Luminophore Light Source for Chromatic Confocal Line Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chromatic-confocal measuring devices face limitations in measuring rate and cost due to low light intensity from point light sources or the need for multiple point sources, which restricts their ability to operate at high frequency.
Innovation Solution
A luminophore-based light source with an elongated exit surface, pumped by a laser or LED, is used to provide high-efficiency polychromatic light that illuminates a confocal aperture, allowing for uniform illumination and efficient measurement across a region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a point light source is used to illuminate the measurement volume, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light intensity becomes low which limits the measuring rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a point light source (0D) to a line-shaped light exit surface (1D) by using a luminophore layer with elongated geometry. This dimensional change allows the light to illuminate an extended confocal aperture, increasing the measurement volume and enabling higher measuring rates without requiring multiple point sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the light source by creating a line-shaped exit surface with specific length and width dimensions. This parameter change allows the light source to match the geometry of the confocal aperture, improving illumination efficiency and enabling high-frequency operation of line detectors.
2Productivity
If multiple point light sources are used to increase light intensity, then the measuring rate can be improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple point light sources into a single line-shaped light exit surface created by a luminophore layer. This consolidation achieves the same illumination effect as multiple point sources but with a single integrated component, reducing cost and complexity while maintaining high measuring rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The line-shaped light exit surface serves multiple functions: it provides extended illumination across the measurement volume, matches the geometry of the confocal aperture, and enables high-frequency operation of line detectors. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function.
3Power
If a large number of point light sources are used to illuminate the measurement volume, then the light intensity is sufficient for high-frequency operation, but the cost becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a luminophore layer as an intermediary that converts pump light into polychromatic measurement light with a line-shaped output. This intermediary approach allows efficient light generation and distribution without requiring multiple expensive point light sources, achieving high power output at lower cost.
4Device complexity
If traditional light sources are used, then the device is simple, but they do not have sufficient output power to operate a chromatic confocal line detector at high frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the output power parameter by using a luminophore-based light source that converts pump light into intense polychromatic light. This parameter change provides sufficient output power for high-frequency line detector operation while maintaining a simple single-component structure.
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
The solution enables high-frequency operation of chromatic-confocal line detectors with improved light intensity and efficiency, overcoming the limitations of traditional devices by using a laser-pumped luminophore-based light source with a homogenized, elongated exit surface.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor (luminophore) is excited by means of a pump source (typically laser or LED) and emits light through a physical process, in particular phosphorescence, fluorescence or scintillation
Implementation Method 2
imaging optics, which are set up to cause a chromatic focus shift of the measuring light and to image the first confocal aperture in a measuring volume, with different wavelengths being focused at different heights
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A chromatic confocal measuring device for measuring distances and/or thicknesses of multiple points has a light source (1) which emits polychromatic measuring light (2) through a light exit surface, and at least one first confocal aperture (3, 10) through which the measuring light (2) passes and which comprises a plurality of point-shaped openings or at least one slit-shaped opening. The measuring device also includes imaging optics (4, 5) which are configured to induce a chromatic focus shift of the measuring light and to image the first confocal aperture (3) into a measuring volume, with different wavelengths being focused at different heights.A first receiving and evaluation unit (8) is configured to measure the intensity of the measurement light reflected by the object being measured as a function of the wavelength and the transverse position of the reflection point on the object being measured, and from this to determine distances and/or thicknesses of several points or of a region of the object being measured (6) extending in at least one spatial direction. According to the invention, the light source (1) is a laser-pumped luminophore-based light source and the exit surface is elongated.