Laser Target Assembly with Pentaprism for Remote Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser alignment systems require multiple targets for precise measurements, are prone to misalignment issues, and have complex mounting arrangements that can lead to inaccurate and repetitive positioning problems, especially when dealing with rotating pentaprisms and flat optical planes.
Innovation Solution
A target assembly with a housing, a face plate defining a measurement plane, a removable lens assembly with a collimating lens, a right angle prism, and a sensor cell that allows for accurate angular alignment and displacement measurements, including horizontal and vertical displacements, and flatness measurements relative to a plane, using a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth for wireless data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a virtual target location with pentaprism is used, then measurements can be taken at a desired measurement point even though the actual photoelectric cell cannot physically be placed at that point, but the target requires complicated mounting arrangements and calculations to compensate for misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual image formed by the pentaprism to copy the position of the actual sensor. The sensor detects light from a location that is optically copied to a virtual position, allowing measurement at remote locations without physically placing the sensor there. This resolves the contradiction by enabling remote measurement capability while keeping the physical sensor in a convenient, accessible location.
Solution Approach 2:
The pentaprism acts as an intermediary optical element that redirects light paths. It mediates between the actual sensor position and the desired measurement point by reflecting and refracting light to create a virtual image at the measurement location. This intermediary approach allows the sensor to remain in a simple mounting position while measuring at a remote location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple targets are used for different measurements, then all measurements can be performed, but the system becomes more complex and requires more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single target assembly that can perform multiple measurement functions. By incorporating both a virtual target configuration (for remote point measurements) and a flat optical plane measurement capability in one assembly, the system eliminates the need for multiple separate targets. This multi-functional design directly reduces the quantity of components while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If the target is not aligned properly with the incoming laser beam, then measurements become difficult and require calculations to compensate for misalignment, but proper alignment requires fixturing the target fairly close to the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features that are prepared in advance during the target assembly design and manufacturing. The pentaprism and sensor are pre-positioned and fixed in the assembly, eliminating the need for field alignment operations. This preliminary action ensures that the target is already properly aligned with the laser beam path, making the system easy to operate without requiring complex fixation or compensation calculations.
4Measurement precision
If a collimating lens is used for angular alignment measurements, then angular alignment can be measured, but the mounting arrangement becomes complicated with possibilities of inaccurate positioning and repeatability problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collimating lens with the pentaprism and sensor assembly into a single integrated unit. The lens is fixed in a predetermined position relative to the other components, creating a unified assembly that maintains consistent optical geometry. This merging eliminates the complexity of separate mounting arrangements and ensures reliable, repeatable positioning for angular alignment measurements.
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
Enables precise and accurate measurements of alignment and displacement without the need for multiple targets, simplifies the mounting process, and provides consistent readings as if the sensor cell were coplanar with the measurement plane, improving measurement accuracy and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
A collimating lens is mounted in the lens housing of some embodiments. A right angle prism is mounted in the target housing at a position to align with the optical axis of the collimating lens
Implementation Method 2
The right angle prism has a reflecting surface aligned at a 45° angle to the optical axis of the collimating lens
Implementation Method 3
a sensor cell is mounted in the target housing so that the plane of the sensing surface of the sensor cell is parallel to the optical axis of the lens and perpendicular to the rear surface of the face plate
Data Source
AI summary
A target assembly for a laser alignment system has a housing with a planar rear face, a front face and an interior between the front and rear faces. An aperture extends through the front face and into the interior. A reflective surface is in the housing interior forward of the planar rear face. The reflective surface is aligned so that a laser beam directed through the aperture and into the housing interior impinges on the reflective surface and is reflected 90°. A sensor cell in the target housing has a light sensitive surface aligned perpendicular to the planar rear face of the target housing. A distance from a point of impingement of the laser beam on the reflective surface to the light sensitive surface equals a distance from the point of impingement of the laser beam on the reflective surface to the planar rear face of the target housing.