Optical 3D Shape Measuring Device with Dual Light Receiving Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices using the triangular distance measuring method require complex adjustments to position the measuring object correctly, making them difficult for unskilled users and troublesome for skilled users due to varying object sizes.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a stage holding unit, a head unit containing a light projecting and receiving system, and a coupling mechanism that fixes the optical axes, allowing for oblique measurement light irradiation and reception, enabling automatic alignment and improved operability by selecting appropriate light receiving units based on object size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the measuring device uses fixed optical axes for light projecting and receiving units, then the placement operation is simplified and operability is improved, but the adaptability to measure objects of various sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical axes of the light receiving units adjustable rather than fixed. The optical axes can be dynamically changed according to the size of the measuring object, allowing the system to adapt between simplified operation for standard sizes and flexibility for various sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement space into multiple regions (first measurement space and second measurement space) with different optical axis configurations. This allows the system to switch between different measurement modes depending on the object size, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and flexible adaptability.
2Area of stationary object
If the optical axes of light receiving units are positioned higher, then the imaging visual field covers more area, but the measurement accuracy for smaller objects decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the optical axis positions based on measurement requirements. For larger measurement areas, optical axes are positioned higher; for higher measurement accuracy on smaller objects, optical axes are positioned lower, resolving the contradiction between area coverage and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light receiving units are assigned different optical axis positions tailored to specific measurement needs. Some units have higher optical axes for wide-area imaging while others have lower optical axes for high-precision measurements, allowing each unit to optimize for its specific function.
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
The device simplifies the placement of measuring objects by fixing the positional relationship between light projecting and receiving units, improving user operability and measurement accuracy without the need for manual adjustments, and reducing the complexity of temperature compensation.
Implementation Method 1
a light projecting unit and first and second light receiving units, the light projecting unit irradiating the measuring object placed on the stage with measurement light having a pattern, the first and second light receiving units receiving the measurement light reflected by the measuring object
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a measuring device having improved operability. A head unit is fixedly coupled to an installation part with a stand. A measuring object is placed on a stage held by the installation part. The measuring object is irradiated obliquely downward with the measurement light having the pattern from the light projecting unit. The measurement light reflected obliquely upward by the measuring object is received by a selected one of first and second light receiving units, and a light reception signal representing a light reception amount is output. A second imaging visual field of the second light receiving unit is smaller than a first imaging visual field of the first light receiving unit, and included in the first imaging visual field. A second optical axis of the second light receiving unit is located below a first optical axis of the first light receiving unit.