Variable Focal Length Lens Imaging System Surface Level Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-scanning type imaging systems face challenges in capturing clear images of objects with large undulations or bumps due to limitations in the extended depth of field of variable focal length lenses, leading to potential blurring.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that includes a variable focal length lens, a sensor device to detect surface level variations, and a position adjustment device to adjust the object's focus position to center the surface level within the lens's focal range, ensuring the entire object is imaged quickly without blurring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a non-scanning type imaging system with a variable focal length lens is used to achieve rapid imaging, then imaging speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates when the object has large undulations or bumps that exceed the lens's variable focal length range
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system incorporates a surface level detection mechanism that continuously monitors the object's surface height variations. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the focal length of the variable focal length lens to match the detected surface level, ensuring that the entire object remains within the focused region throughout the imaging process, thus maintaining image quality while achieving rapid imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a dynamic focal length adjustment mechanism that allows the lens to change its focal length in real-time according to the object's surface characteristics. This dynamic adaptation enables the imaging system to handle objects with varying undulations and bumps without sacrificing image quality, while still maintaining the speed advantage of non-scanning imaging
2Reliability
If the variable focal length range is extended to cover larger undulations, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Before performing the main imaging operation, the system first detects the surface level of the object using a separate detection mechanism. This preliminary detection allows the system to pre-adjust the focal length to an optimal value that covers the entire object's undulations, eliminating the need for complex post-processing or multiple focal length adjustments during imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system separates the surface detection function from the imaging function, using distinct detection and imaging optical paths. This segmentation allows the detection system to be optimized for measuring surface height while the imaging system maintains its rapid capture capability, avoiding the need to complicate the imaging lens with additional detection mechanisms
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 approach allows for rapid imaging of objects with uneven surfaces by maintaining the surface level within the variable focal length range, effectively suppressing blurring and reducing the load on the position adjustment device.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device that detects variations in the surface level of the object in a direction of focus
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes: an image forming device that obtains image information of an object with the focal length to the object being changed by a variable focal length lens in an optical system, so as to form an all-focused image of the object; a sensor device that detects variations in the surface level of the object in a focus direction; and a position adjustment device that adjusts the position of the object in the focus direction in accordance with the surface level variations of the object detected by the sensor device. The position adjustment device adjusts the position of the object in the focus direction in such a manner that the surface level of the object becomes closer to the center of a variable focal length range of the variable focal length lens.