Speed Sensor Using Liquid Crystal Lens for Optical Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acceleration sensors based on Newton's second law have limited functionality, high manufacturing costs, and low detection accuracy, restricting their application and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A speed sensor utilizing a liquid crystal lens and imaging device, which applies different voltages to achieve multiple focuses of a reference object, allowing for the calculation of speed and acceleration by determining corresponding voltages and focal lengths using a mapping relation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an acceleration sensor based on Newton's second law is used, then the acceleration of the measured object can be obtained, but the manufacturing cost is high and the detection accuracy is not high enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical acceleration sensor based on Newton's second law with an optical measurement system using imaging device and liquid crystal lens. The system captures images at different focal lengths corresponding to different object distances, then calculates acceleration through image processing and mathematical computation, eliminating the need for mechanical sensing components and their associated high manufacturing costs while improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical acceleration sensing to optical image capture at different focal lengths. By varying the focal length of the liquid crystal lens and capturing images at multiple focus points, the system derives acceleration information through parameter changes in the optical path rather than through mechanical force measurement, achieving both cost reduction and accuracy improvement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an acceleration sensor based on Newton's second law is used, then the acceleration can be measured, but the functionality is single and the application scene is limited, degrading user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal measurement system using an imaging device that can capture images and extract multiple types of motion information including acceleration, velocity, and displacement. The same optical system and image processing algorithm can be applied to various measurement scenarios and different types of motion analysis, providing multi-functionality and broad adaptability across different application scenes while enhancing user experience through reliable and versatile measurement capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured at different focal lengths to calculate acceleration, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid crystal lens with dynamically adjustable focal length that can rapidly switch between different focus points. This dynamic focal length adjustment capability allows the system to quickly capture images at multiple required focal lengths without mechanical movement, significantly reducing the time penalty associated with multi-point measurement while maintaining the measurement accuracy benefits of capturing images at different focal lengths.
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
Improves the accuracy and functionality of speed measurement, reduces manufacturing costs, and expands application scenarios while enhancing user experience by accurately calculating speed and acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal lens on a side of the imaging device; and a controller, configured to: apply different voltages to the liquid crystal lens, obtain, via the imaging device, images of a reference object formed through the liquid crystal lens under the different voltages
Data Source
AI summary
A speed sensor, a device for measuring a speed, and a method for measuring a speed are provided. The speed sensor includes: an imaging device; a liquid crystal lens on a side of the imaging device; and a controller configured to: apply different voltages to the liquid crystal lens, obtain, via the imaging device, images of a reference object formed through the liquid crystal lens under the different voltages, control, based on information of the images, the liquid crystal lens to realize focus for multiple times for the reference object, obtain a voltage that is correspondingly applied to the liquid crystal lens when each of the multiple times of focus is realized, and calculate a speed based on the voltages.