Structured Light Optical Apparatus for Flatness and Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerial imaging devices require multiple laser distance detectors to measure distance and surface flatness, increasing complexity and cost, while existing methods are inefficient for acquiring spatial three-dimensional structure information.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with a structured light generation unit that projects a test pattern and light spots onto a surface, allowing a sense judging unit to assess surface flatness and distance based on deformation and area, using a single optical path and adjustable lens groups for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple laser distance detectors are used to measure distance and surface flatness, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (distance measurement and surface flatness measurement) into a single integrated optical apparatus. The structured light projection system simultaneously captures both depth information and surface geometry information, eliminating the need for multiple separate laser distance detectors while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, using a single device that can perform both distance measurement and surface flatness assessment. The sense judging unit analyzes different aspects of the reflected structured light to derive multiple measurement results from one system, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple laser distance detectors are used to acquire distance information from multiple points, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple laser distance detectors into a single optical apparatus that projects structured light patterns. This integration reduces the bill of materials and assembly requirements, directly lowering manufacturing costs while preserving the capability to acquire distance information from multiple points simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses structured light with varying patterns and wavelengths to encode multiple measurement channels. By changing light parameters (patterns, wavelengths) rather than adding physical detectors, the system achieves multi-point measurement capability at lower cost.
3Measurement precision
If multiple laser distance detectors are used to measure multiple points, then measurement precision is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent encodes measurement information into structured light patterns before projection. The spatial encoding and wavelength multiplexing are performed in advance, so that when light reflects from the surface, the information is already organized in a form that simplifies subsequent computational processing compared to raw data from multiple independent detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical encoding to create information-rich light patterns that carry multiple measurement channels simultaneously. The structured light acts as an information carrier that encapsulates multiple measurement dimensions, reducing the computational burden of extracting spatial three-dimensional structure information.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single light source with adjustable wavelengths is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic light source system that can adjust wavelengths on demand rather than using multiple fixed-wavelength sources. This dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility for different materials while maintaining a single integrated light source structure, balancing adaptability with device simplicity.
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
Simplifies the measurement of surface flatness and distance, reduces device complexity and cost, and enhances accuracy by using a single light source with adjustable wavelengths for different materials.
Implementation Method 1
When the structured light is projected on the test surface, a test pattern and a test light spot are shown on the test surface
Implementation Method 2
The sense judging unit senses the test pattern and the test light spot on the test surface
Data Source
AI summary
A detecting method and an optical apparatus using the detecting method are provided. The optical apparatus includes a structured light generation unit and a sense judging unit. When a structured light from the structured light generation unit is projected on a test surface, a test pattern and a test light spot are shown on the test surface. The sense judging unit judges whether the test surface is flat according to a deformation amount of the sensed test pattern, and acquires a distance between the test surface and the optical apparatus according to an area of the sensed test light spot. The detecting method judges whether a test surface is flat and detect a distance of the test surface. Since the structured light is used to detect the distance and the flatness of the test surface, the measuring complexity is reduced.