Optical Measurement Device Using Segmented Reference Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical measurement devices using interference methods struggle to measure distances when the target distance significantly fluctuates, leading to a lack of beat signal production due to increased light path length differences between reference and scattered light.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement device that splits light into reference and measurement beams of varying lengths, using interference circuitry and processing circuitry to calculate light path length differences and determine target distance based on interference frequencies, allowing for accurate distance measurement even with significant fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light path length difference between reference light and scattered light increases due to target distance fluctuation, then the measurement range is extended, but the beat signal cannot be produced and measurement becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The reference light is divided into multiple beams with different light path lengths using a beam splitter and optical path length adjusters. This segmentation allows the system to handle larger distance fluctuations by having multiple reference paths to choose from, ensuring at least one beat signal can be produced regardless of the target distance variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between multiple reference light beams based on the actual target distance. The optical path length adjusters enable dynamic adjustment of reference light paths to match the measurement light path length, ensuring continuous beat signal production even when target distance fluctuates significantly.
2Reliability
If multiple beams of reference light with different light path lengths are used, then distance measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference light is divided into multiple beams with different light path lengths using a beam splitter and optical path length adjusters. This segmentation allows the system to handle larger distance fluctuations by having multiple reference paths to choose from, ensuring at least one beat signal can be produced regardless of the target distance variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple reference light beams serve a universal function of providing reference paths for various target distances. The same optical components (beam splitter, optical path length adjusters) are used to create multiple functional reference paths, reducing the need for separate systems for different measurement ranges.
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 reliable distance measurement to targets with significant distance fluctuations by adjusting light path lengths and calculating frequency-based differences, ensuring consistent measurement performance.
Implementation Method 1
The white inference method and the wavelength scanning interference method, and the like among these methods are interference methods that use light interference phenomena. The interference methods split light emitted from a light source into measurement light and reference light
Implementation Method 2
causes reflection light that is light obtained by reflection of the measurement light on the target, and the reference light to interfere with each other, and measures a distance to the target based on a condition that the reflection light and the reference light enhance each other
Implementation Method 3
the scattered light and the reference light are multiplexed and are received by an optical detector
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measurement device is a measurement device that measures a distance to a target using light, and includes: a split unit to split light into reference light and measurement light; an adjustment unit to split the reference light into a plurality of beams of reference light having respective different light path lengths; an interference unit to multiplex two of reflection light obtained by reflection when a target is irradiated with the measurement light, and the plurality of beams of reference light to obtain interference light; and a processing unit to calculate a light path length difference on a basis of a frequency of the interference light, and the optical measurement device calculates light path length differences of the plurality of beams of reference light, so that it is possible to measure the distance to the target even when the distance to the target significantly fluctuates.