Optical Measuring Apparatus Switching Unit Aiming Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact-type ultrasonic scanners for eye axis length measurement are prone to errors due to inadvertent operation or incorrect positioning, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and reliability, while non-contact optical methods face aiming failures and decreased measurement precision when aiming lights deviate from the eye axis.
Innovation Solution
An optical measuring apparatus with a switching unit that alternates between aiming and measuring modes by blocking or redirecting light sources to ensure accurate alignment and emission directions, allowing for either simultaneous or alternate use of aiming and measuring lights, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used for both aiming and measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates when aiming lights deviate from the eye axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light source system into two separate light sources: a first light source dedicated to aiming and a second light source dedicated to measurement. This segmentation allows each light source to perform its specific function optimally without interference, ensuring that the aiming light accurately guides the eye axis center position while the measurement light precisely measures the eye axis length, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit provides multi-functionality by enabling a single optical path to serve both aiming and measurement purposes alternately. The switching unit can selectively connect either the first light source or the second light source to the optical path, allowing the system to perform both aiming and measurement functions through a unified optical structure, thus maintaining device simplicity while achieving high measurement precision.
2Productivity
If aiming and measurement are performed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to separate transmission channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between aiming mode and measurement mode through the switching unit. The system first performs aiming to determine the eye axis center position, then switches to measurement mode to measure the eye axis length. This periodic alternation allows the system to achieve both aiming and measurement functions sequentially, improving productivity while avoiding the complexity of simultaneous dual-channel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the aiming and measurement functions into a single optical path by using the switching unit to connect either the first or second light source to the same optical components and detection system. This merging approach allows the system to perform both functions through shared optical hardware, reducing device complexity compared to having separate transmission channels while still achieving both aiming and measurement objectives.
3Reliability
If contact-type ultrasonic scanning is used, then measurement function is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to contact pressure on the eyeball
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-type ultrasonic scanning system with a non-contact optical measurement system. Instead of using physical transducers that contact the eyeball to measure eye axis length, the system uses light sources and optical components to perform contactless measurement. This substitution eliminates the harmful contact pressure on the eyeball while maintaining measurement functionality, thereby significantly improving measurement reliability.
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 solution significantly improves measurement accuracy and reliability by ensuring precise alignment of aiming lights, increasing the flexibility of optical measuring processes, and allowing for either separate or shared transmission channels for aiming and measuring lights, making the apparatus more reliable for ophthalmology evaluations.
Implementation Method 1
emitting to an aiming light LA to the eyeball CO and receiving its reflecting light
Implementation Method 2
changes the second light from the second direction to the first direction to let the second light emitted to the eye axis center position on the eyeball to perform an optical measurement
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measuring apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source and a switching unit. The first light source is used to emit a first light toward a first direction. The second light source is used to emit a second light toward a second direction. The switching unit selectively switches to a first mode or a second mode. When the switching unit switches to the first mode, it blocks the second light and let the first light emitted to an aiming region on eyeball to perform an optical aiming and determine an eye axis center position on the eyeball; when the switching unit switches to the second mode, the switching unit changes the second light from the second direction to the first direction to let the second light emitted to the eye axis center position on the eyeball to perform an optical measurement.