Adjustable Optical Mount With Gimbal Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical mounts are not stable or repeatable in environments with thermal cycling and vibration, and they fail to provide precise alignment and protection against contamination, making them unsuitable for industrial applications and long-term use.

Innovation Solution

A modular optical mount with two orthogonal-axis rotational alignment adjustments and retention brackets that accommodate various optical element sizes and shapes, allowing for precise alignment and repositioning, and is adaptable for use in harsh environments and multiple applications including fluidic or vacuum systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If general purpose mounts are used, then ease of manufacture and availability are improved, but stability and repeatability in thermal cycling and vibration environments deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of off-the-shelf mountsVSAvoidstability and repeatability in thermal cycling and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mount is divided into separate functional components: a base plate for mounting to the optical table, adjustable alignment mechanisms with independent degrees of freedom, and a holder for the optical element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability in harsh environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mount incorporates adjustable alignment mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning of the optical element in multiple degrees of freedom. The adjustment screws and pivots enable the system to adapt to thermal expansion and vibration-induced misalignments, maintaining stability through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If integrated mounting hardware optimized for specific applications is used, then manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracy of optical elementsVSAvoidengineering design, assembly and testing cycles

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mount design uses universal mounting interfaces and standardized adjustment mechanisms that can accommodate various optical elements (mirrors, lenses, beam splitters) with different sizes and shapes. The base plate with standard threaded holes and the modular holder design allow the same mount structure to serve multiple applications without requiring custom engineering for each case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment mechanism provides adjustment in multiple spatial dimensions through orthogonal adjustment screws and pivot points. This multi-dimensional adjustment capability achieves high alignment precision without requiring complex single-dimension mechanisms, as the problem is solved by distributing adjustment across multiple independent degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If general purpose mounts are used, then adaptability to different optical elements is improved, but protection against contamination and sealing capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various optical elementsVSAvoidprotection against airborne dust, debris and chemical contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element holder is designed as a nested structure where the optical element is contained within a protective housing. The holder fits inside the main mount body, creating nested layers of protection. This nested design allows the optical element to be accessible for adjustment while being protected from contamination by the surrounding housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The mount incorporates sealing elements and protective housings that form flexible barriers against contamination. The housing can be configured to seal around the optical element while allowing for thermal expansion and adjustment movements, providing protection without compromising the adaptability to different optical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8172412B2Adjustable optical mount

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 LENOX LASER CORP

AI summary

An adjustable optical mount adapted for use with an optical table defining a reference plane includes a hollow housing with openings in the side walls to allow passage of an optical beam therethrough, a gimbal base fixed on the top of the housing, a gimbal plate adjustably mounted under the gimbal base, and a carrier bracket fixed to the gimbal plate for holding preselected optical elements within the housing along the path of the beam. Adjustment mechanisms are provided to tilt and rotate the gimbal plate so as to align the optical element on a selected axis relative to the reference plane.