Light path adjustable lens combination
By combining lenses with conformal bonding and gear transmission, the adjustable optical path lens combination solves the problems of complex structure and slow response speed in traditional optical path adjustment schemes, achieving compact and efficient beam adjustment and image quality preservation, and expanding the functions of optical control.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522815752.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Traditional optical path adjustment schemes suffer from problems such as large system size, slow response speed, complex structure, low adjustment accuracy and high cost, making it difficult to achieve flexible and precise beam direction adjustment, especially in optical applications.
The system employs two specially designed lenses that conformally fit together and rotate relative to each other, forming an adjustable optical path lens combination. Combined with liquid crystal lenses and a gear transmission mechanism, it enables continuous and precise adjustment of the beam direction.
It achieves compact structure, flexible adjustment, fast response speed, high adjustment accuracy, and good image quality in beam adjustment, and is suitable for multi-dimensional and programmable optical control.
Smart Images
Figure CN223857477U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to optical element technical field, concretely relates to a kind of adjustable light path lens combination. BACKGROUND
[0002] In many optical application fields, such as stage lighting, architectural lighting, optical detection and projection system, etc., it is often necessary to flexibly and accurately adjust the direction of the outgoing light beam. The traditional light path adjustment scheme mainly relies on two ways: one is to move the light source or the entire optical module as a whole, and the other is to use a combination of multiple independent prisms or lenses and adjust their relative positions to achieve light beam deflection.
[0003] However, these traditional schemes have obvious limitations. The method of moving the optical module as a whole usually requires complex mechanical drive mechanisms, resulting in a large system size, slow response speed, large motion inertia, and easy introduction of vibration, which affects the stability of the light spot. The method of using a combination of multiple independent optical elements, while achieving light path adjustment to some extent, accumulates assembly errors between elements, affecting the final light path accuracy. At the same time, in order to achieve multi-dimensional adjustment, multiple adjustment mechanisms are often stacked, making the system structure complex, the cost high, and there is a risk of motion interference.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new adjustable light path scheme with compact structure, high adjustment accuracy, fast response speed and easy control to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. SUMMARY
[0005] The utility model aims at overcoming the defects of prior art, and provides an adjustable light path lens combination. The combination is formed by conforming and rotating two specially designed lenses, which realizes continuous and precise adjustment of the direction of the light beam, has the advantages of simple structure, flexible adjustment, good image quality, etc.
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:
[0007] An adjustable light path lens combination comprises:
[0008] a base;
[0009] a transfer seat rotatably arranged on the base;
[0010] a second lens fixedly arranged in the transfer seat, the second lens being provided with a second matching surface and a second optical surface as an outlight surface;
[0011] a rotating frame rotatably arranged on the transfer seat and located above the second lens;
[0012] The first lens is fixed in the rotating frame, and is provided with a first optical surface facing the light source and a first matching surface away from the light source and serving as an inclined plane, the first matching surface conformally abutting the second matching surface of the second lens and being rotatable relative to the second lens;
[0013] The first driving mechanism is arranged on the middle transfer seat and is in transmission connection with the rotating frame, and is used for driving the rotating frame and the first lens to rotate relative to the middle transfer seat and the second lens around the rotation axis X;
[0014] The angle between the inclined plane of the first matching surface and the second matching surface and the horizontal plane is α.
[0015] Further, the angle α is in the range of 35° to 45°. In this range, the system can obtain sufficient beam deflection sensitivity while effectively controlling the aberration deterioration that may be introduced due to the excessively large angle of the inclined plane. Preferably, the angle α is 40°, which is the best balance point after optimization of optical simulation.
[0016] Further, the first lens and the second lens jointly constitute an optical frustum. The frustum structure is formed by designing the conformal matching surfaces of the two lenses as inclined planes and combining them around a central axis to form an optical structure similar to a truncated cone.
[0017] Further, the cone angle of the frustum is in the range of 20° to 40°. The cone angle reflects the "steepness" of the optical frustum and directly affects the compactness (axial length) and the efficiency of beam deflection of the system. The cone angle in this range can balance miniaturization and optical performance.
[0018] Further, the light-emitting side of the second optical surface is further provided with a liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens can change its optical properties (such as focal length, scattering degree) under the control of an electrical signal, thereby independently adjusting the size, shape or uniformity of the outgoing light spot without moving mechanical components, greatly expanding the functional flexibility of the system.
[0019] Further, the rotation axis X is perpendicular to the first matching surface and the second matching surface. This geometric relationship ensures that the rotation of the first lens around the axis can directly and effectively change the equivalent optical wedge angle of the conformal interface, thereby realizing linear deflection of the beam direction.
[0020] Further, the first driving mechanism is provided with a first output gear; the rotating frame is provided with a first transmission gear ring engaged with the first output gear; and the first driving mechanism drives the rotating frame to rotate through the engagement of the first output gear and the first transmission gear ring. Gear transmission has the advantages of high transmission precision, reliable structure, easy control of rotation angle, etc., and is suitable for the precise rotation required by the present scheme.
[0021] Further, the adjustable optical path lens combination further comprises a second driving mechanism fixedly arranged on the transfer seat and in transmission connection with the base for driving the transfer seat to rotate around the central axis Z relative to the base. This structure realizes the horizontal rotation function of the entire optical module including the second lens, the rotating frame and the first driving mechanism, thereby completing the scanning of the light beam direction.
[0022] Further, the base is provided with a second transmission gear ring, and the second driving mechanism is provided with a second output gear in mesh with the second transmission gear ring to drive the transfer seat to rotate around the central axis Z. The gear meshing mode provides a smooth and large-torque horizontal rotation driving capability. The central axis Z is usually the symmetry axis of the entire optical cone, and has a predetermined geometric relationship with the rotating axis X in space.
[0023] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the advantages that:
[0024] 1. Compact structure and precise adjustment: the relative rotation of the two lens conforming contact surfaces directly changes the optical path, replacing the complex mechanism of traditional overall movement or independent adjustment of multiple elements. The unique three-level mechanical structure of the base, the transfer seat and the rotating frame realizes the high integration of the pitch and horizontal two-dimensional adjustment, greatly simplifies the system structure, reduces the volume and the motion inertia, and thereby realizes faster and more precise adjustment response.
[0025] 2. Good aberration control: through the optimization design of the inclination angle a (35°~45°) of the first and second matching surfaces and the cone angle (20°~40°) of the cone, the light beam deflection range and the system aberration (such as spherical aberration and coma) are effectively balanced during the rotation adjustment of the first lens, ensuring that the outcoming light spot shape is stable and the illumination is uniform within the entire adjustment range.
[0026] 3. High integration and expansion of functions: the two-dimensional adjustment of the light beam direction (the first lens rotation realizes the pitch direction deflection, and the second driving mechanism drives the overall horizontal rotation) and the electric control adjustment of the light spot shape (through the liquid crystal lens) are ingeniously integrated. This fusion of "mechanical adjustment + electric control adjustment" provides multi-dimensional and programmable optical control means, and is widely applied.
[0027] 4. High reliability: the pitch and horizontal rotation both adopt gear pair transmission, which has the advantages of high transmission precision and small backlash. The first driving mechanism is fixed on the transfer seat to drive the rotating frame inside, and the second driving mechanism is fixed on the transfer seat and meshes with the fixed base through the gear to drive itself to rotate. This layout has a clear and direct transmission path, avoids complex intermediate transmission links, and improves the reliability and response speed of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] Figure 1 It is the three-dimensional exploded structure schematic view of the utility model.
[0029] Figure 2 It is the first lens, second lens and liquid crystal lens profile structure schematic view of the utility model.
[0030] Figure 3 It is the optical path principle schematic view of the utility model, shows the light path change under different rotation angles.
[0031] Figure 4 It is the first overall cross-sectional view of the utility model.
[0032] Figure 5 It is the second overall cross-sectional view of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the protection scope of the utility model.
[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The utility model embodiment provides a light path adjustable lens combination. The structure, connecting relationship, working principle and performance of the embodiment are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0035] The core function of the utility model is realized by the relative rotation of a pair of optical lenses with special configuration, i.e. the first lens 1 and the second lens 2.
[0036] The first lens 1 is roughly columnar or truncated conical, and the top surface (close to the light source side) is the first optical surface 12 for receiving the incident light beam from the light source. The bottom surface (far from the light source side) of the first lens 1 is processed into an accurate inclined plane, i.e. the first matching surface 11.
[0037] The second lens 2 is arranged in correspondence with the first lens 1 upside down. The top surface of the second lens 2 is processed into an inclined plane with the same shape (conformal) as the first matching surface 11, i.e. the second matching surface 21. The first matching surface 11 and the second matching surface 21 can be precisely fitted and can slide relative to each other. The bottom surface of the second lens 2 is the second optical surface 22, which is the final light exit surface.
[0038] The angle between the plane where the first mating surface 11 and the second mating surface 21 are located and the reference horizontal plane defined by the system is a. The angle a is a key parameter that determines the beam deflection performance of the system. In a specific embodiment, the value of the angle a is in the range of 35° to 45°. Simulation and experimental verification show that the best balance between a large beam deflection range and effective control of optical aberrations (such as coma and astigmatism) can be achieved when a is preferably 40°.
[0039] From the overall shape, when the first lens 1 and the second lens 2 are combined through their conformal first mating surface 11 and second mating surface 21, the external contours of the two together define an optical frustum structure (see Figure 2 ). The frustum can be regarded as a truncated conical optical structure. The "steepness" of the frustum is described by the cone angle, that is, the angle between the frustum generatrix and the central axis Z. The cone angle directly affects the axial length and optical path efficiency of the system. In this embodiment, the cone angle is preferably 30°, and its effective design range is 20° to 40°. A cone angle of 20° makes the system more elongated, which is beneficial to compress the radial size; a cone angle of 40° makes the system more flat, which helps to reduce the overall thickness. In a preferred scheme, the cone angle is 30° to achieve a good balance between the axial length and the radial size of the system, and to consider the compactness and optical path efficiency.
[0040] In order to realize the precise relative rotation between the first lens 1 and the second lens 2 described above, a hierarchical mechanical support and driving system is provided in this embodiment.
[0041] The combination includes a base 8 as a fixed base. A transfer seat 5 is rotatably mounted on the base 8 through a first bearing assembly (for example, a cross roller bearing), so that the transfer seat 5 can rotate relative to the base 8 about a central axis Z perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
[0042] The second lens 2 is fixedly installed in the central installation position inside the transfer seat 5 by interference fit, adhesion or mechanical compression.
[0043] The rotating frame 7 is rotatably mounted on the transfer seat 5 through a second bearing assembly and is located above the second lens 2 (in the direction of the optical path). The first lens 1 is fixedly installed in the rotating frame 7 in a similar manner. Thus, the rotation axis (defined as the rotation axis X) of the rotating frame 7 is perpendicular to the first mating surface 11 of the first lens 1 and the second mating surface 21 of the second lens 2. The first mating surface 11 and the second mating surface 21 always maintain conformal fit and sliding contact when the rotating frame 7 and the transfer seat 5 rotate relative to each other.
[0044] Pitch adjustment drive: the first drive mechanism 3 (e.g., micro-step motor or servo motor) for driving the rotation of the turret 7 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the middle seat 5 through a bracket. A first output gear 31 is installed on the output shaft of the first drive mechanism 3. A first transmission gear ring 71 engaged with the first output gear 31 is integrally formed or fixed on the inner circumference of the turret 7. The first drive mechanism 3, the first output gear 31 and the first transmission gear ring 71 together constitute a first gear pair for driving the rotation of the turret 7.
[0045] Horizontal scan drive: the second drive mechanism 6 (e.g., step motor) for driving the rotation of the middle seat 5 is fixedly installed on the middle seat 5 through a bracket. A second output gear 61 is installed on the output shaft of the second drive mechanism 6. A second transmission gear ring 81 is fixedly installed on the base 8. The second output gear 61 and the second transmission gear ring 81 are engaged to constitute a second gear pair for driving the rotation of the middle seat 5 relative to the base 8.
[0046] To further enhance the light field regulation capability, a liquid crystal lens 4 can be provided on the light exit side of the second optical surface 22 of the second lens 2. The liquid crystal lens 4 is electrically connected to an external controller through a flexible circuit or a wire. By applying a programmable electrical signal to the liquid crystal lens 4, its optical phase distribution can be independently and real-time changed, so as to dynamically adjust the focal length, size or uniformity of the exit light spot without affecting the spatial pointing of the light beam, thereby realizing the electrically controlled modulation of the light spot shape.
[0047] Preferred embodiment and optical performance analysis:
[0048] In a specific and preferred embodiment, the system key parameters are configured as follows: the optical frustum cone angle is 30°, the tilt angle a is 40°, the first lens 1 and the second lens 2 are made of an optical material (e.g., PMMA) with a refractive index n ≈ 1.5, and the rotation range of the first lens 1 driven by the first drive mechanism 3 is set to ±40°.
[0049] Based on the above parameters, the optical performance of the lens combination can be analyzed. From the functional equivalence perspective, the combination can be regarded as a prism with a variable vertex angle. According to the principle of prism beam deflection, the relationship between the deflection angle δ, the prism vertex angle A and the material refractive index n is approximately: δ ≈ (n - 1) × A. In this structure, the rotation of the first lens 1 will lead to a variable equivalent prism vertex angle A, and the maximum value A_max approximately satisfies the relationship: A_max ≈ 2 × arcsin(sin a × n) - 2a. Substituting a = 40° and n = 1.5, it is calculated that A_max ≈ 69°.
[0050] Considering the aberration constraints in actual optical systems, ray tracing simulation verification is performed through optical design software (such as Zemax). The simulation results show that when the first lens 1 rotates within a range of ±40°, the outgoing light beam can achieve a total deflection range of about 20° in the pitch direction (i.e. ±10° relative to the central position). Within this adjustment range, the optical performance of the system remains good: the modulation transfer function (MTF) value is higher than 0.3 at a spatial frequency of 30 lp / mm; the roundness variation of the light spot is less than 15%; and the illumination uniformity variation is less than 20%. This proves that the utility model can maintain stable light spot shape and illumination distribution while achieving effective beam deflection.
[0051] The working principle of the utility model is combined Figure 3 The working principle of the utility model is combined
[0052] In the initial state, the incident light ray is refracted into the first lens 1 through the first optical surface 12 and reaches the first matching surface 11. Due to the conformal interface and the matching of the medium refractive index, the light ray passes through basically without deflection and enters the second lens 2, and finally is refracted through the second optical surface 22 and exits at the initial angle.
[0053] Beam pitch adjustment: when the pitch angle of the light beam needs to be adjusted, the control system controls the first driving mechanism 3 to start. The first driving mechanism 3 drives the turret 7 and the first lens 1 to rotate around the rotation axis X by an angle θ through the meshing of the first output gear 31 and the first transmission gear ring 71. The rotation of the first lens 1 changes the equivalent path of the light ray through the conformal matching interface, and after the second optical surface 22, the pitch angle of the outgoing light beam changes accordingly.
[0054] Beam horizontal scanning: when the azimuth angle of the light beam needs to be adjusted, the control system controls the second driving mechanism 6 to start. The second driving mechanism 6 drives the entire transfer seat 5 and all components thereon (including the second lens 2, the turret 7, the first lens 1 and the first driving mechanism 3) to rotate as a whole around the central axis Z through the meshing of the second output gear 61 and the second transmission gear ring 81 fixed on the base 8, thereby realizing horizontal scanning of the outgoing light beam.
[0055] Electrically controlled adjustment of light spot shape: no matter where the light beam is pointing, the electric signal applied to the liquid crystal lens 4 can be independently adjusted through an external controller to change its optical properties, realize real-time electrically controlled shaping of the light spot size, shape or uniformity, and this process does not affect the already set spatial pointing of the light beam.
[0056] By cooperatively controlling the first driving mechanism 3 (pitch), the second driving mechanism 6 (horizontal) and the liquid crystal lens 4 (light spot shape), the adjustable optical path lens combination provided by the embodiment can realize arbitrary pointing of the light beam in a two-dimensional spatial angle, and simultaneously and independently adjust the light spot properties, achieving the purpose of multi-dimensional and integrated intelligent optical regulation and control.
[0057] Although the utility model has been described in detail through the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments can be changed, modified and replaced in many ways without departing from the principles and spirits of the utility model. These changes, modifications and replacements should all fall within the protection scope of the utility model defined by the attached claims.
Claims
1. An adjustable optical path lens combination, characterized by, The application relates to a zoom lens, which comprises: a base (8); a middle transfer seat (5) rotatably arranged on the base (8); a second lens (2) fixedly arranged in the middle transfer seat (5), wherein the second lens (2) is provided with a second matching surface (21) and a second optical surface (22) as a light exit surface; a rotating frame (7) rotatably arranged on the middle transfer seat (5) and located above the second lens (2); a first lens (1) fixedly arranged in the rotating frame (7), wherein the first lens (1) is provided with a first optical surface (12) facing a light source and a first matching surface (11) away from the light source and serving as an inclined plane, the first matching surface (11) is conformally matched with the second matching surface (21) of the second lens (2) and can rotate relative to the second matching surface (21); a first driving mechanism (3) arranged on the middle transfer seat (5) and in transmission connection with the rotating frame (7), used for driving the rotating frame (7) and the first lens (1) to rotate relative to the middle transfer seat (5) and the second lens (2) around a rotating axis X; wherein the angle between the inclined plane of the first matching surface (11) and the second matching surface (21) and a horizontal plane is alpha.
2. The tunable optical path lens combination according to claim 1, wherein The angle alpha ranges from 35 DEG to 45 DEG.
3. The tunable optical path lens combination according to claim 2, wherein The angle alpha is 40 DEG.
4. The tunable optical path lens combination according to claim 1, wherein The first lens (1) and the second lens (2) jointly form an optical cone.
5. The tunable optical path lens combination according to claim 4, wherein The cone angle of the cone ranges from 20 DEG to 40 DEG.
6. The tunable optical path lens combination of claim 1, wherein, The light exit side of the second optical surface (22) is further provided with a liquid crystal lens (4).
7. The tunable optical path lens combination of claim 1, wherein, The rotating axis X is perpendicular to the first matching surface (11) and the second matching surface (21).
8. The tunable optical path lens combination according to claim 1 or 7, wherein The first driving mechanism (3) is provided with a first output gear (31); the rotating frame (7) is provided with a first transmission gear ring (71) in meshing connection with the first output gear (31); and the first driving mechanism (3) drives the rotating frame (7) to rotate through the meshing connection between the first output gear (31) and the first transmission gear ring (71).
9. The tunable optical path lens combination of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises a second driving mechanism (6) fixedly arranged on the middle transfer seat (5) and in transmission connection with the base (8), used for driving the middle transfer seat (5) to rotate relative to the base (8) around a central axis Z.
10. The tunable optical path lens combination according to claim 9, wherein, The base (8) is provided with a second transmission gear ring (81); the second driving mechanism (6) is provided with a second output gear (61) in meshing connection with the second transmission gear ring (81) to drive the middle transfer seat (5) to rotate around the central axis Z.