Optical Measurement Apparatus Telecentric Lens Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high measurement accuracy due to difficulties in adjusting the optical axis, especially when the optical axis is not horizontal or vertical, leading to deteriorated measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
The optical measurement apparatus includes a light projection unit and a light receiving unit with telecentric lenses mounted on separate housings, allowing for easy adjustment of the light emission and imaging elements' position and posture, and features a mechanism for adjusting the two-dimensional imaging element's position and posture within the light receiving housing, facilitating precise optical axis alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the optical system is mounted to a different unit separate from the housing, then the accessibility for adjusting the optical axis is improved, but the measurement accuracy is deteriorated due to complex assembly and positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measurement apparatus is divided into a housing unit and a separate optical system unit. The optical system unit contains the light emission element, imaging element, and optical system, allowing it to be adjusted independently before being mounted to the housing. This segmentation enables easy accessibility for optical axis adjustment while maintaining measurement accuracy through precise mounting interfaces.
2Device complexity
If the imaging element is mounted inside the housing after assembly, then the housing structure is simplified, but the ease of adjusting the optical axis from the outside is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system unit is assembled and adjusted before being mounted to the housing. The imaging element and optical system are positioned and adjusted in the separate optical system unit while it is still accessible from the outside. After adjustment, the optical system unit is mounted to the housing as a complete assembly, simplifying the housing structure while maintaining ease of adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical axis is not horizontal and vertical, then the workpiece can be measured in various orientations, but the measurement accuracy is deteriorated due to shift position in the imaging face
Solution Approach 1:
A telecentric lens is used to replace conventional imaging lenses. The telecentric lens has optical characteristics that maintain constant magnification and eliminate distortion even when the optical axis is not horizontal or vertical. This allows the workpiece to be measured in various orientations while maintaining high measurement accuracy, as the telecentric lens compensates for angular deviations that would otherwise cause shift position on the imaging face.
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
This configuration enables high measurement accuracy by ensuring accurate positioning of the telecentric lenses and easy adjustment of the optical axis, even when the optical axis is not horizontal or vertical, thereby improving measurement precision and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a light projection unit projecting a parallel light toward a measurement region
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving unit placed opposite to the light projection unit side and receiving the parallel light passing the measurement region, and generating an image of a measuring objection placed in the measurement region
Implementation Method 3
a two-dimensional imaging element receiving the light passed through the light receiving side telecentric lens, and capturing an image of the measuring object
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measurement apparatus performs an optical axis adjustment with respect to a reference surface and obtains high measurement accuracy. In an outer surface of a box-shaped light receiving housing, reference surfaces which become a reference at the time of placing the light receiving housing. In the light receiving housing, the light receiving side telecentric lens is mounted. An imaging element holder holding a two-dimensional imaging element is provided on an inner surface opposite to an introducing opening of the light receiving housing, and the two-dimensional imaging element is mounted in a manner of being capable of adjusting its position and posture.