Optical Displacement Meter Specular Reflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical displacement meters struggle to suppress the influence of specularly reflected light from workpiece surfaces, especially when the light projecting and receiving systems are rotated.
Innovation Solution
An optical displacement meter that incorporates a light projecting/receiving module with a motor for integral rotation, and a control unit to limit the rotation angle of the module, preventing specularly reflected light from being captured by the imaging unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light projecting system and light receiving system are rotated to increase the probability of capturing specularly reflected light, then the measurement capability is improved, but the influence of specularly reflected light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a light blocking member (such as a baffle or shield) in the optical path before rotation occurs. This member is positioned to intercept specularly reflected light before it can reach the light receiving system, thereby preventing the harmful effect from occurring in the first place while allowing the rotating mechanism to maintain its measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light blocking member as an intermediary element between the light projecting system and the light receiving system. This intermediary component selectively blocks harmful specularly reflected light while allowing useful measurement light to pass through, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of maintaining measurement capability and eliminating harmful reflections
2Device complexity
If conventional optical displacement meters are used without rotation, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the probability of capturing specularly reflected light is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotating mechanism with the existing light projecting and receiving systems into an integrated assembly. By combining these components and rotating them together as a unit, the patent achieves enhanced measurement capability through rotation without requiring separate complex subsystems, thus improving reliability while controlling device complexity
3Measurement precision
If additional equipment such as conveyors and linear motion mechanisms are introduced, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external conveyor systems and linear motion mechanisms by integrating all measurement functions into a single rotating assembly. The rotation of the light projecting and receiving systems provides the necessary measurement capability without requiring separate material handling equipment, thereby achieving measurement accuracy while reducing overall device complexity and cost
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
Effectively suppresses the influence of specularly reflected light, allowing for accurate measurement of workpiece profiles without the need for additional equipment like conveyors or linear motion mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
measures a cross-sectional profile of a workpiece having a height in a Z direction based on a principle of triangulation
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving lens that collects reflected light of the slit light reflected by the workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
An optical displacement meter that measures a cross-sectional profile of a workpiece, and includes: a light projecting/receiving module including a light projecting unit that emits slit light extending in an X direction, a light receiving lens that collects reflected light of the slit light reflected by the workpiece, and an imaging unit that receives light collected by the light receiving lens; a motor that integrally rotates the light projecting/receiving module; and a control unit that controls the motor to scan the slit light in a direction orthogonal to the X direction. A rotation angle is limited to prevent specularly reflected light reflected from a specular reflection surface from being captured by the imaging unit when the light projecting unit irradiates the workpiece having the specular reflection surface parallel to an X-Y plane extending in the X direction and a Y direction with the slit light.