Opaque Diffuser with Internal Light Sources for Optical Shape Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for optical shape detection and measurement struggle to simultaneously assess both two-dimensional and three-dimensional features of objects quickly, especially with shiny or metallic surfaces, due to issues with light reflection and the need for complex illumination setups.
Innovation Solution
A device using a camera, lens, and an opaque diffuser with strategically placed light sources arranged near the equator of a hemispherical scattering body, which provides uniform illumination and encoding of object surfaces, mimicking external parallel light irradiation, allowing for efficient measurement and automatic evaluation of both 2D and 3D features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light sources are placed at a sufficient distance from the diffuser to achieve parallel illumination and easy mathematical management, then the coding conditions are mathematically easily manageable, but the illuminance of the diffuser is reduced by a factor of 4 when distance is doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places light sources inside the diffuser structure itself, nesting the illumination sources within the scattering body. This allows the light sources to be positioned at optimal locations for both illumination intensity and parallel beam generation, eliminating the need for distant placement while maintaining mathematical manageability of the coding conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary between the light sources and the object being measured. By placing light sources inside the diffuser, the system uses the diffuser material itself to transform the light into parallel beams, simplifying the overall optical path and maintaining illuminance without requiring large source-to-diffuser distances.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the distance between light sources and diffuser is doubled to achieve better illumination distribution, then the illumination becomes more uniform, but the illuminance is reduced by a factor of 4
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting light sources within the diffuser structure, the system achieves uniform illumination distribution without increasing source-to-diffuser distance. The light sources are positioned at strategic locations inside the diffuser where they can illuminate the entire scattering surface uniformly while maintaining high illuminance levels.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple light sources are used to illuminate large areas of the scattering body, then large areas can be illuminated, but the light sources must be placed close together which reduces sensitivity to inclination variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by nesting multiple light sources within the diffuser structure at strategically positioned locations. This allows large areas to be illuminated while maintaining sufficient angular separation between light sources, as the diffuser material distributes the light in parallel beams that preserve the directional information needed for inclination sensitivity.
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 rapid and accurate measurement of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional features with improved illumination distribution, reducing the need for optics and minimizing shadows, while maintaining high resolution and resistance to contamination and mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
an opaque diffuser with at least two light sources arranged inside the diffuser... provides uniform illumination and encoding of object surfaces, mimicking external parallel light irradiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for optically measuring shapes of and/or examining objects, comprising at least one camera, at least one objective, a diffuser, and at least two light sources. This device is characterized in that the diffuser is nontransparent and that the at least two light sources are placed inside the diffuser whereby illuminating the inside thereof, and that either only two light sources are used, which are situated opposite one another on an imaginary diameter line, or the light sources are placed at the corners of a preferably equilateral triangle or of a cross.