Contactless Optical Probe for Lens Thickness Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface measurement technologies, both mechanical and contactless optical, face challenges in precision and safety, with mechanical probes risking surface damage and contactless optical probes being complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A compact, cost-effective optical probe using opto-electrical means with a light source, shaping means, and an optical detection system, including a pinhole and photoelectric sensors, that assumes a specific electrical state when at a preset distance from a reflective surface, allowing for non-contact measurement without surface harm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical probes are used for surface measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but surface damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface safetyVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based measurement system with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light that reflects off the surface, and opto-electrical means detect the reflected light to determine surface position without physical contact, thereby eliminating surface damage risk while maintaining measurement functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If contactless optical probes are used to avoid surface damage, then surface safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface damageVSAvoidoptical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light source and opto-electrical detection means into an integrated probe unit. The opto-electrical means are positioned to receive reflected light within a specific angular range, merging multiple optical functions into a single compact device that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining contactless measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent defines specific geometric parameters for the optical system, including the angular range (30-60 degrees) for receiving reflected light and the positioning of opto-electrical means relative to the light source. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves effective surface detection with simplified optical components compared to conventional contactless optical probes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If contactless optical probes are used to avoid surface damage, then surface safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface damageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs relatively simple optical components that can be manufactured at lower cost compared to complex conventional optical probes. The design uses standard light sources and off-the-shelf opto-electrical sensors, avoiding expensive specialized components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the surface-safe contactless measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 provides a safe, precise, and cost-effective method for surface positioning, enabling the probe to be compact and replace mechanical probes, with stable optical characteristics maintained through encapsulation, and can be used in devices for measuring object thickness.

Implementation Method 1

shaping means for shaping the beam emitted by said light source into an incident beam converging toward a focus situated at said target distance and for shaping the beam coming from said surface by virtue of reflection of said incident beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an optical detection system including a diaphragm including a pinhole, disposed at said predetermined location, and a photoelectric sensor producing a voltage peak when said surface is at said target distance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7880902B2Contactless optical probe and device and method making use thereof

Publication Date: 2011.02.01 MB OPTIQUE

AI summary

The probe comprises a light source (20), means for shaping (24, 25, 21) the beam emitted by said light source and the beam coming from a surface arranged close to a target distance, an optical detector unit (22), comprising a pinhole diaphragm (26) and a photoelectric detector (28), providing a voltage peak (31) when said surface is at said target distance and further comprising a diaphragm (27) with a hole larger than said pinhole and a photoelectric detector (29), providing a voltage greater than that produced by said detection sensor (28), except when said surface is a the target distance. The method uses the probe to measure the thickness of an optical lens.