Adaptive Optical Plate Peeling Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adaptive optical plates, such as mirrors and lenses, are prone to breakage or deformation when released from their support arrangements due to their thin and brittle nature, making handling and replacement challenging without causing damage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a peeling arrangement that applies sequential lifting forces to the plate along its edge, allowing it to be slowly and carefully removed from the support surface, minimizing deformation and breakage risk by maintaining contact with the support at adjacent areas until the plate is fully detached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a high force is applied to release the adaptive optical plate from the support arrangement, then the plate can be detached, but the plate breaks or deforms due to its thin and brittle nature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease forceVSAvoidplate integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The release force is segmented and applied sequentially at different locations along the plate rather than simultaneously across the entire plate. The peeling arrangement moves along the plate, releasing small sections one after another, which distributes the mechanical stress and prevents sudden breakage or deformation of the thin plate structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peeling arrangement performs preliminary action by gradually lifting and detaching sections of the plate before complete release. This controlled sequential detachment prepares the plate for full release by progressively reducing adhesion forces, preventing sudden stress concentration that would cause breakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the entire plate is lifted simultaneously, then release is achieved quickly, but the thin plate deforms or breaks due to excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease speedVSAvoiddamage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plate release process is segmented into multiple sequential steps where different sections are released one after another. The peeling arrangement moves along the plate surface, detaching small areas sequentially rather than lifting the entire plate at once, maintaining both efficiency and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peeling arrangement introduces dynamic motion to the release process, moving progressively along the plate rather than applying static force. This dynamic sequential peeling adapts the release process to the plate's mechanical limits while maintaining productive removal speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple contact points are used to support the plate, then stable support is achieved, but the total release force required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidtotal release force
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The total release force problem is solved by segmenting the detachment process spatially and temporally. Instead of overcoming all adhesion forces at 12,000 contact points simultaneously, the peeling arrangement sequentially releases small sections, reducing the peak force requirement while maintaining support stability during the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2234780B1Method of releasing an adaptive optical plate and assembly of a support and peeling arrangement
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
  • EP2234780B1 patent drawingFigure 1I~1IV
  • EP2234780B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1AIII
  • EP2234780B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Method of releasing an adaptive optical plate (3) from an adaptive optical arrangement (4) supporting the adaptive optical plate, wherein the plate has a small thickness as compared to its surface dimensions, and is supported by the arrangement substantially along its surface (5), wherein a first area (Pl) of the plate is moved in a direction away from the support arrangement, while a second area (P2) of the plate adjacent the first area abuts the arrangement, subsequently the second area is moved in a direction away from the arrangement, while a third area (P3) of the plate adjacent the second area abuts the arrangement, and 'in the same manner sequentially further areas are moved in a direction away from the arrangement, while respective adjacent areas abut the arrangement, wherein said areas are sequentially moved in a direction away from the arrangement in at least one travelling direction such that the plate is peeled from the arrangement in said at least one travelling direction.