Receiving Cavity for Textile Shadow Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clearer systems for textile machines have complex and difficult-to-handle optical setups, along with complex housings that limit their optical capabilities, are resource-intensive to assemble, and are prone to disturbances.

Innovation Solution

The proposed illumination receiving system features a simplified optical setup with a housing designed for ease of assembly, where the receiving cavity is configured to receive shadow projections or reflected light, and a photosensitive electronic component measures the incoming illumination without direct line of sight to the light source, allowing for decoupling of the aperture size and sensor size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex optical setup with multiple lenses and diffusing foils is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex optical components (multiple lenses, diffusing foils, aperture assemblies) from the measurement system, replacing them with a simple receiving cavity that directly captures light. This extraction eliminates unnecessary optical elements while preserving measurement functionality through the cavity's geometric design and non-specular surface properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving cavity is segmented into distinct functional zones: an opening for light entry, non-specular surfaces for light redistribution, and a sensor placement area. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, achieving precise measurements through the coordinated action of simple geometric components rather than complex optical assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex housing design is used, then optical capabilities are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and resource costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical capabilitiesVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the housing structure with the optical receiving function by designing the receiving cavity as an integral part of the housing. The housing itself becomes the light-receiving structure with built-in non-specular surfaces, eliminating the need for separate complex optical assemblies and making the system easier to operate and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving cavity serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the housing structure, the optical element for light capture and redistribution, and the measurement chamber. This multi-functionality provides versatile optical capabilities while simplifying the overall system design and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple optical components are assembled, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to tedious assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes multiple optical components (lenses, diffusing foils, aperture assemblies) from the assembly process, replacing them with a single receiving cavity structure. This extraction dramatically reduces the number of parts to be assembled while maintaining measurement accuracy through the cavity's geometric design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple optical functions (light capture, diffusion, focusing, and measurement) are merged into a single receiving cavity component. This consolidation reduces the assembly process to installing one component rather than assembling multiple separate optical elements, significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Use of energy by moving object

If the aperture size is increased, then light capture is improved, but the photo sensitive component size must also increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight captureVSAvoidphoto sensitive component size
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The non-specular surfaces of the receiving cavity act as an intermediary between the aperture and the photo sensitive component. These surfaces redirect and redistribute incoming light rays, allowing a large aperture to capture abundant light while the cavity's internal geometry concentrates and redirects this light onto a small sensor area, decoupling aperture size from sensor size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution reduces resource costs, improves system capabilities, and makes the system more resilient to disturbances by simplifying the optical setup and assembly process, while enabling more flexible selection of photosensitive components based on specific measurement requirements.

Implementation Method 1

light emitted from a light source and projecting a shadow from the object to enter the receiving cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShadow projection: Shadow

Implementation Method 2

light being reflected from the object to enter the receiving cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

multiple non-specular reflections of the incoming illumination in the measurement cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-specular reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

The light entering the receiving cavity is particularly transmitted to the at least one photo sensitive electronical component for measuring the incoming illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4556896A1Illumination receiving system and method for measuring
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 SAURER INTELLIGENT TECH AG
  • EP4556896A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556896A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4556896A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an illumination receiving system for receiving a shadow projection from an object or a light reflected from such the object in a textile machine. To reduce the resource costs, to improve the system capabilities and to render the system more inert to disturbances it is provided that the illumination receiving system comprises: - at least one receiving cavity; and - at least one photosensitive electronical component; wherein the receiving cavity is configured and placed relative to the object such that light emitted from a light source and projecting a shadow from the object and/or being reflected from the object to enter the receiving cavity and wherein the light entering the receiving cavity is transmitted to the at least one photosensitive electronical component for measuring the incoming illumination.