Rotating Laser Measurement for Cartesian Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately measuring peripheral positions in a Cartesian coordinate system is challenging in rotating systems due to varying radii and positional changes caused by temperature variations and mechanical effects, leading to errors in determining Cartesian coordinates.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device that uses a laser beam reflected along a rotator's arm towards a scale with a pattern of transparent and reflective areas, generating a sequence of pulses corresponding to Cartesian coordinates, which can be combined with other position measurement devices for more accurate coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an angular measurement device with a fixed radius is used to measure peripheral positions, then the measurement process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates when the radius varies due to temperature, rotational speed, or mechanical effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/angular measurement approach with an optical measurement system. A laser beam is directed along the arm towards a scale at the peripheral position, and the position is determined by detecting the laser beam's interaction with the scale pattern rather than by mechanical angular measurement. This substitution eliminates the dependency on a fixed radius assumption and provides accurate measurements even when the arm length varies due to thermal expansion, rotational effects, or mechanical deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a scale as an intermediary element positioned at the peripheral location. The scale contains a pattern of transparent and reflective areas that interact with the laser beam. By measuring the laser beam's interaction with this intermediary scale rather than directly measuring the arm's angular position, the system can accurately determine peripheral positions regardless of variations in the arm's length or orientation.
2Device complexity
If a conventional angular measurement device is used, then the device structure is simple, but reliability deteriorates when multiple radiuses exist or the center of rotation varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical angular measurement device with an optical measurement system using a laser beam and scale. This substitution allows the system to reliably measure peripheral positions in systems with multiple arms of different lengths or variable centers of rotation, as the measurement is based on the actual peripheral position rather than angular calculations that assume a fixed center and radius.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system with laser beam and scale serves as a universal measurement approach that works reliably across different configurations - single arm or multiple arms, fixed or variable center of rotation, different radii. The system adapts to various mechanical configurations without requiring fundamental changes to the measurement methodology, providing consistent reliable measurements in diverse rotating system architectures.
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 method provides accurate measurement of peripheral positions in a Cartesian coordinate system, even in rotating systems with multiple radii and dynamic conditions, by using a laser beam and scale pattern to determine precise coordinates.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector configured to reflect the laser beam in a direction orthogonal to a path of the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The scale has a pattern of transparent and reflective areas, which transmit or reflect the laser beam
Data Source
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AI summary
In a measurement device for measuring a peripheral position in a Cartesian coordinate system, a rotating laser source (206) is configured to emit a laser beam (108) along a radius of a rotator (208). A reflector (610, 710) is configured to reflect the laser beam in a direction orthogonal to a path of the laser beam, and a scale (204, 304, 404, 604, 704) having a pattern (102, 104) of transparent and reflective areas is positioned at a peripheral position of the measurement device. A detector (306) is configured to provide a sequence of pulses (106) by detecting a reflex or transmission of the rotating laser beam (108) while the laser scans over the scale. The sequence of pulses (106) correspond to Cartesian coordinates (X, Y) of the system.