Variable Working Distance Illumination Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination assemblies for coordinate measuring machines are complex, heavy, and costly due to their need for multiple illumination sources and adjustable components to accommodate varying working distances and angles of incidence, particularly in dark field top light illumination, which complicates the regulation of optical sensor heads during fast measuring processes.
Innovation Solution
A lens device with a ring-shaped light-entry and light-exit surface, featuring multiple area segments with varying inclination angles along its circumference, allowing for rotation to adjust the angle of incidence and working distance using a single actuator, enabling flexible illumination at different working distances without the need for multiple illumination sources or complex mechanical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illumination sources and adjustable components are used to accommodate varying working distances and angles of incidence, then the illumination assembly can provide flexible illumination at different working distances, but the assembly becomes complex, heavy, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
A single illumination source is designed to perform multiple functions by combining a lens device with multiple ring regions of different focal lengths. The lens device allows one light source to illuminate workpieces at various working distances (e.g., 50mm, 100mm, 150mm) and angles of incidence, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate illumination sources and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens device employs a nested structure where multiple ring regions with different focal lengths are integrated into a single component. Each ring region is positioned concentrically, with inner ring regions having shorter focal lengths and outer ring regions having longer focal lengths, allowing multiple optical functions to be contained within one compact element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illumination sources and adjustable components are used to accommodate varying working distances and angles of incidence, then the illumination assembly can provide flexible illumination at different working distances, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single illumination source is designed to perform multiple functions by combining a lens device with multiple ring regions of different focal lengths. The lens device allows one light source to illuminate workpieces at various working distances (e.g., 50mm, 100mm, 150mm) and angles of incidence, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate illumination sources and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical functions that would traditionally require separate components are merged into a single lens device. The different ring regions with varying focal lengths are combined in one element, and a single illumination source replaces multiple sources, directly reducing the overall weight of the illumination assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illumination sources and adjustable components are used to accommodate varying working distances and angles of incidence, then the illumination assembly can provide flexible illumination at different working distances, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single illumination source is designed to perform multiple functions by combining a lens device with multiple ring regions of different focal lengths. The lens device allows one light source to illuminate workpieces at various working distances (e.g., 50mm, 100mm, 150mm) and angles of incidence, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate illumination sources and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical functions that would traditionally require separate components are merged into a single lens device. The different ring regions with varying focal lengths are combined in one element, and a single illumination source replaces multiple sources, directly reducing the overall weight of the illumination assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical systems are used to adjust illumination for different working distances, then the illumination can be adapted to varying distances, but the regulation of optical sensor heads becomes complicated during fast measuring processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with an optically integrated solution. Instead of using mechanical actuators to move illumination sources or adjust their orientation, the invention uses a lens device with multiple ring regions of different focal lengths that provides automatic adaptation to different working distances through optical design rather than mechanical regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens device enables dynamic adaptation to different working distances without mechanical movement. The optical system is designed to handle varying distances (50mm, 100mm, 150mm) and angles of incidence through its multi-ring structure, allowing the illumination to automatically adjust to the measurement conditions without complicating the motion control of the optical sensor head.
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 solution simplifies the illumination assembly by allowing cost-effective and precise adjustment of working distances and angles of incidence, enhancing flexibility and reducing the complexity and weight of the illumination system, thereby improving the performance of coordinate measuring machines.
Implementation Method 1
a lens device with a ring-shaped light-entry and light-exit surface, featuring multiple area segments with varying inclination angles along its circumference, allowing for rotation to adjust the angle of incidence and working distance
Data Source
AI summary
A lens device for an illumination assembly. The lens device has light-entry and light-exit surfaces and comprises at least one ring region. Each ring region extends along a circumferential direction about a central axis of the lens device, and comprises a plurality of area segments. Each area segment forms a circular arc portion of a respective ring region and comprises a first end in the circumferential direction and a second end opposite to the first end in the circumferential direction. At the first end, the light-exit surface is inclined in the direction of the central axis by an arbitrary first angle in relation to the light-entry surface, and at the second end, the light-exit surface is inclined in the direction of the central axis by an arbitrary second angle in relation to the light-entry surface differing from the first angle.