Surface Height Measurement With Vibration-Stabilizing Plate Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface height measurement devices for plate-shaped objects suffer from measurement inaccuracies due to vibration, particularly when using capacitive displacement sensors.

Innovation Solution

A surface height distribution measuring device that employs non-contact distance measuring units, a support moving unit, and a plate-shaped member to stabilize the measurement object, allowing for accurate distance measurements without physical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If capacitive displacement sensors are used to measure distances to the upper and lower surfaces, then measurement capability is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when the measurement object vibrates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-based mechanical measurement methods with non-contact optical measurement using a laser displacement meter. This substitution eliminates the mechanical interaction that causes vibration and measurement errors, allowing accurate distance measurement even when the measurement object vibrates during the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a plate-shaped member as an intermediary reference surface between the measurement object and the laser displacement meter. This intermediary provides a stable reference plane that is not affected by vibrations of the measurement object, enabling accurate distance measurements to both surfaces of the measurement object

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the measurement object is supported at three points, then the measurement object can be held, but vibration occurs during measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidvibration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based support and measurement systems with a non-contact optical measurement system. The laser displacement meter measures distances without touching the measurement object, eliminating the vibration caused by mechanical support structures and contact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device achieves higher measurement accuracy by minimizing vibration through non-contact measurement and reduces noise interference, enabling precise surface height distribution analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a non-contact distance measuring unit that measures a distance to a surface of the measurement object in a non-contact manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260022928A1Surface height distribution measuring device

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 KOBELCO RES INST INC

AI summary

The present invention is a surface height distribution measuring device that measures a surface height distribution in a plate-shaped measurement object. The surface height distribution measuring device includes a non-contact distance measuring unit that measure a distance to a surface of the measurement object in a non-contact manner, a support moving unit that relatively moves the measurement object and the non-contact distance measuring units, and a plate-shaped member provided at a position where, during measurement, the plate-shaped member is in non-contact with the measurement object and is approximately parallel to the measurement object and at least partially covers the measurement object when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the measurement object.