Microcollimated Test Object for Optical Alignment Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional collimated test objects require complex and costly combinations of lenses to correct aberrations, making them expensive and inflexible for use in verifying alignment and distortion of optical equipment.
Innovation Solution
A test object comprising microcollimated sets with a light source, an elementary test object, and a simple collimation lens, where each mark is centered on the optical axis, allowing for cost-effective and flexible collimation without significant aberration issues, and enabling dynamic orientation of axes for forming a collimated image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single complex combination of lenses is used for collimation, then aberration correction is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the test object into multiple independent microcollimated sets, each handling a specific mark. Each set uses a simple collimation lens instead of a complex lens combination, eliminating aberration issues by centering each mark on its own optical axis. This segmentation approach maintains collimation quality while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single complex combination of lenses is used for collimation, then aberration correction is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test object is segmented into independent microcollimated sets, each with simple collimation optics. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex lens combinations while maintaining aberration correction through proper optical axis alignment of each individual mark.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex lens assemblies with simpler, more cost-effective collimation lenses for each microcollimated set. The simplified optics reduce manufacturing costs while achieving the required collimation performance through proper design and alignment.
3Device complexity
If a single collimation device is used for all marks, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability and flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic orientation of each microcollimated set's optical axis independently. This can be achieved through micromechanisms, magnetic or electromagnetic systems, or acousto-optical systems, allowing the test object to adapt to different field requirements and orientations while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and increases flexibility by using simpler, less expensive collimation means while maintaining accurate alignment and distortion verification, allowing for larger fields of view and dynamic control of marks.
Implementation Method 1
a collimation lens (6) for projecting said mark (5) to infinity
Data Source
AI summary
The collimated test object according to the invention is used for projecting to infinity a set of marks, the positions of which are very accurately known so as to be able to verify the alignment and/or the distortion of optical equipment such as sensors or collimated screens. This test object comprises a plurality of microcollimated sets, each comprising a light source, an elementary test object comprising a mark illuminated by the source as well as a collimation lens for projecting the mark to infinity. With this solution, one gets free of aberration problems to which are subject convention test objects of large dimensions.