Ball-Driven Positioning Pin for Compact Optical Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems face challenges in achieving precise alignment of components due to limited space, as traditional nudgers require access from the same direction as the screw's axis, restricting the miniaturization of compact systems.
Innovation Solution
A top-down positioning device with a body featuring a threaded bore, pin chamber, and ball channel, where a screw threaded into the bore pushes balls to extend a positioning pin, allowing for precise adjustment perpendicular to the screw's direction, enabling compact system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional nudger with a screw is used to position an optical component, then precise alignment can be achieved, but the device requires access from the same direction as the screw's axis, increasing the space required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational dimension from linear (screw moving in the same direction as the component) to angular (screw rotating perpendicular to the component direction). The screw axis is oriented perpendicular to the direction of component movement, allowing the operator to access and rotate the screw from a different direction while the positioning pin moves the component in the desired alignment direction. This dimensional change eliminates the need for the screw to be collinear with the movement direction, reducing the space required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a positioning pin as an intermediary between the screw and the optical component. The screw does not directly contact the component but instead moves the positioning pin, which then contacts and moves the component. This intermediary allows the screw to be oriented perpendicular to the component movement direction, as the pin translates the rotational motion of the perpendicular screw into linear motion in the alignment direction.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical components are positioned close together or near the edge of the system to reduce size, then the system becomes more compact, but access to the screw head for adjustment becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the screw axis perpendicular to the direction of component movement, the patent allows the screw head to be accessed from a different direction than the component positioning direction. This enables the screw to be positioned and operated from the top or side of the compact assembly, while the positioning pin extends to contact the optical component from the appropriate direction, maintaining ease of operation in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the screw move in the same direction as the component (traditional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement so the screw moves perpendicular to the component direction. The screw rotation axis is inverted relative to the traditional nudger design, allowing access from a different spatial direction while achieving the same positioning function.
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
Enables precise and compact optical component alignment by translating downward screw movement into lateral pin movement, overcoming space limitations and allowing for smaller system designs.
Implementation Method 1
a screw threaded into the threaded bore and being coupled to a top one of the balls at a top end of the ball channel. A positioning pin is positioned within the pin chamber and extends out of the pin chamber, where the positioning pin is coupled to a bottom one of the balls at a bottom end of the ball channel. Threading the screw into the bore causes the screw to push downward on the balls, which causes the balls to push on the positioning pin and extend it out of the body.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A positioning device for positioning an optical component that includes a body (12) having a threaded bore (26) extending through a top surface (22), a pin chamber (38) extending into a front surface (50) and a ball bearing channel (34) being in communication with the threaded bore and the pin chamber. The device further includes a plurality of balls (32) positioned within the ball bearing channel and a screw (24) threaded into the threaded bore and being coupled to a top one of the ball bearings. The device also includes a positioning pin (40) positioned within the pin chamber, where the positioning pin is coupled to a bottom one of the balls, and where threading the screw into the bore causes the screw to push downward on the ball bearings which causes the ball bearings to push on the positioning pin and extend it out of the body.