Injector Shutter Laser Measurement With Compact Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for injector shutter movement, such as those using laser triangulation, parasitic current sensors, and laser vibrometers, are bulky, costly, or have limitations in measuring large movements and require complex setups.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a support block with integrated laser emitter and receiver, positioned using screwable bushings, allows precise alignment and measurement of shutter movement with cost-effective components, enabling simultaneous measurement of flow rate and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser triangulation sensor is used to measure shutter movement, then measurement capability is provided, but the device becomes bulky and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex laser triangulation sensors and implements it using a simplified optical system with a laser source, beam splitter, and photodetector array. This extraction allows measurement capability to be maintained while eliminating the bulk and cost associated with commercial laser triangulation sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the shutter position by using laser light reflection and beam splitting to generate measurement signals. Instead of directly measuring physical displacement, the system copies the position information through optical paths and converts it to electrical signals for processing.
2Volume of stationary object
If a parasitic current sensor is used to measure shutter movement, then the device remains compact, but it cannot correctly measure large movements and requires reduced distance from the shutter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear measurement (parasitic current sensor) to two-dimensional angular measurement using a photodetector array. By measuring the angular position of the reflected laser beam across multiple photodetectors, the system achieves both compact size and the ability to measure large movement ranges.
3Measurement precision
If a laser vibrometer is used to measure shutter movement, then measurement capability is provided, but the setup procedure becomes long and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-aligning optical system where the beam splitter and photodetector array automatically establish the measurement geometry when the laser beam reflects off the shutter. The system self-configures the optical paths without requiring complex manual alignment procedures, reducing setup complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Provides a simple, cost-effective solution for accurately measuring injector shutter movement, adaptable to pressurized environments, and compatible with engine conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a laser emitter (20) configured to emit light radiation
Implementation Method 2
a receiver (23) facing the chamber (11) and connected to the laser emitter (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A device to measure the movement of a shutter (2) of an injector (3) has a laser emitter (20) to generate light radiation, a receiver (23) associated with the laser emitter (20), a housing seat for the injector (3), which is arranged so as to allow the shutter (2) to move through the light radiation generated by the laser emitter (20), and a control unit (25), which is configured to generate a signal indicating the movement of the shutter (2) based on the quantity of light radiation generated by the laser emitter (20) and gathered by the receiver (23) itself.