Multi-Source Optical Sensor for Multi-DOF Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors often lack the resolution in multiple degrees of freedom and increasing redundancy or multi-degree of freedom measurements significantly increases size, complexity, and cost, making them impractical for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design that includes a light component with multiple light sources and an imaging device capable of relative movement, allowing for measurement of displacement, rotation, and other dynamic quantities by determining the locations of light beams on the imaging device, thereby providing redundancy and high resolution without excessive size or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are designed to measure multiple degrees of freedom with high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources and multiple imaging devices into a single integrated sensor system. The light component includes multiple light sources that can be directed at different angles, while the imaging device captures images from multiple perspectives simultaneously. This merging of multiple measurement functions into one device enables high-resolution measurement in multiple degrees of freedom without requiring separate sensors for each direction, thus improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular dimension by directing light beams at different angles onto the imaging device. By measuring the positions of light spots from multiple angular directions, the system can determine displacement in multiple degrees of freedom. This dimensional approach allows the sensor to capture three-dimensional movement information using a single imaging plane, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device complexity
2Reliability
If redundant sensors are added for multi-degree of freedom measurements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated sensor system. By combining multiple light sources and a single imaging device, the system achieves redundant measurement capabilities without adding multiple separate sensor assemblies. The multiple light sources provide redundant angular information that enhances reliability while maintaining a compact single-device structure, avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple independent sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device serves multiple functions by capturing light from multiple sources at different angles simultaneously. This single device performs what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, providing universal measurement capability across multiple degrees of freedom. The multi-functional design enhances reliability through redundant measurement paths while avoiding the complexity of multiple dedicated sensors
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 sensor achieves high resolution in multiple degrees of freedom while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design, enabling accurate measurement of relative movements and dynamic quantities without the need for extensive recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device positioned proximate the light component and operable to directly receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light and convert these into electric signals
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor is disclosed that can include a light component in support of a first light source operable to direct a first beam of light, and a second light source operable to direct a second beam of light. The sensor can also include an imaging device positioned proximate the light component and operable to directly receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light and convert these into electric signals. The imaging device and the light component can be movable relative to one another. The sensor can further include a light location module configured to receive the electric signals and determine locations of the first beam of light and the second beam of light on the imaging device. In addition, the sensor can include a position module configured to determine a relative position of the imaging device and the light component based on the locations of the first beam of light and the second beam of light on the imaging device.