Multi-target distance measurement using optical splitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance measurement systems face limitations in precision and range when monitoring multiple apparatuses simultaneously due to issues with capacitance and laser sensors, such as limited measurement range, installation constraints, and interference problems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-target distance measurement system utilizing a range finder and multiple measurement heads connected through optical dividers, where a laser pulse is emitted and the time difference between reference and measurement pulses is used to calculate distances, allowing for precise real-time monitoring of multiple targets with a single range finder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple capacitance sensors are used for multi-location monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but installation flexibility and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single laser sensor by integrating multiple measurement heads with one interferometer unit. The laser beam is distributed to multiple measurement heads through optical splitting, allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple targets while reducing the number of independent sensors needed, thereby improving installation flexibility without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The single interferometer unit serves multiple measurement heads simultaneously, making the system universal in function. One interferometer can measure distances to multiple different targets through its multiple measurement heads, replacing the need for multiple dedicated sensors and enabling flexible installation across various locations
2Measurement precision
If multiple laser sensors with separate interferometers are used for multi-monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but system complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple interferometer functions into a single interferometer unit that can simultaneously serve multiple measurement heads. The interferometer generates laser beams that are distributed to multiple measurement points, reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple independent interferometer systems while maintaining measurement precision across all targets
3Device complexity
If a single interferometer serves multiple measurement heads, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability is worsened when laser beam is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam path into multiple independent measurement channels, each with its own measurement head. Even though they share a common interferometer, each measurement head can independently measure its target, and blocking of one beam path does not affect the others, thereby improving measurement reliability while maintaining low device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical splitting components as intermediaries between the single interferometer and multiple measurement heads. These intermediaries distribute the laser beam to multiple independent paths, allowing the system to maintain reliability by ensuring that blocking in one path does not prevent measurements in other paths, while still using a single interferometer to reduce complexity
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
Enables high-precision real-time distance measurement across multiple apparatuses, with the ability to correct for target gradients and orientations, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by using a single range finder for multiple measurement heads.
Implementation Method 1
when a laser pulse is emitted toward the measurement target through each of the plurality of measurement heads and the range finder receives a reference pulse and a measurement pulse from the measurement head, a distance between the measurement head and the measurement target is calculated on the basis of a receiving time difference between the reference pulse and the measurement pulse of the measurement head
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-target distance measurement system including: a plurality of optical dividers; a plurality of measurement heads optically connected, one by one, to ends of a plurality of optical paths divided by the plurality of optical dividers; and a range finder configured to measure a distance from each of the plurality of measurement heads to a measurement target, in which when a laser pulse is emitted toward the measurement target through each of the plurality of measurement heads and the range finder receives a reference pulse and a measurement pulse from the each of the plurality of measurement heads, a distance between the each of the plurality of measurement heads and the measurement target is calculated on the basis of a receiving time difference between the reference pulse and the measurement pulse of the each of the plurality of measurement heads.