is segmented into infrared and visible components, allowing the visible portion to be independently managed. This segmentation enables the system to provide sighting capability while controlling the intensity of visible light reaching the user's eyes, thereby reducing eye exposure to high-intensity light.
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 solution enhances the accuracy of energy zone alignment, reduces user eye exposure to high-intensity light, and facilitates easier alignment of the infrared detector with the energy zone, improving measurement precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter for splitting an incident light beam from an energy zone into an infrared light beam and a visible light beam
Implementation Method 2
an infrared detector for detecting the infrared light beam and generating a signal indicative of a temperature of the energy zone according to the detected infrared light beam
Implementation Method 3
the optical module comprises a reflective surface for reflecting the reference light beam to the sight window to generate the reflected reticle image at the sight window
Implementation Method 4
an optical attenuator coupled between the beam splitter and the sighting device for reducing luminous intensity of the visible light beam
Data Source
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AI summary
An infrared thermometer (100) measures a temperature of an energy zone. The infrared thermometer comprises a beam splitter (105) for splitting an incident light beam from an energy zone into an infrared light beam and a visible light beam; an infrared detector (109) for detecting the infrared light beam and generating a signal indicative of a temperature of the energy zone according to the detected infrared light beam; and a sighting device (113) having an optical module for generating a reflective reticle image and transmitting the visible light beam to generate a target image at a sight window (115), wherein the sighting device is configured to superimpose the reflective reticle image over the target image at the sight window to align the infrared detector with the energy zone. The infrared thermometer and an associated measurement method facilitate the alignment of the energy zone by the users, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement.