Non-contact Probe Dynamic Pixel Column Selection for Temperature Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact probes face challenges in accurately sensing the image-formation position of a laser beam due to temperature-induced shifts, which can exceed pixel size limits, leading to resolution deterioration or inability to sense the position effectively.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact probe with a light irradiating section and an image-capturing section that uses a plurality of pixel columns to capture and process images, and a pixel column changing section that dynamically selects different effective pixel columns to center the image-formation position, allowing real-time adjustment to temperature-induced movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pixel size of pixel columns is increased to prevent malfunction when image-formation position shifts occur, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light-reception surface is divided into multiple pixel columns, and the system dynamically selects which pixel columns to use based on the image-formation position. This segmentation allows the effective sensing area to be optimized for both precision and reliability without requiring uniformly large pixels across the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the selected pixel columns based on the detected image-formation position. When temperature changes cause the image-formation position to shift, the pixel column changing section selects different pixel columns to track the position, maintaining measurement precision without requiring oversized pixels.
2Reliability
If the pixel size is increased to cope with image-formation position shifts, then reliability is improved, but resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the light-reception surface into multiple pixel columns and selectively activating only the relevant ones based on image-formation position, the system maintains high resolution in the active region without requiring all pixels to be oversized for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic selection of pixel columns allows the system to maintain high resolution by keeping pixel sizes small while ensuring reliability through adaptive tracking of the image-formation position across different pixel column sets.
3Device complexity
If fixed pixel columns are used on the light-reception surface, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when temperature changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic selection of pixel columns based on image-formation position detection. This allows the probe to adapt to temperature-induced position shifts without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, achieving adaptability through software-controlled pixel selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel column changing section automatically selects appropriate pixel columns based on the detected image-formation position, enabling the system to self-adjust to temperature changes without external intervention or complex control mechanisms.
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 accurate and continuous sensing of the image-formation position even with significant temperature changes, preventing position shifts out of effective pixel columns and maintaining resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a light irradiating section that scans a measurement target object with spot-like laser beam
Implementation Method 2
an image-capturing section that captures an image of the laser beam reflected by the measurement target object
Implementation Method 3
when the distance is to be determined in accordance with the principle of triangulation, the distance to the measurement portion is determined from an image-formation position of the laser beam reflected by the measurement portion
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contact probe includes: a light irradiating section that scans a measurement target object with spot-like laser beam; an image-capturing section that captures an image of the laser beam reflected by the measurement target object by using a plurality of pixel columns selected from a light-reception surface including a plurality of pixel columns, and generates a captured image; a position sensing section that senses an image-formation position of the laser beam on the captured image; and a pixel column changing section that selects a different plurality of pixel columns such that the image-formation position is included in the selected plurality of pixel columns.