Optical Rod Position Detection Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional magnetic switches used for detecting rod positions within cylinders are limited by their small size, delicacy, and inability to handle large currents, often requiring costly relay circuits and failing when exposed to high voltages or materials that do not alter magnetic characteristics, leading to inoperability and inaccurate position detection.
Innovation Solution
A collar system with a light emitter and detector that emits light into the collar, where a mark on the rod's exterior surface reflects specific colors, allowing the light detector to measure intensity and determine the rod's position based on absorbed light, enabling accurate detection without the limitations of magnetic switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional magnetic switch is used to detect rod position, then the position detection function is provided, but the switch cannot handle large voltages and currents and requires costly relay circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic switch system with an optical detection system using a light emitter and light detector. This substitution eliminates the need for relay circuits while maintaining position detection capability, as the optical system can directly handle large voltages and currents without the limitations of magnetic switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from magnetic field interaction to light intensity measurement. By using a light emitter to project light and a light detector to measure reflected light intensity, the system achieves position detection without relying on magnetic properties, thereby eliminating relay circuit requirements.
2Reliability
If a traditional magnetic switch is used to detect rod position, then the position detection function is provided, but large currents overheat and damage the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic switch with an optical detection system that uses light emission and detection. This substitution eliminates the overheating problem because the optical components do not experience the same thermal issues as magnetic switches when exposed to large currents.
3Reliability
If a traditional magnetic switch is used to detect rod position, then the position detection function is provided, but the switch is small and delicate making it inoperable with large voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the delicate magnetic switch with a robust optical system consisting of a light emitter and light detector. This optical system has superior voltage tolerance and can operate reliably with large voltages without the fragility issues of traditional magnetic switches.
4Reliability
If a traditional magnetic switch is used to detect rod position, then the position detection function is provided, but rods made from materials that do not alter magnetic characteristics prevent detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from magnetic field interaction to optical reflection. By using a light emitter to project light and a light detector to measure reflected light intensity, the system can detect positions of rods regardless of their magnetic characteristics, thereby achieving universal compatibility with different rod materials.
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 system effectively detects and determines the rod's position within the collar using light intensity, supporting larger voltages and currents without the need for relay circuits, and functioning with various rod materials, providing reliable and precise positioning information.
Implementation Method 1
a mark on the rod's exterior surface reflects specific colors, allowing the light detector to measure intensity and determine the rod's position based on absorbed light
Implementation Method 2
An amount of the emitted light from the light emitter may be absorbed by an exterior surface of the rod
Data Source
AI summary
A collar, a system and a method detect a mark on a rod within an interior of the collar. The mark and the rod move from a first position to a second position within an interior of the collar between a first end and a second end of the collar. A light emitter and/or a light detector is connected to the collar for determining the first position and/or the second position of the mark and/or of the rod within the interior of the collar. An exterior surface of the rod and/or a mark on the rod absorb an amount of light emitted from the light emitter within the interior of the collar. The light detector measures and/or detects an intensity of light within the interior of the collar which is not be absorbed by the mark and/or by the exterior surface of the rod. The intensity of light within the interior of the collar detected by the light detector that is not absorbed by the mark or the exterior surface of the rod corresponds to the first position and/or to the second position of the mark within the interior of the collar.