Light Distribution Measurement Using Rotating Mirror

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light distribution characteristic measurement apparatuses face challenges in efficiently measuring the light distribution characteristics of light sources with large light emission surfaces without increasing the apparatus size or complexity.

Innovation Solution

A light distribution characteristic measurement apparatus that includes a rotation mechanism to control the mirror's rotational angle, ensuring non-overlapping fields of view, and a processor to calculate the detecting unit's angle of view relative to the light source, along with a lens to adjust the focal point and a second mirror to optimize the optical path, allowing for efficient measurement of large light sources with a compact setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between the detecting unit and the light source is increased to encompass the whole light source in the field of view, then the measurement capability for large light sources is improved, but the apparatus size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capability for large light sourcesVSAvoidapparatus configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mirror positioned between the detecting unit and the light source to fold the optical path. This transforms the linear spatial arrangement into a two-dimensional configuration, allowing the detecting unit to capture the entire light source within a compact apparatus footprint while maintaining the necessary measurement distance through optical path extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If a mirror is introduced to fold the optical path and extend the measurement distance, then the measurement distance is sufficiently increased, but the apparatus complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement distanceVSAvoidapparatus configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror serves as an optical intermediary that folds the measurement path, enabling the detecting unit to be positioned closer to the light source while maintaining an extended effective measurement distance. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by decoupling the physical distance from the optical path length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If the field of view of the detecting unit is expanded to cover the entire light source, then the imaging range is increased, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging rangeVSAvoidapparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the mirror at an angle and folding the optical path, the patent enables the detecting unit to achieve a large imaging range without requiring a proportionally large apparatus volume. The mirror creates a virtual extension of the detection space, allowing comprehensive light source coverage within a compact physical footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 accurate and efficient measurement of light distribution characteristics for light sources with large emission surfaces, maintaining a compact apparatus size and reducing complexity, while ensuring a sufficient measurement distance and expanded imaging range.

Implementation Method 1

a mirror to reflect light from the light source and direct the reflected light to the detecting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a lens to adjust the focal point of the detecting unit on the light emission surface of the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP2700921B1Light distribution characteristic measurement apparatus and light distribution characteristic measurement method
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 OTSUKA DENSHI CO LTD
  • EP2700921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2700921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2700921B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light distribution characteristic measurement apparatus (1) includes: a detecting unit (8) for detecting light from a light source (10); a mirror (5) for reflecting the light from the light source to direct the light to the detecting unit; a movement mechanism (11, 12) for moving the detecting unit and the mirror relatively to the light source; a rotation mechanism (13) for rotating the mirror while maintaining an optical path length from the light source to the detecting unit; and a processor (100) adapted to calculate the light distribution characteristic of the light source, based on a plurality of measurement results that are detected by the detecting unit under a condition that the detecting unit and the mirror are arranged at a plurality of measurement positions relative to the light source and the mirror is oriented at different rotational angles for each measurement position.