Flexible zoom lens device based on liquid crystal elastomer and control system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of zoom control, and discloses a flexible zoom lens device based on a liquid crystal elastomer and a control system. Comprising a first zoom judgment module for judging whether a zoom control mode is executed once or not; the zoom parameter calculation module is used for calculating a required voltage value of primary zoom adjustment; a second zoom determination module that determines whether to execute a secondary zoom control mode; the zoom adjustment control module is used for calculating an excess voltage value of secondary zoom adjustment; the zoom performance analysis module is used for formulating indication information; according to the invention, the combined adjustment control effect of the focal length of the flexible zoom lens can be realized from two independent dimensions of light intensity and illumination duration, and the phenomenon of local offset or tensile imbalance possibly existing in the tensile deformation process of the flexible zoom lens can be found in time. Therefore, whether the elastic characteristics of the liquid crystal elastomer are unbalanced and misaligned or not is judged according to the specific tensile deformation condition of the flexible zoom lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of zoom control technology, and more specifically, to a flexible zoom lens device and control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer. Background Technology

[0002] Optical lenses are core components in many fields such as imaging and sensing. Nowadays, various types of liquid lens devices have emerged, which can change the focal length and control the direction of the light path. There are also flexible lenses driven by piezoelectric ceramics and ultrasonic motors. However, these flexible zoom lenses usually have some negative effects, such as a small zoom range, lack of portability, and rigid motion interference, which are not conducive to achieving precise control of the focal length of flexible zoom lenses.

[0003] Reference patent application CN106104352A discloses a zoom lens device and its control method, including multiple zoom lens groups composed of two or more lenses. In this device, a lens rotation mechanism rotates at least one of the two or more lenses constituting the zoom lens group about the optical axis of the zoom lens group and relative to the lenses other than at least one lens in the zoom lens group. A zoom lens group drive mechanism moves at least one zoom lens group in the zoom lens device toward the optical axis direction according to a zoom command. A control mechanism controls the lens rotation mechanism to rotate at least one lens about the optical axis with a rotation angle corresponding to the position of the zoom lens group in the optical axis direction. Existing flexible zoom lenses based on light-driven technology typically adjust the focal length by directly applying a fixed intensity of light to the liquid crystal elastic material during zooming, causing the material to deform. However, the deformation of the liquid crystal elastic material depends on both light intensity and illumination duration. Simply changing the light intensity has limitations. Furthermore, after prolonged and frequent thermal deformation, the elastic material is prone to elasticity degradation or imbalance, leading to localized shifts or stretching imbalances during elastic deformation. This, in turn, reduces the accuracy of the flexible zoom lens's focal length adjustment control.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes a flexible zoom lens device and control system based on liquid crystal elastomer to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the aforementioned deficiencies of the prior art and to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer, applied to a host computer, comprising: The first zoom determination module is used to compare the input required focal length value with the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, calculate the adjusted focal length value, and determine whether to execute a zoom control mode. The zoom parameter calculation module is used to calculate the required shrinkage rate and required light intensity value of the flexible zoom lens in a single zoom control mode, and combine the required shrinkage rate and required light intensity value with the first illumination voltage function to calculate the required voltage value of the first zoom adjustment. The second zoom determination module is used to perform a first-level zoom adjustment on the flexible zoom lens based on the required voltage value, collect the zoom duration of the flexible zoom lens in real time, and determine whether to execute the second zoom control mode. The zoom adjustment control module is used to combine the zoom duration with the second illumination voltage function in the secondary zoom control mode to calculate the standard voltage value, and to calculate the excess voltage value of the secondary zoom adjustment based on the focal length balance criterion. The zoom performance analysis module is used to set up spaced deformation monitoring points, analyze the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring points, including the fully stretched state and the local offset state, and formulate corresponding indication information.

[0006] Furthermore, the method for determining whether to execute a zoom control mode is as follows: The difference between the demand focal length value and the supply focal length value is used to calculate the adjustment focal length value; When the adjusted focal length value is equal to 0, it is determined that the zoom control mode will not be executed once. When the adjusted focal length value is greater than 0, it is determined that a zoom control mode is executed once.

[0007] Furthermore, the method for calculating the required voltage value is as follows: Substitute the adjusted focal length value into the focal length shrinkage function to calculate the required shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer. Substitute the demand shrinkage rate into the shrinkage light intensity function to calculate the demand light intensity rate of the lighting module; Substitute the required light intensity value into the first illumination voltage function to calculate the required voltage value of the controller; The expression for the first illumination voltage function is: ; In the formula, The power supply voltage, The third diffusion factor, Light intensity.

[0008] Furthermore, the method for determining whether to execute the secondary zoom control mode is as follows: The flexible zoom lens is in the working state of supplying focal length value, which is recorded as the initial state. The power supply voltage of the controller in the initial state is retrieved and recorded as the initial voltage value. The moment when the initial voltage value first changes is recorded as the starting moment, and the duration from the starting moment to the current moment is recorded as the zoom duration. When the zoom duration is less than or equal to the calibrated zoom duration threshold, the secondary zoom control mode is determined not to be executed. When the zoom duration exceeds the calibrated shrinkage duration threshold, the secondary zoom control mode is executed.

[0009] Furthermore, when calculating the standard voltage, the zoom duration and the calibrated retraction duration threshold are substituted into the second illumination voltage function to calculate the standard voltage value of the controller. The expression for the second illumination voltage function is: ; In the formula, It is the fourth diffusion factor. For zoom duration, This is the calibrated contraction duration threshold.

[0010] Furthermore, the focal length balance criterion is: at any given time, the focal length of the flexible zoom lens remains consistent with the required focal length. When calculating the excess voltage value, the difference between the required voltage value and the standard voltage value is used to obtain the excess voltage value.

[0011] Furthermore, the method for setting up deformation monitoring points is as follows: Find the maximum shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer by referring to the technical parameter table, and record 1% of the maximum shrinkage rate as the unit shrinkage rate; The database was used to retrieve the last deformation event of the liquid crystal elastomer, and the time taken for the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer to change by a unit shrinkage rate during each deformation event was calculated to obtain B sub-times. After removing the maximum and minimum values ​​of the sub-duration, the remaining... The average of the individual durations is calculated to obtain the unit deformation duration. Starting from the initial moment, D interval distribution deformation monitoring points are marked with one unit deformation duration as the standard interval.

[0012] Furthermore, the analysis method for deformation state is as follows: E tension sensors are arranged in a ring at equal angles on the outer edge of the flexible zoom lens, and the force-receiving end of the tension sensor is fixed to one end of the liquid crystal elastomer. According to the chronological order, retrieve the tensile data of E tensile sensors at the deformation monitoring points to obtain E tensile values; When all E tensile force values ​​are the same, the deformation state is recorded as the fully stretched state. When the magnitudes of the E tensile force values ​​are inconsistent, the deformation state is recorded as a local offset state.

[0013] Furthermore, the indication information includes normal operation information and maintenance / replacement information; When the flexible zoom lens is in a fully stretched state at the deformation monitoring point, normal operation information is generated. When the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring point is a local offset state, maintenance and replacement information is generated.

[0014] A flexible zoom lens device based on liquid crystal elastomer includes a host computer, a controller, and a flexible zoom lens. The host computer is composed of a first zoom determination module, a zoom parameter calculation module, a second zoom determination module, a zoom adjustment control module, and a zoom performance analysis module in the flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer.

[0015] The technical advantages of the flexible zoom lens device and control system based on liquid crystal elastomer of the present invention are as follows: (1): By calculating the required voltage value, this invention can provide a numerical basis for the light intensity dimension of the first-level focal length adjustment of the flexible zoom lens. By combining the analysis of the zoom duration to calculate the excess voltage value, it can provide a data basis for the illumination duration dimension of the second-level focal length adjustment of the flexible zoom lens. Thus, it can achieve a combined adjustment control effect of the focal length of the flexible zoom lens from two independent dimensions: light intensity and illumination duration. This avoids the limitations of the single-dimensional focal length adjustment method and achieves a precise and convenient combined adjustment control effect of the focal length of the flexible zoom lens.

[0016] (2): By setting up spaced deformation monitoring points and analyzing and monitoring the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring points, the present invention can periodically analyze and process the focal length adjustment and control process of the flexible zoom lens, thereby timely detecting the phenomenon of local offset or tension imbalance that may exist in the flexible zoom lens during the stretching deformation process, and judging whether the elastic characteristics of the liquid crystal elastomer have become unbalanced and inaccurate based on the specific stretching deformation of the flexible zoom lens, thus providing a safety guarantee for the precise adjustment and control of the focal length of the flexible zoom lens and improving the accuracy of the focal length adjustment and control of the flexible zoom lens. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a flexible zoom lens device based on a liquid crystal elastomer provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the controller circuit provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the flexible zoom lens provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a top view of the connection between the elastic capsule lens and the liquid crystal elastomer provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Host computer; 2. Controller; 21. Microcontroller; 22. Communication module; 23. RS232 port; 24. First MOSFET; 25. Second MOSFET; 26. Power module; 27. First port; 28. Second port; 3. Flexible zoom lens; 31. Elastic capsule lens; 32. Liquid crystal elastomer; 33. LED light source; 34. Upper base; 35. Lower base; 36. Tension sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Example 1: Please refer to Figure 1 As shown in this embodiment, a flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer is applied to a host computer and includes: The first zoom determination module receives the user's input of the required focal length value, compares the required focal length value with the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, calculates the adjustment focal length value, and determines whether to execute a zoom control mode. The required focal length value refers to the value that the user of the flexible zoom lens needs to achieve in the focal length adjustment process. The larger the required focal length value, the greater the range of adjustment and control the user can exert on the focal length of the flexible zoom lens. In this embodiment, the required focal length value is obtained by the user inputting it into the host computer.

[0021] The supplied focal length value refers to the focal length value that the flexible zoom lens has in its initial state without any adjustment or control. It can be used as a basis for comparison with the required focal length value, and the adjustment focal length value between the two can be calculated based on the relationship between the required focal length value and the supplied focal length value. In this embodiment, the focal length value is adjusted by the difference between the required focal length value and the supplied focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, which can be used as a direct basis for adjusting the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens. Specifically, the calculation method for adjusting the focal length value is as follows: The difference between the demand focal length value and the supply focal length value is used to calculate the adjustment focal length value; The formula for calculating the focal length is: ; In the formula, To adjust the focal length value, To obtain the required focal length value, To supply focal length values.

[0022] It should be noted that the focal length adjustment range of the flexible zoom lens is determined based on the magnitude of the contraction and deformation of the liquid crystal elastomer. Since the contraction and deformation of the liquid crystal elastomer has a certain range, the focal length adjustment range of the flexible zoom lens is also within a certain range and is not infinitely large. In order to ensure that the input required focal length value can be adjusted and controlled to adjust the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, the required focal length value needs to be controlled to be kept within the range between the supplied focal length value and the maximum value of the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens.

[0023] After obtaining the adjusted focal length value, it is possible to determine whether the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens needs to be adjusted accordingly. If it is determined that the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens needs to be adjusted, a zoom control mode is executed once. In this embodiment, the first zoom control mode refers to the working mode in which the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens is adjusted for the first time when there is a focal length value adjustment control triggered by the flexible zoom lens, thereby enabling the first level of focal length adjustment control operation of the flexible zoom lens. Specifically, the method for determining whether to execute a zoom control mode is as follows: When the adjusted focal length value is equal to 0, it means that the user's required focal length value is the same as the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens. At this time, the flexible zoom lens does not need to perform focal length adjustment and control operations, so it is determined that the zoom control mode will not be executed. When the adjusted focal length value is greater than 0, it means that the user's required focal length value is greater than the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens. At this time, the flexible zoom lens needs to perform focal length adjustment and control operations, and it is determined that a zoom control mode is executed.

[0024] It should be noted that since the required focal length value is kept between the maximum value of the supplied focal length value and the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, there is no phenomenon of adjusting the focal length value to be less than 0 in this embodiment; there is only the phenomenon of adjusting the focal length value to be equal to 0 or greater than 0.

[0025] The zoom parameter calculation module, in a single zoom control mode, combines the adjusted focal length value with the focal length contraction function to calculate the required shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer, combines the required shrinkage rate with the shrinkage light intensity function to calculate the required light intensity value of the illumination component, and combines the required light intensity value with the first illumination voltage function to calculate the required voltage value of the controller. When executing a zoom control mode, it is necessary to increase the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens so that the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens can be increased to match the required focal length value. The core method for adjusting and controlling the focal length of a flexible zoom lens is to adjust the power supply voltage of the illumination component inside the lens. By adjusting the power supply voltage of the illumination component, different intensities of light are directed onto the liquid crystal elastic element. This causes the liquid crystal elastic element to contract and deform to different degrees under different light intensities, stretching the flexible zoom lens outward. Ultimately, this results in an increase in the bending radius and a decrease in the curvature of the light-transmitting surface at the center of the flexible zoom lens, thus increasing the focal length of the elastic capsule lens.

[0026] In order to achieve the effect of increasing the focal length of the flexible zoom lens, the direct adjustment object is the power supply voltage of the illumination component. When adjusting the power supply voltage, it is necessary to calculate the necessary parameters in the core means, and based on the calculation results of the necessary parameters, obtain the required voltage value that matches the focal length adjustment value, so that the required voltage value is the basis for adjusting the power supply voltage in the single zoom control mode. In this embodiment, the essential parameters in the core method include the demand shrinkage rate and the demand light intensity value.

[0027] Demand shrinkage rate refers to the proportion of shrinkage deformation that the liquid crystal elastomer needs to undergo to meet the focal length adjustment value, and can be used as a basis for subsequent calculation of demand voltage value. When calculating the demand shrinkage rate, it is necessary to combine the calculation with the focal length shrinkage function. The focal length shrinkage function is a function used to express the relationship between the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens and the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer, and can be used as the formula for calculating the demand shrinkage rate.

[0028] Based on the relationship between the focal length of the flexible zoom lens and the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer, it can be seen that the larger the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer, the larger the focal length of the flexible zoom lens. Therefore, there is a linear relationship between the focal length and the shrinkage rate, and this linear relationship can be represented by the focal length shrinkage function. Specifically, the expression for the focal length contraction function is: ; In the formula, This is the focal length value. The first diffusion factor, This represents the shrinkage rate.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first diffusion factor is a fixed value, which provides a numerical basis for the linear change factor of the linear relationship between the shrinkage rate and the focal length value. When determining the first diffusion factor, it can be set according to the actual needs of the flexible zoom lens, or it can be obtained by summarizing and analyzing the magnitude changes of a large number of historical focal length values ​​and shrinkage rates in the flexible zoom lens and then calculating the average. In the expression of the focal length shrinkage function, each parameter is a dimensionless value after standardization to achieve the accuracy of parameter calculation.

[0030] When calculating the demand shrinkage rate, the focal length value in the focal length shrinkage function is replaced by the adjusted focal length value to calculate the demand shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer.

[0031] The required light intensity value refers to the magnitude of the change in light intensity required by the lighting component while meeting the focal length adjustment value. It can be used as a second basis for subsequent calculation of the required voltage value. When calculating the required light intensity value, it is necessary to combine it with the shrinkage light intensity function for calculation. The shrinkage light intensity function is a function used to express the relationship between the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer and the light intensity of the illumination component, and can be used as the calculation formula for the required light intensity rate.

[0032] Based on the relationship between the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer and the light intensity of the light irradiation component, it can be seen that the greater the light intensity of the light irradiation component, the greater the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer. Therefore, there is a linear relationship between light intensity and shrinkage rate, and this linear relationship can be represented by the shrinkage light intensity function. Specifically, the expression for the contraction light intensity function is: ; In the formula, Light intensity, This is the second diffusion factor.

[0033] In this embodiment, the second diffusion factor is a fixed value, which provides a numerical basis for the linear change factor of the linear relationship between the shrinkage rate and the light intensity. When determining the second diffusion factor, it can be set according to the actual needs of the flexible zoom lens, or it can be obtained by summarizing and analyzing a large number of historical changes in the magnitude of light intensity and shrinkage rate in the flexible zoom lens and then averaging them. In the expression of the shrinkage light intensity function, each parameter is a dimensionless value after standardization to ensure the accuracy of parameter calculation.

[0034] When calculating the required light intensity value, the shrinkage rate in the shrinkage light intensity function is replaced with the required shrinkage rate to calculate the required light intensity rate of the lighting component.

[0035] The required voltage value refers to the magnitude of the change in the controller's power supply voltage required to achieve the desired focal length adjustment for the liquid crystal elastomer. When calculating the required voltage value, it is necessary to combine it with the first illumination voltage function for calculation. The first illumination voltage function is a function used to express the relationship between the light intensity of the illumination component and the power supply voltage of the controller when the flexible zoom lens is at the supply focal length value. It can be used as the calculation formula for the required voltage value.

[0036] Based on the relationship between the light intensity of the illumination component and the power supply voltage of the controller, it can be seen that the greater the light intensity of the illumination component, the greater the power supply voltage of the controller. Therefore, there is a linear relationship between the light intensity and the power supply voltage, and this linear relationship is expressed by the first illumination voltage function. Specifically, the expression for the first illumination voltage function is: ; In the formula, The power supply voltage, This is the third diffusion factor.

[0037] In this embodiment, the third diffusion factor is a fixed value, which provides a numerical basis for the linear change factor of the linear relationship between the power supply voltage and the light intensity. When determining the third diffusion factor, it can be set according to the actual needs of the flexible zoom lens, or it can be obtained by summarizing and analyzing a large number of historical changes in the magnitude of the power supply voltage and the light intensity in the flexible zoom lens and then averaging them. In the expression of the first illumination voltage function, each parameter is a dimensionless value after standardization to ensure the accuracy of parameter calculation.

[0038] When calculating the required voltage value, the light intensity in the first illumination voltage function is replaced with the required light intensity value to calculate the required voltage value of the controller.

[0039] In this embodiment, by independently calculating the required shrinkage rate, required light intensity value, and required voltage value in the flexible zoom lens, a reasonable and accurate data basis can be provided for the subsequent adjustment and control of the focal length in the flexible zoom lens, ensuring the accuracy of the focal length adjustment and control of the flexible zoom lens.

[0040] The second zoom determination module, based on the required voltage value, drives the controller to perform a first-level zoom adjustment on the power supply voltage and collects the zoom duration of the flexible zoom lens in real time. It performs over-limit analysis on the zoom duration and determines whether to execute the secondary zoom control mode. The first-level zoom adjustment of the power supply voltage refers to the operation of adjusting the power supply voltage of the controller when the flexible zoom lens is at the supplied focal length value. This allows the power supply voltage of the controller to be quickly and accurately adjusted to match the required voltage value, thereby increasing the light intensity of the illumination component, increasing the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer, and increasing the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, ultimately achieving a situation where the focal length value equals 0.

[0041] Zoom duration refers to the time span between the first moment when the focal length of the flexible zoom lens changes and the current moment. It can be used to represent the duration of light intensity irradiation in the illumination component. When the illumination component continuously irradiates the liquid crystal elastomer with high intensity light, the liquid crystal elastomer will shrink and deform due to the heat radiation of the light. When the liquid crystal elastomer undergoes a significant change in shrinkage rate due to heat, it is necessary to consider the secondary superposition effect of the shrinkage rate caused by heat on the focal length of the flexible zoom lens. When liquid crystal elastomers shrink due to heat, they need to be exposed to light for a certain period of time. Therefore, to determine whether a liquid crystal elastomer will undergo a significant change in its shrinkage rate under heat, it is necessary to analyze and compare the zoom duration of the flexible zoom lens, which can serve as the basis for judging whether the liquid crystal elastomer has undergone a significant shrinkage change.

[0042] The secondary zoom control mode refers to the working mode in which the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens is adjusted and controlled a second time when the liquid crystal elastomer undergoes significant contraction and deformation due to prolonged exposure to light. This allows for a second level of focal length adjustment and control operation on the flexible zoom lens. Specifically, the method for determining whether to execute the secondary zoom control mode is as follows: The flexible zoom lens is in the working state of supplying focal length value, which is recorded as the initial state. The power supply voltage of the controller in the initial state is retrieved and recorded as the initial voltage value. The moment when the initial voltage value first changes is recorded as the starting moment, and the duration from the starting moment to the current moment is recorded as the zoom duration. Compare the zoom duration with the calibrated zoom duration threshold; When the zoom duration is less than or equal to the calibrated shrinkage duration threshold, it indicates that the liquid elastomer is exposed to light for a short time and the liquid crystal elastomer does not shrink or deform. Therefore, it is determined that the secondary zoom control mode will not be executed. When the zoom duration exceeds the calibrated contraction duration threshold, it indicates that the liquid elastomer has been exposed to light for a longer period of time, and the liquid crystal elastomer has undergone contraction and deformation. Therefore, it is determined that the secondary zoom control mode will be executed.

[0043] It should be noted that the calibrated shrinkage duration threshold refers to the minimum zoom duration under the secondary zoom control mode, which provides a numerical basis for whether the liquid elastomer will shrink and deform when exposed to light. Specifically, the calibrated shrinkage duration threshold is obtained by collecting the minimum zoom duration of a large number of liquid elastomers that shrink and deform after being exposed to light in history and then calculating the average value of these values.

[0044] In the secondary zoom control mode, the zoom adjustment control module combines the zoom duration with the second illumination voltage function to calculate the standard voltage value at the current moment. Based on the focal length balance criterion, it calculates the excess voltage value and drives the controller to perform secondary zoom adjustment on the power supply voltage. The standard voltage value refers to the magnitude of the change in the controller's power supply voltage at the current moment when executing the secondary zoom control mode, and serves as the data basis for the controller in the secondary zoom control mode. When calculating the standard voltage value, it is necessary to combine it with the second illumination voltage function for combined calculation. In calculating the standard voltage value, the zoom duration, light intensity, and supply voltage can be analyzed together. This allows for adjustment and control of the focal length of the flexible zoom lens from two dimensions: illumination duration and light intensity. It can take into account the impact of illumination duration on the contraction and deformation of the liquid crystal elastomer, avoiding the limitations of single-dimensional adjustment and control methods. This ensures that the liquid crystal elastomer can remain within a reasonable and accurate contraction and deformation range, and that the focal length of the flexible zoom lens can always be consistent with the required focal length.

[0045] The second illumination voltage function is a function that expresses the relationship between the light intensity of the illumination component, the illumination duration of the illumination component, and the power supply voltage of the controller when the supply focal length of the flexible zoom lens is increasing. It can be used as a calculation formula for the standard voltage value. Specifically, the expression for the second illumination voltage function is: ; In the formula, It is the fourth diffusion factor. For zoom duration, This is the calibrated contraction duration threshold.

[0046] In this embodiment, the fourth diffusion factor is a fixed value, which provides a numerical basis for the linear change factor of the linear relationship between illumination duration and power supply voltage. The fourth diffusion factor is obtained by summarizing and averaging the historical changes in the magnitude of illumination duration and power supply voltage in the flexible zoom lens. In the expression of the second illumination voltage function, each parameter is a dimensionless value after standardization to ensure the accuracy of parameter calculation.

[0047] It is important to note that the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer does not increase indefinitely with the increase of illumination time. When the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer reaches its maximum value, the liquid crystal elastomer will no longer shrink and deform. Therefore, no matter how much the illumination time increases, the liquid crystal elastomer will not shrink and deform again. Thus, the zoom time in the second illumination voltage function has an upper limit, which is the time required for the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer to reach its maximum value.

[0048] When calculating the standard voltage, the zoom duration and the calibrated retraction duration threshold are substituted into the second illumination voltage function to calculate the standard voltage value of the controller.

[0049] When the standard voltage value is calculated, this standard voltage value is used as the basis for adjusting the controller's power supply voltage at the current moment, so that the controller's power supply voltage can be consistent with the standard voltage value. As can be seen from the second illumination voltage function, the standard voltage value is less than the required voltage value. Therefore, the power supply voltage of the controller needs to be adjusted a second time. At this time, under the constraint of the focal length balance criterion, the excess voltage value required for the second level adjustment of the power supply voltage of the controller can be calculated. The focal length balance criterion is used to ensure that the power supply voltage of the controller can maintain a dynamic balance with the required focal length value, and to ensure that the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens can always be consistent with the required focal length value. Specifically, the focal length balance criterion is that at any given time, the focal length of the flexible zoom lens should remain consistent with the required focal length.

[0050] The excess voltage value refers to the value that the controller's power supply voltage needs to reach at the current moment, and serves as the basis for the controller's secondary adjustment of the power supply voltage. The method for calculating the excess voltage value is as follows: The excess voltage value is calculated by subtracting the required voltage value from the standard voltage value. The formula for calculating the excess voltage value is: ; In the formula, This is the excess voltage value. For the required voltage value, This is the standard voltage value.

[0051] After calculating the excess voltage value, the controller's power supply voltage can be adjusted to decrease, so that the controller's power supply voltage can be reduced by the amount corresponding to the excess voltage value at the current moment, and keep it consistent with the standard voltage value. This ensures that the focal length value of the flexible zoom lens can be consistent with the required focal length value at the current moment.

[0052] The zoom performance analysis module determines the unit deformation time of the liquid crystal elastomer, sets the deformation monitoring point, analyzes the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring point, and formulates the indication information corresponding to the deformation state. After adjusting the power supply voltage of the controller, it is necessary to monitor and analyze the uniformity and stability of the liquid crystal elastomer during the shrinkage and deformation process, so as to analyze the stability of the flexible zoom lens when the focal length value is adjusted, and then detect whether the flexible zoom lens has local displacement or stretching imbalance when it undergoes stretching deformation. When monitoring the stretching process of a flexible zoom lens, it is necessary to determine the monitoring interval based on the time corresponding to a certain change in the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer. This interval is recorded as the time span between two adjacent deformation monitoring points, so that the deformation monitoring points serve as the time points for monitoring and analyzing the stretching deformation of the flexible zoom lens.

[0053] Specifically, the method for setting up deformation monitoring points is as follows: Find the maximum shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer by referring to the technical parameter table, and record 1% of the maximum shrinkage rate as the unit shrinkage rate; The database is used to retrieve the last deformation event of the liquid crystal elastomer, and the duration of the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer during the unit shrinkage rate change in each deformation event is statistically analyzed to obtain B sub-durations. The deformation event is used to record the shrinkage rate change of the liquid crystal elastomer in the flexible zoom lens during zoom control. The deformation event records all data of the shrinkage rate change of the liquid crystal elastomer during zoom control, including but not limited to the magnitude and time of the shrinkage rate change. After removing the maximum and minimum values ​​of the sub-duration, the remaining... The average of the individual durations is calculated to obtain the unit deformation duration. The formula for calculating the duration of unit deformation is: ; In the formula, For unit deformation duration, For the first Duration per unit; Starting from the initial moment, D interval distribution deformation monitoring points are marked with one unit deformation duration as the standard interval.

[0054] After setting the deformation monitoring points, the tensile deformation of the flexible zoom lens can be monitored and analyzed in chronological order at all deformation monitoring points to determine the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the current deformation monitoring point. The deformation states include the fully stretched state and the partially offset state. The fully stretched state means that all liquid crystal elastomers have the same shrinkage rate, which can stretch the flexible zoom lens outward completely and uniformly. The partially offset state means that the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomers is inconsistent, which cannot stretch the flexible zoom lens outward completely and uniformly.

[0055] The method for analyzing deformation states is as follows: E tension sensors with an equal-angle ring structure are set on the outer edge of the flexible zoom lens, and the force-receiving end of the tension sensor is fixed to one end of the liquid crystal elastomer. The tension sensors with an equal-angle ring structure can form a uniformly distributed force structure on the outer edge of the flexible zoom lens, thereby providing positional support for data acquisition on whether the force on the flexible zoom lens in different directions is uniform. According to the chronological order, retrieve the tensile data of E tensile sensors at the deformation monitoring points to obtain E tensile values; When the magnitudes of the E tensile force values ​​are all the same, it indicates that the shrinkage rates of the liquid crystal elastomer in multiple directions are the same, which can stretch the flexible zoom lens outward completely and uniformly. The deformation state of the deformation monitoring point is then recorded as the fully stretched state. When the magnitudes of the E tensile values ​​are inconsistent, it indicates that the shrinkage rates of the liquid crystal elastomer in multiple directions are inconsistent, and the flexible zoom lens cannot be stretched outward completely and uniformly. Therefore, the deformation state of the deformation monitoring point is recorded as a local offset state.

[0056] After analyzing the specific deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring point, the accuracy of the focal length adjustment operation of the flexible zoom lens at the current moment can be determined based on the deformation state. This can also serve as a basis for judging whether the self-contraction characteristics of the liquid crystal elastomer are abnormal at the current moment. In this way, when an abnormality occurs, the corresponding indication information can be issued in a timely manner to indicate whether the liquid crystal elastomer of the flexible zoom lens needs to be replaced or repaired. The information includes normal operation information and maintenance / replacement information; Specifically, when the flexible zoom lens is in a fully stretched state at the deformation monitoring point, the contraction characteristics of the liquid crystal elastomer are not abnormal, and normal operation information is generated. When the flexible zoom lens is in a localized offset state at the deformation monitoring point, the contraction characteristics of the liquid crystal elastomer are abnormal, and maintenance and replacement information is generated.

[0057] It should be noted that when analyzing the contraction characteristics of liquid crystal elastomers, it is not necessary to monitor and analyze the tensile force value of each liquid crystal elastomer at a specific location. Regardless of how many abnormal liquid crystal elastomers are found, the entire liquid crystal elastomer needs to be replaced. Therefore, it is only necessary to uniformly monitor whether the tensile force values ​​of liquid crystal elastomers in multiple symmetrical directions are consistent in a ring-shaped, equiangular structure. For example, there are 4, 6, and 8 tensile force sensors.

[0058] Example 2: Please refer to Figures 2-5 As shown, the parts not described in detail in this embodiment are described in Embodiment 1. A flexible zoom lens device based on liquid crystal elastomer is provided. The device includes a host computer 1, a controller 2 and a flexible zoom lens 3. The host computer 1 is composed of the first zoom determination module, the zoom parameter calculation module, the second zoom determination module, the zoom adjustment control module and the zoom performance analysis module in the flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer in Embodiment 1. The input terminal of controller 2 is connected to host computer 1, and the output terminal of controller 2 is connected to flexible zoom lens 3; The flexible zoom lens 3 includes an upper base 34 and a lower base 35 arranged symmetrically. An elastic capsule lens 31 is fixed in the cavity between the upper base 34 and the lower base 35. A ring-shaped tension sensor 36 is provided on the elastic capsule lens 31 with equal angle distribution, and the force-receiving end of the tension sensor 36 is connected to a liquid crystal elastomer 32. There are two liquid crystal elastomers 32, located in the upper base 34 and the lower base 35 respectively. The liquid crystal elastomer 32 is composed of multiple strip-shaped liquid crystal elastic materials that are radially distributed with the center of the elastic capsule lens 31 as the base point. Both the upper base 34 and the lower base 35 are equipped with LED light sources 33 with the light irradiation direction facing the liquid crystal elastomer 32, and the LED light sources 33 are composed of multiple ring-shaped ultraviolet LED beads distributed and connected in series. The controller 2 includes a microcontroller 21 and a power supply module 26. The microcontroller 21 is connected to a communication module 22, and the communication module 22 is connected to the host computer 1 through an RS232 socket 23. The two analog ports of the microcontroller 21 are respectively connected to a first MOSFET 24 and a second MOSFET 25, and the first MOSFET 24 and the second MOSFET 25 are respectively connected to two LED light sources 33 through a first socket 27 and a second socket 28.

[0059] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer, applied to a host computer, characterized in that, include: The first zoom determination module is used to compare the input required focal length value with the supply focal length value of the flexible zoom lens, calculate the adjusted focal length value, and determine whether to execute a zoom control mode. The zoom parameter calculation module is used to calculate the required shrinkage rate and required light intensity value of the flexible zoom lens in a single zoom control mode, and combine the required shrinkage rate and required light intensity value with the first illumination voltage function to calculate the required voltage value of the first zoom adjustment. The second zoom determination module is used to perform a first-level zoom adjustment on the flexible zoom lens based on the required voltage value, collect the zoom duration of the flexible zoom lens in real time, and determine whether to execute the second zoom control mode. The zoom adjustment control module is used to combine the zoom duration with the second illumination voltage function in the secondary zoom control mode to calculate the standard voltage value, and to calculate the excess voltage value of the secondary zoom adjustment based on the focal length balance criterion. The zoom performance analysis module is used to set up spaced deformation monitoring points, analyze the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring points, including the fully stretched state and the local offset state, and formulate corresponding indication information.

2. The flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method for determining whether to execute a zoom control mode is as follows: The difference between the demand focal length value and the supply focal length value is used to calculate the adjustment focal length value; When the adjusted focal length value is equal to 0, it is determined that the zoom control mode will not be executed once. When the adjusted focal length value is greater than 0, it is determined that a zoom control mode is executed once.

3. The flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method for calculating the required voltage value is as follows: Substitute the adjusted focal length value into the focal length shrinkage function to calculate the required shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer. Substitute the demand shrinkage rate into the shrinkage light intensity function to calculate the demand light intensity rate of the lighting module; Substitute the required light intensity value into the first illumination voltage function to calculate the required voltage value of the controller; The expression for the first illumination voltage function is: ； In the formula, The power supply voltage, The third diffusion factor, Light intensity.

4. The flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method for determining whether to execute the secondary zoom control mode is as follows: The flexible zoom lens is in the working state of supplying focal length value, which is recorded as the initial state. The power supply voltage of the controller in the initial state is retrieved and recorded as the initial voltage value. The moment when the initial voltage value first changes is recorded as the starting moment, and the duration from the starting moment to the current moment is recorded as the zoom duration. When the zoom duration is less than or equal to the calibrated zoom duration threshold, the secondary zoom control mode is determined not to be executed. When the zoom duration exceeds the calibrated shrinkage duration threshold, the secondary zoom control mode is executed.

5. A flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 4, characterized in that, When calculating the standard voltage, the zoom duration and the calibrated retraction duration threshold are substituted into the second illumination voltage function to calculate the standard voltage value of the controller. The expression for the second illumination voltage function is: ； In the formula, It is the fourth diffusion factor. For zoom duration, This is the calibrated contraction duration threshold.

6. The flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The focal length balance criterion is: at any given time, the focal length of the flexible zoom lens should remain consistent with the required focal length. When calculating the excess voltage value, the difference between the required voltage value and the standard voltage value is used to obtain the excess voltage value.

7. A flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method for setting deformation monitoring points is as follows: Find the maximum shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer by referring to the technical parameter table, and record 1% of the maximum shrinkage rate as the unit shrinkage rate; The database was used to retrieve the last deformation event of the liquid crystal elastomer, and the time taken for the shrinkage rate of the liquid crystal elastomer to change by a unit shrinkage rate during each deformation event was calculated to obtain B sub-times. After removing the maximum and minimum values ​​of the sub-duration, the remaining... The average of the individual durations is calculated to obtain the unit deformation duration. Starting from the initial moment, D interval distribution deformation monitoring points are marked with one unit deformation duration as the standard interval.

8. A flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method for analyzing deformation states is as follows: E tension sensors are arranged in a ring at equal angles on the outer edge of the flexible zoom lens, and the force-receiving end of the tension sensor is fixed to one end of the liquid crystal elastomer. According to the chronological order, retrieve the tensile data of E tensile sensors at the deformation monitoring points to obtain E tensile values; When all E tensile force values ​​are the same, the deformation state is recorded as the fully stretched state. When the magnitudes of the E tensile force values ​​are inconsistent, the deformation state is recorded as a local offset state.

9. A flexible zoom lens control system based on a liquid crystal elastomer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The information includes normal operation information and maintenance / replacement information; When the flexible zoom lens is in a fully stretched state at the deformation monitoring point, normal operation information is generated. When the deformation state of the flexible zoom lens at the deformation monitoring point is a local offset state, maintenance and replacement information is generated.

10. A flexible zoom lens device based on a liquid crystal elastomer, the device comprising a host computer (1), a controller (2), and a flexible zoom lens (3), characterized in that, The host computer (1) is composed of the first zoom determination module, the zoom parameter calculation module, the second zoom determination module, the zoom adjustment control module and the zoom performance analysis module in the flexible zoom lens control system based on liquid crystal elastomer as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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