Optical Position Measuring Device Uniform Light Intensity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical position measuring devices face challenges in adjusting light intensity uniformly across the detector arrangement, leading to inconsistent signal quality due to varying light sources and intensity distributions, which can affect detection reliability.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves arranging the scanning grating and damping structure on opposite sides of a transparent carrier element in the scanning beam path, with a damping structure designed to have varying permeability or periodic grid divisions, ensuring a homogeneous light intensity distribution on the detector arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a damping structure is added to adjust light intensity on the detector arrangement, then the light intensity can be uniformly adjusted, but the number of components and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping structure is integrated into the carrier element by arranging it on the rear side of the same carrier element that holds the scanning grating on its front side. This merging of components reduces the total number of separate parts while achieving the function of uniform light intensity adjustment across the detector arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier element serves multiple functions: it supports the scanning grating on its front side and the damping structure on its rear side, and acts as a transparent carrier for the scanning beam. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If the damping structure is arranged in the scanning beam path, then light intensity can be adjusted, but interference with the scanning beam path may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensity distributionVSAvoidinterference with scanning beam path
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping structure is positioned on the rear side of the carrier element, utilizing the third dimension (depth along the beam path) rather than occupying the same lateral space as the scanning grating. This spatial arrangement in another dimension allows light intensity adjustment without lateral interference with the scanning beam path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent carrier element acts as an intermediary between the scanning grating and the damping structure, allowing the scanning beam to pass through while enabling the damping structure to modify light intensity without direct contact or interference with the scanning grating functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the scanning grating and damping structure are arranged on the same carrier element, then the number of components is reduced, but the carrier element must handle multiple functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidfunctional flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: supporting the scanning grating, supporting the damping structure, and serving as a transparent medium for the scanning beam. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining the necessary functional flexibility through proper design of each integrated element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the number of components, enhances detection reliability by achieving a uniform light distribution, and minimizes interference with the scanning beam path, thereby improving the processing of light patterns in the detection plane.

Implementation Method 1

The damping structure can have a permeability that varies depending on the location, so that a light intensity that is uniform at least in this direction results on the detector arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption and transmission: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the scanning grating and the damping structure are arranged on the front and back of a transparent carrier element in the scanning beam path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent material: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2286185B1Optical position measuring device
Publication Date: 2017.01.25 DR JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
  • EP2286185B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2286185B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2286185B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optical position measuring device for detecting a relative position of a scanning unit, and a material measure that can be moved for this purpose in at least one measuring direction. In a first variant, the scanning unit comprises a light source, at least one scanning grating, a detector arrangement, and an attenuation structure, by means of which the light intensity on the detector arrangement can be specifically set. The scanning grating and the attenuation structure are disposed on the front and rear sides of a transparent carrier element in the scanning beam path. In a second variant, the scanning unit comprises a light source, a detector arrangement, and an attenuation structure. The attenuation structure has a perviousness that varies at least in one direction as a function of the location such that a light intensity results that is uniform at least in said direction on the detector arrangement.