Pinhole Radiation Field Measurement for Precise Headlight Beam Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring devices for electromagnetic radiation sources, such as vehicle headlights, are prone to errors and require complex calibration due to refined lens geometries, leading to imprecise measurements of radiation patterns, especially when not positioned optimally, and fail to accurately capture the four-dimensional beam distribution.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a minimal design comprising a radiation limiting element and a sensor section that selectively detects individual rays defined by a set of permissible radiation vectors, allowing precise reconstruction of the four-dimensional radiation field using a sensor element that can be movable and adaptable to different radiation types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measuring devices use refined lens geometries to capture radiation patterns, then measurement precision may be improved under optimal conditions, but device complexity increases and calibration becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex lens systems by using a simple pinhole aperture to define radiation vectors. Instead of relying on refined lens geometries, the invention isolates individual rays through the pinhole and detects them with a sensor, removing unnecessary optical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement approach from capturing entire radiation patterns with complex lenses to detecting individual rays defined by specific radiation vectors. By parameterizing rays through object points and angles of incidence, the system simplifies the measurement process while maintaining precision through mathematical reconstruction.
2Measurement precision
If conventional measuring devices position the sensor at specific locations determined by optical elements, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the measurement system dynamic by allowing the sensor to detect rays from various positions and orientations. Instead of requiring fixed positioning relative to complex optics, the sensor can be positioned more flexibly while the pinhole aperture maintains ray definition, and the system reconstructs the radiation pattern through multiple measurements.
3Productivity
If conventional devices record entire headlight light simultaneously, then measurement speed improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to loss of radiation angle information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radiation pattern measurement into individual ray detections. Instead of recording all light simultaneously, the system detects rays defined by specific radiation vectors one at a time or in groups, preserving radiation angle information for each detected ray while maintaining efficient measurement through systematic sampling.
4Measurement precision
If conventional measuring devices use complex lens systems and alignment aids, then measurement precision may improve, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex lens systems with a simple pinhole aperture that can be easily manufactured. The pinhole serves as a disposable or easily replaceable element that defines radiation vectors without requiring precision optics, significantly simplifying manufacturing while maintaining measurement capability through the fundamental pinhole camera principle.
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
Enables precise and comprehensive measurement of the radiation field in four dimensions, reducing errors and production costs while allowing flexible positioning and adaptable measurement conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The input section (110) includes at least one radiation limiting element (105), which is configured to project a beam of radiation emanating from the radiation source (200) and received in the input section (110) only into the sensor section (108) if the beam corresponds to one of a plurality of permissible radiation vectors
Implementation Method 2
The sensor section (108) is positioned in the housing (106) for detecting at least one electromagnetic beam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an automatable measuring device 100 applicable to any electromagnetic radiation source 200, in particular a vehicle headlight during a headlight test, as well as a system and a method which make it possible to reconstruct the four-dimensional electromagnetic radiation field of the radiation source 200 by consecutively capturing restricted light beams of the radiation source 200 to be analyzed, and thus to provide an efficient, cost-effective and extremely precise measuring mechanism for determining any radiation pattern deviations.