Lighting Control for Optical Measuring Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coordinate measuring machines with optical sensors face challenges in accurately marking the image detection area during measurement, leading to increased setup times and potential temperature influences due to unnecessary lighting, which can interfere with the measurement process.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a lighting control method that switches on only the necessary lighting arrangements during image acquisition, using a control signal to manage measurement lighting and employing additional lighting arrangements like bright field incident light illumination or lasers outside of image recording periods to mark the image capture area without interfering with measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous lighting arrangements are used to mark the image detection area, then the marking function is always available, but heat input increases and temperature influences interfere with measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting arrangements are switched on and off periodically in synchronization with the image acquisition cycles. The control device activates the lighting only during image recording periods and keeps it off during non-recording periods, creating a periodic on-off pattern that eliminates continuous heat generation while maintaining marking functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking of the image detection area is performed in advance during non-image acquisition periods. By preparing the visual marking before the measurement cycle begins, the system ensures the marking function is available when needed without interfering with the actual measurement process.
2Ease of operation
If lighting arrangements are switched on continuously, then the image detection area is always marked, but setup time increases due to unnecessary lighting during non-measurement periods
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting arrangements operate in periodic cycles synchronized with image acquisition. During non-measurement periods, the lighting remains off, eliminating unnecessary setup time and allowing faster transitions between measurement tasks while maintaining the marking capability when actually needed.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple lighting arrangements operate simultaneously, then comprehensive illumination is achieved, but temperature influences and interference with measurements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lighting arrangements are activated periodically during image acquisition periods rather than continuously. This timing synchronization ensures comprehensive illumination is provided only when the optical sensor is actively recording, eliminating thermal interference with the workpiece while maintaining complete illumination coverage when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides sufficient illumination intensity during the brief image acquisition windows by activating all necessary lighting arrangements simultaneously during these short periods, achieving comprehensive illumination without the cumulative thermal effect of continuous operation.
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 approach reduces heat input, minimizes temperature influences, and allows for efficient marking of the image detection area without affecting measurement accuracy or results, thereby streamlining the measurement process.
Implementation Method 1
optical sensors that enable the non-contact detection of a workpiece's coordinates
Implementation Method 2
The laser beam can be emitted, for instance, from a light source attached to the object being measured
Implementation Method 3
incident light illumination can be provided, which may be configured as brightfield/darkfield illumination
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring device (10), in particular a coordinate measuring device, comprising at least one optical sensor (34) for capturing images in an image detection region (80) during an image capturing time period (86), a control signal transmitter (89) which provides a control signal that represents the image capturing time period (86), a measurement lighting arrangement (96) for lighting the image detection region (80), and a controller (19). The controller (19) is designed to activate the measurement lighting arrangement (96) during the image capturing time period (86) depending on the control signal, and the controller (19) is additionally designed to activate at least one additional lighting arrangement (97, 98, 100, 102) outside of the image capturing time period (86) depending on the control signal. The invention further relates to a measuring system and to a lighting control method.