3D Coordinate Measuring Device Single Light Source Target
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable three-dimensional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are expensive, inaccurate, and slow, lacking in ease of use and affordability, with camera-based systems relying on multiple light sources and cumbersome probes, while a more cost-effective and accurate solution using a single point-of-light source has not been implemented.
Innovation Solution
A compact, rotatable target with a spherical or cylindrical surface and a single light source at its center, combined with multiple cameras for optical perspective, computes three-dimensional coordinates of objects by processing images from known positions and dimensions, eliminating the need for extended probes and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single point-of-light source is used instead of multiple light sources, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A spherical or cylindrical target body is introduced as an intermediary between the single light source and the object being measured. The target body with known dimensions acts as a reference mediator that enables precise coordinate determination through geometric relationships, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision while using only a single light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from using multiple light sources in three-dimensional space to using a single light source combined with a spherical/cylindrical target that introduces geometric dimensionality. The known dimensions of the target body provide additional spatial constraints that compensate for reducing the number of light sources, maintaining measurement precision through dimensional geometry rather than redundant light sources.
2Measurement precision
If camera-based systems with multiple light sources are used, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but ease of operation and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple light sources into a single light source by combining it with a passive spherical or cylindrical target body. This consolidation reduces the number of active components that require alignment and calibration, simplifying operation and improving portability while maintaining measurement accuracy through the geometric properties of the target body.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical or cylindrical target body with known dimensions serves as a self-contained reference that eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures. The target's inherent geometric properties provide self-calibration capabilities, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision without requiring multiple light sources or complex setup procedures, thereby improving ease of operation and portability.
3Measurement precision
If extended probes with multiple light sources are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential measurement function from complex extended probes with multiple light sources and concentrates it into a single light source combined with a simple spherical or cylindrical target. By removing unnecessary components (multiple light sources, extended probe structures) and retaining only the essential geometric reference, the system achieves the same measurement accuracy with significantly reduced device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical or cylindrical target body serves as a simple, inexpensive reference object that replaces expensive, complex extended probes. The target can be a simple geometric form with known dimensions that is much cheaper to manufacture than precision-engineered extended probes with multiple light sources, while providing equivalent or superior measurement capabilities.
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 provides high accuracy and speed at a lower cost, with the ability to measure complex surfaces efficiently, offering a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to existing CMMs, achieving subpixel accuracy and high measurement speed.
Implementation Method 1
at least one or more light emitting source located in a known position in the target, wherein the light emitting source is located at the spherical center of the target having a spherical surface
Implementation Method 2
at least two cameras located at different and known coordinate locations for receiving light from the light emitting source from different optical perspectives
Data Source
AI summary
An optical camera three-dimensional coordinate measuring system for use with objects to be measured is described. The system may include a compact, easily moveable, and rotatable, target of known dimensions comprising a spherical surface to be placed in contact with the object to be measured at different points along the object to be measured thereby eliminating the necessity of using a larger extended probe contact tip extending from the target to the object to be measured. At least one or more light emitting source may be located in a known position in the target such as the center of the spherical surface for example. At least two cameras located at different and known coordinate locations for receiving light from the light emitting source from different optical perspectives may be included. The position in three dimensional coordinates of the object to be measured is computed from the images taken by the cameras.