Light Delivery Device Calibration via Radiometer Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light curing systems face challenges in maintaining consistent output intensity due to light source degradation and environmental changes, leading to variations in curing times and quality across multiple systems, especially in production settings where frequent recalibration is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a light delivery device with solid-state light-emitting means, intensity control, and a radiometer for calibrating and adjusting light output levels, using data communications and memory units to store and associate intensity parameters with measured irradiance levels, allowing for consistent light delivery across multiple systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light source intensity is monitored and adjusted frequently to compensate for degradation, then curing consistency is improved, but calibration time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radiometer performs preliminary calibration measurements at multiple predetermined intensity levels and stores the relationship data in memory. This preliminary action creates a calibration curve that allows the system to compensate for light source degradation over time without requiring frequent recalibration, thus improving curing consistency while reducing ongoing calibration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors light source intensity using the radiometer and compares it against the stored calibration data. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the intensity control means to maintain consistent curing output, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and minimizing calibration time.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light delivery systems are calibrated individually, then each system achieves accurate output levels, but the overall process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The radiometer is designed as a universal calibration device that can measure and calibrate multiple different light delivery systems using the same methodology. The system stores calibration data for multiple systems in memory and can switch between them, achieving accurate output levels for each system while simplifying the overall calibration process through standardization.
3Reliability
If intensity levels are adjusted frequently to compensate for environmental changes, then curing quality is maintained, but system response time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own built-in radiometer and control mechanisms to automatically detect and compensate for environmental changes affecting light intensity. This self-service capability maintains curing quality consistency without requiring external intervention or complex manual adjustment procedures, thus improving reliability while managing system complexity.
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 ensures consistent light output levels across multiple light curing systems, compensating for light source degradation and environmental changes, thereby maintaining optimal curing conditions without the need for frequent recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
a radiometer for calibrating and adjusting light output levels, using data communications and memory units to store and associate intensity parameters with measured irradiance levels
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of calibrating a light delivery device (10) having a solid state light source (12), for example comprising LEDs of an LED array, and an intensity control unit (16) comprising LED array driver and a dimmer module for generating a control signal for controlling at least the intensity of the light source, the light source is temporarily connected by a light guide (24; 24, 26) to a radiometer (38) for detecting irradiance of the delivered light. The light delivery device has a memory (30) for storing control signal parameters and associated radiance levels. The light delivery device is calibrated by adjusting the control signal parameters, e.g. a PWM duty cycle of a control signal to each of a series of predetermined settings, obtaining from the radiometer a corresponding series of delivered light irradiance levels measured thereby, storing the irradiance levels and associated control signal parameters in memory, and applying a best fit algorithm to the irradiance measurements and control signal parameters. Thereafter, a desired irradiate level can be set by selecting the best fit control signal parameters, such as duty cycle of a PWM control or other parameters. Output intensity levels may be measured at the same time as the irradiance levels and used to compensate for light source output level changes when setting a desired irradiance level.