Spectrometer Illumination Region Containment for Measurement Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, fluctuations in the distance between the measurement object and the measurement device due to external factors like humidity or temperature changes lead to reduced measurement precision, especially in colorimetry systems where the position of the measurement object fluctuates, causing variations in the illumination and measurement regions.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a smaller illumination region compared to the measurement region, where the illumination region is positioned within the measurement region, and the illumination and measurement directions are different, ensuring that the illumination region remains within the measurement region even with object movement, reducing light quantity fluctuations and improving precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the illumination region is made equal to or larger than the measurement region, then the illumination light can cover the entire measurement area, but the light quantity fluctuates when the measurement object moves due to cockling or distance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination region from being equal to or larger than the measurement region, and instead makes it a smaller, contained subset. This separation allows the illumination region to be stable and contained within the measurement region, preventing light quantity fluctuations when the measurement object moves or cockles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a focused, localized illumination region that is smaller than the overall measurement region. This concentrated illumination area remains stable even when the measurement object undergoes positional changes or deformation, thereby maintaining consistent light quantity for precise colorimetry.
2Measurement precision
If the measurement region is made smaller to match the illumination region, then light quantity can be stabilized, but the measurement area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination region as a distinct, smaller subset within the measurement region. This allows the measurement region to maintain its larger size for comprehensive coverage while the illumination region remains smaller and stable, providing both large measurement area and stable light quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by operating in different dimensional aspects: the measurement region provides broad spatial coverage in the lateral dimensions, while the illumination region provides focused, stable illumination in the optical intensity dimension. This multi-dimensional approach allows both large measurement area and stable light quantity.
3Measurement precision
If the illumination region moves relative to the measurement region due to object displacement, then the measurement becomes inaccurate, but adjusting the optical system increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination region as a stable, contained subset within the measurement region. This geometric containment relationship ensures that even when the measurement object displaces or cockles, the illumination region remains properly positioned within the measurement region without requiring complex optical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the illumination region equal to or larger than the measurement region and trying to track movements, the patent inverts the approach by making the illumination region smaller and contained within the measurement region. This inversion eliminates the need for complex tracking or adjustment mechanisms while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 configuration allows for high-precision measurements by maintaining consistent light quantity and reducing the impact of specular reflection, even with fluctuations in the distance between the measurement object and the device, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
measures measurement light that is reflection light obtained by reflecting illumination light by a measurement object
Implementation Method 2
measures measurement light that is reflection light obtained by reflecting illumination light by a measurement object or transmitted light obtained by passing the illumination light through the measurement object
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer includes a light source that radiates illumination light, and a measurement unit that measures measurement light in which illumination light is reflected by a medium. In a case where an illumination region that is a region in which the medium is irradiated with illumination light is smaller than a measurement region that is a region of the medium measurable by the measurement unit and in which the movement of the medium in the direction is within a range of an acceptable fluctuation amount, the illumination region is included in the measurement region.