Development of a prototype for measurements in sunglasses polarization filters according to NBR15111

Author(s)

Luís Eduardo Lopes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2014-06-13

Examining board members

Liliane Ventura; Daniel Varela Magalhães; Lígia de Oliveira Ruggiero

• Advisor: Liliane Ventura

Abstract

The use of polarizing filters in sunglasses is becoming very common worldwide. In Brazil, despite the NBR15111:2004 has specific requirements for its use (position and efficiency), there is no proper national equipment to perform the measurements needed for evaluation. This paper describes the development of a prototype capable to perform measurements on sunglasses in order to verify their suitability for this standard, which establishes the following requirements for polarizing filters: the threshold for the deviation between the transmission axis and the polarizing filter vertical axis is ±5º and the upper limit for the mutual distance between the polarization axis of the two lenses is 6º. The lower efficiency of the polarizing filter is 4:1 for category 1 and 8:1 for all other categories except category 0. The development of the prototype was divided into two stages: 1. Development and evaluation of the measurement method, by software simulations in Malab® and test bench; 2. Prototype construction based on the project, improvements obtained in test bench and preliminary test results with sunglasses. The optical system includes: a light source ( composed by a LED, a biconvex lens and a diffuser filter ), the sunglasses in test, a analyzer filter ( formed by two polarizing filters halves, disposed with their polarization axes perpendicular to each other ), two holes for light transmission (called pinhole) and two light sensors . The electronic system consists of six printed circuit boards , the main board where the microcontroller running software are programmed ; two boards for control of stepper motors (analyzer filter and horizontal movement of the sunglasses in test ); a board to control a DC motor ( vertical motion to hold the sunglasses in test), a power board and a sensor board. As a result of the first step, it was determined the positioning capability of the analyzer filter with a resolution of 0.08°, a reduction of the coefficient of variation from 0.89% to 0.31% by the use of the diffuser, the optical resolution for measuring one of the lenses was 0.023°, also a possible alignment problem between the two analyzer halves, which contributed to the development of a detailed analysis of the behavioral equations of the prototype. The prototype received improvements in optical and electronic systems, and tests with the available sunglasses. In the optical system, the sensors were replaced by a others with higher correlation with the sensitivity function for daytime vision V(&#955) and logarithmic response. As a result, the LED of the light source was replaced by a more powerful one, due to the new mechanical configuration, the lens of the light source was replaced by a biconvex with different focal length, which made the light more homogeneous and intense. The electronic system used a new microcontroller with higher processing power and memory, as well as a more stable USB connection. A man-machine interface was made by including a liquid crystal display, seven-inch touchscreen. Tests with the prototype were made in four polarized sunglasses, the calibration was made using one sunglass lens. Preliminary results indicate the feasibility of this system as complete prototype, ready for use, to obtain measures that provide analyzes in accordance with Brazilian standard. However, by not having available a reference filter with suitable characteristics to serve as a calibrator, the results cannot be conclusive yet. The prototype built was able to apply the measurement method developed for characterizing sunglasses, according to the recommendations of the standard. Its mechanical structure is robust and flexible, allowing the study and development of other methods of measurement and inclusion of other functions. The scientific and academic contribution of this work lies in the optical and mechanical design, to meet the need of building a system that can analyze sunglasses in the near future, with the characteristics required by the Brazilian standard and this equipment does not exist in national market. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/11171-8 - Prototype for Polarized Sunglasses Analysis
• Grantee: Luís Eduardo Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master