Optical Marking Plate for Tool Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool measurement devices require heavy and costly structures for high accuracy, making them expensive and difficult to simplify without compromising measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
A device using a marking plate with optically perceptible markings and a second camera to determine the measuring head's position, eliminating the need for sensors in the measuring head's mount, allowing for a lighter and more cost-effective design with simpler components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solid and heavy structures are used for the column and rail to ensure high stability, then measurement accuracy is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position sensors with an optical measurement system. A camera captures images of a marking plate with known patterns, and image processing algorithms calculate the measuring head's position and orientation based on the captured markings. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical sensors and complex mechanical guidance structures, significantly reducing weight while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a marking plate with optically perceptible markings that serves as a reference copy for position determination. Instead of directly measuring physical positions with sensors, the system creates an optical copy of the position information through camera imaging of the markings, then processes this visual information to determine spatial coordinates. This approach allows lightweight construction while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If solid and heavy structures are used for the column and rail to ensure high stability, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical position sensors and heavy precision mechanical structures with an optical measurement system using a camera and image processing. This substitution dramatically reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining or even improving measurement accuracy through software-based position calculation from visual markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking plate with optically perceptible markings serves as a reference that can be manufactured independently and precisely. By using optical copying through camera imaging rather than direct mechanical sensing, the system reduces the need for expensive precision-machined mechanical components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while preserving measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are used in the mounting of the measuring head for measuring position, then position measurement is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position sensors mounted on the measuring head with an optical system. The camera, also mounted on the measuring head, images the marking plate, and software algorithms compute position and orientation from the image data. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical sensor assemblies, reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining measurement precision.
4Stability of the object's composition
If solid and heavy structures are used for the column and rail, then stability is improved, but the structure becomes more expensive and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stability-providing structures (heavy column and rail) with an optical reference system. The marking plate provides a stable reference framework that is imaged by the camera, allowing position determination without relying on heavy mechanical guidance structures. This reduces weight while maintaining the functional stability needed for accurate measurement through optical rather than mechanical means.
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
Achieves high measurement accuracy with reduced stability requirements, enabling the use of lighter and less expensive components while maintaining precision, and allowing for more flexible constructions like multi-link arms with joints.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the marking plate is provided with optically perceptible markings that can be recorded by a second camera attached to the measuring head
Implementation Method 2
An image processing system is used for this purpose, which determines the current position of the measuring head from the image of the markings by the second camera
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device (10) has a marking plate (34), which lies in a reference level (R) parallel to the movement level of the measuring head (16). The surface area of the marking plate is provided with optically observable markings (36). The device has a camera (32) which is aligned on the tool, and another camera (38), which is aligned on the marking plate. An image processing system is provided for determining the position of the measuring head by a mapping of the markings by the latter camera.