Rod-Shaped Light Receiver for Position Referencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light receivers for determining position and orientation relative to a reference light suffer from complexity, size constraints, and poor signal-to-noise ratio, failing to meet modern precision demands and requiring larger sizes to maintain accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A light receiver design featuring an elongated rod-shaped light receptor with a light coupler and guide, incorporating light-absorbing and emitting materials like fluorescent or phosphorescent substances to enhance signal detection and processing, allowing for low-loss light propagation and improved signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional light receivers use multiple separate receiving elements arranged in complex patterns (e.g., N-shaped configuration), then position determination capability is achieved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate receiving elements into a single integrated rod-shaped light guide structure. Instead of using multiple discrete photodiode arrays arranged in complex patterns, the invention uses one continuous rod with light-absorbing material distributed along its length, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining position determination capability through the sequential detection of light at different positions along the rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod-shaped light guide is conceptually divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, each corresponding to a specific position range. By detecting which segment receives light first or with strongest intensity, the system determines the position of the light source without requiring physically separate receiving elements for each position.
2Volume of moving object
If light receiver size is reduced to meet compactness requirements, then portability improves, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures within the rod, combining light-absorbing materials (such as fluorescent or phosphorescent substances) with the rod matrix. This composite approach enhances light detection efficiency and signal generation within a compact volume, improving the signal-to-noise ratio without increasing the overall receiver size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters such as the concentration and distribution of light-absorbing materials along the rod, their optical properties, and the rod's geometric parameters to maximize light detection efficiency within a compact form factor, thereby maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio in a small size.
3Reliability
If rod-shaped light guide uses light-absorbing and emitting materials (fluorescent/phosphorescent), then signal strength improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration, distribution, and optical characteristics of fluorescent or phosphorescent materials along the rod to achieve strong signal output. By carefully selecting material parameters and their spatial distribution, the system enhances light detection sensitivity while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized material specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the rod may contain light-absorbing materials with different properties or concentrations, optimized for specific detection ranges or light intensities. This local optimization allows the system to achieve high signal strength in each region while maintaining overall manufacturability through modular or gradient material incorporation.
4Measurement precision
If detection window size is increased to improve detection capability, then position determination range improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the detection window in a single dimension (which would increase device size), the patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the rod, distributing light-absorbing materials along its length. This allows the detection window to effectively span a large range along the rod's axis while keeping the rod's cross-sectional dimensions compact, achieving extended detection range without proportionally increasing overall device size.
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 solution enables precise position and orientation determination with a slimmer, less complex structure, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and larger detection windows, suitable for various light types including pulsed and modulated light, while reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The light coupler comprises light-absorbing and emitting material, in particular fluorescent and/or phosphorescent material
Implementation Method 2
The light coupler comprises light-absorbing and emitting material, in particular fluorescent and/or phosphorescent material
Implementation Method 3
a light guide (7) which is designed to conduct at least part of the reference light (51g) towards one or both ends
Data Source
AI summary
A light receiver designed to determine a position or orientation relative to a reference light wherein the light receiver comprises an elongated rod-shaped light receptor with two ends, a light coupler, a light guide, and light detection means at one or both ends for detection of guided reference light and a signal processor to process the at least one detection signal of the detection means and to determine the position by an evaluation of the detection signal. The light coupler comprises light absorbing and emitting material like fluorescent or phosphorescent material.