Central Hub Optical Scanning Device Mass Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical scanning devices face limitations in efficiently deflecting and steering optical paths due to mass, power, and heat constraints, particularly when using prisms and gratings supported around their perimeters.

Innovation Solution

The optical scanning device employs a central hub mounting architecture with first and second rotatable optical components, each supported by independent motor assemblies, allowing for faster rotation speeds and reduced mass and power consumption by mounting the optical components centrally, enabling efficient deflection of optical paths through Risley prisms or diffractive gratings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If optical components are supported around their perimeters, then structural stability is improved, but mass and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmass

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of supporting optical components from the outside perimeter, the patent inverts the support architecture by mounting components from the inside through a central hub. The optical components are mounted to a central hub that rotates with them, reversing the conventional external support approach and thereby reducing the mass of rotating components while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the heavy peripheral support structures from the rotating assembly. By taking out the external support mass and relocating it to a stationary central hub, the rotating components achieve reduced mass while the overall structural stability is preserved through the centralized mounting architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If optical components are supported around their perimeters, then structural stability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional support architecture by mounting optical components from the inside through a central hub rather than from the outside perimeter. This reversal reduces the moment of inertia and rotating mass, thereby decreasing the power required to accelerate and decelerate the components during scanning operations while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heavy peripheral support structures from the rotating assembly and relocates them to a stationary central hub. This extraction reduces the mass and power consumption of the rotating components while the centralized hub structure maintains the necessary structural stability for precise optical scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If optical components are supported around their perimeters, then structural stability is improved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the support architecture by mounting optical components from the inside through a central hub rather than from the outside perimeter. This reversal reduces the rotating mass and surface area subject to friction and resistive heating, thereby reducing heat generation while the centralized hub maintains structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heavy peripheral support structures from the rotating assembly, removing the sources of frictional heat generation. By taking out the external support mass and relocating it to a stationary hub, the rotating components generate less heat while the overall structural stability is preserved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If optical components are mounted centrally with through hole interface, then scan rate is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan rateVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting approach by using a central hub with through-hole interfaces rather than external perimeter mounting. This centralization enables faster rotation and higher scan rates by reducing the moment of inertia, while the standardized through-hole interface simplifies the manufacturing process compared to complex external mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

5Use of energy by moving object

If optical components are mounted centrally, then power consumption is reduced, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central hub as an intermediary structure that serves dual purposes: it provides the mounting interface for optical components through through-hole interfaces, and it serves as the rotational axis for the entire assembly. This intermediary hub structure enables central mounting for reduced power consumption while providing the structural stability needed for precise optical scanning through its rigid connection to both the optical components and the drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances the scan rate and reduces power and heat generation, allowing for increased optical collection area without significant size, weight, or power increases, while minimizing drag friction and balancing issues.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second optical components are configured to deflect an optical path of light transmitted or received through the optical scanning device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical path deflection: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

first and second motor assemblies configured to rotate the corresponding first and second optical components about the optical axis independently of each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9285581B2Optical scanning devices and systems

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 HARRIS CORP

AI summary

Optical scanning devices and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical scanning device comprises a first rotatable optical component and a second rotatable optical component. The first and second optical components are configured to rotate about a common optical axis and further configured to deflect an optical path of light transmitted or received through the optical scanning device. The device further comprises a mounting bracket positioned between the first and second optical components and comprises first and second motor assemblies configured to rotate the corresponding first and second optical components about the optical axis independently of each other. An inner portion of each of the first and second optical components is mounted to an outer portion of the corresponding first and second motor assemblies such that the optical axis is configured to extend through the center of the first and second optical components and tubes.