Adaptive Lens Tilt Compensation for Optoelectronic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic devices face challenges in simplifying the adjustment process, particularly in compensating for manufacturing and assembly tolerances, which increases costs and requires complex mechanical adjustments, and in aligning multiple camera modules for a unified field of view without reducing the effective viewing area.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic device with an adaptive lens that can be electronically controlled to tilt and adjust its focal length, allowing for compensation of tolerances and alignment without mechanical adjustments, using a storage element to store and reproduce the adjusted position, and segmented control elements for precise optical tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical adjustment mechanisms are used to compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an adaptive lens system that uses electrical control to adjust optical parameters. The adaptive lens can change its focal length and orientation through electrical signals, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustment components while achieving the same alignment compensation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (focal length, orientation angle) of the adaptive lens through electrical control to compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system achieves precise alignment without mechanical adjustment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high precision.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple camera modules are used in parallel to expand field of view, then coverage area is improved, but alignment complexity and tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adaptive lenses to multiple camera modules, enabling each module to independently adjust its optical parameters. This universal application allows all modules to be aligned to a common reference frame, simplifying the overall alignment process while maintaining expanded field of view coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a learning process where the adaptive lens is adjusted to a taught-in position that compensates for tolerances. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically correct alignment deviations, making multi-module alignment simpler and more reliable.
3Ease of operation
If image processing cropping is used to align camera fields of view, then alignment is simplified, but the effective field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cropping the image to achieve alignment, the patent inverts the approach by adjusting the optical system (adaptive lens) to align the fields of view before capture. This allows the full field of view to be utilized without post-processing reduction, maintaining both ease of alignment and maximum coverage.
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 adjustment process, reduces costs, and ensures precise alignment and field of view maintenance across device replacements and multiple camera modules, maximizing the total field of view while minimizing overlap requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid lenses, for example, exploit the so-called electrowetting effect (electrowetting) by arranging two immiscible liquids one on top of the other in a chamber. When a control voltage is applied, the two liquids change their surface tension in different ways, so that the inner interface of the liquids changes its curvature depending on the voltage.
Implementation Method 2
In a gel lens, a silicone-like liquid is mechanically deformed using piezoelectric or inductive actuators.
Implementation Method 3
the beam shaping properties of which can be changed asymmetrically by means of an asymmetric frame or different electrical potentials at separate electrodes of the lens frame
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic apparatus (10) having a light transmitter (22) and/or a light receiver (16) and an optics (24, 14) arranged in front of the light transmitter (22) and/or the light receiver (16) is provided that has an adaptive lens (26) with variable tilt. In this respect an alignment unit (18) is provided which is configured to tilt the adaptive lens (26) in such a way that manufacturing tolerances and/or assembly tolerances are compensated.