Condensation-Based Mirror Surface Measurement With Humid Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement systems face challenges in accurately measuring objects with mirror or glass surfaces due to regular reflection and reduced light incidence, leading to difficulties in sensing light at a fixed position, which affects the accuracy of shape measurement.
Innovation Solution
A humid air forming device that uses dew condensation to uniformly form moisture particles on the object's surface, combined with a measurement system that includes a cooling unit and a humid air supply unit to maintain controlled temperature and humidity, allowing for accurate inspection of mirror-surface objects by ensuring consistent humid air circulation and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a measurement system uses a fixed-position imaging unit to measure mirror-surface objects, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to regular reflection and light passing through the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the measurement object by forming moisture particles on its surface through controlled condensation of humid air. This parameter change (from dry to moist surface) alters the optical properties, transforming regular reflection into diffuse reflection, thereby enabling accurate light sensing at fixed positions without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from vapor to liquid through condensation. By controlling temperature and humidity to achieve dew condensation on the measurement object surface, moisture particles are formed that scatter light, converting regular reflection into diffuse reflection and solving the measurement problem of mirror surfaces
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heater, hot air blower, or humidifier is continuously operated to maintain humid air, then the temperature and humidity are stabilized, but the power consumption and device lifetime are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the heater, hot air blower, and humidifier based on predetermined timing patterns. Instead of continuous operation, these components are activated at specific intervals to maintain sufficient humid air conditions, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving measurement capability and extending device lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the thermal and humidity characteristics of the measurement chamber to maintain conditions between active heating/humidifying cycles. The enclosed space retains heat and moisture, allowing the system to 'self-maintain' conditions during off-periods, reducing the need for continuous energy input
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heater, hot air blower, or humidifier is continuously operated to maintain humid air, then the temperature and humidity are stabilized, but the device lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the heater, hot air blower, and humidifier based on predetermined timing patterns. Instead of continuous operation, these components are activated at specific intervals to maintain sufficient humid air conditions, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving measurement capability and extending device lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains the useful action of humid air formation through periodic cycles rather than continuous operation. By strategically timing the operation of heating and humidifying components, the system ensures sufficient humid air is available for measurement while minimizing overall runtime and wear on components
4Stability of the object's composition
If light is regularly reflected from a mirror surface, then the reflection is predictable, but the imaging unit cannot sense the light at a fixed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the measurement object by forming moisture particles on its surface through controlled condensation of humid air. This parameter change (from dry to moist surface) alters the optical properties, transforming regular reflection into diffuse reflection, thereby enabling accurate light sensing at fixed positions
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture particles formed on the surface act as an intermediary between the light source and the imaging unit. These particles scatter the light, serving as a mediating mechanism that converts direct regular reflection into diffuse reflection patterns that can be captured by fixed-position imaging sensors
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 accurate two or three-dimensional shape measurement of mirror-surface objects by uniformly forming moisture particles, extending the device's lifespan and reducing power consumption through controlled humid air management, and allows for extended off-time of heating components during temporary inspection stops.
Implementation Method 1
form humid air by mixing hot air having a temperature that is higher than a temperature of a measurement object with moisture, to spray the humid air onto a surface of the measurement object, and to form moisture particles on the surface of the measurement object
Data Source
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AI summary
A humid air forming device, which cools an object to be measured to a predetermined temperature, and which sprays humid air having a predetermined temperature to the cooled object to be measured, thereby forming moisture particles on the surface of the object to be measured, and a measurement system including the same. The humid air forming device includes a cooling unit that cools the object to be measured to a first temperature or lower; and a humid air supply unit that forms humid air having a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and spraying the humid air toward the surface of the cooled object to be measured, thereby forming moisture particles on the surface of the cooled object to be measured.