Movable Beam Deflector for Compact 3D Optical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical 3D measurement devices are hindered by the large size due to the use of mirrors or prisms for deflecting light beams, which limits their applicability in dental and other applications where a compact design is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A movable beam deflector is used to deflect both the illuminating and monitoring light beams, allowing for a scanning movement without the need for large mirrors or prisms, enabling a smaller device with a larger scan area and facilitating access to objects like teeth in the oral cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mirrors or prisms are used for deflecting light beams, then the light beams can be deflected onto the object to be measured, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable beam deflector that can dynamically adjust its position to deflect light beams. This dynamic component replaces the need for large stationary mirrors or prisms, achieving the same light deflection function with a more compact design. The beam deflector moves along a guide rail system, allowing flexible positioning without requiring large fixed optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical beam deflection systems (mirrors and prisms) with a movable beam deflector mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for large fixed optical elements while maintaining the capability to deflect light beams onto the object. The guide rail system provides precise positioning, achieving the same optical function with reduced mechanical complexity and smaller dimensions.
2Area of stationary object
If large mirrors or prisms are used for beam deflection, then the scan area can be covered, but the overall height of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable beam deflector dynamically adjusts its position along the guide rail to cover the required scan area. This dynamic positioning allows the device to achieve a large scan area without requiring proportionally large fixed optical elements, thereby reducing the overall device height while maintaining comprehensive scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the beam deflection mechanism by moving the beam deflector along a guide rail that extends vertically. This allows the scan area to be covered by moving the deflector in the vertical dimension rather than requiring a large horizontal span, effectively reducing the overall device height while maintaining the required scan area.
3Ease of operation
If a compact device is designed, then accessibility to objects like teeth is improved, but the scan area may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable beam deflector provides dynamic positioning capability that allows the compact device to scan various areas. By moving the beam deflector along the guide rail, the device can access different regions of the object (such as teeth) while maintaining a compact overall size. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to achieve both compactness and adequate scan area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical movement of the beam deflector along the guide rail to expand the scan area in the vertical dimension. This allows the compact device to cover sufficient scan area by moving the deflector vertically rather than horizontally, thereby maintaining accessibility to objects like teeth while providing adequate scanning coverage.
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 allows for a compact 3D measurement apparatus with a larger scan area, enabling efficient and precise optical 3D measurement of teeth and other objects, reducing the overall height and improving accessibility in dental applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first beam deflector for deflecting an illuminating beam onto an object to be measured and for deflecting the monitoring beam reflected by said object
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optical 3D measurement, comprising a first beam deflector for deflecting an illuminating beam onto a measurement object and for deflecting the observation beam which is radiated back by the measurement object, wherein the first beam deflector can move along a path distance S.